Butch Waugh To Retire From RCA

Butch Waugh

Say it ain't so, but it's true! 

After nearly 40 amazing years in the record business, and 27 of them within the SONY organization, SONY MUSIC/NASHVILLE EVP BUTCH WAUGH will retire at the end of this year -- officially, DECEMBER 31st will be his last day.

Look for SONY VP/Promotion SKIP BISHOP and VP/Marketing TOM BALDRICA to step up and carry on with BUTCH's duties, both reporting to RCA/NASHVILLE Chairman JOE GALANTE.

GALANTE, who has worked with WAUGH for nearly three decades, said, "BUTCH’s contributions and leadership have left an indelible mark on our artists’ careers and our team. His passion touched everything in the company. His humorous phrases should be trademarked and will continue to be used every day. There are no words that could explain how much I will miss him on a day-to-day basis."

Waugh Reflects

With the announcement of his retirement, WAUGH offered the following reflection on his career and the people who’ve shared this journey with him.

"I have been in the music industry for four decades, and every day has been better than the day before. I never wanted to do anything else with my life except be surrounded by music. I thank God I have been allowed to be a part of this amazing business. Three things I know made a difference in my life: I listen to the people I worked with, I show up every day with a positive attitude, and I have a wife BELINDA and family who support and believed in me.

"I have been blessed to work for and with such creative, passionate, driven, visionary people. Not sure why so many people chose to be a part of my life and take a huge interest in my career but they did. I was given the gift and honor to work with JOE GALANTE for almost 30 years, and I could not ask for a better friend and teacher. I could not have found my path without the help and guidance of BARRY JONES, HARRY CLARK, OLE BEAR DAVENPORT, CAROLE DAVENPORT, TERRY LAWSON, JOHN YOUNG, HERB ALPERT, JERRY MOSS, HAROLD CHILDS, HEAVY LENNY, AL CAFARO, DON TOOLE, RON HOWIE, BRUCE WENDELL, DAVE FITCH, STEVE MEYER, EDDIE MASCOLO, RANDY GOODMAN, SKIP BISHOP, BRUCE STEVENS, BARRY WEISS, CHARLIE MINOR, HUGH SURRATT, RON FAIR, JIM MCKEON, BOBBY KRAIG, TYLER WAUGH, BONNIE GOLDNER, DAVE NOVIK, SKIP MILLER, STRAUSS ZELNICK, CHERI MARTIN, STEVE RIFKIN, CLINT HIGHAM, BOBBY POE, DAVE LONCAO, BOB ROMEO, CLARENCE SPALDING, BRIAN PHILIPS, CORAN CAPSHAW, all the wonderful people here at SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE, and BOB BUZIAK and RICK DOBBIS for believing in me and changing my life by bringing me to N.Y. where I spent 11 fantastic years.

"I want to thank everyone who served on any and all of my staffs over the years as we strategized and worked together to overcome obstacles, ignored walls, invented new tactics, and accomplished incredible feats. I have to thank so many artists who I worked with and who have made me a better executive and person. BOB SEGER, STYX, SUPERTRAMP, THE BEACH BOYS, COMMODORES, RICK JAMES, LITA FORD, ZZ TOP, NATALIE COLE, HALL & OATES, PABLO CRUISE, LTD, GINO VANNELLI, DR. HOOK, MOODY BLUES, PETER FRAMPTON, AL GREEN, THE KNACK, ANNE MURRAY, THE CAPTAIN & TENNILLE, THE CARPENTERS, CHUCK MANGIONE, STEVIE WONDER, MARVIN GAYE, CAROLE KING, APRIL WINE, THE TUBES, RICK SPRINGFIELD, SWV, THE WU-TANG CLAN, THE VERVE PIPE, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, RONNIE AND KIX, JAKE OWEN, BRAD PAISLEY, ALAN JACKSON, CHRIS YOUNG, MIRANDA LAMBERT and of course, two of the most gifted and talented people I have ever encountered, DAVE MATTHEWS and KENNY CHESNEY.

"There are so many others who have had a positive impact on my my life and my family’s lives, and I want to thank you all. Not only have I been blessed to have these people in my life, but the music industry was built on the backs of these people and many like them. I look forward to new amazing music, new artist breakthroughs, many more innovations to come as our industry has always led the way and pushed the limits but I am not certain the music industry will ever experience the same energy, growth, excitement, competitiveness, friendships, and celebrations I have enjoyed the past four decades." 

Friends and colleagues will be able to stay in touch with WAUGH at butch.waugh@gmail.com.

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