Andrew Kautz Launches Nashville-Based Bespoke Music Consulting Firm
When a former HYBE strategist steps into Nashville’s storied music scene, the city hears a new voice of industry insight. On May 8, 2026, Andrew Kautz announced the launch of Kautz & Associates, a boutique consulting practice that will deliver deep, client‑specific advice to labels, artists, investors, and their teams.
Kautz says the firm will serve only a hand‑selected group of private clients, offering real availability and candid counsel drawn from decades spent at the operational heart of the music business. "We’re not built for volume but for depth," he told reporters. The practice will cover everything from label operations and publishing to distribution, royalties, catalog strategy, rights management, finance, business development, and mergers‑and‑acquisitions.
The founder’s career began in 1989 as a college intern at Nashville’s Emerald Sound Studios, where he advanced to Chief Operating Officer. In 2005 he became the first hire at Big Machine, the label founded by Scott Borchetta. Over the next twenty‑two years, he served as General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, and ultimately President of Label Operations, guiding Big Machine to become the world’s most successful independent record label. In 2023 he joined the U.S. arm of South Korean conglomerate HYBE, leading strategy and operations for HYBE Label Service.
Kautz’s new practice will leverage that breadth of experience. Clients will receive guidance on label operations, publishing, rights management, royalty collection, catalog strategy, finance, and M&A. He highlighted the firm’s focus on technology and AI strategy, noting that "the next decade of this industry will be shaped as much by technology as by talent." The consulting team will help labels and artists navigate emerging tech platforms, AI‑generated music, and automated production tools.
The launch comes amid growing complexity in the music ecosystem. Digital distribution, streaming royalties, and new licensing models are reshaping revenue streams, while AI‑generated music and automated production tools are altering how content is created and monetized. Kautz’s background in negotiating performance‑royalty rights agreements with major broadcasters and his recent work with HYBE’s global expansion give him insight into both traditional and emerging business models.
Industry observers note that a boutique consulting practice such as Kautz & Associates can fill a niche for clients who need detailed, hands‑on guidance rather than broad, generic advice. The firm’s emphasis on technology and AI strategy positions it to help labels and artists navigate the growing intersection of music and emerging tech platforms.
Kautz will be based in Nashville, the city that has long been a hub for music production and business. The firm’s website, kautz.llc, lists a contact email and a photo courtesy of Kautz. Clients interested in the firm’s services can reach out directly at andrew@kautz.llc.
In short, Andrew Kautz has launched Kautz & Associates, a bespoke consulting practice that leverages his decades of experience in label operations, publishing, rights, and technology. The firm aims to provide deep, client‑specific advice to labels, artists, and investors navigating the evolving music industry.
