Heather Vassar Named SVP Nashville at The Orchard

The Orchard Taps Heather Vassar as SVP Nashville Following Her Major Wins at EMPIRE

Heather Vassar joins the Sony Music-owned company to lead Nashville operations after helping break global stars like Shaboozey and Wyatt Flores.

Marcus J. Delany

Mar 24, 2026, 3:22 PM PT · 1 min read

THE RUNDOWN

Heather Vassar is the new Senior Vice President, Nashville, at The Orchard.
She reports directly to The Orchard’s President and COO, Colleen Theis.
Vassar previously launched and led the Nashville division at independent label EMPIRE.
She contributed to the massive success of artists Shaboozey and Wyatt Flores.
Her role focuses on expanding market presence and fostering independent music relationships.

The Orchard has officially appointed Heather Vassar as its new Senior Vice President, Nashville. In this leadership role, Vassar will oversee the company's Nashville division and report directly to Colleen Theis, the President and COO of The Orchard. The strategic hire is designed to expand the company's market presence and strengthen ties within the independent music community.

Vassar transitions to The Orchard from EMPIRE, where she was instrumental in launching the label's Nashville office. During her tenure there, she played a vital role in the meteoric rise of artists such as Shaboozey, whose hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" dominated the 2024 charts, as well as Wyatt Flores and CeCe. Her reputation for scaling independent talent has made her one of the most watched executives in Music City.

At The Orchard, Vassar is tasked with managing the local team and fostering new partnerships that align with the company's global distribution network. By leveraging her experience in artist development and brand strategy, she aims to position The Orchard as a primary destination for Nashville's diverse independent creators. The appointment marks a significant investment in the region's evolving sound beyond traditional country music.