Rising Women ‘Rises’ To New Heights

/by

The 2026 Rising Women on the Row breakfast. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

The 13th annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast demonstrated the extraordinary power of the Nashville music community by hosting more attendees than ever before while retaining its down-home warmth.

This year, the event moved to the JW Marriott Hotel’s ballroom, where 750+ guests celebrated the accomplishments of six female business persons — Courtney Allen, Jackie Augustus, Sara Knabe, Victoria Mason, Sophia Sansone and Elisa Vazzana — plus keynote speaker Ebie McFarland. Presented by MusicRow magazine, the largest-ever such event illustrated that its burgeoning size has not overshadowed the “heart” in this annual gathering.

“One of the great things about this industry is that we show up for each other,” said host Sherod Robertson in his welcoming speech. “Thank you for showing up for these honorees,” added awards presenter LB Cantrell. During her remarks, keynote McFarland added that the keys to success are recognizing “the team and the community” in this uniquely collaborative industry. Each honoree had a video introduction narrated by Robertson. Acceptance speeches brimmed with gratitude and affection.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s LB Cantrell; Rising Women on the Row honorees Victoria Mason, Courtney Allen, Sophia Sansone, Elisa Vazzana, Sara Knabe and Jackie Augustus; MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Concord publishing executive Courtney Allen was overwhelmed with emotion as she received her honor. She wept openly as she recalled her battle with breast cancer and the emotional support she received on Music Row. “The Nashville music business isn’t just competitive,” she shared. “It’s compassionate….The people in this industry have always had my back….Trust God; trust your intuition; show up. That’s how we rise, together.”

Spotify’s Jackie Augustus told the capacity crowd, “You can be friends with the people you work with.” To the women in the room, she advised, “Never say never….As of this week, women have the No. 1 single and the No. 1 album.” She also stressed the importance of remembering music’s consumers: “The biggest artists in the world are who they are because of the fans….I was a fan, and, honestly, I still am.”

Next up was Big Loud Records executive Sara Knabe. “Through this journey, I have known so many different people,” she said. “Through all of it, I’ve learned that it’s okay for your goals to shift. It’s hard, but it’s possible.” Knabe spoke without a script, and shared her fertility issues and child adoption. Like all of the other honorees, she noted the industry figures who mentored her.

“The feeling I have in this moment is immense gratitude,” said Victoria Mason of Warner Records. “Work and fun can and should co-exist,” she advised. “We all deserve to be calm, heard, understood, and seen.” As rewarding as her career is, she said her daughters are her “proudest achievement.”

Rising Women featured speaker Ebie McFarland with MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Sophia Sansone of the management company Make Wake Artists has been attending MusicRow’s Rising Women events for the past eight years and said she always dreamed of being on its stage. “You girls are amazing,” she remarked. “There have been so many people who have been there for me and have been mentors….This industry has given me an incredible career.” She advised everyone, “Do not let others define you….Surround yourself with the right people. Love your family.”

“You can’t wait for the room to decide who you are: You make that decision,” echoed UTA’s Elisa Vazzana. “Know who you are. Mean what you say….Honesty is the ultimate form of respect. Trust gets built when yes means yes and no means no….Being real isn’t a risk.”

40+ top Music City firms sponsored tables, including Back Blocks, Big Loud, Concord, G Major, Live Nation Women, Make Wake, MCA, Spotify, UTA, Warner Records Nashville and more. The presenting sponsor remains City National Bank, which has supported this event since its first incarnation in a dining room at Maggiano’s Restaurant 13 years ago. AEG Presents served as the coffee sponsor for the breakfast.

McFarland suggested a simple approach to this ever more complex industry: “Talk to people….Get to know them.” Which is also the key to enjoying this annual community-building celebration.

Robertson summed up the event’s tone by saluting Rising Women on the Row, as “one of my favorite mornings of the entire year.”

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