BREAKING: BMI Elevates Shannon Sanders To AVP, Creative, Nashville

/by

Shannon Sanders. Photo: Courtesy of BMI

BMI has elevated Shannon Sanders to AVP, Creative, Nashville. He reports to BMI Vice President, Creative, Nashville, Clay Bradley.

Since joining BMI in 2020 as Executive Director, Creative, Nashville, Sanders has been integral in spearheading a number of creative initiatives for the company, including the launch of the Annapolis Songwriters Festival, producing the “BMI Presents: A Conversation With” series, and hosting BMI’s monthly Acoustic Lounge at the Bluebird Café. Sanders also leads BMI Nashville’s No. 1 parties outside of the country genre, which have featured R&B singer Kevin Ross for “Love in the Middle” and rock group Sleep Theory for their hits, “Stuck in My Head,” “Static,” and “Words Are Worthless.”

Prior to joining BMI, he founded and served as Program Director of Nashville’s 102.1 The VILLE, a radio station dedicated to classic soul, R&B, and local artists. He also served as co-musical director for the Fisk Jubilee Singers and India.Arie for many years.

“Shannon’s extensive industry experience and unwavering commitment to songwriters make him an invaluable member of BMI’s Creative team,” says Bradley. “He’s been a constant champion of Nashville’s diverse music community, honoring its rich heritage while creating new opportunities for writers across all genres. Shannon has also helped to expand and strengthen BMI’s programs and relationships, and I look forward to working with him to build on that success.”

Throughout his career, Sanders has been honored with three Grammy Awards, three Emmys, a Dove Award, and the Academy of Country Music’s Lifting Voices Award in 2024. Black Enterprise named him one of its 100 Modern Men of Distinction in 2016, and the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) recognized him as a “Living Legend” in 2025 during a special showcase celebrating his impact on Nashville and beyond. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Distinguished Alumni at Tennessee State University.

Sanders is an active member of the Recording Academy and Leadership Music, and serves on the board for the Academy of Country Music (ACM), Americana Music Association (AMA), Country Music Association (CMA), International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation (NCVC) and National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM).

Lauryn Sink
Latest posts by Lauryn Sink (see all)