SOURCE Hall Of Fame Inducts Six ‘Women Behind The Music,’ Honors Jeannie Seely
Pictured (L-R): Judy Seale, Marty Craighead, Teena Scogin Camp, Jeannie Seely, Kathy Harris, Leslie Fram and Sheree’ Spoltore’. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Six more deserving music industry veterans were inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame last night (Aug. 27) at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville’s historic Municipal Auditorium. Jeannie Seely was also honored with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award.
SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame inductees are nominated and inducted based upon peer recommendations, career biographies, accomplishments, reputation, the number of years the individual has worked within the entertainment industry and their level of community involvement. All inductees have made a significant impact on the Nashville entertainment industry.
Tracy Gershon, Brenda Lee and Gina Keltner. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Seely served as host for the night alongside her partner in crime, Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee, as well as a new host, Grand Ole Opry member Mandy Barnett.
This year’s honorees included Teena Scogin Camp, Marty Craighead, Leslie Fram, Kathy Harris, Judy Seale and Sheree’ Spoltore’.
The night started with a video montage of photos from past induction ceremonies, before SOURCE Awards Committee Chair Erica Rosa welcomed the crowd to kick off the evening. “Their tenacity has shown us that there are no limits to what can be achieved when passion and determination come together,” Rosa said of the inductees. “Their contributions have enriched our lives, expanded our horizons and encouraged us to dream bigger.”
Gus Arrendale, President of Springer Mountain Farms, who serves as the event sponsor, then took a few moments to speak about the inductees before welcoming everyone to dine.
After enjoying dinner, attendees were greeted by SOURCE President Kari Barnhart. She welcomed the crowd to the ceremony, and spoke about the organization. “SOURCE membership consists of a distinguished group of women who hold influential positions as decision-making executives, professionals and entrepreneurs within the vibrant national music industry,” Barnhart said. “Our collective efforts revolve around meetings where we provide a valuable support to each other, propelling us towards unparalleled achievements.” She then welcomed two of the evening’s hosts to the stage, Lee and Barnett.
After warming up the crowd with some laughs, Lee and Barnett each took the time to speak about the night’s honorees.
“With the divine will of industry and the experience among these women, who have awaited countless years of institutional knowledge, Brenda and I are excited to be on this stage tonight to pay tribute to their incredible accomplishments,” Barnett exclaimed.
It was then time to begin the awards presentations with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award. Lee and Barnett spent time sharing some of Seely’s incredible accomplishments, including a stunning 5,375 Opry performances, her Sundays With Seeley radio show on SiriusXM, Grammy awards, her becoming the first female to host the Grand Ole Opry and her Honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Lincoln Memorial University.
Pictured (L-R): Jeannie Seely, Mark Wills, Brenda Lee and Mandy Barnett. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“Jeannie’s commitment to the industry knows no bounds,” Lee shared of her longtime friend. “She loves what she does, it shows. The audience can tell, and that’s why she’s been around as long as she’s been around.”
Attendees then were directed to turn their attention to the screen, where Sr. VP & Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry Dan Rogers, bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent and Opry member Carly Pearce congratulated Seely via video.
Mark Wills was brought up on stage to add some remarks about Seely, who was the first person to welcome him to the Opry 27 years ago on his debut night. The two have remained friends ever since.
Seely was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation. She spoke about her strong support system in her family and team, expressed her gratitude for her road family and thanked the Grand Ole Opry staff.
“At almost every speech I’ve ever heard people say, ‘thank you is just not enough,'” Seely began. “Well, hell, I think it is. I think they are two of the most meaningful words—ones that matter the most and the ones that people remember.”
Seely then joined Lee and Barnett for the rest of the night to continue her hosting duties. The SOUCE Hall of Fame inductees were honored by their friends, family and peers, as Lee, Seely and Barnett told the crowd of their extensive accomplishments. Then, a video from a special client or colleague would play to further highlight the honoree’s impact.
Scogin Camp was the first inductee to be honored. Her career has included time at Standard Knitting Mills, Charisma Talent, Sound Pit Studios and GRC Records, as well as stints as a road manger for David Allen Coe and Colleen Peterson, and her own Teena Shirts (later rebranded to TSC Marketing). She sold her company in the late ’90s and has remained involved in Nashville’s creative landscape since.
Scogin Camp was honored with some words of praise from Opry member and former client, Crystal Gayle, via a video. When the honoree got up to speak, she shared anecdotes about starting her small company, creating a logo for the legendary George Strait and how the Oak Ridge Boys took a must-needed chance on her company.
“No one who succeeds in life makes the journey alone,” Scogin Camp said. “Many of you in this room have been clients, or we collaborated on volunteer projects. I have been fortunate to work with intelligent, ambitious, creative and fun-loving women.”
Next to be honored was Craighead. She impacted the Nashville music industry during her time at MCA Music Publishing, Capitol Records, Javelina Recording Studios, Arista Nashville, Universal Records South, ASCAP, The Nashville Entrepreneur Center and FBMM, where she has served as Office Manager since 2017.
Tim Dubois congratulated Craighead via video. The two established a 14-year working relationship beginning at Arista Nashville. Craighead shared her gratitude for those she has worked with and her gratitude of the honor when she stepped up to the podium.
“When I look at the gallery and the photos of the women who received this honor before me, I’m amazed that I’m considered to be in their company,” Craighead expressed. “This is truly a tremendous honor, which I would not have obtained without the support and courage of so many people.”
Fram was honored next. Her career in Nashville began when she took a leap, leaving her impressive roots in rock radio to come work as the SVP of Music & Talent at CMT, where she has been since 2011. During her tenure there she has established many initiatives to empower women, including CMT’s Next Women of Country, Equal Play, Change The Conversation and Equal Access.
Former CMT President Brian Phillips paid his respects to Fram via video. It was he who gave Fram that career-changing call 13 years ago.
Fram used her time at the podium to talk about some of the CMT family and industry friends she has been grateful to work with and how honored she was to be on the stage.
“You’re going to hear a lot of words tonight like grateful, thankful, humble and scared to death,” she said. “I will say them because it’s true. To be in a room with all of these women who have paved the way—all of the amazing inductees tonight, all of the women in the room and all of the men who support us—this is a huge compliment and a highlight for all of us.”
During a quick break from the inductions, Rosa to come back on stage and to shoutout the awards committee, Barnhart, Sarah Brosmer, Linda Chambers, Karen Conrad, Debi Fleischer-Robin, Rachel Guttmann, Judy Harris, Martha Moore, Kay Smith and Claire Taylor, as well as the event sponsors and event production. She also led the crowd in remembering SOURCE Co-Founder Pat Rolfe, who passed away in May, as well as past inductees Mary Martin, Audrey Winters and Phyllis Dean Hill whom all passed away this year as well.
Harris was the next inductee to be honored. Her 50-year career started when she became a secretary-receptionist for The Oak Ridge Boys. She later became a member of the Operations Management Team, before transitioning into VP of Marketing for Oak Ridge Boys, Inc. In addition to her work with the group, she also was a freelance writer and publicist, and managed Keith Harling with her husband Larry.
It was only fitting that The Oak Ridge Boys congratulated Harris via video for the honor. When Harris spoke, she shared what she has learned through her time in the industry.
“If you need to compete, compete with yourself. Never with other women. Treasure your relationships with each other, grow your relationships with each other and build each other up,” Harris said.
Seale was the next to be inducted. She made her mark while working at the George Lindsey Celebrity Golf Tournament and Concert for Special Children, the Jim Halsey Company and Refugee Management International. In 2001, she founded Judy Seale International, where she has managed Jolie Edwards, Pat Boone, the Bellamy Brothers and more. She currently serves as President/CEO of the organization along with her nonprofit Stars For Stripes, founded in 2003. Fellow philanthropist Gary Sinise congratulated her via video.
When she spoke, Seale highlighted moments in her career that make her thankful to be in this business and shared stories about her many mentors.
“I was never considering a career in the music industry. I was going to be a school teacher in a very small town in Alabama,” Seale shared with a laugh. “Thank you, God, for having other plans for me.”
Spoltore’ was the final honoree to be inducted. Her career has included time as an artist, performing at Carnegie Hall for the Pope and Queen Elizabeth, taking the lead role in an off-broadway play and performing an original song for former President Bill Clinton’s Inauguration. After moving to the business side of the industry, she spent time at Faverette Music Group, US Bank, Still Working Music and NSAI, before establishing Global Songwriters Connection in 2013.
Spoltore’ was honored with a video message from producer Brandon James. When she spoke, she recognized the friends and colleagues who had lifted her up along the way.
Spoltore’ recognized her first mentor Merle Kilgore for changing her life. “Merle heard me sing and he shared six words that forever changed my life—’You must be present to win.’ Four weeks later, my family and I moved from Arkansas to Nashville with very little.” Spoltore’ shared of her story.
Just like that, another inspiring SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards dinner was over, with six more deserving women inducted.
