Mind of a Business Man, Heart of a Musician: John Esposito

Meet one of the industry’s most seasoned label heads, former Warner Music Nashville Chairman and CEO, John Esposito, or as everyone in the business calls him, “Espo”. Espo began his work in music in a record shop before becoming the GM of The Island Def Jam, and eventually heading up Warner Music. He is known for how he rebuilt WMN by focusing a lot of the label’s attention on Blake Shelton, who at the time was having moderate success, but Espo saw bigger things for him. What followed were 28 number ones and hundreds of awards for the country artist. Espo has a long history in the business, and stands out as a special force thanks to his business mentality paired with his deep love for music.