BREAKING: Mike Sistad, Evyn Mustoe Johnston Exit ASCAP

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Mike Sistad & Evyn Mustoe Johnston

Mike Sistad and Evyn Mustoe Johnston have unexpectedly exited ASCAP after 25 and 14 years with the organization, respectively. Sistad most recently served as Vice President, Nashville Membership, while Johnston was Assistant Vice President.

Sistad joined ASCAP’s Nashville Membership team in 2001 and has helped drive major market share growth at the PRO. He was elevated to VP in 2019, managing ASCAP’s relationships with some of its most successful members, including 12x ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley; recording artists Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Carly Pearce, Brothers Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini, Jordan Davis, Old Dominion, Brandy Clark and Chris Stapleton; and hit songwriters Craig Wiseman, Josh Osborne and Hillary Lindsey. He has also been instrumental in developing ASCAP’s next generation of country songwriter-artists, including Nate Smith, Hailey Whitters and George Birge. Before ASCAP, Sistad played in Phil Vassar’s band and spent nine years as an A&R rep at Arista Records Nashville.

“I am proud of our Nashville team and my 25+ years with ASCAP,” Sistad says. “My heart is, and always will be, with the songwriters and musicians that give this town its voice. Thank you to Connie Bradley for bringing me to ASCAP and all my friends in our Nashville Music community. I look forward to my next chapter and will see you soon.”

Johnston joined the ASCAP Nashville team in 2012, focusing on developing both new and established talent across genres. She managed key festival partnerships, coordinating events and performance opportunities for ASCAP members at 30A Songwriters Festival, Americana Music Festival, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival and more. She also played an essential role in curating creator-first programming, including showcases, song camps and mixers.

“I have deep respect, love, and am extremely grateful for every experience and memory that came with my nearly 15 years at ASCAP,” Johnston shares. “Nashville is home, music is a huge part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to be an advocate for songwriters, publishers, and all creators in this town I love so much.”

Sistad can be reached at mike.sistad@gmail.com. Johnston can be reached at evynmustoe@gmail.com.

LB Cantrell
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