Universal Music Group Looses Exec to Sugar Hill!

Veteran music distribution executive Cliff O'Sullivan has jumped over to Sugar Hill Records, the home of many top Bluegrass Artists, after a career that saw him work with a number of artists from the other side, most recently as senior VP of Universal Music Group Distribution.

Bluegrass-focused Sugar Hill is part of the Welk Music Group, which also houses Vanguard Records and Ranwood Records.

Longtime artist manager and UMG Distribution executive Cliff O’Sullivan has been named General Manager and Senior VP of Welk Music Group’s Sugar Hill Records. The label is home to Marty Stuart, Joey+Rory, Jim Lauderdale, Sam Bush, Sarah Jarosz and many more.

O’Sullivan’s career began as a college rep for CBS Records while earning his BA at University of California Berkeley. He went on to work at Epic, Columbia, PolyGram, RCA, Chrysalis, and EMI Distribution. He is also a 2011 graduate of Leadership Music.

“We are extremely excited to have Cliff lead our Sugar Hill team in Nashville. His passion for music and leadership skills are key to delivering the goals we have set out for Sugar Hill Records,” says Kevin Welk, President of Sugar Hill and Vanguard Records.

“Having been involved with the Vanguard Records and Welk Music family on the artist management side for many years, I developed a great respect for their love of music and dedication to artist development,” says O’Sullivan.

“The opportunity to join the company in Nashville in a leadership role is the realization of a longtime dream of mine on both a personal and professional level.”

O’Sullivan can be reached at cliffo@sugarhillrecords.com or by calling 615-297-6890 ext. 14. The Sugar Hill Nashville office is located at 120 31st Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37203.