Keith Naftaly Named Head of A&R at RCA Records

With a little more than a year under his belt as CEO of RCA Music Group, Peter Edge, who headed up the label's A&R team for 16 years, has handed over those reins to new RCA Records executive vice president and head of A&R, Keith Naftaly.

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Naftaly previously held the title of svp at RCA/Jive Label Group where he worked with Pitbull, Britney Spears, Santana, Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Jordin Sparks, among others. Before his label career, Naftaly was a successful radio programmer, first working at KMEL in San Francisco followed by KKBT/The Beat in Los Angeles -- both stations saw their highest ratings ever under his watch. 

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Said Edge in making the announcement: “Keith is one of the most gifted people I have had the pleasure to work with in music. His instincts and experience in record making and identifying those elusive elements that make a hit are the best. His passion for music is matched by his ability to be a creative partner and mentor for those he works with.”

Naftaly's team consists of J Grand (svp, A&R and marketing), Shawn Holiday (svp, A&R, west coast), Wayne Williams (svp, A&R), Mr. Morgan (vp, A&R), Trevor Jerideau (vp, A&R) and Adonis Sutherlin (sr. director, A&R). In his expanded role, he will oversee the pop and pop/urban A&R staff. "We’re at the dawn of a brand new era at RCA and I’m thrilled and proud to be at the center of its creative pulse," said Naftaly. "I’d like to salute the astonishingly talented Peter Edge for his trailblazing style of leadership and thank him from my extremely full heart for this kickass opportunity.” 

Twitter: @THRMusic