The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) is commemorating Black Music Month by teaming up with Nashville Music Equality (NME) to present “For The Culture: Empowering Black Music Creators to Achieve Beyond Reach.”

The one-day summit will be held on Tuesday, June 21 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. at The MLC’s offices in Nashville. Spearheaded by Dae Bogan, MLC’s Head of Third-Party Partnerships, in collaboration with NME’s Gina Miller, Kortney Toney and Shannon Sanders, the event will celebrate the evolution of Black Music and its unique and ever-growing impact on the music industry with collaborative discussions and informative presentations from some of the leading African American voices in the industry.

The summit will feature panels designed specifically for Black music creators that explore creative business strategies and examine the overall royalty landscape, as well as networking opportunities for attendees, and a host of live music performances.

For more information, including a full agenda and registration, click here.

Speakers include:

• Dae Bogan: Head of Third-Party Partnerships, The MLC, and 2019 Billboard Digital Power Player
• Brennen Boose: Sr. Manager of Marketing and Communications, National Museum of African American Music
• Alandis Brassel: Entertainment Attorney, Manager and Assistant Professor of Music Business – University of Memphis
• Mimi McCarley: Founder of Collab Music Network & Co-Founder of Nashville is Not Just Country Music and We Own Now
• Gina Miller: Senior Vice President & General Manager, MNRK Music
• Derek Minor: Grammy-winning Artist and Producer & Co-Founder of We Own Now and hip-hop record label Reflection Music Group (RMG)
• George Monger: CEO, Connect Music
• Cheryl Potts: CEO, Cleerkut Royalty
• Shannon Sanders: Executive Director of Creative, BMI Nashville, and 3-time Grammy Award-Winning Producer
• Kortney Toney: Marketing, Inclusion & Outreach Manager, Naxos of America

Melissa Ormond. Photo: Lester Cohen

Melissa Ormond has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of LA-based concert promotion and live event company Goldenvoice, which is owned by AEG Presents.

In her new role she’ll report to Goldenvoice CEO Paul Tollett as well as AEG Presents Chairman and CEO Jay Marciano. Ormond will also retain her current title as COO of Festivals for AEG Presents, a position she’s held since October 2017.

As COO of Goldenvoice, Ormond will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company’s concert promotions, venue portfolio and festivals, as well as strategic growth initiatives throughout California and the western US. In her concurrent role as COO of Festivals, she’ll continue to work with the teams responsible for producing 30 festivals across the US, London and Paris, including Coachella, Stagecoach, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, British Summer Time Hyde Park, and Electric Forest, among others.

“Melissa’s reputation precedes her,” notes Tollett. “She’s a brilliant executive and one of the most dedicated, clear-eyed, hardworking people I’ve met. I’m so happy she’s joining Goldenvoice in this new role.”

Prior to joining AEG Presents, Ormond’s previous roles include serving as President of Madison Square Garden Entertainment and leadership positions at House of Blues Entertainment/Universal Concerts/MCA Concerts in LA and Delsener/Slater Enterprises in New York City. Ormond began her career in Washington, DC at the 9:30 Club, rising to General Manager while simultaneously working for the concert promotion firm I.M.P., Inc.

Over the course of her career Ormond has garnered numerous awards and accolades, including  being named to Billboard’s Power 100 four times and recognized as one of Billboard‘s Women in Music in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2019. She’s also a five-time winner of Pollstar’s Talent Buyer of the Year award, as well as the recipient of Pollstar’s Nightclub Talent Buyer of the Year prize.

“Goldenvoice has an extraordinary history…the name itself has become synonymous with a curation of live experiences on the West Coast that’s unmatched,” shares Ormond. “I am thrilled to be working directly with the company across the entire business and helping the Goldenvoice team guide its exciting future.”

Leadership Music has announced the 46 members who have been selected for its Class of 2023, which begins in October.

Founded in 1989 by a dozen music industry executives, Leadership Music has graduated more than 1,300 leaders. The annual program is designed to create a forum for music industry leaders to learn about other areas within the music business, explore issues currently affecting the industry, and enjoy unique experiences while building lasting relationships with classmates.

“Being selected for Leadership Music is a life-changing experience,” shares LM President and Class of 2014 alumnus David Kells, Co-Chair of the Selection Committee. “The 46 leaders who make up the Class of 2023 are embarking on one of the most significant journeys of their career. I know I speak on behalf of everyone who served on the committee when I say that choosing the class from nearly 300 qualified candidates is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. We devote an enormous amount of time, thought and deliberation to selecting the next ‘best class ever.’”

“The focus of the committee is on assembling a class that is uniquely talented and diverse in every way—gender, ethnicity, genre of music, segment of the music industry and more,” adds Class of 2007 alum Diane Pearson, Past President of LM and Co-Chair of the Selection Committee. “The members of the Selection Committee feel a great sense of pride in the leaders chosen for this program year, who are exceptional in every way. We look forward to watching them develop as a cohesive unit as the Leadership Music Class of 2023.”

Participants of this year’s 33rd Leadership Music class will attend an orientation, alumni welcome reception, and a two-day Opening Retreat in October, followed by six all-day sessions once a month, culminating in May with graduation at a two-day Closing Retreat.

Class of 2023 Leadership Music Members:
Kris Ahrend, CEO, Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC)
Ashley Alexander, Chief Marketing Officer, Girlilla Marketing
Tony Alexander, Co-Founder/President/Managing Director, Made in Memphis Entertainment (Memphis)
Scott Bailey, President, Opry Entertainment Group
Wade Asher, Promoter/GM, Chippewa Valley Music Festivals (Cadott, WI)
Brian Bauer, President, Bauer Entertainment Marketing
Emily Cohen Belote, Principal Music Curator, Amazon Music
Stacy Blythe, SVP Promotion, Big Loud
Robert Carlton, SVP Development, SMACKSongs
John Clore, VP Marketing, Communication and Content, Curb Records
Rose Cook, SVP Licensing Operations, SESAC Rights Management
Michael Darpino, Senior Director Customer Services, SoundExchange (Alexandria, VA)
Eleonore Denig, Violinist/Arranger
Kenneth Doroshow, Chief Legal Officer, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) (Washington, DC)
Steve Eggart, Business Manager, Wiles + Taylor & Company PC
Andrew Farwell, VP, Outback Presents
Joseph Fishman, Professor, Vanderbilt University
Sam Forbert, Agent, CAA
Randall Foster, Chief Creative Officer, Symphonic
Shan Foster, Executive Director, AMEND Together
Steve Gaches, Worldwide Head of Music Business and Legal Affairs, WME
Rebekah Gordon, VP Publishing, Black River Publishing
Ben Hall, Senior Director of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Michael Harris, EVP/COO, Universal Music Group Nashville
Jeffrey Hasson, Co-Head of Nashville Office, United Talent Agency
Ben Hutto, Director of Brands and Partnerships, Triple 8 Management
Gena Johnson, Producer/Engineer/Mixer, Key of G Productions
Chris Joslin, Executive Director, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum (Owensboro, KY)
Brian Loschiavo, Co-Founder/Executive Producer, Riverside Entertainment
Ritz McCain, Senior Editor, Spotify (Phoenix, AZ)
Haley McCollister, VP Touring/GM of MTG Nashville, Messina Touring Group
Regina McCrary, Artist/Songwriter/Producer/Actress/Author/Minister, McCrary Sisters
Billy Montana, Songwriter, Curb/Word Publishing
Austin Neal, Owner, The Neal Agency
John Riley, Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Copyright Office (Washington, DC)
Erica Rosa, VP Royalties and Contract Compliance, FBMM Entertainment Business Management (Los Angeles)
Jennifer Rosen, Head of Music Publishing Partnerships, YouTube (Wayne, NJ)
Sarah Rosenbaum, Counsel, Greenberg Traurig (Los Angeles)
Patrick Sabatini, SVP Legal and Business Affairs, Warner Music Nashville
Sina Seger, VP Accounts, FlyteVu Agency
Shannon Sorensen, VP Legal and Business Affairs, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) (Washington, DC)
Kelly Striewski, SVP Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, CMA
Trae Vedder, Talent Buyer, Artist Collaborations and Festival Development, Sixthman (Atlanta)
Tracie Verlinde, VP Creative, BMI (Los Angeles)
Gebre Waddell, CEO, Sound Credit (Memphis)
Russell Ziecker, EVP/Global Head of Television Music, Lionsgate (Studio)/Starz (Network)

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and Grand Ole Opry are partnering for a second consecutive year on the three-day festival of racing and music that will be held Aug. 5-7 at the Nissan Stadium campus in downtown Nashville.

The partnership will be highlighted by a live 90-minute performance of the legendary Grand Ole Opry show from the ZYN Main Stage on campus beginning at 5:45 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 7. The lineup for the special show, titled Grand Ole Prix, will feature multiple performers and be announced in the coming weeks. Last year’s performance featured The Oak Ridge Boys, Callista Clark, Danielle Bradbery, Riley Green and Justin Moore.

“We are more than ready for another round of Grand Ole Prix,” says Dan Rogers, Opry Executive Producer. “While it’s been rare for the Opry to take trips outside Nashville for performances in iconic venues such as New York City’s Carnegie Hall and Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, it’s also quite uncommon for the show to step outside its permanent home for an outdoor performance in downtown Music City. We’re all looking forward to announcing a great show line-up and then to playing for hometown fans as well as guests from around the world in August.”

The Grand Ole Prix performance will culminate with a three-night concert series on the Nissan Stadium campus in association with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Superstar Tim McGraw was recently announced as the featured performer for Saturday, Aug. 6, of the concert series.

“We are excited to be extending our partnership with the Grand Ole Opry,” Big Machine Music City Grand Prix CEO Matt Crews shares. “Last year’s INDYCAR post-race Opry performance was truly one of the weekend’s highpoints. We look forward to growing on that with music and additional promotions this year. The Opry is an iconic experience and the ability to bring that to our Big Machine Music City Grand Prix fans is very special.”

Brothers Osborne were previously announced as the headline act for the Saturday, Aug. 6 concert.

Three-day tickets and premium packages that are currently on sale provide admission to all on-track activities featuring the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and all three concerts. Three-day tickets begin as low as $129 for general admission and $209 and $219 for reserved grandstand.

Pictured (L-R): Miranda Lambert, Elle King, Martin Johnson

The Nashville creative community gathered last week in the BMI lobby to celebrate Elle King and Miranda Lambert‘s joyful party anthem, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home.)”

The tune was written by King and Martin Johnson, and produced by Johnson and Brandon Paddock.

Pictured (L-R, front row): Brandon Paddock, Miranda Lambert, Elle King, Martin Johnson; (L-R, back row): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Sony Music Nashville’s Steve Hodges, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Shopkeeper Management’s Marion Kraft, Red Light Management’s Mary Hilliard Harrington, Columbia Nashville’s Shane Allen, BMI’s Clay Bradley

BMI’s Clay Bradley served as the host for the occasion. He got everything started by letting the crowd of industry members know that “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” topping the charts marked the first time a solo-female duet has reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart since Reba McEntire and Linda Davis’ “Does He Love You” in 1993.

“That’s a huge accomplishment,” Bradley said. “Everything about this record represents quality. The songwriting, the recording and the mix are superior.”

He continued, “We’ve all known Elle King since her 2014 release of ‘Ex’s & Oh’s,’ the song that introduced her to the world. The music has always been revolutionary, mixing genres and hanging out on the periphery of the country music genre… But not anymore. I want to officially welcome you to the neighborhood,” Bradley said to King. “Your music and vibe are important to the growth of our ever-evolving community. We can’t wait to see what comes next.”

Bradley also spoke about Lambert, calling her “one of the most important songwriters in the modern era.”

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad was on hand to talk about co-writer and co-producer, Johnson. Sistad pointed out that, like King, Johnson has come to country music with success in other genres—both in his band Boys Like Girls and with his solo project, The Night Game.

“His songs have sold over 25 million copies and he’s had 10 Billboard Top 40 songs,” he said. “Today, we get to celebrate Martin’s very first No. 1 country song. We’re proud to represent you at ASCAP.”

Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston was the only publisher to speak, as Sony represents both King and Johnson. “I’ve said it before, but it takes an absolute miracle of Biblical proportion to get a song up the country airplay charts,” he said before recognizing the radio promo team at Sony Music Nashville.

Gaston told stories about meeting both of the eclectic writers, pointing out that King had made a superb country record that is to come. “We are so proud that you are becoming more of a part of this community,” Gaston told the beaming artist.

Pictured (L-R, front row): Brandon Paddock, Miranda Lambert, Elle King, Martin Johnson; (L-R, back row): Columbia Nashville’s Shane Allen, Sony Music Nashville’s Steve Hodges, Columbia Nashville’s Mark Gray, Columbia Nashville’s Lauren Longbine, Sony Music Nashville’s Paul Grosser, Sony Music Nashville’s Houston Gaither, Columbia Nashville’s Lauren Thomas

Sony Music Nashville’s Shane Allen represented the radio promo team that got “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” up the charts. “Elle, working this single and working with you has been a complete pleasure,” he said. “We’re proud to represent your artistry.”

Both Gaston and Allen shouted out King’s rockstar manager, Mary Hilliard Harrington.

Johnson was funny and gracious when he stepped up to the mic. He told the story of him and King writing the tune nearly 10 years ago.

“I root for the rock and roll star,” Johnson said. “I think we need it, I think it’s important. I think that edge and a little bit of loose ends are key to feeling something and to feeling when an artist can make a cultural impact because you believe them,” he said of King.

King oozed charisma when she spoke. Her and Lambert clutched hands as King started thanking her team.

“I went to one of these parties one time,” she said. “It would be a disservice to myself and my own gratitude attitude to not say thank you to Dierks Bentley for bringing me into this world that has absolutely changed my life.

“I have never felt so embraced or welcomed—or felt like I had a seat at the table—until I was brought into country music,” she added, recognizing Harrington for ushering her into the genre.

King pointed out that even though “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” is a fun song, it also was an anthem for post-pandemic life. “With everything that we have been through as a country, as a planet, and as a galaxy in the last couple of years, what we need is a freaking anthem about not wanting to be stuck inside. The fact that we get to sing this song on stage and celebrate it with everybody is a beautiful moment because we all get to be together again.”

Lambert agreed. “[The song] might not have meant anything when we recorded it, but after what we went through as a country and a galaxy… Getting to do it every night live, I see the impact we actually made,” she said.