Features
Matthew Morgan Named Co-Head Of UTA Nashville Office
– Matthew Morgan
UTA has officially confirmed the news that veteran music agents Matthew Morgan and Buster Phillips have departed WME for United Talent Agency, shortly after Scott Clayton exited his post as WME partner and co-head and was announced Nov. 15 as UTA co-head of global music and partner.
Morgan is now the Co-Head of UTA’s Nashville office and will work alongside Co-Head Jeffrey Hasson. Phillips will also be based at UTA’s Music City headquarters.
“Matthew and Buster are well-respected agents with collective decades of experience working with artists across multiple genres. They are fierce advocates for their clients, and we are thrilled to welcome them to UTA,” David Zedeck, Partner and Co-Head of Global Music, said in a statement. “Our Nashville office is rapidly expanding, and that momentum will continue under Matthew and Jeffrey’s leadership.”
Prior to working at WME, Morgan spent 13 years at CAA and two years at CMT. Artists he’s worked with iinclude Grammy-award winning stars Lizzo and Zac Brown Band, as well as Anderson East, Breland, Cam, Dean Lewis, GAYLE, Jessie James Decker, JP Saxe, Keane, Kidd G, Michael Franti, Nightly, Noga Erez, Phillip Phillips, Rival Sons, Robyn Ottolini, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and The Revivalists, among others. An announcement from UTA notes that Morgan “played an instrumental role in Lizzo’s career by introducing her to her producer and label, creating a touring strategy that took her from clubs to arenas, and brokering deals across film, TV, publishing, endorsements and more.”
– Buster Phillips
“UTA Music has been on the cutting edge of client service and innovative opportunities, and I am thrilled to be joining the UTA family,” Morgan stated. “With a roster full of world-class artists and bold innovators, the next chapter in Music City will be a special one.”
During his nearly 20 years in the business Phillips has represented Devon Gilfillian, Gov’t Mule, Ida Mae, Iron and Wine, Kathleen Edwards, Low Cut Connie, Nicole Atkins and The War and Treaty among many others. He previously contributed to the festival business at WME and before that he worked at CAA where he created the agency’s college and festival divisions
Prior to joining UTA, Phillips created the college and festival divisions at Creative Artists Agency and contributed to the festival business at WME. Buster is proud to have played a role in the city’s evolution into a home for creativity that defies traditional genre boundaries.
“This is an exciting time for music in Nashville and I am thrilled to be joining forces with UTA- a company that truly focuses on culture and entrepreneurship. They have done great work for their clients, and I am looking forward to hitting the ground running. The sky’s the limit!” Phillips stated.
Clayton now co-heads global music at UTA with Samantha Kirby Yoh and David Zedeck.
It’s been a busy 2021 for UTA, which has added agents Jeffrey Hasson, Brett Saliba, Matt Korn and Emily Wright to its Nashville office and agents Matt Meyer and Robbie Brown in Los Angeles.