Chronicle: Former Giant Records GM Alan Shapiro passed earlier this month at the age of 77 following a long battle with cancer. Shapiro joined WEA Distribution in Houston and rose to VP/Sales before transferring to the WEA branch in Dallas and eventually moving to WEA’s Los Angeles headquarters, ultimately retiring in Los Angeles in 2001. Shapiro moved to Nashville in 1994 as GM of Giant Records, where he was part of the team who introduced Clay Walker. Shapiro was also a member of Leadership Music Class of 1996. A graveside service was held Feb. 16 in The Woodlands, TX.