Four Depart Southern Ground: A shift in emphasis at Zac Brown's Southern Ground Artists has resulted in the departure of four staffers, including President Ken Robold (reach him here). The radio promotion team remains intact as the label's primary focus becomes the Zac Brown Band. Other departing staffers are Ross DuPré (A&R), Mike Mason (Admin) and Lynn Oliver (Publishing/A&R). According to the label's website, Southern Ground's roster included Levi Lowrey, Blackberry Smoke, The Wood Brothers and The AJ Ghent Band. Brown is expected to continue to support up-and-coming artists outside of a traditional label structure as his label division restructures.

Southern Ground Artists launched in 2011 with a focus on introducing and developing Georgia-based artists. Its first signings included Sonia Leigh, The Wood Brothers and Blackberry Smoke. The label expanded its Nashville presence in 2013 with its Southern Ground Studio, which remains in operation, and brought radio promotion in-house in Sept. 2012 (CAT 9/17/12). Robold joined a year ago (CAT 4/3/13).