Randy Travis & John Esposito Named Nashville Symphony 2024 Harmony Award Recipients

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Randy Travis & John Esposito.

The Nashville Symphony Association and Symphony Ball 2024 Co-Chairs Jason Bradshaw and Bob Deal have revealed that country music legend Randy Travis and former Warner Music Nashville CEO John Esposito will be the co-recipients of the 2024 Nashville Symphony Harmony Award.

An annual award from the Nashville Symphony since 1986, the Harmony Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s music community.

“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Symphony Ball, we are thrilled to recognize two remarkable figures in Nashville’s music community,” share Bradshaw and Deal. “Each in his own way, Randy Travis and John Esposito have revolutionized and reinvigorated country music, and their talents are matched only by their commitment to raising up the next generation of music makers.”

“Randy Travis is one of the most important and influential performers in country music history,” adds Nashville Symphony CEO and President Alan D. Valentine. “His immense musical legacy, personal resilience, and heart for philanthropy all embody the spirit of the Harmony Award. Through the Randy Travis Foundation, he has worked to provide music education and enrichment opportunities for at-risk youth while raising awareness about stroke and aphasia.

“John Esposito has dedicated his life to music, from his earliest days as an avid fan and performer to his transformative leadership of Warner Music Nashville, turning it into the country music powerhouse it is today,” he continues. “The Nashville music community owes him an immeasurable debt, and we are honored to recognize his contributions.”

A huge influence of country’s neotraditional movement of the 1980s and ’90s, Travis has recorded more than 20 albums, earning more than 50 hit singles and 23 No. 1s around the globe, including “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Three Wooden Crosses” and more. Over the longevity of his career, he has collected seven Grammys, six CMA Awards and 11 ACM Awards, along with many other honors. A severe stroke in 2013 left Travis physically limited and largely ended his performing career, but years of physical therapy have allowed him to return to the stage in a different capacity.

“My passion for music brought me to Nashville and my love for Nashville kept me here — they are my lifeline,” says Travis. “The opportunities and challenges found in music changed my direction in life in such a positive way. I’m honored to receive the Harmony Award from the Nashville Symphony, joining them in sharing our passions of today to create avenues in music for our generations of tomorrow.”

Esposito spent his college days playing in bands and DJing for the campus radio station, before moving into the business side of the industry for an illustrious career. His previous roles include COO of former entertainment retail chain The Wiz, executive roles at Polygram and Island Def Jam, and most recently serving as CEO/Chairman of Warner Music Nashville for 15 years before moving into a Chairman Emeritus role in 2022, and retiring from there in 2023. While at Warner Music Nashville, Esposito had a huge hand in the success Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Hunter Hayes, Ashley McBryde and more.

Esposito has also served as past Chairman of the CMA’s board of directors, Governor of the board of the Recording Academy’s Nashville chapter and executive committee board member of the Country Radio Broadcasters Association. Since 2023, he has been Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the T.J. Martell Foundation.

“Music saved my life and then became my life,” shares Esposito. “It was music education that gave me my voice. I am honored to be chosen for the Harmony Award and proud to be part of a fun night that will raise funds that help music education.”

Travis and Esposito will be honored during the 40th annual Symphony Ball on Dec. 14 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. Tickets are available now.

The Symphony Ball is one of the Nashville Symphony’s annual signature fundraisers. Since its creation in 1985, the event has raised over $12 million for the Symphony, backing the organization’s mission of inspiring and engaging a diverse and growing community with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences.

Past recipients of the Harmony Award include Kix Brooks, Lady A, Maren Morris, Keb’ Mo’, Kelsea Ballerini, Toby Keith, Steven Tyler, Béla Fleck, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike and Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Marty Stuart.

Madison Hahnen
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