Cindy Mabe Launches New Country Music Company, Joan of Arc Music, Led by Prominent Female Execs

The former UMG Nashville chief's new venture aims to preserve the legacy of country music while championing its future.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:06pm

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A striking abstract composition of jagged, geometric shapes in deep blue and bright yellow, conveying the idea of preserving the legacy of country music while championing its future.Joan of Arc Music aims to be a warrior for country music creators, preserving the genre's authentic storytelling while embracing innovative strategies to support both emerging and established artists.Today in Nashville

Cindy Mabe, the former chair and CEO of Universal Music Nashville, has announced the launch of a new multifaceted country music company called Joan of Arc Music. The new venture is staffed entirely by prominent female executives, including several Mabe's former UMG colleagues, and will focus on artist development, label services, publishing, management, TV/film production, and philanthropic initiatives to support the country music community.

Why it matters

Mabe was widely regarded as the most powerful woman to hold an executive position in the Nashville music industry. Her new company represents an opportunity for female leaders to take on expanded roles in shaping the future of country music, an industry that has historically been male-dominated. Joan of Arc Music also aims to preserve the authentic storytelling and cultural legacy of country music while embracing innovative distribution and marketing strategies.

The details

Joan of Arc Music will operate through four integrated pillars: artist management, recorded music/label services, content creation, and strategic investments. The company has formed a distribution partnership with Warner Music Nashville, aligning Mabe with some of her former rivals. In addition to the record label, the company will also focus on TV/film production, audio content, and short-form monetization. Underpinning the entire venture is the Joan of Arc Music Preservation Foundation, a philanthropic division that will support charitable initiatives benefiting the country music community.

  • Cindy Mabe stepped down from her role as chair and CEO of Universal Music Nashville in early 2025.
  • Joan of Arc Music was announced and launched in April 2026, 14 months after Mabe's departure from UMG.

The players

Cindy Mabe

The founder and CEO of Joan of Arc Music, Mabe was previously the chair and CEO of Universal Music Nashville, where she was widely regarded as the most powerful woman to hold an executive position in the Nashville music industry.

Cris Lacy

The president of Warner Music Nashville, Lacy has partnered with Mabe and Joan of Arc Music through a distribution deal, aligning the new company with one of Mabe's former rivals.

Joan of Arc Music

A new multifaceted country music company founded by Cindy Mabe, dedicated to preserving the legacy of country music while championing its future through artist development, label services, publishing, management, TV/film production, and philanthropic initiatives.

Warner Music Nashville

The record label that has formed a distribution partnership with Joan of Arc Music, aligning the new company with one of the major players in the country music industry.

Joan of Arc Music Preservation Foundation

The philanthropic division of Joan of Arc Music that will support charitable initiatives benefiting the country music community and protecting the genre's timeless legacy.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Cindy Mabe, Founder and CEO, Joan of Arc Music

“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.”

— Cindy Mabe, Founder and CEO, Joan of Arc Music

What’s next

Joan of Arc Music plans to officially launch its operations and begin signing and developing artists in the coming months, leveraging its distribution partnership with Warner Music Nashville.

The takeaway

Cindy Mabe's new venture, Joan of Arc Music, represents a significant shift in the country music industry, as a female-led company aims to preserve the genre's legacy while embracing innovative strategies to support and elevate both emerging and established artists. The company's focus on female leadership and its philanthropic mission to support the country music community underscore the evolving dynamics within the genre.