Rising Women On The Row Fosters Spirit Of Togetherness

/by

MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson gives opening remarks at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Ed Rode

Few events on the Music Row social calendar strengthen the Nashville music industry’s sense of community better than the annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast celebration.

Now in its 11th year, this get-together is staged by MusicRow magazine to honor female accomplishments. It also reinforces the unique bonds cherished by the Nashville entertainment business. This year’s honorees were Tiffany Kerns, Taylor Lindsey, Sloane Cavitt Logue, Halie Hampton Mosley, Melissa Spillman and Candice Watkins.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson; Rising Women on the Row honorees Melissa Spillman, Taylor Lindsey, Sloane Cavitt Logue, Candice Watkins, Tiffany Kerns and Halie Hampton Mosley; KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards and MusicRow’s LB Cantrell. Photo: Ed Rode

“I love the energy we have at this event,” said MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “I hope you take it with you when you go.” He decided that the theme word to represent the event is “support.”

“I know all of you support each other,” he commented. “We support you at MusicRow.”

That note of togetherness was echoed by several of the honorees.

MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson and KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards. Photo: Ed Rode

“I worry about this [sense of] community,” said keynote speaker Kerri Edwards. “I challenge everyone here to help keep that strong. I do think it’s important for what we’re all trying to achieve and build… It changes everything when the people around you are supportive.”

“You love the community, and the community loves you back, in spades,” Robertson told Edwards. Her KP Entertainment company manages the careers of Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Dylan Scott and Chayce Beckham and contains a publishing company.

Honoree Halie Hampton Mosley is the COO of the management company WHY&HOW. “What they say is true: It take a village,” she told the crowd in the Omni Hotel ballroom downtown. “You are all incredible champions and leaders.”

“It is incumbent on all of use to truly wrap our arms around women,” said honoree Tiffany Kerns, the SVP of the CMA’s philanthropic arm. “We see them. We support them — 90% of our staff is women.

“This is an incredible honor,” she added to the breakfast crowd. “You are incredibly inspirational.”

Sony Music Nashville SVP Taylor Lindsey also struck a note of community affection. “The truth is, I wouldn’t be standing here without everyone surrounding me,” Lindsey said. “I am a testament to the people around me. I get to have this life because of everyone around me.”

Sloane Cavitt Logue of WME recalled that the late Toby Keith gave her a career-launching opportunity. He hired her when she had no music-business experience. “Toby lifted women up,” she said, becoming tearful. “Miss you, love you, Big Dog Daddy.” Keith was announced Monday (March 18) as an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Carter Faith performs at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Ed Rode

“Be kind to yourself,” Cavitt Logue advised the gathering. “Be proud of what you do. Give yourself a moment of grace, because we all need it.”

“Everybody’s path is different,” observed Melissa Spillman of Concord Music Publishing. She and Hampton Mosley both commented on the challenge of balancing family life with the consuming demands of a music-business career. “Today is all about being thankful,” Spillman said. “Thank you for letting me pursue this path. We believe we should ‘have it all’ as women,” including the rewards of both career and family.

“It’s about belonging. And we have each other. We are so blessed.”

“You can lead the way on both [family and career],” commented Hampton Mosley.

“Goodness! I’m so grateful for all of you guys,” said Candice Watkins. The SVP of marketing at Big Loud Records added, “I’m so proud to work with all of you.” She saluted Keith Urban as the person who launched her career.

Robertson took note of the event’s presenting sponsors City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb and CMT’s Next Women of Country program. He introduced CMT’s Leslie Fram, who spearheads the network’s Equal Play plus her Change the Conversation feminist initiatives, as well as Next Women of Country. Fram noted that the last-named celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and introduced singer-songwriter Carter Faith of 2023’s Next Women class.

To her own acoustic-guitar accompaniment, Faith premiered her lilting new single, “Late Bloomer,” which will be released this Friday.

The 600+ attendees enjoyed a buffet breakfast featuring blueberry sausage, cheesy hash browns, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, melons, blueberries, strawberries, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, fruit flavored yogurt, cranberry juice, coffee, tea and orange juice. A plethora of Music Row businesses sponsored tables — SESAC, Big Loud, Song Suffragettes, AEG, BBR, Black River, River House, Red Light, Curb, FBMM, ONErpm, BMG, CMA, MakeWake, WME, Pinnacle Financial, Sony Music Nashville, The MLC, Wiles & Taylor, Riser House, Back Blocks Music, Kinkead Entertainment, Tri Star, Concord, CAA, Wrensong, KP Entertainment, Activist Artists Management, Sony Music Publishing, Underscore Works and BMI. Each honoree was given a standing ovation by the audience.

Since this event’s founding, more than 60 women have been honored. “These women are all shaping the future of this business,” commented Robertson.

“Have a good attitude, and keep your heart in the right place,” advised Edwards. “It’s about supporting ALL women,” said Kerns.

Watkins sent the crowd on its way with this appeal: “If you’re in a position to give someone an opportunity, do it. Change someone’s life today.”

Robert K Oermann
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)