Watson's Big Label Expands: Veteran promotion executive Tony Morreale has joined Aaron Watson's Big Label Records as Head/Promotion and radio/label vet Gwen Foster has been named Dir./Promotion, West. The expansion of Watson's radio efforts also includes the additions of consultants/contractors Brad Helton and Greg McCarn for promotion and marketing, joining ongoing relationships with JR Hughes and GrassRoots Promotion, as well as Texas Record Chick Promotions' Tami Millspaugh.

Manager Anthony "Gino" Genaro says the expansion is a logical next step after Watson's last two albums The Underdog and Vaquero debuted at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, on the country albums chart. "The timing at the beginning of this year was right to bring in Tony and Gwen as important players as we enter the next phase of Aaron's career," he says. "Experience and hustle are key components of what we look for in all phases of our business from the band and crew to the building label team. They were natural choices."

Adds Morreale, "I've known Aaron for nearly 10 years and he always sets his goals high and pushes hard to achieve them. Working with Aaron, Gino, JR, Tami, Grassroots and Gwen, who I hired at Average Joes several years ago, is both exciting and fun. The added bonus of being able draw upon and utilize Brad and Greg's deep knowledge and relationships really completes the picture as we put the Vaquero back in country music with single 'Outta Style.'"

Most recently at Average Joes, Morreale's prior stops include BNA, Columbia and Show Dog. In addition to Average Joes, Foster's label stops include Thirty Tigers, IRS/Nashville and Treehouse, as well as an extensive radio run in Phoenix, Dallas and San Diego. Reach Morreale here and Foster here.