• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

SOLID September Marks 15 Years of Success

September 10, 2012/by Sarah Skates

The Society of Leaders In Development (SOLID) is celebrating its 15th anniversary during “SOLID September” with events highlighting its most important initiatives: education, outreach, and networking.

Networking
“SOLID has been growing leaps and bounds since it started in 1997,” explained SOLID Pres. Jon Romero during a recent interview. “It has evolved every year with different groups of members, but its goal has always been the same, to bring together young industry professionals.”

Founding member Chris Neese recalled the meetings that led to the organization. “A small group of friends gathered to discuss our future. We saw a need to bring aspiring music industry professionals together to create strong social networks, provide education training, promote leadership, and inspire community involvement. Our solution was SOLID.” The group debuted with a party at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Accordingly, the 15th Anniversary Reception will be held at the Hall of Fame on Tues., Sept. 25, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., where highlights will include interviews with SOLID alumni and an awards ceremony.

Most SOLID events combine networking with education or outreach, as is the case with tomorrow’s (Tues., Sept. 11) Food Truck Frenzy. Running from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the SESAC parking lot, 10% of the profits will benefit the charity Linda’s Hope, which fights pancreatic cancer.

Education
Anniversary events kicked off on Sept. 4 with a Conversation with Gene Simmons and Doc McGhee. “Every year we set the bar higher and higher,” said Romero, who works at Vector Management. “It was the biggest panel we’ve put together and it happened thanks to our members’ hard work and connections.”

Throughout the year, the group’s education initiatives include quarterly SOLID After-Work Shops. “We are always bringing in industry leaders for direct dialog with our members,” explained Romero of the panels. “We try to put them in a small setting so our members can ask questions and bounce ideas off of them.”

Outreach
Outreach opportunities focus on serving the community at large, as well as music business college students. To that end, this month SOLID is organizing a Job Shadow Day on Thurs., Sept. 20, and a Habitat For Humanity Build on Sat., Sept. 15.

SOLID is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with annual fundraisers including Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake, and the SOLID Yard Sale held during CMA Music Festival. “This year we’ve given away $50,000 to different charities,” said Romero. “That’s leaps and bounds over last year’s $18,000. We want the industry to know we are doing a lot for the community with our sweat and action by our members. There are a lot of legs coming out of SOLID, such as Women Rock For The Cure, and Buds-N-Suds for Crohn’s and Colitis.” Both groups have roots among SOLID members and have since become stand alone charities.

“We set the bar and then reach over it,” summed Romero. “In the next 15 years I hope that we continue to build our reputation on Music Row and that the executives continue to seek our members and know the value of the organization.”

Visit SOLID online, on Facebook, or Twitter.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has been a writer and editor in the music business since 2004. She is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
Sarah Skates
Latest posts by Sarah Skates (see all)
  • Parker McCollum Sells Out Ascend Amphitheater, Celebrates Double Platinum Single - May 23, 2022
  • CMA Presents Triple Play Awards, Honors Bob DiPiero - May 13, 2022
  • Breakout Artist, Nashville Native Jelly Roll To Headline Bridgestone Arena - May 13, 2022
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/10191338/solid2.jpg 278 390 Sarah Skates https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Sarah Skates2012-09-10 15:37:592012-09-10 15:37:59SOLID September Marks 15 Years of Success
You might also like
Weekly Chart Report (08/22/14)
DisClaimer: Delta Rae Deserves Country Radio Love
ReThinking Track Equivalent Albums
ASCAP Honors Top Christian Songs, Performers At 39th Annual Christian Awards
ABC's 'Nashville' Renewed for Season Three
Bobby Karl Works UMG at the Ryman

RECENT NEWS

  • Jason & Rhonda Halbert Bring ‘Caretaker’ To Life With Star-Studded Audiobook July 3, 2025
  • MusicRow Weekly (Artist Roster, News, Charts, More…) July 3, 2025
  • Music Will Announces New National Advisory Board July 3, 2025
  • Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs Top MusicRow Radio Chart July 3, 2025
  • Cole Swindell Teams With Mountain Dew To Fight Thirst July 4th Weekend July 3, 2025
  • Daily Lineups Unveiled For Marcus King Band Family Reunion July 3, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trisha Yearwood Wins Disc Of The Day July 3, 2025
  • Discover Sooner Taps Emma Kiefer As Next Publisher Writer Experience Mentor July 3, 2025
  • 3G Productions Expands With Nashville Location July 3, 2025
  • Post Malone Opens Bar On Lower Broadway July 3, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top