(Hypebot) ASCAP Nashville VP and country music heavyweight Michael Martin is exiting the PRO effective Friday. Martin, who jointly led ASCAP’s creative staff alongside LeAnn Phelan prior to his promotion to VP in 2015, joined ASCAP in 2010 from Extreme Writers Group (EWG), a publishing and content development firm which he co-founded in 2000 with Jason Houser.
Commenting on the news, ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews said:
“Michael’s leadership of our Nashville team over the past four years has been extraordinary. We are excited for him as he returns to his ‘first love’ of music publishing, and we look forward to partnering with him in his new role.”
Longtime ASCAP executive and songwriter advocate Mike Sistad will take over the role of vice president following Martin’s departure, while ASCAP’sKele Currier has been elevated to assistant VP, strategic services, membership.
Sistad brings to the role more than eighteen years of experience, during which time he signed and guided the careers of artists such as Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce and others. He will lead the PRO’s Nashville membership team, reporting to executive VP of membership John Titta.
Currier, who brings with her more than 20 years of industry experience, joined ASCAP in 2013 in the position of director of strategic services, membership. She will report to Sistad.
