CCMG Chairman Bill Hearn dies aged 58

CAPITOL Christian Music Group (CCMG) chairman and CEO William Ray "Bill" Hearn died in Nashville on Sunday 10th December at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer. His father, Billy Ray Hearn, founded Sparrow Records. When he sold the company to EMI, Bill became CEO of EMI Christian Music Group (now known as Capitol Christian Music Group) in 1996. The rosters of CCMG signed labels include Mandisa, Passion Band, Matt Redman, Tye Tribbett and many more while their publishing arm includes writers Ben Glover, Brenton Brown and Kirk Franklin. In 1995 and 2006, Bill won Grammy Awards for his role in producing 'Amazing Grace: A Country Salute To Gospel' and 'Oh Happy Day: A Gospel Music Celebration'. He also won The Recording Academy's President's Merit Award in 2006. Throughout Bill's career, the artists associated with his company have earned more than 200 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum album and video certifications and 40 Grammy Awards, 40 Stellar Awards and 235 Dove Awards. Jody Gerson of Universal Music Publishing Group paid tribute to Bill saying the executive was "a wonderful partner to UMPG, his ability to run his company was second to none and he did it with the utmost integrity and skill." Bill is survived by his wife Charmion Gustke Hearn, two sisters, a niece and nephew.