THYRET TO STAY AT WARNER BROS.

Warner Bros. Records Inc. Chairman/CEO russ thyret',390,400);">russ thyret',390,400);">Russ Thyret, back in the Burbank offices from vacation, told senior staffers Tuesday that he was staying on at the company, sources said.

The 30-year company veteran, who said he would weigh his options while away, apparently decided Warner is still his home.

Sources said that Thyret had been offered an extension of his contract by Warner Music Group topper roger ames',390,400);">roger ames',390,400);">Roger Ames.

News of Thyret's somewhat tenuous position at the Bunny came after news leaked that Ames had lured Interscope-Geffen-A&M President Tom Whalley to the Warner/Reprise fold for a whopping $30-$40 million, five-year deal (hitsdailydouble.com, 5/23).

But, with Whalley being under contract at Interscope until Jan. 1, 2002, Thyret may be asked to keep the ship afloat in the interim.

It is unclear whether Ames wants Thyret to stay on during the time it takes Whalley to come on board or if he wants him to continue at the label even after Whalley arrives.