Trouble in Nashville: Disney to close its Lyric Street label

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The Walt Disney Co. said it planned to close its Lyric Street Records label in Nashville, home to such major country music acts as Rascal Flatts.

Disney Music Group Chairman Bob Cavallo said the changing nature of the music business -- and corporate emphasis on streamlining operations -- drove the decision.

‘We need to find alternative ways to create and market new artists and their music to consumers,’ Cavallo said.

Disney said the closure will be phased, with a core promotions team remaining in place to market current releases. Rascal Flatts will be moved to another Disney label, which will launch its upcoming fall album.

Over the coming months, the music group will evaluate which groups will remain with the label, said one person familiar with the situation.

Since opening in 1997, Lyric Street Records has been the home to multi-platinum artists Rascal Flatts and SheDaisy. Other artists include Aaron Tippin, Love and Theft, Sarah Buxton and newcomers Tyler Dickerson and Kevin Fowler as well as ‘American Idol’ alums Josh Gracin and Bucky Covington.

--Dawn C. Chmielewski