Industry Photos

CMA International Broadcaster Award • Galante/Chesney at Surprise Party • Vanderbilt Hospital and the WMBA

Great Britain’s Allan Watkiss Receives CMA International Broadcaster Award

British radio personality Allan Watkiss was surprised with the CMA International Broadcaster Award last week while interviewing CMA CEO Steve Moore for “Your Country” on BBC Radio Sheffield. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the U.S. who have made important contributions toward the development of country music in their countries. “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award from CMA,” said Watkiss. “It is very timely, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of my program, ‘Your Country.’ I have thoroughly enjoyed working to make UK audiences more aware of the great country music that is out there. Thank you to everyone who has supported my work over the last decade.”

Joe Galante Toasted at Surprise Party in His Honor

Former Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante’s 39-year career (which began with RCA Records in 1971) was celebrated at surprise party on Saturday, January 22. The event was hosted by a group of Galante’s closest industry friends including Renee Bell, Connie Bradley, Kix Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Robert Deaton, Ronnie Dunn, Phran Galante, Randy Goodman, Clint Higham, Gerry House, Joel Katz, Martina McBride, Dale Morris, Susan Nadler, Nancy Russell, Clarence Spalding and Butch Waugh. More than 200 people were on-hand to toast Galante. More here (subscribers only).

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Entertainment Industry Relations Visits the WMBA

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) invited Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Rondal Richardson, Entertainment Industry Relations Mgr. and Stephanie Van Dyke, Director of Volunteer Services for Children’s Hospital, to speak at the January membership meeting. Richardson and Van Dyke shared the many ways that the hospital works with the country music industry and relies on its volunteers and entertainment contacts’ support and philanthropy. The WMBA is dedicated to fostering opportunities within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, community service and organizational fellowship.