Damon Whiteside Reflects On Leadership, Growth & His ACM Tenure [Interview]
Damon Whiteside. Photo: Katie Kauss
As Damon Whiteside steps away from his role as CEO of the Academy of Country Music after more than six years, he’s leaving behind an organization that looks much different than the one he joined in early 2020. During his tenure, the Academy weathered a global pandemic, relocated its headquarters from Los Angeles to Nashville, transitioned the ACM Awards from broadcast television to streaming on Prime Video and expanded its footprint through new events and initiatives. As he begins his six-month term as CEO Emeritus today (July 1), Whiteside reflects on the milestones, challenges and moments that defined his tenure.
When he joined the Academy in January 2020, he expected to spend his first few months learning the organization and settling into the role, but the COVID-19 pandemic quickly upended those plans, forcing the Academy to rethink nearly every aspect of its operations.” A lot of stuff changed really fast,” Whiteside tells MusicRow. “It caused a very quick pivot within my first three months on the job.”
Pictured (L-R): Adam Stotsky, Dolly Parton and Damon Whiteside attend the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ACM
One of Whiteside’s first major decisions as CEO was canceling the 2020 ACM Awards in Las Vegas as the pandemic brought the live entertainment industry to a standstill. But rather than waiting for normalcy to return, the Academy reimagined the show in Nashville, staging the ceremony across the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe.
That willingness to adapt extended beyond the pandemic. Looking back on his tenure, Whiteside points to several milestones that reshaped the Academy, beginning with relocating its headquarters from Los Angeles to Nashville. Founded in California in 1964, the Academy’s move marked a significant shift, one that he says took time but ultimately allowed the organization to become more deeply integrated into the heart of the country music industry.
Another defining moment came in 2022, when the Academy became the first major awards show to move exclusively to streaming through Prime Video. The move not only expanded the show’s global reach but also changed the viewing experience, allowing for fewer commercial breaks and a greater emphasis on music.
Returning the ACM Awards to Las Vegas marked yet another major step for the Academy. After three years in Texas, the Academy brought the event back to its longtime home, a decision Whiteside said was embraced by artists, fans and the industry and resulted in one of the organization’s most successful weekends. Reflecting on his final ACM Awards as CEO, Whiteside said the show represented everything he hoped it would.
“I sat there that night watching it, and I was just kind of blown away at the quality of the show. I feel like for me, that was the best show that I’ve been a part of since I’ve been in this role … It really captured what country music is right now… It’s still paying respect to the legacy of it, but it was very much of the moment.”
But for Whiteside, the show’s success wasn’t just measured by what happened on stage.
“I’m very proud of the ACM staff, honestly, because moving a show to a new city, and standing up new events… that is a huge undertaking for our small staff. It is a testament to the passion here and the leadership here. Everybody’s here because they want to be here and because they want it to be great for the artists and industry.”
Looking back, Whiteside said one of the biggest surprises of leading the Academy wasn’t navigating award shows or industry changes, but discovering just how much leadership centered on the people around him.
“Leadership is leading a company, yes. It is about experience in the actual business and having business acumen for sure. But, so much of it is about what you accomplish as a leader is with your team and how you develop them. What I love is just [watching] people that I’ve hired or mentored and seeing them grow. It just makes me really proud and happy to see that I could just be one part of their journey.”
Beyond the milestones and organizational changes, Whiteside said it’s the moments along the way that he’ll remember most. Bringing the ACM Awards to Nashville during the pandemic remains at the top of that list. “We weren’t going to let COVID keep us from awarding our artists,” he said. “Being able to do it at the three most iconic venues in Nashville, the Opry, and the Ryman, and the Bluebird, which hadn’t been done before. That’s always going to be kind of on my Mount Rushmore of cool things I got to do.”
Shania Twain & Damon Whitside. Photo: Courtesy of Whiteside
He also points to the Academy’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2025 as another career highlight, saying he was proud to help commemorate the organization’s legacy while showcasing where country music is today. Beyond the events themselves, Whiteside said one of the unexpected joys of the role came from working alongside some of the genre’s biggest names. “Reba is absolutely undeniably the hardest working person in showbiz, and she is just lovely and just such a wonderful human being,” he says. “Getting to work with her and see her work ethic was a great memory.” He also recalled working alongside Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and Shania Twain, saying those experiences are memories he’ll carry with him long after leaving the Academy.
As the industry continues to evolve, Whiteside said he’s encouraged by the next generation of artists finding success while continuing to embrace country music’s traditions. “I think what I’m excited about is that we still have this tight [country music] community. There is a lot of pride and camaraderie, but everyone is willing to open their arms and let the new class in.”
While he’ll remain involved with the Academy through the end of the year as CEO Emeritus, Whiteside said he’s also looking ahead to new opportunities. He expects to help guide the organization’s leadership transition while continuing to explore ways to support country music beyond the CEO position.
“I’m kind of just a consultant,” he says. “I’m just going to be available the rest of the year and on call for the new leadership here to just help guide, answer questions, make recommendations, however they need support.”
Beyond that, Whiteside hopes to continue working at the intersection of Nashville and Hollywood, helping tell artists’ stories while introducing more of the entertainment industry to country music.
“I really enjoy that intersection of educating the media world about country music and what it is,” he says. “I love being that bridge and making that connection to show someone that’s not been part of our community, to come into the community and see what it’s about.”
As he prepares to close this chapter, Whiteside said he believes both he and the Academy are ready for what’s next.
“I’m just thrilled at where we are today, and the fact that the organization is really reestablished and thriving and it’s really set up for success for the future,” he says. “I feel like I’m leaving at the right time for me and for the organization. It’s a really exciting opportunity for a new leader to come in and continue to evolve it and strengthen it.”
Moving forward Whiteside can be reached at damon@nomadentertain.com
