NASH Icons Hires Heavy Hitter Jim Weatherson as GM
Ever since the joint venture between Cumulus Media and Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group called NASH Icons was announced, one of the biggest questions on the minds of consumers has been what the actual scope of the venture will be. Sold to be the solution to the problem of aging artists getting shuffled off of mainstream radio, NASH Icons looks to revitalize the careers of artists from the last 25 years; artists like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and Reba McEntire that are seen to still have great appeal, but have been left behind by country’s current obsession with youth.
On Wednesday it was announced that NASH Icons had made its first hire, and it’s a heavy hitter in the music business. Jim Weatherson, a 35-year veteran of music management has been tapped to be the NASH Icons General Manager; a move that signals a deep commitment from both Cumulus and Big Machine to the endeavor.

Jim Weatherson’s resume includes a recent stint at the Nashville office of 19 Entertainment, best known for its ties to American Idol. Weatherson also worked at artist management group ’13 Management’ which oversees Taylor Swift, and was also previously the general manager of Walt Disney Records. He’s also worked previously with Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts. “I have known Scott Borchetta for nearly 25 years,” Weatherspoon says. “And I am honestly thrilled and honored to finally get to work directly with him and his team as well as Cumulus on this groundbreaking concept.”
“Jim Weatherson is the perfect executive to lead the charge for NASH Icons,” says Scott Borchetta. “We have a longstanding relationship of working together on some of the biggest Country artists and album releases in history. To land him and have his 100% focus on Icons will only lead to one thing: success.”
“Jim’s experience and the respect he’s earned in the music business will enable NASH Icons to quickly become a leader in recording and live events for the Country stars we hold in such high regard,” says John Dickey of Cumulus.
READ: Are Cumulus Media’s NASH Plans Serious, or Just Sizzle?
In late May, Cumulus Chairman Lew Dickey said that he expected NASH Icons to recruit big names like Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson, and that announcements on the signings would be happening within a month. Though no artist names have been released yet, the announcement of Jim Weatherson would be a first step to recruiting talent for the label. Meanwhile the rest of country music looks on curiously, wondering if the launch of NASH Icons will result in a true format split.
June 19, 2014 @ 12:05 pm
All of this is just annoying. I don’t want another oldies station. I want a station that is not afraid to play true country music. One that’s not afraid to play Dale Watson, Jake Hooker, Amber Digby along with Ernest Tubb, Haggard, Jones, and still throw in some Alan Jackson, Clint Black and Randy Travis. These stations are trying to hard to compartmentalize everything. I miss the days when I had the convenience to turn on my radio and be pleased with what was playing. Instead, today’s true country music listener has to search the internet and streaming services to find what we really enjoy. Thank you very much to various sites and podcasts that have turned me onto some excellent country music that is being made in 2014. It’s a shame that 98% isn’t being played on my FM dial.
June 19, 2014 @ 3:51 pm
Since the entire motivation for this channel is to be a marketing scheme for former top country artists who have faded from the limelight, I wouldn’t listen even if there was a NASH Icons channel in Los Angeles. Any artists signed by Big Machine related to this venture will get the heaviest airplay rotation, so its the “payola principle” from the git go! Apart from Alan Jackson I really don’t care about any of the other artists they’ve mentioned thus far. I grew tired of hearing Garth, Reba, Shania, Tim, Faith, etc many moons ago. So the burning question is whether Nash Icons will lead to a Dixie Chicks career revival (well, until Natalie opens her mouth again)? (lol)
Also the 25 year cut-off starting now with the class of 1989 is perfect from a marketing viewpoint, not so much from older radio listener’s perspective. A fixed starting year of 1980 would make the channel far more interesting for fans of real country music as it would include the Urban Cowboy and New Traditionalist eras within the 1980’s. I’d much rather listen to Ricky Skaggs than Garth…
June 19, 2014 @ 8:37 pm
Actual line from the press release about this:
“NASH ICONS will provide advertisers the opportunity to engage with the passionate Country fan base across a multi-media platform that spans radio, television, digital, magazine and live events.”
June 19, 2014 @ 5:14 pm
I’ll say this – as an indie artist whose music is much closer to the Waylon, Hank Jr, Alan Jackson of yesterday than the Luke Bryans and Jason Aldeans of today, I’m excited about NASH Icons. The country station in Los Angeles is pure garbage, and the thought that I’ll be able to once again hear music I love on the radio excites me. It also makes me wonder if it will become a marketing machine for Nashville artists who eschew the current trends, and push boundaries in an outlaw or honky-tonk manner not found on “popular” radio. It’d certainly be cool to hear some of today’s country that ISN’T on the current clear channel rotations.