Mumbai: Warner/Chappell Music has promoted Greg Sowders as senior vice president and head of A&R, U.S. Based in Los Angeles and effective immediately, he will continue to report to Warner/Chappell Music president and Warner/Chappell Music U.S chairman and CEO Scott Francis.

In his new role, Sowders’ expanded responsibilities will include overseeing all of Warner/Chappell’s A&R departments in Los Angeles and New York, excluding the Urban Department which will continue to report to Chris Hicks. Sowders will work closely with Warner/Chappell Music senior vice president A&R and head urban music Hicks. Hicks will continue to report to Francis and Warner/Chappell Music chairman and CEO Dave Johnson.

In making the announcement, Francis said, "Sowders’ 17 years at Warner/Chappell have been truly special. A former drummer in an accomplished band, he came to the company and worked his way up through the Film & Television and A&R Departments. He is a true music publisher, and has been instrumental in identifying and developing our roster of songwriters. He is a highly personable A&R executive who understands both the creative process and business side. Greg is driven by a passion for music and a devotion to Warner/Chappell’s songwriters. In recognition of his work over the years, we are pleased to promote him to the head of our A&R department and we look forward to his continued success."  

Sowders added, "I’m tremendously grateful for having the opportunity to be a part of Warner/Chappell for so many years as well as the chance to work with an amazing roster of songwriters and with so many talented colleagues. Given Francis’s music experience and vision for the Company, I am very excited about the future and look forward to working with our A&R teams to find and develop new songwriters."

Sowders joined Warner/Chappell in 1991 as manager film & TV where he placed songs from the Warner/Chappell catalog in a variety of film and television projects.  Subsequently, he moved into the A&R department where he served as director of A&R, working with artists including Green Day, Nickelback, Paramore, The Black Crowes, Lucinda Williams, Staind, Rufus Wainwright, and disturbed among others.   

Prior to joining Warner/Chappell, Sowders served as the assistant to the head of the film & TV department for BMI. In this capacity, he worked with film composers and their catalogs in the collection and payment of their performing rights royalties.