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

John sits down with one of the industry’s most seasoned label heads, former Warner Music Nashville Chairman and CEO, John Esposito. John talks about how he was naturally drawn to A&R, the journey from working in a record shop to becoming the GM of Island Def Jam, and eventually heading up Warner Music and receiving calls from the mothers of artists asking why their kid’s record wasn’t on the shelves of Walmart. John 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.

1 episode

John Esposito

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.