Wilma Cozart Fine

In the beginning of my music industry career I had the pleasure of working with an amazing woman, Wilma Cozart Fine. Perhaps the younger readers won’t know of her, but any woman in the record industry owes a great deal to Wilma. Together with her husband Bob, she engineered and produced some of the most impressive recordings ever made - the Mercury Living Presence recordings.

I met Wilma when I was 28 years old. I was the product manager at PolyGram in New York when Philips Classics reissued her series. I worked with her almost every day for 2 years. Her diligence and passion knew no limits. Few people in this industry have made such an impression on me. She taught me the importance of keeping my word and showed me how graciousness can be just as powerful as a hard-nosed toughness. Wilma was proof that there is nothing that can replace knowledge of product, business savvy and years of experience.

Wilma passed away a last September. I am a better businesswoman and better person for knowing her. Thank you Wilma, you were one hell of a dame. - Lisa Nauful

Click to read the New York Times dedication to Wilma

An Introduction to White Tie Records

White Tie Records is an independent classical label with major label distribution. We offer our artists a custom approach to distribution to support their individual career development. Because we are an independent label, we are able to navigate the changing industry with agility.  Our goal is to serve as advocates for our artists within the distribution system. White Tie Records is an artist run company with one simple mission, to put the music first.      
 
About the owner: Lisa Nauful’s conservatory training led to a successful orchestral career, with performances at some of the world’s finest venues.  She has toured with orchestras both domestically and internationally and completed intensive study in Vienna, Austria.  Stepping away from a full-time orchestra position in 1989, Lisa entered the classical recording industry as the top wholesale Classical Buyer in the country.  She has held positions at four prominent record labels.  Lisa was Product Manager for Philips Classics, PR Manager for Telarc, Senior Director of Publicity for Atlantic Records (representing Nonesuch, Teldec Erato, Finlandia, Atlantic Jazz and Mesa Bluemoon) and most recently, the US Label Manager for Warner Classics.  Lisa holds a Master of Music degree in Performance and Orchestral Literature and is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music.  In addition to her label work she continues to perform and teach.