It appears that the massive layoffs long expected at EMI have begun. The major label, which previously announced plans to fire up to 2,000 employees — about one-third of its work force — as part of a massive restructuring, began lowering the boom at its Nashville office and at subsidiary labels Blue Note and Caroline, according to reports. Billboard confirmed that Nashville bigwigs including VP of A&R Larry Willoughby and VP of sales Bill Kennedy were among those given notice. Blogs and industry bulletin board the Velvet Rope have listed the names of several others fired, along with reports that more layoffs are expected today at core EMI subsidiaries Virgin Records and Capitol Records, although that rumor is unconfirmed.

Related Stories:

• What’s Next for Coldplay, Spice Girls Label? EMI’s Guy Hands Speaks Out
• EMI/Capitol Catch Vinyl Fever with Radiohead, Pet Sounds Reissues
• Thom Yorke Responds to EMI’s Airing of Dirty Laundry

[Photo: Getty]