Pictured (L-R): Rising Women On The Row 2017 honorees Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, and Juli Newton-Griffith. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 559
Rising Women is rising up.
MusicRow’s sixth Rising Women on the Row celebration demonstrated that this annual event has evolved into a major date on the industry’s social calendar. It was completely sold out, with nearly 500 attendees packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the Omni Hotel ballroom on Tuesday morning (April 25).
The crowd was a who’s-who of Music Row with tables sold to such power players as CAA, WME, UMG, the ACM, BMG, Sony-ATV, Black River, FBMM and presenting sponsor City National Bank. Mayor Megan Barry put it on her calendar for the first time.
“Music contributes $10 billion to our economy every year, and you make it happen,” Barry told the assembled multitude. To the women in attendance, she added, “You are breaking glass ceilings. All of you are changing the profile of what little girls can be. If you can see it, be it.
“I am glad that you are here supporting each other. We take conflict and turn it into conversation. And we take conversation and turn it into action,” concluded Nashville’s first female mayor.
“We’re honoring female empowerment,” said host Sherod Robertson. “Hopefully, you’re feeling a love fest. Each year, we’re growing and growing.”
Rising Women video greetings came from such mega talents as Martina McBride, Mary J. Blige, Reba McEntire, Meghan Trainor, Britney Spears, supermodel Taylor Hill and Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra. The featured speaker was Tri Star CEO and business manager to the superstars Lou Taylor. She was ably interviewed on stage by Robertson.
Featured Speaker Lou Taylor (of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment) is interviewed by MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Taylor was witty, wise and warm. “Success traits come down to two disciplines, thought and action,” she observed. “Practice professional courage,” she advised. “Don’t be above being coached: I’m 51, and I’m coached and trained every day.”
Each of the honorees offered words of wisdom as well. “Powering through what you do: That’s the way we do it; that’s the way we rise,” said Tatum Allsep of Music Health Alliance.
“I’m struck by the word ‘example,’ and I see so many in front of me,” said Virginia Davis of G Major Management. Her clients include Thomas Rhett, Jewel and Danielle Bradbery. “I thank the honorees for being examples. We have so much to learn from one another.”
“Surround yourself with good people,” suggested Kerri Edwards of KP Entertainment. Her clients include Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell and Kelleigh Bannon. “I still pinch myself when I come to work every day: I can’t believe I get to do this.” Quoting her idol Dolly Parton, she concluded, “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”
Kella Farris is the founder of the business management firm Farris, Self & Moore. “This is like my friends and family,” she said as she gazed at the room. “It’s awesome to be here this morning.”
“Your friendships are the greatest gifts this industry has given me,” said Laura Hutfless to the attendees. She is the co-founder of the marketing agency FlyteVu.
MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson welcomes the crowd for the sixth annual Rising Women On The Row event. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Magic Mustang/BMG publisher Juli Newton-Griffith said, “I don’t feel like I belong, but thank you for having me….with this amazing, amazing group of women.
“Obviously, the key to success is to love what you do,” she added. “Wake up. Show up. You never know when it’s going to be your million-dollar day.”
The Rising Women entertainment was music by Kalie Shorr, one of the key figures of the Song Suffragettes showcase series. This female gathering of songwriters sells out its shows every Monday night at The Listening Room Cafe.
“Twenty artists have received publishing deals through Song Suffragettes, and six have gotten label deals,” said CMT’s Leslie Fram in her introduction of Shorr, who was a CMT Artist Discovery in 2016.
The singer-songwriter began her three-song set with the very event-appropriate “Fight Like a Girl.” To date, this song has generated 1.6 million Spotify streams. Shorr’s just released EP Slingshot also includes “Nothing New.”
Her third song was a brilliantly arranged mash-up of “When I Think About Angels” and “Delta Dawn.” Jamie O’Neal co-wrote and recorded the first-named hit. She joined Kalie Shorr on stage to duet on both songs.
Alpha females in the breakfast crowd included Lori Badgett, Becky Harris, Alison Jones, Teri Brown, Debbie Linn, Lisa Harless, Whitney Daane, Stacy Schlitz, Judi Turner, Pam Matthews and Diane Pearson.
As the years have gone by, more and more men have been coming to Rising Women on the Row. Tuesday’s appreciative and applauding attendees included Mike Dungan, Royce Risser, Dale Bobo, Troy Tomlinson, Woody Bomar, Justin Levenson, Rod Essig, Todd Cassetty, Tom Luteran and Rob Beckham.
Kalie Shorr performs. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser.
John Berry is set to launch his own television show, Songs And Stories With John Berry, this summer. The 30-minute program will be taped this May at Nashville’s Douglas Corner, and will debut in July on Heartland TV, The Family Channel, The Country Network, the Angel Two Network, AMG Network, and VTN Network.
