Music City Music Council Names First Full-Time Executive Director

Justine Alexa Avila

Justine Alexa Avila has been chosen by the Music City Music Council as the organization’s first full-time executive director. Avila was selected following an intensive search process led by current co-chair Ed Hardy and incoming co-chair Joe Galante, with support of Mayor Megan Barry, who is also co-chair of the Council.

Avila began her career in New York City, serving as venue concierge and concert manager for City Winery music venue, as well as co-founding the music booking agency MJ Booking. Avila earned a Masters of Arts degree in Music Business from New York University and a B.S. from Cornell University. Avila will begin her new position with the Council on Jan. 4, 2016.

The Music City Music Council aids music-related businesses in expanding or relocating to Nashville; bringing televised music shows and music-related award shows across all genres to the city; and recruiting more music-related events and conventions. Priorities also include supporting and expanding live music in Nashville and music education in public schools.

“Justine is an incredibly impressive woman who will strengthen our city’s partnerships with music businesses in Nashville that will grow our economy and enhance our quality of life,” said Mayor Barry. “I’m looking forward to working with Justine, Joe and the Music City Music Council as we continue to build up and support the music industry that has been so critical to Nashville’s success over the years.”

“This is an amazing opportunity for me to use my experience to help promote and enhance Nashville’s brand as Music City USA,” said Avila. “I’m grateful to Joe, Ed and Mayor Barry for this opportunity to serve the city and to find new ways to support the music industry in a way that expands our already strong portfolio of artists, entertainers, and music businesses.”

“Joe Galante and I have worked with a small group of Music Council members to undertake an exhaustive search for the right person to serve as our executive director, and we believe we have found that person in Justine Avila,” said Ed Hardy, co-chair of the Music City Music Council. “This is an exciting time for the Music Council. With the strong support and leadership of Mayor Barry and Joe Galante, and Justine’s impressive educational background and industry contacts, I’m excited to see the Music Council taken to the next level in the coming years.”

“Justine has great passion and enthusiasm for Nashville and the council,” said incoming co-chair Galante. “We are both looking forward to getting started and continuing to accomplish the economic goals of the Music City Music Council.”

In addition to Mayor Barry, co-chair Galante, and Hardy (immediate past co-chair), members of the Music City Music Council include:

Scott Clayton, a music agent at entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and co-head of CAA Music’s Nashville operations (vice chair, beginning Jan. 1)
Randy Goodman, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville (past co-chair)
Mary Ann McCready, co-founder and president at Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy (past co-chair)
David Bohan, President/CEO, BOHAN
Ken Levitan, Founder and Co-President, Vector Management
Hank Adam Locklin, entertainment attorney
Ken Paulson, Dean, College of Media and Entertainment, Middle Tennessee State University
Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties
Ralph Schulz, President and CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Nancy Shapiro, Senior Vice President, The Recording Academy
Clarence Spalding, Partner, Maverick Management
Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
Troy Tomlinson, CEO, SONY/ATV Publishing
Jason Moon Wilkins, Co-Founder, Do615 LLC
Sally Williams, Vice President of Business and Partnership Development, Opry Entertainment Group, and General Manager, Ryman Auditorium

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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