WMBA Host ‘Mindset Matters’ Mental Health Workshop & Panel

Pictured (L-R): WMBA’s Mackenzie Adkins, Taylor Baird and Aura Guadagno; Founder and CEO Of The Music Health Alliance Tatum Allsep; Co-Founders Of The Mental Health Initiative Jessie Louverture and Lauren Conklin; Founder Of Tina Marie Manifestation Tina Marie Sanders; WMBA’s Katharine Poole, Virginia P. Brick and Alyssa Hoffman

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) held a public event for the Nashville community focused on empowering mental wellness last month at the Hilton Green Hills.

Katharine Poole from MRow Network moderated the “Mindset Matters” mental health workshop and panel that featured Tatum Allsep, Founder and CEO of Music Health Alliance; Lauren Conklin and Jessie Louverture, co-founders of the Mental Health Initiative; and Tina Marie Sanders, founder of Tina Marie Manifestation. These wellness ambassadors shared personal stories with their medical and mental health experiences, which led to creating organizations that provide awareness, access to financial resources, tools to manage mental health and communities that support that journey.

“Mental Wellness is extremely important for me as I have been on my own mental health journey for decades. It’s my responsibility as a leader to create safe spaces like this so that conversations can happen,” shares WMBA’s President Virginia P. Brick. “For me, I got to witness people just showing up for themselves. But hearing them express the event made them feel seen and heard while leaving with tangible resources of hope. That’s impact. It was an incredible event.”

Expanding on WMBA’s wellness vision, the “Mindset Matters” mental health panel will be featured on MRow Network Salutary Row podcast. This special edition episode will be available July 1, 2023, and highlights Salutary Row Host KW Poole’s interviews with empowering women of mental health advocacy at the inaugural event.

Major Bob Celebrates Ben Williams As ‘Tennessee Orange’ Hits No. 1

Pictured (L-R): Graham Kothman (Creative Director), Ben Williams, Andy Friday (Head of Creative), Bob Doyle (Owner/President)

Major Bob Music is celebrating songwriter Ben Williams as the fan-favorite “Tennessee Orange” tops the charts. Williams co-wrote the track with Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins and David Fanning.

Bob Doyle, Owner and President of Major Bob Music, presented Williams with a plaque commemorating the success with Graham Kothman and Andy Friday, Major Bob’s Creative Director and Head of Creative, respectively.

CMHOF & Nashville Public Library Honor 10 Years of ‘String City’

Pictured (L-R): Terri Luke, NPL’s Interim Dir., Asst. Dir. for Branch Services; Linda Harrison, NPL’s Asst. Dir. for Education and Literacy; Lisa Purcell, the museum’s EVP of External Affairs; Steve Turner, the museum’s Chairman Emeritus; Donna Nicely, former Dir. of NPL and former Chair of the Education Council at the museum; Jay Turner, Board Member at the museum; and Bret Wilson, Wishing Chair Productions Program Manager

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Nashville Public Library (NPL) celebrated the 10th anniversary of String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry with the debut of several new additions to the performance.

String City is an exciting story of country music’s evolving history told through nearly 100 puppets ranging from DeFord Bailey to Johnny Cash to Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift. Marionettes, rod puppetry, animation and an ever-changing set tell the story of the genre as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City.

New additions to the family friendly program include representations Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker and Chris Stapleton. The museum’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs Lisa Purcell and the library’s Assistant Director for Education and Literacy Linda Harrison spoke at the performance in the museum’s Ford Theater, unveiling the new additions and acknowledging the anniversary of the long-running show and collaboration.

String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry is created and presented by the Library’s Wishing Chair Productions in collaboration with the museum. The production was made possible in part by a special gift from Steve Turner, the museum’s Chairman Emeritus, and his wife Judy to the Nashville Public Library Foundation.

Gary Sinise Accepts Charlie Daniels Patriot Award

Pictured (L-R): David Corlew, Gary Sinise, Joel Pruitt. Photo Credit: Erick Anderson / eafoto

Famed actor Gary Sinise, best known for his acclaimed role as Lt. Dan alongside Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, has formally accepted the Charlie Daniels Patriot Award. Longtime manager of the late Daniels, David Corlew, co-founded The Charlie Daniels Journey Hone Project (TCDJHP) and presented Sinise the award with Joel Pruitt, a Green Beret combat veteran and recipient of last year’s honor.

“I am honored to receive this award from Charlie Daniels, in his name,” says Sinise. “To receive an award in his name is a blessing, a privilege, an honor. Why did I get so lucky?”

“Gary Sinise has set the ‘high water mark’ in support for our vets,” explains Corlew. “Foundations and support groups can learn so much from this guy. Besides creating an incredible bed of work in the film and entertainment industry, he has utilized it to broaden the reach for all of us, a wonderful example of selfless service. Simply put, he cares, and so do we. Charlie would be very proud that we made this happen.”

In 2022, TCDJHP raised over one million dollars for our nation’s veterans, marking the organization’s most successful year to date. Today the non-profit continues Daniels’ patriotic mission with multiple yearly events, including the Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards, TCDJHP’s biggest fundraiser. This fall, the special dinner event will enter its fifth year with formal details to be announced in the coming weeks.

Touring Career Workshop Brought Free Counseling To Bonnaroo

TCW’s registration tent in Bonnaroo’s Artist Village. Counseling sessions were held in the trailer on the right.

Touring Career Workshop (TCW), a Nashville-based nonprofit designed to serve the touring music industry, provided confidential mental health counseling sessions free of charge to all artists, bands, crews and staffs at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

As part of their All Access program, counselors were available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for each of the festival’s four show days, allowing folks to check in on topics including work, relationships and family issues.

“Festival sites can be busy, chaotic places and we wanted to have a resource like this available for anyone in need,” says Chris Lisle, TCW Co-Founder. “We are grateful to C3 Presents and, especially, Brandon Sossamon, their Director of Production—and a TCW board member—for his support in pulling this all together.”

Since its inception, TCW’s All Access program has paid for over 250 counseling sessions for those in need, offering four sessions with one of several pre-approved therapists and life coaches that are handled in total confidentiality.

MTSU Students Help Produce 30 Bonnaroo Concerts For Hulu

About 50 students and faculty from MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment worked this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Photo: James Cessna.

At this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, about 50 students and faculty from Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment worked in live television production and content creation for 30 performances that will be featured on Hulu.

MTSU’s long-time partnership with the iconic four-day music event began in 2014. The partnership allowed students to capture images and sound from more than 35% of the concerts at this year’s Bonnaroo. Over the first two days of the festival, Hulu streamed 30 stage performances that MTSU produced, 27 of which were student-directed.

“Our production efforts at Bonnaroo are as ‘real world’ as it can get,” says Bob Gordon, an Associate Professor of Media Arts and the college’s Live Production Degree Coordinator.

Students from MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media filed daily stories and photos for Sidelines, the university’s student news operation; Seigenthaler News Service; and the MTSU Student Voice. Also, photography students roamed the festival grounds for visual stories.

“We are doing more with Bonnaroo this year than ever,” says Beverly Keel, Dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment. “The work they create will be the highlight of their collegiate portfolios and the memories they create will last a lifetime.”

Ryan Beuschel. Photo: Nathan Chapman

Music industry veteran Ryan Beuschel has joined The Neal Agency (TNA) as Head of Business Development.

He brings more than 20 years of experience to his role, most recently serving as VP of A&R / Strategy at Warner Chappell Music Nashville. While at WCM, Beuschel was named to Billboard’s 40 under 40 list for signing some of country music’s fastest rising stars, including 2022’s most-streamed all-genre debut artist Bailey Zimmerman. In addition to up-and-coming talent, he directly supported established artists and writers including TNA client Riley Green.

At TNA, Beuschel will aid in artist development across all of The Neal Agency roster, including Green, Zimmerman, Morgan Wallen, Chase Rice, Hardy, Nate Smith, Ernest, John Morgan, Josh Ross, Seaforth, Ella Langley, Anne Wilson, Palmer Anthony, Cameron Sacky Band, Aidan Canfield, Ashland Craft, mike., Lauren Watkins and Jake Worthington, along with lifestyle brands Stevenson Ranch and Whiskey Jam.

“Ryan has been a close friend of mine for many years. He carries the same entrepreneurial spirit and artist first mentality that aligns with the core values of our company,” shares Austin Neal, Co-head and Founder of TNA. “We are very fortunate to add another great leadership team member to the company.”

“We are thrilled to add Ryan Beuschel to our team and his reputation in this town is unmatched,” added Adi Sharma, Co-Head/Agent. “In Ryan, we cannot have a better person to help spearhead the new initiatives and business verticals we plan on being involved with moving forward.”

Beuschel is a Michigan native and a graduate of Hope College. He began his career as an intern at Universal Music Publishing Group before taking a job as A&R Manager at Universal Music Group. Beuschel’s experience also includes time at ASCAP as Associate Director of Membership. He resides in Nashville with his wife, Liz, and daughter, Reese.

Of his addition to the team, Beuschel says, “It’s truly incredible to see what Austin, Adi and the entire TNA team has built in such a short period of time. Their approach and vision of supporting artists and executives alike is one I am completely aligned with. I couldn’t be more excited to join this super star company and its impeccable client roster.”

Congratulate Beuschel at Ryan@TheNealAgency.net.

Pictured (L-R): Victoria Rutledge, CMA Director, Major Gifts; Lindsey Jones Morrison, CMA Community Engagement Manager; Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director/CMA SVP of Industry Relations and Philanthropy; SOLID’s Music Market Chairs Jenny Methling, Lizzy Stone & Colin McKay. Photo: Drew Noble (CMA)

The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) recently delivered a check to the CMA Foundation for $37,900, setting a new benchmark for SOLID as it was the largest contribution to the CMA Foundation in the organization’s 26-year history.

The funds were raised via the SOLID’s Backstage Auction at CMA Fest, which sets up shop during the festival where attendees can bid on items from country superstars. This year marked the first time that the Backstage Auction was both onsite and online via Better World. The web-based online auction portal allowed fans the convenience of staying up-to-date on their favorite items without having to make return visits to the exhibition.

“We are truly grateful for SOLID’s continued partnership during CMA Fest, and this year is further proof of our shared commitment in supporting music education programs throughout the United States,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “We often say it takes a village, and thanks to the generosity of not only our industry but our fans, we have the opportunity to positively impact students, teachers and communities across the country.”

“The Backstage Auction establishes the financial backbone of our organization,” says SOLID President Erin Pettit. “In 2018, it was elevated to the auction inside CMA Fest’s Fan Fair X and this year, the event chairs took it to a whole new level by establishing a multi-year partnership with the CMA Foundation and adding an online element for more inclusion and participation for the festival’s fans. We love to see return patrons visiting each year and welcome the new fans who are always interested in the uniquely curated collection of items and experiences up for bid.”

The backstage auction was coordinated and executed under the direction of the 2023 SOLID Music Market Chairs Jenny Methling (615 Leverage + Strategy), Lizzy Stone (Wiles + Taylor & Co.) and Colin McKay (Clair Global).

Pettit says, “I’m incredibly proud of the innovation and determination of our Music Market Chairs, Jenny, Lizzy and Colin for executing such a monumental event and raising an unprecedented donation for the foundation. Thank you to all of the members that volunteered their time and to the music community for donating items and resources to set this new record. The partnership with the CMA Foundation is one that truly is life changing for our organization and we look forward to continuing this relationship supporting one another for years to come.”

The 2023 partnership with the CMA Foundation also brought the Backstage Auction to ticket holders at Nissan Stadium each night via a video anchored by Thomas Rhett airing in rotation on the side stage screens.

“We are so thrilled with the support that both the CMA and CMA Foundation offered as part of our multi-year partnership,” says Methling. “Much of this year’s success can be attributed to the mass promotion in newsletters, social channels, the CMA Fest website and mobile app in addition to the stadium. We are excited to have a blueprint for successful auction events for the next few years and look forward to continuing SOLID’s support of the CMA Foundation.”