Asylum Records -- the label that launched Bryan White's career and revived George Jones' -- is melting away. While its artist roster is still intact -- at least officially -- its executive and support staff has been reduced to six.

The label's offices were recently moved from its own building to smaller quarters in the Warner/Reprise Nashville complex on Music Row.

Currently, the Asylum roster includes White, Jones, Lila McCann, Chad Austin, Chalee Tennison, Mark Nesler and Monte Warden.

Decisions on which Asylum artists will stay or go now rest with Warner/Reprise Nashville president Jim Ed Norman. Wes Vause, Asylum's director of publicity and one of the cutback survivors, says that those remaining are taking some comfort in the fact that Norman has a reputation of being "artist friendly."

Vause adds that while some staff cuts were expected, the severity came as a surprise. Still in place, besides Vause, are Asylum president Evelyn Shriver, senior vice president of A&R Susan Nadler, vice president of promotion Stan Byrd and two regional promoters.

A year ago, Asylum had more than 20 employees.