Industry Ink: BMI, Vanderbilt, CRS, Rhino Staging, CMHOFM

Vanderbilt hosted Lights on the Lawn, one of Nashville’s largest student-run benefit concert series, on Sept. 22 at Vanderbilt’s Alumni Hall. The event brought together six music and entertainment professionals with students to give the next generation of the industry a direct line to the people already building careers on Music Row.

The event was moderated by Professor Deanna Walker, Senior Lecturer of Songwriting at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music and a songwriter, pianist, composer and producer, and featured Jess Tomlins, Project Manager and Day-to-Day Artist Manager, Neon Coast; Lauren Cunningham, Music Agent, WME; David Sharp, Senior Director, North American Synchronization License Administration, Sony Music Publishing; Leah Ducey, Head of US Social, Beautiful Digital; Vinny Masino, Manager, Audience Development and Content Strategy, Lost Highway; and Nikki Romolo, Managing Director, Venues and Events, Vanderbilt Enterprises. The event was co-sponsored by the Vanderbilt Career Center and open to all Vanderbilt students interested in music and entertainment careers, regardless of major.

Early Bird Registration For CRS 2027 Closes Today

Early Bird Registration for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2027 is now open for two days only, through the end of day today (Sept. 23.) Country radio and music industry professionals are encouraged to act quickly to secure the special $699 Early Bird rate before registration increases to $799. Registration is available through crs2027.eventbrite.com. Set for March 17–19 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, CRS 2027 will once again bring together members from across the country radio and music communities for three days of education, networking, discovery, and live entertainment.

Rhino Staging Opens New Nashville Office

Celeste Brown

Rhino Staging has opened a new office in Nashville. The new facility, led by Tennessee Operations Manager Celeste Brown, moves Rhino Staging closer to downtown Nashville, enhancing day-to-day synergies with top client venues by allowing Rhino management to more easily conduct physical, in-person check-ins and reinforcing their commitment to hands-on client service.

The central location also allows scheduling and other staff more opportunities for valuable face-to-face interaction with Rhino’s stagehand cohort. The office is located in the same complex as industry partners Go West Creative and Worley Sound, further strengthening Rhino’s local operational ties.

Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Celebrates Opening Of *uter(us) By 2026 Hatch Show Print Visiting Artist Sarah Matthews

Director of Hatch Show Print Celene Aubry, Sarah Matthews and Haley Gallery Director Daniel Lonow. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Last week, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Haley Gallery celebrated the opening *uter(us), an art exhibit showcasing the works of printmaker Sarah Matthews, who is also serving as the 2026 Hatch Show Print Visiting Artist. The Hatch Show Print Visiting Artist series invites regionally, nationally or internationally recognized visual artists to explore Hatch Show Print’s collection of type and imagery and collaborate with the shop’s designer-printers to make new work.

Free and open to the public through Nov. 13, the exhibit examines women’s health through the language of medicine, exploring the words and phrases physicians and nurses use when speaking to patients. It also addresses critical issues including period poverty, the maternal mortality crisis, the pink tax and reproductive healthcare. By transforming medical language into visuals, the exhibit invites viewers to confront these disparities, amplifying conversations about bodily autonomy, informed consent and equitable healthcare for all women.