Cindy Mabe Launches Joan of Arc Music to Strengthen Authentic Country Music Storytelling
Former Universal Music Group Nashville chair and CEO Cindy Mabe has officially launched Joan of Arc (JOA) Music, a comprehensive company dedicated to artist development, label services, publishing, and management. This initiative aims to preserve the essence of country music, emphasizing its authentic storytelling and cultural roots.
A Mission to Protect Artistry
In a recent press release, Mabe stated, “Country music is at a crossroads. We risk losing the very essence of what makes country music special — its authentic storytelling, its connection to people’s real lives, and its deep cultural roots. Joan of Arc Music exists to be warriors for creators and protect artistry.”
JOA Music, which is set to announce signings soon, has formed a distribution partnership with Warner Music Nashville (WMN). Mabe highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership with Cris Lacy and the team at Warner Records Nashville amplifies our mission. Cris is a Nashville veteran whose commitment to the legacy of country music aligns with our vision of preserving the genre’s authentic storytelling while embracing innovative distribution and marketing strategies. Together, we’re creating a powerful platform for both emerging and established artists to reach global audiences.”
Structure and Divisions of JOA Music
JOA Music comprises several divisions, including Joan of Arc Entertainment, which will oversee the label, management, and publishing sectors. Additionally, Joan of Arc Studio Works will focus on content creation, encompassing TV and film production, audio content, and short-form monetization. Joan of Arc Ventures will emphasize strategic investments in partnerships and equity-backed ventures, while the Joan of Arc Music Preservation Foundation will serve as the philanthropic arm, dedicated to safeguarding the stories of country music’s past and nurturing its future.
Mabe, recognized as Billboard’s 2019 Country Power Players executive of the year, will lead the new entity as founder and CEO. She has assembled a team of executives, many of whom she previously worked with at UMG Nashville, including Lori Christian (head of label services and management), Dawn Gates (head of business development and ventures), and Leigh Morrison (head of office administration and artist relations). The team also includes singer-songwriter Harper Grae (head of TV/film and project scouting) and Allison Winkler (head of JOA music preservation).
Partnerships and Collaborations
In addition to its partnership with Warner Music Nashville, JOA Music has secured collaborations with the CMA Foundation, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the mental health and wellness organization Porter’s Call.
Mabe, who made history as the first woman to lead a major Nashville label group, departed UMG Nashville in February 2025 after nearly two years in the role. Her extensive experience includes working with prominent artists such as Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, The War and Treaty, Mickey Guyton, and Little Big Town.
Vision for the Future of Country Music
The launch of JOA Music was accompanied by two mission statements from Mabe, titled “The Origin Story” and “The Difference.” In “The Difference,” she criticized the rapid influx of Los Angeles and New York labels into Nashville, which she believes threatens the authenticity of country music. Mabe remarked, “With the rush for coastal legitimizing, the labels suggesting they know better, it often feels like the coal mines of Appalachia being strip mined of coal all over again. What we do — the people who create and deliver it — has real value. Our greatest resources are our music and our history, and that will enrich our future.”
Mabe also addressed the impact of technology on artistry, cautioning that “technology that is not creative led will take the God, the actual life and emotion, out of our music.” She emphasized the importance of teaching future generations the craft of music creation, stating that without this foundation, the industry risks losing its connection to genuine life experiences.
Reflecting on the State of Country Music
In “The Origin Story,” Mabe further critiques the transient nature of pop music labels, which she argues often abandon artists when their popularity wanes. She expressed concern that this approach could lead to the erasure of country music’s rich history. “Pop labels chase what’s popular, then move on when it cools. For country music, which has existed beyond that premise, it means when the current boom cools, country will be a dead language,” she stated.
Mabe shared a personal revelation that prompted her departure from UMG Nashville. “Days after I turned 52, realizing how little any of the incoming dealmakers understood about the history or cared about the music, I left my job as the head of Universal Music Group Nashville. The music meant too much to me to participate in separating the music from its roots, its generational fans and the lives it’s always reflected.”
This epiphany was further solidified during a family funeral, where Mabe reflected on the significance of country music in her life. “I wept, not just for the loss of an uncle I’d grown up with, but for the demise of country music… Sitting there, I realized: country music is worth fighting for.”
Funding and Future Aspirations
While specific funding details for JOA Music have not been disclosed, Mabe indicated that the venture is “funded by the stakeholders of Nashville, country music and those who believe in preserving its cultural and human legacy.”
Mabe concluded her statements by drawing parallels between her mission and that of Joan of Arc, the historical figure known for her bravery and commitment to her cause. “We mean to be disruptors, protectors and groundbreakers. We are destined to slay dragons, rise again, fight for what we believe — and like Joan, a young woman from a small village in northeast France, never be forgotten.”
As reported by www.billboard.com.
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Published on 2026-04-14 17:00:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk