My Music Row Story: ACM’s Tommy Moore

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Tommy Moore

The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.

As Chief of Staff, Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance, Tommy Moore spearheads artist communication and engagement within the Academy of Country Music. He also directs the overall Board communication of ACM, in addition to managing ticketing for all of its events. Moore supervises all Academy membership operations as well as ACM Awards voting and processes. Finally, he oversees all the Academy’s DEI initiatives.

Atlanta-born and Chicago-raised, Moore attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated with a degree in broadcasting and electronic communications. His lifelong love for country music dovetailed professionally with an early job in radio at WMIL-FM in Milwaukee, where he worked as a morning show production assistant. Moore joined the Academy in 2011, where he most recently served as Senior Director, Governance & Board Administration, a position that was absorbed into his current expanded role. He reports to Damon Whiteside, ACM CEO.

Additionally, Moore is a Leadership Music Class of 2022 and Society of Leaders In Development (SOLID) Class of 2014 alum. He was also named to MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing list in 2019, and Billboard‘s Pride list in 2021.

MusicRow: Where did you grow up?

I was born just outside of Atlanta, and my parents moved shortly afterward to the northwest suburb of Chicago—Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights area.

Photo: Courtesy of Moore

Were you a country music fan?

I was a huge music fan. Music is huge in my family. My mom loves The Boss, and my dad is very eclectic—jazz, folk, you name it. I didn’t get into country until later in high school.

Was music always the plan?

I actually started college on the pre-med track. Music was always part of my life; we sang, though I wasn’t very good at it. My uncle was a doctor and went to Marquette University, and I thought I wanted to follow that path. I loved it and was a strong student, but during my sophomore year, a friend suggested that I try out for a program called Marquette Superstar.

Photo: Courtesy of Moore

I did it, and it was so fun. I ended up winning. That introduced me to Marquette’s broadcast and electronic communications major, so I made the switch from pre-med. My parents were super supportive of the change, and that led to an internship in country radio at WMIL Milwaukee.

How did you get the radio job?

I had an internship with a news program that partnered with the radio stations for weather. I heard about an opening at the country station, joined the street team and turned that into a job for about two years.

What did you do there?

I worked with the morning show team, handled blog postings, edited clips and anything else that was needed. Radio doesn’t have a lot of resources, so it was a bit of everything.

Photo: Courtesy of Moore

I saw the trajectory—seeing radio tours, the younger artists’ excitement and wanting to be close to that. I loved radio, but after three years, I was ready for a change. Then the ACM came up in 2011.

And you got it! Tell me about joining ACM.

I moved out to Los Angeles and joined ACM as an assistant in Events & Operations, I was heavily involved in the physical parts of event production and some finance. Bob Romeo and Tiffany Moon were leading ACM at the time. Tiffany oversaw all of the Board, talent and some of ACM Lifting Lives and charity. My role evolved and I eventually handled Board and charitable activities. Outside of PR, I’ve touched on every department of the Academy in the last 13 years.

Photo: Courtesy of Moore

I became Secretary of the Board, and I just grew with that. About four years ago, I was promoted to create an Artist & Industry Relations department, which hadn’t previously existed. Since we were in L.A. at the time, it was to be the face of the Academy for talent. We wanted to ensure that we connected with the country community. Now I’m the Chief of Staff, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance.

How was the move to Nashville for you?

It’s been almost three years. Time flies. I loved L.A., but I was ready for a new chapter. I’d built a community in Nashville, so it felt like the perfect next step.

Photo: Courtesy of Moore

What’s your day-to-day like now?

A big priority of mine is supporting Damon [Whiteside], our CEO, with day-to-day management, HR policies and Board duties. It’s a mix of personnel, Board relations and administrative work.

You must be a people person for this role. How would you describe your management style?

I’m definitely not a micromanager, I believe in empowering staff. If you have the right people in the right spots, they’ll step up to meet demands. Kindness and respect are essential. If you treat people right, they want to work together.

Photo: Courtesy of Moore

What’s an experience that your younger self would find cool?

For a class in college, we had to create a Twitter account because it was a new social media platform. I remember live-tweeting the ACM Awards back in college and even tweeted at Katie Cook, who was covering it. It sounds dorky in hindsight, but it’s cool thinking about the award shows we’ve accomplished since then, like the 50th anniversary of the ACM Awards in 2015.

Outside of that, I also have gotten to work on the Academy Awards, the Grammys and a couple of Hollywood Bowl opening nights. I have a lot of meaningful memories that are fun to look back on.

The live television part of your job sounds so stressful. How do you manage your nerves for live shows?

It’s chaotic, we don’t sleep for a month. But you’re filled with adrenaline, and it’s so much fun. Some moments feel surreal, like being part of turning points in artists’ careers.

Photo: Courtesy of Moore

Any standout moments from past ACM Awards?

Most recently, Chris Stapleton and Dua Lipa‘s performance at the ACM Awards this year was so great, especially since it was the best-kept secret—which never happens. [Laughs] I also remember a “Salute The Troops” special a few years ago that was a benefit for ACM Lifting Lives. Carrie Underwood sang to a crowd of soldiers, and it was so emotional and touching. It felt good to be a part of something important.

I’m also really proud of the Academy’s work, especially with ACM Lifting Lives. Bringing philanthropy and entertainment together is really rewarding—making people happy while giving back is a great crossroads.

Photo: Courtesy of Moore

Who have been some of your mentors?

One of the coolest thing about my position is getting to work so closely with the Board, specifically our chairs. Past Board Chairs like Rod Essig, Gayle Holcomb, Ed Warm, Ebie McFarland and Chuck Aly have been very impactful.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out?

Say yes to everything. Be there, willing to help out. Sometimes [event organizers or internship bosses] don’t know they need help until there’s someone there to offer it.

My parents also taught me to show up, be kind and work hard. If you do that consistently, you’ll get where you’re going.

LB Cantrell
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