Black River Entertainment has promoted Grace Watson. She now holds the title of Vice President, Commercial Partnerships & Digital.
What We Know: Watson joined BRE in 2023 after working at Universal Music Group/Capitol CMG. Over the past decade, she has helped drive projects to the top of multiple Billboard charts. Those include the Billboard 200, top 40, country, R&B/hip-hop, Christian, and Gospel albums charts. Additionally, she contributed to Kelsea Ballerini’s first No. 1 top country album and Chris Young’s debut Black River project.
What They Said: EVP Rick Froio made his enthusiasm clear. “We hired Grace three years ago and she has been a fantastic addition to BRE. She is a great leader who has the best relationships with our revenue partners, artist managers, and The Orchard. Grace has earned this promotion!” Watson, likewise, welcomed the expanded responsibility. “I’m grateful for the opportunity from Gordon and Rick to step into this role and continue building impactful relationships and sales initiatives for our artists and label across the commercial and digital space,” she said.
What Remains Unclear: BRE has not detailed the structural scope of Watson’s new role. It’s also unknown whether her former Sr. Director position will be backfilled. No additional team announcements have accompanied the promotion.
What It Means: Watson’s Kansas City roots and Belmont University training shaped a career built on cross-format success. Her background spanning Christian, country, and pop markets gives BRE a uniquely versatile commercial leader. Moreover, her existing relationships with revenue partners and The Orchard strengthen the label’s digital footing considerably. This promotion, therefore, signals BRE is thinking boldly about its next chapter.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at [email protected].
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