Tears, Wisdom & Celebration At Rising Women On The Row [Recap]
MusicRow’s 2025 Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills
The 12th annual Rising Women on the Row was an event colored with tears of gratitude, gentle humor and words of wisdom. Staged by MusicRow Magazine as a breakfast ceremony at the Omni Nashville Hotel, the sold-out ballroom celebrated six music-business women.
“This room is here to celebrate the talent and perseverance that keep this industry alive,” said host Sherod Robertson. “It’s a celebration of what these women have accomplished and where they are going.”
Pictured (L-R): 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
To presenting sponsor City National Bank and supporting sponsors AB Hillsboro Village and Chao Nail + Bar, he added, “Thank you for investing in this room and for this event.” AB Hillsboro Village is our community’s only female-owned show venue. That business’ Marcie Allen introduced America’s No. 1 charting alt-folk performer, Stella Prince. Backed by a six-piece acoustic ensemble, Prince did a mini-set that included Bob Dylan’s folk classics “All the Tired Horses” and “Don’t Think Twice.”
This year’s featured speaker was Jennie Smythe, the founder and CEO of Girlilla Marketing. “There are people in this room who uplifted me,” she said, indicating the sense of community that characterized the occasion. Smythe’s remarks were candid, brave, insightful and good humored. She has a new memoir titled Becoming Girlilla. Smythe described her book by saying, “This is a love letter to Nashville. This is a love letter to the country-music community.”
Featured performer Stella Prince. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills
The honorees were presented one by one by MusicRow’s LB Cantrell. Each was saluted with a brief bio before taking the stage. First up, was SESAC’s Lydia Schultz Cahill. “I have been helped by so many people in this industry,” she said. “Thank you for all your love. This is truly incredible.”
Rakiyah Marshall of Back Blocks Entertainment said, “Standing here this morning feels surreal. Being in the room with y’all makes me want to reach higher….No dream is too big. No path is too unconventional….As women, we need to make sure that we are heard loud and clear.”
“What a great day,” said Amazon Music’s Michelle Tigard Kammerer. “I am so very honored to be here….Leadership is the example you set for those who serve….I have the best friends in the world here…Together, let’s build a bigger table for everyone who wants to be in country music.”
The fourth honoree was Katie Kerkhover. The BMG/BBR executive summed up what many were feeling, by stating, “You all inspire me. No one rises alone. So many have guided and uplifted me along the way. I want to say thank you to this amazing community for this incredible honor.”
MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson and featured speaker Jennie Smythe. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills
Jessi Vaughn Stevenson of Warner Chappell (WCM) took the stage next. “The only wisdom I have to share is to love your people,” she said. “It’s always been about…those we’ve loved along the way,” she added with tear-filled eyes. At one point or another, all of the honorees got choked up on stage.
CAA’s Julie Sturdivant was so overcome that she had to pause during her remarks to collect her composure. “I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude today,” she said. “The music industry has shaped me. It has given me purpose, a community and a place to grow.” To the audience, she emphasized, “Know that your story matters.”
Rising Women on the Row began 12 years ago with an event at Maggiano’s Restaurant that was attended by 80 people. Thursday morning’s celebration at the Omni drew a beyond-capacity crowd of more than 700. It has earned a permanent spot on the music-industry’s social calendar, because such events are so necessary to maintaining the sense of community that is a hallmark of Music Row.
“It’s a pleasure to celebrate with you,” said Cantrell. “Keep that community feeling going that you feel today,” said Robertson.
