Andrew Kautz | Soyars Leadership Lecture Series

Andrew Kautz is Chief Operating Officer of Big Machine Label Group in Nashville. In this position, Kautz oversees all operations of the label, spearheading the company’s financial, legal, administrative and business development processes.

As one of the original employees when Big Machine opened its doors on Music Row in 2005, Kautz has experienced a rich history within the organization. He has been instrumental in growing the then start-up with just 13 employees into one of the leading independent record labels across all genres of music today. Currently, with a staff of over 60, the company has been able to further develop its reach worldwide.

Working closely with Big Machine CEO/President Scott Borchetta, Kautz has led the charge for some of Big Machine’s largest initiatives, including the label’s history-making performance royalty rights agreements with Clear Channel and Entercom. He helped guide Big Machine’s growth from a single imprint with domestic distribution to the multi-faceted structure it is today. In 2007 The Valory Music Co. was founded and is home to Reba, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, The Mavericks and Thomas Rhett. In 2010, Big Machine and Republic Records joint venture established the Republic Nashville label, whose roster boasts GRAMMY-nominated trio The Band Perry, Platinum hitmakers Eli Young Band and NBC’s “The Voice” (Season 3) winner Cassadee Pope.

Before joining Big Machine, Kautz was COO of The Emerald Entertainment Group the Southeast’s largest recording facility (Emerald Sound Studios, Masterfonics, Emerald Broadcast Division, Digital Audio Post) where he started as a college intern and escalated through the ranks from 1989 to 2005.

Andrew is an advisory member of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM).Source: https://www.crunchbase.com/person/andrew-kautz

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