Music Health Alliance Offers Free Services For Heal The Music Day

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Music Health Alliance is offering a series of free seminars, screenings and dental services to members of the music community in celebration of “Heal The Music Day.”

Free mammograms will be offered at Music Health Alliance in the St. Thomas Mobile Mammography Unit on Oct. 16 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Following unprecedented demand for the inaugural Dental Days held in August and September, Music Health Alliance will offer two additional days of free dental exams, cleanings, x-rays and emergency extractions on Oct. 17 and 18. And Music Health Alliance board member and Disney Music Publishing artist/songwriter Tina Parol will moderate a mental health and wellness workshop “Look Ma No Hands” on Oct. 17.

Members of the music community can visit musichealthalliance.com/blog/ or call Music Health Alliance Manager of Client Services and Communication Carrie Bryant Glenn at 615-200-6861 to learn more and make a reservation for one of the many free health care services offered during the week leading up to “Heal The Music Day.”  Space is limited and reservations will be made on a first-come-first-served bases.

To participate in “Heal The Music Day,” members of the music community — including artists, songwriters, producers, publishers, publicists, promoters, business managers, record label executives, booking agents, attorneys, venues, stylists and more — can pledge a percentage of their single day earnings to support the lifesaving services provided by Music Health Alliance. Donations can be made at HealTheMusic.com or checks can be mailed to Music Health Alliance at 2737 Larmon Dr., Nashville, TN 37204. Funds raised during “Heal The Music Day” support the non-profit’s free services, advocacy, education and preventative care initiatives

Weekly Register: Luke Combs, Kane Brown Top Country Sales Charts

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Luke Combs’ This One’s For You continues atop the country albums chart with 24K in total consumption (4.8K album only/22 million song streams), according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Kane Brown‘s self-titled album is at No. 2 with 13K (3.1K album only/12 million streams). Dan+Shay‘s self-titled album is at No. 3 with 12K total consumption (1.7K album only/12.5 million streams).

Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller is at No. 4 with 12K in total consumption (3.3K album only/10 million streaming).

Jason Aldean‘s Rearview Town wraps up the Top 5 with 11K in total consumption (2.9K album only/9.4 million streams).

This week’s top country album debut is Upchurch‘s Supernatural (Redneck Nation Records). The album ranks at No. 6, with 9.7K in total consumption (9.1K album only/247K song streams).

Top 5 Country Streaming Songs:

Kane Brown, “Heaven”: 8.6 million/388 million RTD
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”: 7 million/243 million RTD
Chris Stapleton, “Tennessee Whiskey”: 6.2 million/526 million RTD
Brett Young, “Mercy”: 6.1 million/176 million RTD
Luke Combs, “Beautiful Crazy”: 5.7 million/112 million RTD

Top 5 Country Sales songs:

Kane Brown, “Homesick”: 18K Debut
Florida Georgia Line, “Simple”: 9.9K/278K RTD
Carrie Underwood, “End Up With You”: 8.4K Debut
Luke Combs, “She Got the Best of Me”: 8.4K/189K RTD
Kane Brown, “Lose It”: 7.6K/109K RTD

6th Annual Music City Food + Wine Sensory Affair Highlights Nashville Talent

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Little Big Town appears at 2018 Music City Food + Wine event. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman/Charles Reagan Studios

Nashville’s sold-out 6th annual Music City Food + Wine festival offered multi sensory flavor, tastings, demonstrations, DJs, gospel and A-list musical guests rooted in Nashville.

Music City Food +Wine co-producers, Kings of Leon, curated a musical lineup nearly 20 artists for Saturday, Sept. 15’s ‘70s-80s themed disco evening including the Kings themselves (“Get Down Tonight” and “Every 1’s A Winner”), Little Big Town (“We Are Family”), Sheryl Crow (“Night Fever”), Brandy Clark (“How Deep Is Your Love”), Elle King (“Don’t Leave Me This Way”), Moon Taxi (“Play That Funky Music White Boy”), steel guitarist Robert Randolph (“You Sexy Thing”) and many more.

Music City Food + Wine’s Harvest Night at Nashville’s Walk of Fame Park. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman/Charles Reagan Studios

Kings of Leon perform at the 2018 Music City Food + Wine Harvest Night. Photo: Nathan Zucker

The themed concert was held at the Walk of Fame Park after a tasting of higher profile chefs like Urban Cowboy’s Tom Bayless’ tomato sandwich with a decadent sesame bun, heirloom tomatoes and a charcoal mayonnaise. Meanwhile, Titos was serving a jalapeno-garnished margarita and Zac Brown’s Z. Alexander Wine was poured.

Sunday was capped again with a gospel brunch, now for the third year with its centerpiece, Nashville gospel goddess Gale Mayes. With a seven-person backing choir, Mayes inspired the crowd, dispersing handkerchiefs and performed a cover of Eric Clapton’s “Change The World.” Flavor highlights included Brandon Frohne’s (Holler & Dash) chorizo biscuit & gravy, Laurence Faber’s (Blackberry Farm) preserved peaches and cream, and the donut shop serving banana pudding and blackberry donuts and donut holes from a variety of chefs, Lauren Anderson, Lisa Donovan, Caitlyn Jarvis, Davis Reese and Danielle Veit.

Gale Mayes steps off stage during 2018 Music City Food +Wine Gospel Brunch. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman/Charles Reagan Studios

Blueberry donuts. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman/Charles Reagan Studios

During the three-day festival DJs again spun background beats while flavors soared. Additional festivities continued at the festival’s second site on Bicentennial Mall with Don Julio tequila hosting a mariachi band before their antique pickup truck. This was opposite the tent from Ilegal Mezcal’s ice sculpture, designed for taking shots through the slide. Little Big Town’s Four Cellars wine was also served alongside Zac Brown’s. Stand-out treats included Fin & Pearl’s smoked salmon deviled egg, which was tinted pink from a beet pickling process. Always superior Lockeland Table (Hal M. Holden-Bache) served its Korean beef taco in a nacho form. Mangia’s Nick Pellegrino delivered a beef short rib meatball, and Jeff Ruby Steakhouse offered, among other things, a peaches infused crisp with Jack Daniels creame.

Supermodel Lily Aldridge, who is married to Kings of Leon lead singer Caleb Followill, made an appearance this year, judging the Friday Night Throwdown competition, hosted by Jessie James Decker.

Dates for the 2019 festival have not yet been announced.

Sheryl Crow plays 2018 Music City Food + Wine festival. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman/Charles Reagan Studios

Chef Tim Love dances to Mariachi. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman/Charles Reagan Studios

DJ Zane. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman/Charles Reagan Studios

Exclusive: Red Light Management’s Melanie Wetherbee Talks Breaking Jon Pardi, Changing Role Of Management

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Melanie Wetherbee

Boston native Melanie Wetherbee moved to Nashville nearly 18 years ago. After earning a degree from Middle Tennessee State University, she began her career at RCA Label Group’s publicity department. “I was archiving old press materials of past artists-photos, slides, videos, etc. and creating a database, and then shipping each box of contents off to a cave where they were stored. Yes, a cave,” she recalls. “My initial plan was to get a degree and move to Los Angeles or New York, but I ended up loving Nashville and I’ve been here ever since.”

She would later begin work with McGhee Entertainment, doing day-to-day management for Darius Rucker. Now, as part of Red Light Management, she oversees the career of CMA and ACM winner Jon Pardi.

Wetherbee recently told MusicRow about the day-to-day responsibilities that come with managing an artist, and how the role has changed over the course of her career.

MusicRow: How has the role of a manager changed over the past few years? 

Wetherbee: It’s an always changing, fluid job. Every day is different from the next, there’s no daily checklist, which I love. I often wonder what I would do if I wasn’t a manager because I can’t imagine going back to a 9-5 job.

Some of the biggest changes in recent years are how people consume music and how artists reach the fan base. We have been very focused on how we create a direct line to fans and our team has made a concerted effort to consistently capture fan data within as many different platforms as possible. The ability to reach your consumer directly is so crucial.

You got your start at McGhee Entertainment. What were some of the biggest management lessons you learned there, that you have carried into your work with Jon?

I started my management career at McGhee Ent. and did day-to-day management for Darius Rucker, among others. I learned a lot there. Doc and Scott have very different management styles and I gained a lot of perspective from them both. Doc has some funny sayings, but they usually really ring true. One thing he would always say is, “We aren’t the American Red Cross.” Basically, saying there are only so many factors you have control over and only so much you can do in any given situation. It’s funny, but it’s true.

Scott used to make us do run-throughs of different routes and scenarios prior to events or any sort of planning, and he’d say, “Ok, if there’s some reason this plan falls through, what are the next steps, and if that doesn’t work, what then?” He was a professional football player for a while and I think that’s something he carried over to management. Thinking fast on your feet, changing directions, having a feel already of where you’re going next and always being prepared in that sense.

When did you begin working with Jon Pardi and what have been the biggest challenges in managing his career so far?

I started working with Jon mid-way thru 2013, so about five years ago. He didn’t have a record out yet, but he was on his second single, “Up All Night,” and I think it was in the 40’s on the country airplay charts at the time. I heard a lot of feedback that he was ‘too country’ for country radio and we were really in the midst of the bro country thing and that was a challenge. Hearing Jon was ‘too country’ for country radio really floored me. The format is ever-changing and progressing, but I believed there was a place for Jon in that. He was so different from anything on the radio at the time, and like anything that’s really different, it takes a little more time to get people warmed up to the idea. Jon’s voice is so distinctive and unique, you know it’s him the minute you hear it, and his writing is so melodic. I really believed he’d find his place in the format, but he had to work for it.

We didn’t have a number one right out of the gate and we could hardly get on a full tour. Dierks Bentley believed in Jon from the beginning and gave him his first full tour slot- Jon was the first of four on the bill. Otherwise, our focus was touring strategically, hitting markets over and over again, twice a year if we could, and every time our tickets and capacities went up. We started selling out clubs and small headlining club tours. Jon had no other option but to take the long road, nothing was handed to him, and I think that just fed his drive to succeed.

What are the biggest goals you have for Jon in the next year?

The goals are always evolving, but I’d obviously love to see our latest single, “Night Shift,” reach the top of the charts. By year’s end, I’d like to see California Sunrise certified platinum.

What is the biggest misconception new artists have about the music industry?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions that new artists have about the music industry is that getting a record deal means success. So many “over night” successes have been grinding it out for years on the road prior to even getting a shot at a record deal. Also, that you need a major record deal at all… there have been many artists who have found great success putting music out independently, and streaming services can be vehicles for great exposure. Another misconception new artists may have is that once you’re successful, you can take a sigh of relief. It’s the just the opposite- you work just as hard, if not harder. Your opportunities improve and then, you have to work at sustaining or growing that success or you’ll lose it.

What do you consider to be one of your biggest successes for one of your artists, and what went in to making that happen?

Both Darius and Jon were awarded New Artist of the Year at the CMAs, with Jon also capturing New Male Vocalist of the Year at the ACMs, and I think our teams in both cases really worked at changing people’s minds. Breaking through for both of them was very different, but both were about challenging and changing perceptions. With Darius, it was saying, yeah this guy was a huge pop star, but he is truly a legitimate country artist, and a great one at that. With Jon, it was getting the community to see his authenticity and embracing it. Working to change perceptions within the music community is a big challenge with artists that are a little left of center, but if the shift happens, people will want them to win. They become proud that they are representing country music in their own unique way.

Sony/ATV’s Martin Bandier To Step Down In 2019: See His Memo To Staffers

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Martin Bandier

Sony/ATV music publishing’s chairman/CEO Martin Bandier officially announced Monday (Sept. 17) that he will be stepping down from his role when his contract expires in March 2019. This follows news that Warner/Chappell chairman/CEO Jon Platt will soon replace Bandier at Sony/ATV.

Bandier joined Sony/ATV in 2007. In a memo to company staffers, Bandier expressed his pride that Sony/ATV has grown to become the fourth biggest music publisher.

Read the memo below:

Dear all,

I want to let you know that I am planning to leave Sony/ATV at the end of my contract in March of next year, after what will have been 12 incredible years with the company. I can say without hesitation that my time here has been the absolute highlight of my career, and I am extremely proud of everything that we have achieved together.

On this journey, we have grown from being ranked the world’s fourth biggest music publisher to becoming the clear No. 1. As I have always said, being and staying No. 1 is not a beauty contest, and we have grown into this position by being the best across the board—creatively, administratively and financially. This was underpinned by our most recent financial year, which was our best ever.

During my time here, I have had the pleasure to get to know and work with so many talented songwriters, including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Pharrell, Pink, Sting, Carole King, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy and Sara Bareilles. The list could go on and on, but there are simply too many phenomenal writers to mention everyone by name. I am nonetheless proud to have advocated for all of them.

Further, it is remarkable to think that when I first joined Sony/ATV in 2007 the company had never won an ASCAP or BMI Pop Publisher of the Year award. It was not long thereafter that we won ASCAP Publisher of the Year, and I remember how proud Michael Jackson (who then still owned half of Sony/ATV) was that we had received this major award. Since then, I am pleased to say that Sony/ATV and our writers have won many other Songwriter and Publisher of the Year titles, as well as many other honors all over the world.

Of all the awards and achievements that have occurred during my time here, however, there are two personal highlights. One is winning a GRAMMY, becoming the first ever publisher to receive the President’s Merit Award. The other is the incredible success of the school that I endowed to Syracuse University. The Bandier Program has become one of the leading music business schools in the United States, and I am encouraged and proud to know that the students who have graduated from it are now working at many of the best companies in our industry. Thanks to them, I know that the future of the music business is in terrific hands.

It is also important to note that, while we have been successful in growing our business and maintaining our position as the largest music publisher in the world, we have never lost sight of the fact that our priority is to fight tirelessly on behalf of our songwriters and to ensure that they are fully compensated for their work, both by streaming companies and other music services that use their songs. Rankings matter, but our songwriters and their music matter the most. I think we have made great progress in that regard, and I will continue that fight for songwriters after I leave Sony/ATV.

I would also like to thank Sony for giving me the opportunity to lead this company through the music industry’s complex and ever-changing landscape, and at a time when representing the rights of songwriters has never been more important and necessary. It has been incredibly satisfying to grow the company to be the leading music publisher in the world, and I am confident that Sony/ATV and its writers are set for even more successes in the future.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for everything that you have contributed to Sony/ATV during my time here. It has been an amazing experience working with you. And we still have six more exciting months together, in what is already proving to be another great year for Sony/ATV and our songwriters. I am determined that, as great as last year was for us, this one will be even better.

I look forward to sharing what’s ahead for me with you soon, and I’ll be following all of your successes long after I have left.

Warmest regards,

Martin Bandier

Warner Music Nashville Luncheon Returns To CRS, With Blake Shelton Headlining

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Blake Shelton will perform at 2019’s Country Radio Seminar, as part of the return of a third label luncheon, hosted by Warner Music Nashville. The luncheon will be held on CRS 2019’s Opening Day on Feb. 13, with additional performers from the Warner Music Nashville roster to be announced.

CRB, Inc.® also announced Blake Shelton has been named the recipient of the CRS 2019 Artist Humanitarian Award. The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor those Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career. Past recipients of the annual award have included Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, and Charlie Daniels, among others.

Blake Shelton has demonstrated his dedication to giving back through many charitable initiatives and events. In May 2013, Blake hosted “Healing In The Heartland,” a benefit concert for those affected by the numerous tornadoes that ravaged the country. The event was broadcast on NBC and more than $6 million dollars was raised for the American Red Cross of Oklahoma. In September 2016, Blake donated $600,000 to the Jimmy Everest Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK. and in September 2017, he hosted “Hand In Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief,” a multi-city telethon that broadcast on all major television networks. So far, more than $50 million has been raised for relief efforts for hurricane Harvey and Irma. In Sept. 2017, the Oklahoma-native opened his Ole Red Bar & Grill in his hometown of Tishomingo, OK. All proceeds raised from his performance that evening were donated to a local charity in Tishomingo.

“Warner Music Nashville is very excited to kick-off CRS activities with an exciting and diverse line up of our amazing artists,” said WMN Chairman & CEO John Esposito. “I’m proud of Blake being recognized as Humanitarian of the Year. Over the years, I’ve watched him give back in so many profound ways. He responded immediately to those in need after the devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma in 2013, holding a benefit that was televised nationwide. He continually gives back to his hometown of Tishomingo, to the children’s hospital in Oklahoma City and so much more. But it’s what he does on a daily basis that really sticks out to me. He will send us an email about something he’s read and say, ‘I want to do this to help this person.’ And I think Blake has helped more stranded motorists than Triple A – but that’s just his character. He’s a humanitarian every day. Congratulations Blake, you earned it!”

Country Radio Seminar’s 50th Anniversary event will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, through Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at Omni Nashville. The three-day convention is an educational and networking event for country radio and music industry professionals, offering attendees access to informative panels, networking opportunities, speakers, research presentations and performances from some of today’s biggest stars and emerging artists.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 18 marks the deadline to register at the discounted rate of $549. Starting Sept. 19, the price will increase to $599. Registrations are available for purchase at countryradioseminar.com.

Warner Music Group To Acquire European Entertainment E-tailer EMP Merchandising

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Warner Music Group has entered into an agreement to acquire EMP Merchandising Handelsgesellschaft mbH, one of Europe’s leading specialty music and entertainment merchandise e-tailers. Currently owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners, EMP will become a stand-alone, direct-to-fan business unit within WEA, WMG’s global artist and label services division headed by President Tony Harlow, once the deal is complete. The company is led by CEO Ernst Trapp and CFO Jan Fischer, who will continue to manage EMP as a fully-staffed organization.

Founded in Germany in 1986, EMP offers fans merchandise from bands like Twenty One Pilots, Panic! At The Disco, Metallica, Motörhead, Guns n Roses, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, The Doors, and many others. Beyond music, the company has established itself as a lifestyle e-tailer, offering merchandise from major entertainment brands such as Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry Potter; gaming brands such as Nintendo and PlayStation; sporting franchises such as the NFL; and alternative fashion brands such as Vans. The company operates a network of websites serving 18 European countries, with a community of millions of customers, and a fast-growing paid loyalty program.

“EMP has built a powerful lifestyle destination that will be a perfect complement to our global artist development and marketing strategies,” said Stu Bergen, CEO of International & Global Commercial Services, Recorded Music, WMG. “Their music-led expertise will give us great insight into what audiences love and what they want, and at the same time open up exciting new opportunities for our artists. We look forward to bringing Ernst, Jan, and everyone at EMP into WMG’s growing family of brands.”

“In today’s streaming world, merchandise is still one of the best ways that fans can express their passions and personalities,” said Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music, WMG. “It’s also a big part of how music has visible and physical impact on global culture and fashion. Welcoming EMP will be our latest move to expand our relationships with influencers across the globe.”

“It’s always been our goal to create the most authentic, exclusive products,” said Ernst Trapp. “Our team is made up of devoted fans who are curating the music, themes, and lifestyle brands that they know fellow fans will embrace. By joining WMG, we will be able to expand our international reach, explore new genres, reach new audiences, and take fan experience to a whole new level.”

The deal follows other recent acquisitions aimed at expanding WMG’s recorded music business, including Sodatone, the world’s premier A&R insight tool; UPROXX, one of the most influential media brands for youth culture; Spinnin’ Records, one of the world’s leading independent electronic music companies; and Songkick, the live music and ticketing destination.

The acquisition is anticipated to close in the fourth calendar quarter of 2018, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including competition authority approval in Germany.

 

CJ Solar Inks Deals With WME, Dreamcatcher

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Pictured (L-R): Powell Hedley, Dreamcatcher Managment; Barry Jeffrey, WME agent; Mark Roeder, WME agent; CJ Solar; Jim Mazza, Dreamcatcher Managment; Craig Campbell, Campbell Entertainment. Photo: WME Endeavor

Singer/songwriter CJ Solar has signed with Dreamcatcher for management and aligned with WME for exclusive booking representation.

In addition to co-writing “American Girls,” the latest single from his Get Away With It EP, Solar also co-wrote Morgan Wallen’s No. 1 single “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line. Solar signed to Sea Gayle Music shortly after graduating from Belmont University and has had cuts by Jerrod Niemann, Justin Moore, and Texas artists Mike Ryan and Kyle Park. He scored his first No. 1 as a writer with Park’s “What the Heaven” single, which topped the Texas Music chart.

“This is like the dream team for me,” said Solar. “These guys have already had me opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chris Janson and Hank Jr., and I’m looking forward to an incredible future with this crew.”

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Honors NSAI’s Bart Herbison, Steve Bogard

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Bart Herbison

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) recently hosted its 6th annual IP Champions event, Ideas in Bloom, to showcase how intellectual property fuels innovation, creativity, and competition in the United States and across the globe. The event brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, the entertainment industry, academia, law enforcement, and technology experts to celebrate those who generate jobs, encourage innovation and creativity, ensure safety, and promote access to new products and services.

This year’s gala honored 11 innovators and creators for their contributions to intellectual property, including NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison and NSAI Board President Steve Bogard, who were named IP Champions for Excellence in Advocacy. They were honored for their working counseling lawmakers on issues songwriters face and for their work in introducing the Music Modernization Act.

“Intellectual property-driven innovations are changing the world, making it safer, healthier, and more connected,” said David Hirschmann, president and CEO of GIPC. “In an era where technology is ever-changing, it’s increasingly important to incentivize and protect the inventions and creations so that the life transforming benefits can reach consumers around the world. We are proud to recognize this year’s winners as intellectual property visionaries, pioneers, and guardians.”

Headlining last night’s event were Nashville mega-hit songwriters, Lee Thomas Miller and Wendell Mobley. Miller and Mobley’s performance came at a particularly critical time, as the U.S. Senate considers the Music Modernization Act and weighs whether to address systematic IP issues facing many songwriters.

The Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center is working around the world to champion innovation and creativity through intellectual property standards that create jobs, save lives, advance global economic and cultural prosperity, and generate breakthrough solutions to global challenges.

Steve Bogard

 

Florida Georgia Line, Ashton Kutcher Celebrate Entrepreneurs During WeWork Creator Awards

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Pictured (L-R): Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line, winner Stephanie Benedetto of Queen of Raw, Ashton Kutcher and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Florida Georgia Line and Ashton Kutcher were among those celebrating entrepreneurs in Nashville Thursday evening (Sept. 13), as part of the Nashville Creator Awards Regional Semi-Final event, held at Marathon Music Works.

The Creator Awards is part of an initiative that funds small businesses, nonprofits, performing artists and others who are achieving change through their businesses and services.

During the Creator Awards, nine winners received a total of $888,000. They were selected from a pool of more than 1,700 applicants, from the Eastern United States, Puerto Rico and Ontario. The finalists pitched their ideas, business models and organizations before a live audience and judges, including Florida Georgia Line, Kutcher, and Dia Simms, President of Sean Combs Enterprises. Nine winners were awarded from $18,000 to $360,000 in funding from projects ranging from smart, data-collecting fabric and medical interpreter certificate training, to interactive music programs for seniors.

“These Creator Awards are not just sweeping the nation, these Creator Awards are sweeping the world,” said host and judge Ashton Kutcher, who also shared his experience meeting WeWork founder Adam Neumann in 2002. The two had met through Neumann’s then girlfriend and now wife, Rebekah Neumann, and immediately recognized their shared ambition and work ethic.

The grand prize of $360,000 went to Queen of Raw, a two-sided marketplace bringing raw fabric back to life by giving the factories that overproduce it and the retailers that over-purchase it, a place to recapture its value.

“It was an honor and a privilege to even make it this far. The kinds of questions they asked were so valuable, informative, and supportive,” said Stephanie Benedetto, Founder and CEO of Queen of Raw. “This is a lot of money. We were a bootstrapped company and it took us all the way to launch. We want to be able to grow and scale beyond the U.S. and around the world.”

The event was open to the public and co-hosted by VP & Senior Editor of Forbes Media, Steven Bertoni, and WeWork Co-Founder & CEO, Adam Neumann, as well as his sister, former supermodel, Adi Neumann. The night also included a live performance by multi-platinum selling rapper and producer, G-Eazy.

Winners:

Business Venture Award: for entrepreneurs and companies with fresh ideas:
— ($360,000): Queen of Raw, Stephanie Benedetto, New York City
— ($180,000): Prommus, Anthony Brahimsha, Chicago
— ($72,000): Loomia, Janett Liriano, New York City

Nonprofit Award: for charitable organizations big and small:
— ($72,000): Found in Translation, Maria Vertkin, Boston, MA
— ($50,000): Girl Develop It, Corinne Warnshuis & Sally MacNicholas, Philadelphia, PA
— ($50,000): Everybody Dance Now!, Kelli Forman, New York City

Performing Arts Award: for entertainers and groups with a unique point of view:
— ($18,000): Melanie Faye, Nashville, TN

Community Giver Award: a surprise, community-nominated category for those making a difference:
— ($36,000): Good Good Good, Branden Harvey, Nashville, TN

Wild Card Winner: a surprise, pulled from the crowd live by Adam Neumann and Ashton Kutcher:
— ($50,000): Music for Seniors, Sarah Martin McConnell

Adam Neumann surprised guests after inviting two audience members (non-finalists) on stage for a chance to pitch their businesses and win prize money. Sarah Martin McConnell, Director at Music for Seniors, took home $50,000 after impressing judges with her growth plans.

Special guests and notable Nashville attendees included: Nashville Predators defenseman, P.K. Subban; Olympic skier, Lindsey Vonn; country singer, Hunter Hayes; Eric and Jessie James Decker; Lily Aldridge; Tennessee Titans safety, Kenny Vaccaro; and others.

The event celebrated entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, with attendees shopping local member and non-member products at the pop-up market and making connections at the job fair in partnership with Jobbio. Since March 2017, WeWork has hosted more than 28,000 attendees and given away millions of dollars across 13 Creator Awards Regional Semi-Final events around the globe, plus one Global Finals event in New York City in January 2018. According to previous winners, these awards can be a game changer for companies and organizations looking to reach the next level.

Pictured (L-R): Judges Ashton Kutcher, Brian Kelley of Florida Georiga Line, Dia Simms, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georiga Line and finalist Stephen Rose of The Peach Truck. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images