Few events on the Music Row social calendar strengthen the Nashville music industry’s sense of community better than the annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast celebration.

Now in its 11th year, this get-together is staged by MusicRow magazine to honor female accomplishments. It also reinforces the unique bonds cherished by the Nashville entertainment business. This year’s honorees were Tiffany Kerns, Taylor Lindsey, Sloane Cavitt Logue, Halie Hampton Mosley, Melissa Spillman and Candice Watkins.

“I love the energy we have at this event,” said MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “I hope you take it with you when you go.” He decided that the theme word to represent the event is “support.”

“I know all of you support each other,” he commented. “We support you at MusicRow.”

That note of togetherness was echoed by several of the honorees.

“I worry about this [sense of] community,” said keynote speaker Kerri Edwards. “I challenge everyone here to help keep that strong. I do think it’s important for what we’re all trying to achieve and build… It changes everything when the people around you are supportive.”

“You love the community, and the community loves you back, in spades,” Robertson told Edwards. Her KP Entertainment company manages the careers of Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Dylan Scott and Chayce Beckham and contains a publishing company.

Honoree Halie Hampton Mosley is the COO of the management company WHY&HOW. “What they say is true: It take a village,” she told the crowd in the Omni Hotel ballroom downtown. “You are all incredible champions and leaders.”

“It is incumbent on all of use to truly wrap our arms around women,” said honoree Tiffany Kerns, the SVP of the CMA’s philanthropic arm. “We see them. We support them — 90% of our staff is women.

“This is an incredible honor,” she added to the breakfast crowd. “You are incredibly inspirational.”

Sony Music Nashville SVP Taylor Lindsey also struck a note of community affection. “The truth is, I wouldn’t be standing here without everyone surrounding me,” Lindsey said. “I am a testament to the people around me. I get to have this life because of everyone around me.”

Sloane Cavitt Logue of WME recalled that the late Toby Keith gave her a career-launching opportunity. He hired her when she had no music-business experience. “Toby lifted women up,” she said, becoming tearful. “Miss you, love you, Big Dog Daddy.” Keith was announced Monday (March 18) as an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

“Be kind to yourself,” Cavitt Logue advised the gathering. “Be proud of what you do. Give yourself a moment of grace, because we all need it.”

“Everybody’s path is different,” observed Melissa Spillman of Concord Music Publishing. She and Hampton Mosley both commented on the challenge of balancing family life with the consuming demands of a music-business career. “Today is all about being thankful,” Spillman said. “Thank you for letting me pursue this path. We believe we should ‘have it all’ as women,” including the rewards of both career and family.

“It’s about belonging. And we have each other. We are so blessed.”

“You can lead the way on both [family and career],” commented Hampton Mosley.

“Goodness! I’m so grateful for all of you guys,” said Candice Watkins. The SVP of marketing at Big Loud Records added, “I’m so proud to work with all of you.” She saluted Keith Urban as the person who launched her career.

Robertson took note of the event’s presenting sponsors City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb and CMT’s Next Women of Country program. He introduced CMT’s Leslie Fram, who spearheads the network’s Equal Play plus her Change the Conversation feminist initiatives, as well as Next Women of Country. Fram noted that the last-named celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and introduced singer-songwriter Carter Faith of 2023’s Next Women class.

To her own acoustic-guitar accompaniment, Faith premiered her lilting new single, “Late Bloomer,” which will be released this Friday.

The 600+ attendees enjoyed a buffet breakfast featuring blueberry sausage, cheesy hash browns, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, melons, blueberries, strawberries, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, fruit flavored yogurt, cranberry juice, coffee, tea and orange juice. A plethora of Music Row businesses sponsored tables — SESAC, Big Loud, Song Suffragettes, AEG, BBR, Black River, River House, Red Light, Curb, FBMM, ONErpm, BMG, CMA, MakeWake, WME, Pinnacle Financial, Sony Music Nashville, The MLC, Wiles & Taylor, Riser House, Back Blocks Music, Kinkead Entertainment, Tri Star, Concord, CAA, Wrensong, KP Entertainment, Activist Artists Management, Sony Music Publishing, Underscore Works and BMI. Each honoree was given a standing ovation by the audience.

Since this event’s founding, more than 60 women have been honored. “These women are all shaping the future of this business,” commented Robertson.

“Have a good attitude, and keep your heart in the right place,” advised Edwards. “It’s about supporting ALL women,” said Kerns.

Watkins sent the crowd on its way with this appeal: “If you’re in a position to give someone an opportunity, do it. Change someone’s life today.”

MusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, proudly recognized six Nashville music industry executives during its 11th annual Rising Women on the Row honors this morning (March 19) at the Omni Nashville Hotel. City National Bank, CMT Next Women of Country and Loeb & Loeb served as Presenting Sponsors.

The new class of honorees were CMA’s Tiffany Kerns, Sony Music Nashville’s Taylor Lindsey, WME’s Sloane Cavitt Logue, WHY&HOW’s Halie Hampton Mosley, Concord Music Publishing’s Melissa Spillman and Big Loud Record’s Candice Watkins.

Industry veteran Kerri Edwards was this year’s featured speaker. As the founder and president of management firm KP Entertainment, Edwards is a key figure in the careers of country stars Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Dylan Scott and Chayce Beckham.

Presented by CMT Next Women of Country, singer-songwriter Carter Faith was this year’s special performer and was introduced by CMT’s Leslie Fram. Faith has garnered more than 60 million streams with her releases “Wild,” “Already Crazy,” “Greener Pasture,” “Cowboys & Dreamers,” “Joyride” and “Easy Pill,” as well as her debut EP Let Be Love.

Since beginning in 2012, MusicRow‘s annual Rising Women on the Row event has honored over 50 women in the Nashville music industry.

About MusicRow‘s 2024 Rising Women On The Row:

Tiffany Kerns – SVP, Industry Relations & Philanthropy, CMA | Executive Director, CMA Foundation

In her role as SVP, Industry Relations & Philanthropy, Tiffany Kerns oversees the strategic direction and management of all CMA’s membership events, initiatives and programming. By developing and enhancing robust and innovative CMA membership strategies, Kerns ensures professional development pathways align with the needs of the member base and the future of the industry. Established as CMA’s philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation has invested nearly $30 million across all 50 states. In her role, Kerns is responsible for the growth, development and execution of the nonprofit’s charitable investments by creating intentional partnerships and implementing an impact-driven grant process. With a steadfast focus on improving the philanthropic model of giving, Kerns has led the charge in enriching music education programs across the United States. She oversees advocacy efforts for the CMA Foundation at the state and federal level, which includes working with dozens of community partners, policymakers, educators and industry leaders to elevate the CMA Foundation’s mission.

 

Taylor Lindsey – SVP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville

Taylor Lindsey is the SVP, of A&R at Sony Music Nashville, where she oversees SMN’s dynamic new A&R team as well as signs and develops a diverse roster that includes recorded music icons, breakthrough acts and newcomers. Prior to taking on her current expanded role, Lindsey was directly involved with the development of artists such as Old Dominion, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd and Mitchell Tenpenny, among others. Before joining SMN, Lindsey was at BMG where she signed and developed the careers of songwriters and artists as well as pitched the catalogs of 13 chart-topping songwriters, including her award-winning sister, Hillary Lindsey. A respected industry executive, Lindsey has been included in a number of industry power lists including Billboard’s 40 Under 40 (2018), Billboard’s Women In Music (2018, 2019 & 2023), Billboard’s Country Power Players (2022 & 2023), Variety’s Hitmakers Impact (2020), Variety’s Young Leaders In Music (2019) and more. She is also a graduate of the 2019 Class of Leadership Music. She resides in Nashville with her husband, Grammy-nominated songwriter Derrick Southerland, and their daughter, Lyle, and son, Ryder.

 

Sloane Cavitt Logue – Partner, WME

Sloane Cavitt Logue leads the Nashville Client Strategy Division at WME, where she works across several departments in navigating various opportunities outside of the live space, including digital, fashion, literary, film, television, talent ventures/partnerships, theater, sports and social impact for clients. Additionally, Logue connects clients with internal opportunities within the Endeavor network, which includes WWE, UFC, PBR, 160over90, Harry Walker, IMG and many more. Prior to joining WME, Logue held tenure at Show Dog-Universal Music and Live Nation. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the Deviate Leadership Program, which focuses on elevating and coaching future female leaders in the entertainment industry. Dedicated to mentoring up-and-coming industry trailblazers, she is actively involved in WME’s mentorship program, as well as Grammy U, and is an inaugural member of CMA’s Female Executive Leadership Program. Logue resides in Nashville with her husband, Dave, their son, Cavitt, and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Captain.

 

Halie Hampton Mosley – Chief Operating Officer, WHY&HOW

Halie Hampton Mosley joined WHY&HOW in October 2021 as Vice President of Roster Operations, and has helped define and oversee the goals and initiatives of the WHY&HOW roster and staff. Since joining, Hampton Mosley has been instrumental in streamlining and expanding roster operations, and establishing internal practices such as WHY&HOW’s parental leave policies. She also remains closely involved in WHY&HOW artist strategy for such acts as Chase Rice, Danielle Bradbery, BRELAND and Kelleigh Bannen, among others. Prior to joining WHY&HOW, Hampton Mosley spent seven years in Artist Management at Maverick Nashville led by long-time Manager Clarence Spalding. She most recently served as the Day-to-Day Artist Manager for Diamond-selling duo Florida Georgia Line at Hit Farm Management in partnership with Full Stop Management led by Irving and Jeffrey Azoff.

 

Melissa Spillman – VP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing

Melissa Spillman is VP of A&R at Concord Music Publishing. In her role, Spillman is responsible for signing and developing new and established songwriters and artists and placing songs with major recording artists. She started out her career at Dreamcatcher Entertainment which led to a seven-year stint in A&R at Capitol Records. After that she headed up renowned producer Jay Joyce’s Neon Cross Music as Head of Publishing and Production. From there she started her own company, Freetown Music where she oversaw the creative development and management of artists, producers and songwriters until she was tapped by Concord Music Publishing to become their VP of A&R in 2021. Beyond her work in music, Spillman proudly started a non-profit organization called Wan Fambul Foundation, which strives to support children and their families in Sierra Leone, West Africa, the birthplace of three of her sons. She resides in Franklin with her songwriter/producer/author husband Jeremy, four sons and their dog Canyon. You can find her cheering on her sons who play football for the University of Tennessee and Franklin High School this fall.

 

Candice Watkins – SVP, Marketing, Big Loud Records

As SVP of Marketing at Big Loud Records, Candice Watkins brings proven leadership and across-the-board expertise to the independent powerhouse, selected as one of Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music, and a Country Power Player for the last three consecutive years. Leading the label’s marketing efforts across its many ventures and partnerships, Watkins executes creative strategy and bold, cross-platform campaigns that make an impact. Recently, Watkins has led the marketing efforts behind chart-topping successes like Morgan Wallen’s back-to-back all-genre No. 1 albums, as well as the successful recent projects from HARDY, Hailey Whitters, Stephen Wilson Jr., Charles Wesley Godwin and many more. Watkins also spurred introductory campaigns for artists like Jake Worthington, Lauren Watkins, Ashley Cooke, Dylan Gossett and more, while embarking on major campaign efforts for heavy hitters Lauren Alaina, ERNEST, Larry Fleet and more. The Montclair, New Jersey native is a graduate of Boston’s Northeastern University and Los Angeles’ USC. Prior to joining Big Loud, Watkins served as Sr. Director of Marketing & Artist Development at UMG Nashville and preceded by stops at Red Light Management, Mozes Inc., Borman Entertainment and Martingale Entertainment. Outside of her work innovating campaign strategy for Big Loud, Watkins serves on the board for CMA, ACM, and Teen Dream Center.