How The West Was Spun: 
EMI Nashville Mgr./West Coast Promotion Nick Kaper has segued to Mercury as Dir./Midwest Promotion, and EMI Nashville Coord./Promotion Connor Brock has been elevated to Dir./West Coast Promotion, filling the vacancy. Kaper succeeds Charlie Dean, who departed earlier this month (CAT 1/10). It is a return to the team for Kaper, who joined EMI Nashville in 2018 (CAT 4/11/18) following three years as Mercury Coord./Promotion. "His knowledge of metrics and how to use them, his creativity, personality and passion for country music are unmatched, and we are excited to have him back on the team," says VP/Promotion Damon Moberly. Kaper will now be based in Nashville; reach him here. "Connor has excelled as the Coord. for EMI Nashville, [and] his passion, drive, excitement and love for our artists makes him the perfect fit for the position," says VP/Promotion Jimmy Rector. Brock joined EMI Nashville in 2017. Reach him here.
The CRS 2026
Print Special
featuring: Hey-Hi, AI: Emerging Uses
Best CRS Takeaways Ever
Label Contacts • New Faces
Travis Daily: The Interview
Inside This Issue:
MC-Yay At Ryman Lunch
Disruption Junction
You Look Like You Love Me
The Day Ahead
The 2026 Grammy
Voter's Guide
A quick reference guide to the 2026 Grammy Nominees