Steve Barnett

Previously the Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group (CMG), a position he held from 2012 when he was charged with revitalizing the former EMI Recorded Music after its acquisition by Universal Music Group (UMG) that year, until his retirement in 2021. He was responsible for the overall direction and management of the company, which included Capitol Records, Motown Records, Blue Note Records, Astralwerks, Capitol Christian Music Group and Virgin Music Label & Artist Services. Under Barnett’s leadership, CMG’s focus on artist development resulted in 32 breakout artists that generated 93 million global and 60 million U.S. adjusted album sales during his tenure. Prior to heading CMG, Steve was Co-Chairman and COO of Columbia Records. He first joined Sony Music’s Epic Records in 1996 as Senior Vice President, International, rising to Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for the label in 1997, then serving as Executive Vice President/ General Manager, and rising to label President in 2004. Prior to joining Epic, Barnett was President of Hard To Handle Management, where his clients included AC/DC. He began his career in 1970 as an agent in London.