Wes Donehower has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President, A&R at Big Loud Records and Mercury Records.
According to Wednesday’s (June 18) announcement, this “unique” dual role originated from the “successful strategic alliance” between Big Loud Records and Mercury Records.
Since signing a multi-year distribution deal back in 2024, the two labels have worked closely together across artists like Big Loud’s Morgan Wallen.
In his previous role, Donehower served as Senior Vice President, A&R at Republic Records where he worked on the deal to bring Jelly Roll to the label in partnership with BMG and Broken Bow Records.
He also led A&R on Jelly Roll‘s latest album, Beautifully Broken, which debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200.
Prior to this, Donehower worked in A&R at Columbia Records where he signed artists such as Lil Nas X, Russ, Koe Wetzel, and Quinn XCII.
Big Loud partner and CEO Seth England commented on Donehower’s appointment: “Wes has an exceptional track record of discovering and signing game-changing talent, and he’s firmly established himself as one of the industry’s top A&R executives.”
“Wes has firmly established himself as one of the industry’s top A&R executives.”
Seth England, Big Loud
Added England: “I respect his work ethic, his creative instincts, and the impact he makes on the culture.
“We’re honored to welcome him into the Big Loud family through our partnership with Mercury.”
Mercury Records Chairman and CEO Tyler Arnold, said: “Wes is an incredible A&R executive who has an innate ability to work across every genre.
“He has great instincts, but more impressively has a gift of building long lasting and genuine relationships with artists.
“We’ve shared a lot of great moments already, and I’m so excited to team up with Wes for many years to come.”
“He has great instincts, but more impressively has a gift of building long lasting and genuine relationships with artists.”
Tyler Arnold, Mercury Records
Commenting on his new role, Donehower said: “Tyler and Seth have set a standard for our business with their dynamic and artist centric approach.
“It’s a privilege to work with both the Mercury and Big Loud teams.
“It’s a privilege to work with both the Mercury and Big Loud teams.”
Wes Donehower, Big Loud and Mercury Records
“I’m looking forward to continuing to build new relationships in country music while fostering my longstanding partnerships across all genres.”
This appointment is another sign of the strengthening relationship between Big Loud Records and Mercury Records’ parent company, Universal Music Group.
On May 1, Big Loud sold a minority stake in Morgan Wallen’s master recording catalog to Chord Music Partners, in a deal reportedly valued at over $200 million.
Universal Music Group holds a 25.8% stake in Chord Music Partners, via a $240 million investment made in February 2024.Music Business Worldwide
