Kenny Chesney, John Marks, Joe Galante Among 2018 Innovation In Music Honorees

The Innovation in Music Awards honorees have been announced, with Joe Galante, Sally Williams, Monica Escobedo, Nate Deaton, Kenny Chesney, John Marks, and Ed Warm set to receive awards.  The winners will be recognized at the Second Annual Innovation in Music Awards gala Sunday, June 3 at Nashville’s Westin Hotel.

Hosted by respected media executive Bill Werde, Director of the Bandier Music Industry Program in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University, the awards were created to recognize achievements in the advancement of music through inspiration and ingenuity.

“This year’s recipients represent a broad spectrum of the industry, but what they have in common is a proven track record of adapting to change and developing channels to reach meaningful results (connections with fans and creators),” said Pete O’Heeron, Chairman of the Innovation in Music Awards. “All of these individuals are deserving of this recognition for their commitment to advancing the future of music through innovative thinking.”

A committee of music professionals determined the honorees. They considered a diverse group of individuals who think outside the box, keeping music first, but who also recognizing how the music finds its audience is a constantly changing reality. Coran Capshaw, founder and CEO of Red Light Management, was previously announced as 2018’s Innovator of the Year. The honorees in the other seven award categories include:

IMPACT in INNOVATION AWARD – Joe Galante, Mayor’s Music City Council, CMA Foundation Chair and Former Chairman Sony Nashville

INNOVATION in MUSIC, EXECUTIVE – Sally Williams, Opry Entertainment Senior Vice President Programming & Artist Relations/General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry

INNOVATION in MUSIC, BROADCAST – Monica Escobedo, Entertainment Producer, ABC News, Good Morning America

INNOVATION in MUSIC, RADIO PROGRAMMING – Nate Deaton, General Manager, KRTY San Jose

INNOVATION in MUSIC, CREATIVE/ARTIST – Kenny Chesney, Songwriter/Producer/Artist

INNOVATION in MUSIC, DIGITAL MEDIA/MARKETING – John Marks, Spotify Global Editor for Country Music

INNOVATION in MUSIC, LIVE PERFORMANCE – Ed Warm, Owner, Joe’s on Weed Street & Smokeout Fest, Chicago

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at [email protected].

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