SOURCE Hall Of Fame Inducts Seven ‘Women Behind The Music’ At 20th Anniversary Event

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Marcie Allen Van Mol and Valerie Summers; (L-R, front row): Becky Shanks, Jackie Patillo, Denise Stiff and Janice Jackson. Not Pictured: Renee Bell. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Seven more deserving music industry veterans were inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame on Tuesday night (Aug. 29) at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville’s historic Municipal Auditorium.

SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame inductees are nominated and inducted based upon peer recommendations, biographies, accomplishments, reputation, the number of years the individual has worked within the entertainment industry and level of community involvement. All inductees have made a significant impact on the Nashville entertainment industry.

The event that honors seven “Women Behind The Music” marked its 20th anniversary on Tuesday. Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee and Grand Ole Opry Star Jeannie Seely hosted the sold-out in-person event.

This year’s honorees included Marcie Allen Van Mol, Renee Bell, Janice Jackson, Jackie Patillo, Becky Shanks, Denise Stiff and Valerie Summers.

After SOURCE’s Hall of Fame Awards Chair, Erica Rosa, welcomed everyone to dine, SOURCE President Mallory Mason-Pascal got the awards ceremony started. The inductees were honored by their friends, family and peers, as Lee and Seely told the crowd of their extensive accomplishments. Then, a video from a special client or colleague would play to further highlight the honoree’s impact.

As usual, Lee and Seely were a hoot, constantly poking fun at each other and others in the audience. Lee has been hosting the SOURCE Awards since her best friend Kay Smith established it in 2003. Seely joined her not too long after.

Pictured (L-R, back row): Denise Stiff, Marcie Allen Van Mol, Jackie Patillo and Valerie Summers; (L-R, front row): Becky Shanks, Grand Ole Opry Star/Co-Host Jeannie Seely, Country Music Hall of Fame Member/Co-Host Brenda Lee and Janice Jackson. Not Pictured: Renee Bell. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

“A lot of women have done a lot of work. That’s why we’re here,” Lee shared. Seely concurred, saying, “I love honoring the women who do the real work behind the scenes.”

Van Mol was the first inductee to be honored. Her career has included time at Cellar Door Concerts, William Morris Endeavor (WME), MAD Booking & Events, Creative Artist Agency (CAA), NYU and her own, MAC Presents. The executive recently opened up the new music venue and event space in Hillsboro Village, AB.

Van Mol was honored with some words of praise from the President of Virgin Music, Jacqueline Saturn, via a video.

When Van Mol got up to speak, she encouraged those in the room to empower others. She spoke about those who mentored her, including her aunt, former music industry executive Bebe Evans.

“If there’s one thing I could say to all of you here, it’s about giving women an opportunity and giving them a shot,” Van Mol said. “I challenge every woman in here to use your voice, use your platform and give every opportunity that you can to the next generation of female leaders because we need them.”

Next to be honored was Bell, who was unfortunately ill and not able to attend in person.

Bell impacted the Nashville music industry during her time at MCA and RCA/Sony, working in A&R with some of the brightest stars in country music. One of those stars, Kenny Chesney, sent Bell well wishes from somewhere picturesque.

BMI’s Leslie Roberts accepted the honor of behalf of Bell, reading some notes she had prepared for the occasion.

“Thank you to all of the women who paved the way for me,” Bell wrote. “To name a few: Connie Bradley, Donna Hilley, Celia Froehlig, Mary Martin, Martha Sharp and Margie Hunt. Thank you SOURCE for this amazing honor.”

Jackson was honored next. Her tenure on Music Row includes stints at ASCAP, Capitol/EMI/Liberty Records, Blendingwell/Sister John Music, Maypop Music Group, Almo/Irving Music, Joe Scaife Productions & Publishing, Copyright Society of the South, Writer’s Den Music Group, MCS Music America, Inc., Peermusic and Travellers Hollow Music.

British singer-songwriter Mark Knopfler paid his respects to Jackson via video, telling fun stories about his time with her in Nashville.

Jackson used her time at the podium to talk about some of the songwriters and executives she was grateful to have worked with.

“I wouldn’t be here without the help and encouragement of so many,” she said. “To my fellow SOURCE Hall of Fame inductees, both past and present, allow me to borrow a phrase from Rodney Crowell: ‘Kudos to you for a job well done.'”

The Gospel Music Association’s Patillo was the next to be honored. Before becoming head of the GMA, her career stops included Star Song Communications, Integrity Gospel/Integrity Media, Verity Records and Sony Music Entertainment.

Gospel great CeCe Winans congratulated Patillo via video for the honor. When Patillo spoke, she talked about her journey’s mountains and valleys.

“I pray all of our stories here tonight will encourage others and continue to shine a light on the important work that women are doing in our industry. God bless you all and to God be the glory,” she said.

Shanks was the next to be inducted. She made her mark while working at United Artists Agency/CBS Songs, Maypop Music and Peermusic. Alabama‘s Teddy Gentry congratulated her via video.

When she spoke, Shanks highlighted moments in her career that put stars in her eyes, of which there were many.

“I made the decision in 2014 to retire and spend more time with family and friends–and a little more beach time. I still had stars in my eyes from all of those wonderful memories and a star for each writer that I had hopefully helped along the way,” Shanks said. “Tonight I am receiving a very special star and gratefully thank SOURCE for this honor. All those stars will forever brightly shine.”

The next to be honored was Stiff, who impacted the industry while working at GreilWorks,Teena Shirts, BareWorks, Summer Lights, Keith Case and Associates, Scared Stiff Music and Sheehan’s Pub Co., Bob Titley Management and DS Management. Longtime client and friend Alison Krauss, alongside Robert Plant, congratulated her in a funny, musical video.

True to her heart as an artist manager, Stiff used a lot of her time at the podium to speak about the talent she had gotten to work with as a manager and as an Executive Music Producer on O Brother, Where Art Thou?

“I am so grateful for it all. I’m grateful for all of the incredibly artists I was privileged to work with and for all of the people who helped me along the way.”

Summers was the final honoree to be inducted. Her career has included time at William Morris Agency, Inc./WME, Destination Music/Gary Musick Production and Arrington Vineyards.

Summers was honored with a video message from Kirk Franklin. When she spoke, she recognized the friends and colleagues who had lifted her up along the way.

Summers recognized her friend Chevy Nash for helping her to see her potential. “She was the first person to encourage me to have a career,” Summers said. “She encouraged me to not be a stupid blonde from Oklahoma and learn about business, how to be better at what I do and how to embrace music.”

LB Cantrell
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