Americana Music Association Announces 2021 Board, New Initiatives

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Emily Cohen, Gail Gellman, Brian Greenbaum, Allison Russell; (L-R, bottom row): Shannon Sanders, Steve Smith, Jody Whelan, Rachel Whitney

The Americana Music Association and the recently-created Americana Music Association Foundation met together for the first time virtually on Jan. 21 with newly-elected and appointed board directors to review the setbacks and successes during 2020 and to set its goals for the future.

This year’s new board members for the Americana Music Association include Emily Cohen (Amazon Music), Gail Gellman (Gellman Management), Brian Greenbaum (CAA), Allison Russell (Birds of Chicago, Our Native Daughters), Shannon Sanders (BMI, Producer), Jody Whelan (Oh Boy Records) and Rachel Whitney (Spotify). The association’s educational and charitable foundation has added Steve Smith (Concord) to its board of directors.

Both boards gathered to discuss, plan and set in motion initiatives that focus on diversity & inclusion, development and education, as well as how to safely bring back AMERICANAFEST, the association’s annual festival and conference, slated for September 2021 in Nashville.

“Following such an impactful year, it’s never been more critical for both of our boards to serve as faithful guides for our organizations with their unparalleled expertise. Each individual is a leader in their respective fields and based on the meetings we’ve already had this year, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us and our supportive community as we scale new heights,” says Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association and its foundation.

Americana Music Association 2021 Board of Directors:
Kim Buie, New West Records
Nina Carter, BMI
Emily Cohen, Amazon Music
Garth Fundis, Producer/Slate Creek Records
Gail Gellman, Gellman Management
Brian Greenbaum, CAA
Courtney Gregg, Carnival Music
Mike Kopp, Kopp Management/All Good Factory / Political Consultant
Jackie Marushka, Marushka Media
Mark Moffatt, Producer
Todd Ohlhauser, Cannery Row Complex
Lindsay Reid, Thirty Tigers
Allison Russell, Artist
Shannon Sanders, BMI/Producer
Lynne Sheridan, Grammy Museum
John Strohm, Rounder Records
Jonathan Taplin, Annenberg Innovation Lab, USC
Kurt Vitolo, KV Financial Group
Bruce Warren, WXPN, Philly/NPR
Jody Whelan, Oh Boy Records
Rachel Whitney, Spotify
Sally Williams, Live Nation

Americana Music Association Foundation 2021 Board of Directors:
Lori Badgett, City National Bank
Jackson Browne, Artist
T Bone Burnett, Producer
Brandi Carlile, Artist
Garth Fundis, Producer/Slate Creek Records
Rhiannon Giddens, Artist
Dennis Lord, Executive & Attorney
JD May, Aloompa
Mark Moffatt, Producer
Steve Smith, Concord
Jonathan Taplin, Annenberg Innovation Lab, USC
Kurt Vitolo, KV Financial Group

Lorie Hollabaugh
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