After years of cultivating talent at major Nashville music companies, Katie Studley has been named Spotify’s Head of Editorial for Nashville, effective August 28, 2025. The appointment represents a significant step in Spotify’s ongoing commitment to the Nashville music scene, with Studley succeeding Rachel Whitney who departed earlier this year.
Studley brings substantial industry experience to the role, having previously served as VP at The Orchard‘s Nashville office, where she honed her expertise in music distribution and market growth strategies. Her career path also includes notable stints at Third Man Records and Thirty Tigers, providing her with a diverse background spanning both independent and mainstream music sectors.
The strategic hire positions Studley to work alongside Tim Foisset, Spotify’s Head of Label Partnerships in Nashville, creating a formidable leadership team focused on strengthening the platform’s presence in country, Americana, and adjacent genres. Her extensive music editorial expertise will be valuable in developing Spotify’s country music offerings. This announcement comes as Dierks Bentley makes headlines with his new management deal at Vector Management. Industry observers note that this pairing indicates Spotify’s intensified investment in Nashville’s growing music ecosystem.
Spotify’s decision to bolster its Nashville editorial leadership raises questions about the shifting power dynamics in America’s music landscape. While Los Angeles has traditionally dominated as the entertainment capital, Nashville’s influence has steadily expanded beyond its country music roots.
The streaming giant’s commitment to dedicated editorial resources in Nashville suggests recognition of the city’s increasing significance. Artists in the region can now benefit from enhanced playlist pitching opportunities as Studley takes the helm of curation decisions. Recent industry movements support this trend, including Tim Burruss’s high-profile relocation from Los Angeles to Nashville for a VP Promotion role at another major music company.
These personnel shifts highlight Nashville’s growing stature, though Los Angeles maintains its position as a diverse music powerhouse. Nashville-based artists looking to maximize their earnings can leverage the city’s robust sync deals ecosystem for licensing opportunities in film and television. In her new position, Studley will oversee content creation and curation specifically tailored to Nashville’s unique music scene.
The appointment comes as streaming platforms increasingly compete for market share through localized editorial strategies, with Spotify clearly betting on Nashville’s continued growth as a crucial music hub worthy of dedicated leadership and resources.
