Southern Ground Artists Names President Music-industry Veteran Ken Robold

LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Earshot Media) Music-industry veteran Ken Robold has been named president of Zac Brown's label Southern Ground Artists. Robold will oversee Southern Ground's record label, publishing and studio arms, continuing to build the publishing roster, which will include Zac Brown Band's future recordings, as well as the artist roster, which currently includes Blackberry Smoke, Clay Cook, Nic Cowan, Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowrey, The Wheeler Boys and The Wood Brothers.

"My vision for Southern Ground Artists has always been to create a home for diverse and talented songwriters. Based on Ken's work at UMG Nashville, and particularly at Lost Highway, he is the perfect fit to head up the label," said SGA founder Zac Brown. "We're looking forward to what Ken brings to our team."

"To get to work with an artist such as Zac Brown at an artist-owned, entrepreneurial company is simply a dream come true," said Robold. "While getting to know Zac in the last few months, I have found that his talent and creativity are surpassed only by what a quality human being he is. I'm looking forward to building this company together."

Robold most recently served as Executive VP and General Manager of Universal Music Group Nashville, where he oversaw day-to-day operations and worked with artists including Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie, George Strait, Shania Twain, Ryan Adams, Jamey Johnson, Lucinda Williams and Lee Ann Womack. The role was the culmination of a nearly 22-year career at PolyGram Records / Universal Music Group.