MusicRow Magazine Honors Six At 12th Annual Rising Women On The Row

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Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson; featured speaker Jennie Smythe; honorees Michelle Tigard Kammerer, Julie Sturdivant, Katie Kerkhover, Rakiyah Marshall, Jessi Vaughn Stevenson and Lydia Schultz Cahill; MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

MusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, proudly recognized six Nashville music industry executives during its 12th annual Rising Women on the Row honors this morning (March 20) at the Omni Nashville Hotel. City National Bank served as Presenting Sponsor.

This year’s honorees included Lydia Schultz Cahill, Rakiyah Marshall, Michelle Tigard Kammerer, Katie Kerkhover, Jessi Vaughn Stevenson and Julie Sturdivant, each recognized for their impact and leadership within the Nashville music business.

Industry veteran Jennie Smythe, Founder and CEO of the award-winning Girlilla Marketing, served as this year’s featured speaker. She shared insights from her career and offered a preview of her upcoming memoir, Becoming Girlilla, set for release in April.

The event also featured a special performance by Stella Prince, presented by supporting sponsors AB Hillsboro Village and Chao Nail + Bar. Woodstock-raised, Nashville-honed, and Laurel Canyon-inspired, Prince is known for her soul-baring, pop-infused folk that resonates with a new generation.

Since its inception in 2012, MusicRow’s annual Rising Women on the Row event has honored more than 60 women, continuing its tradition of recognizing and uplifting the next generation of industry leaders.

About MusicRow’s 2025 Rising Women On The Row:

Lydia Schultz Cahill – Senior Director, Creative Services, SESAC

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, honoree Lydia Schultz Cahill, MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Lydia Schultz Cahill is Senior Director of Creative Services at SESAC PRO, where she oversees the country genre in Nashville. She supports songwriter and publisher affiliates, recruits new talent and collaborates with artists and songwriters like Blanco Brown, Jon Nite, Allison Veltz Cruz, Dillon Carmichael and Jenny Tolman. Cahill also produces SESAC-sponsored events, including Tin Pan South, SESAC Presents at the Bluebird and songwriter showcases across the Southeast. Before joining SESAC in 2016, Cahill was Creative Director at Magic Mustang Music, where she worked with acclaimed songwriters Steve Bogard, Kristian Bush, Rob Hatch and Justin Lantz. She began her career as an assistant to Grammy-winning songwriter JD Souther and later held roles in the Legal and Finance Department at Broken Bow Records. A Wisconsin native, Cahill graduated from Belmont University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from its Music Business program. In 2024, she completed her master’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee.

 

Rakiyah Marshall – Founder + CEO, Back Blocks Music

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, honoree Rakiyah Marshall, MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Rakiyah Marshall is the Founder and CEO of Back Blocks, a full-service publishing, management and artist development company. Under her leadership, Back Blocks has guided the careers of Blake Pendergrass, Ashley Cooke, Tucker Wetmore and Lily Rose. Marshall and her team recently celebrated major milestones, including Cooke and Wetmore’s first No. 1 hits. Before founding Back Blocks, Marshall built a strong foundation in pop promotion at Republic Records in NYC, including time at UMG’s classical division (now Verve). She later brought her expertise in radio, streaming, marketing, and artist development to Nashville, working at Cornman Music under hall of fame songwriter, Brett James and BMG under Kos Weaver. There, she advocated for writers, placed notable songs and bridged Nashville with the global creative community. Now, Marshall continues to shape Back Blocks into a leading force in the industry, driving success for her roster through innovative strategies and dedicated advocacy.

 

Michelle Tigard Kammerer – Head of Country Music, Amazon Music

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, honoree Michelle Tigard Kammerer, MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

As Head of Country Music at Amazon Music, Michelle Tigard Kammerer has driven the streaming service’s growth in the genre since 2021. She oversees marketing, artist and label relations and innovative collaborations, managing influential brands like Country Heat. Under her leadership, Amazon Music has introduced new initiatives and strengthened connections between country artists and their fans. Kammerer’s career began at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she helped sign and launch the careers of several leading country acts. She then served as Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. (CRB) before re-launching the historic Dot Records label under Big Machine Label Group as National Director of Marketing & Promotion. In 2017, she expanded her leadership as Senior National Director of Marketing & Promotion at BMLG Records, where she worked closely with a range of top artists. Now at Amazon Music, Kammerer continues to champion the evolution of country music, leveraging her experience across agencies, labels and streaming to innovate and elevate the genre.

 

Katie Kerkhover – SVP, A&R, North America, BBR Music Group/BMG

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, honoree Katie Kerkhover, MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Joining BMG in 2020, Katie Kerkhover currently serves as SVP, A&R, North America, a position she was elevated to in December 2024. Her first position at BMG was as Senior Director, Creative, in music publishing, where she managed BMG’s Nashville roster of songwriters, including Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Stephen Wilson Jr., Emily Landis and Chayce Beckham, among others, while also signing and developing new songwriters and artists. Kerkhover was promoted to VP, A&R, Frontline Recordings for BMG Nashville in 2022, where she was responsible for BBR Music Group’s (BBRMG) roster of recording artists across its imprints Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records and Wheelhouse Records, as well as scouting, signing and developing new talent. Since leading A&R for BBRMG, she’s worked with Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean and Chayce Beckham and is working with Blake Shelton’s team on his BMG Nashville debut. Previously, Kerkhover served nearly three years as a Creative Manager at Sony/ATV and garnered experience as A&R, Creative at CAM Creative. Before jumping behind the scenes of the music industry, she spent years on the road as a performing musician often playing fiddle, guitar or providing backing vocals for acts like Sara Evans and Rebecca Lynn Howard.

 

Jessi Vaughn Stevenson – VP, A&R / Digital, Warner Chappell Music Nashville

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, honoree Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Jessi Vaughn Stevenson is VP, A&R and Digital at Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville, where she strategizes innovative opportunities and guidance for songwriters and artists. With a proven track record of success, Stevenson has helped advance the careers of influential country music creators, including Jessi Alexander, Aaron Raitiere, Rhett Akins, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Hailey Whitters, Morgan Wallen, Randy Montana, Will Bundy, Lee Miller and Little Big Town, among others. Born and raised in Nolensville, Tennessee, Stevenson honed her industry acumen during her time at Belmont University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Business and gained valuable experience through roles at CMT, Warner Brothers Records, Bill Silva Entertainment and SoundExchange. In 2015, she founded JV Writer Management, successfully supporting the careers of award-winning songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall. At WCM, Stevenson champions diverse talent across genres, identifying and developing the next generation of hitmakers. While dedicated to her professional endeavors, Stevenson finds her greatest joy in motherhood and family.

 

Julie Sturdivant – Music Brand Partnerships Executive, CAA

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, honoree Julie Sturdivant, MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Julie Sturdivant is a Music Brand Partnerships Executive at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Nashville, leading brand collaborations for artists like Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Keith Urban and Kelsea Ballerini. Over the past year, she orchestrated major partnerships, including Jelly Roll’s multi-year deal with HeyDude, Warren Zeiders’ ambassadorship with Wild Turkey’s 101 Bold Nights and Koe Wetzel’s collaboration with Rock & Roll Denim. She also brokered Charley Crockett’s campaign with The Alamo Foundation and Aaron Watson’s Texas-sized Super Bowl commercial with HEB. Sturdivant began her career on-air at KOST 103.5 in California before joining Universal Music Group-Interscope Records, where she worked on campaigns for Lady Gaga, All American Rejects and Black Eyed Peas. She later built a reputation for innovative marketing during her 12 years leading Marbaloo Marketing. With expertise spanning radio, global marketing and digital innovation, Sturdivant continues to create impactful partnerships in music.

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