Jennifer Nettles. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Jennifer Nettles will be honored with CMT’s inaugural CMT Equal Play Award during the upcoming 2020 CMT Music Awards, set for Oct. 21 on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo Paramount Network, Pop and TV Land. The honor recognizes Nettles’s ongoing advocacy for diverse voices in country music. At last year’s CMA Awards, Nettles offered a powerful statement on the red carpet when she wore a white pantsuit, featuring a pink cape emblazoned with the words “Play our f*@#in records please and thank you,” along with an image of a woman’s face, an equality sign, and the words “equal play.”

CMT has also announced the launch of a new 50/50 CMT Equal Play music channel on PlutoTV.

“As a proud part of the beautiful legacy of women in country music, I am honored to be the first recipient of the ‘CMT Equal Play Award,’” said Nettles. “I look forward to celebrating the contributions of women, and all marginalized communities, within the country music format, and I am motivated in encouraging the non-artists, executives and investors in the industry, to do the same. There is much work still to be done.”

“Jennifer Nettles is that rare artist who speaks her truth, calling out injustice wherever she sees it,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music Strategy, CMT. “Her commitment to equal female representation across the board in the music industry embodies the spirit of our equal play initiative and makes her the perfect recipient of the inaugural ‘CMT Equal Play Award.’

“We’d also like to thank our partners at Pluto TV who launched a ‘pop-up’ channel today called ‘CMT Equal Play’ in support of the Awards that will offer country music videos 24/7, with an equal male/female playlist, allowing us to further our commitment to equal play,” Fram added.

Last year, CMT launched its CMT Equal Play initiative as a response to the dearth of female voices on country radio and streaming services, and to create a path of measurable actions for parity. CMT backed up the pledge by instituting 50/50 play for female artists across CMT and CMT Music channels. CMT Radio Live also pledged equal play and doubled airplay for female artists. Meanwhile, CMT After Midnite debuted CMT Next Women of Country: Artist of the Month, an on-air feature that gives CMT one additional spin per week for female artists on more than 230 nationally-syndicated stations via iHeartRadio’s Premiere Networks.

CMT launched another platform for supporting female voices in 2013, with its Next Women of Country franchise, which has since expanded to include an annual event, six nationwide tours and other promotional opportunities for artists.

Pictured (L-R, top row): Steve Bryan, Kristin Cantrell; (L-R, bottom row): Haley Teske, Ashley Van Nuck.

The AMG announced today (Oct. 19) that it has added industry executives Steve Bryan, Haley Teske, Kristin Cantrell, and Ashley Van Nuck.

Bryan and Teske have been added to The AMG’s Artist Management Team to work directly with artists on the company’s growing client roster.

Bryan is a 13-year industry veteran with substantial experience in business management, touring and artist management. Over the course of his career, he has worked with many artists including Bon Jovi, Florida Georgia Line and Eric Paslay.

Teske joins The AMG after spending nearly seven years working at WME. The former agent brings with her a wealth of knowledge about the live music industry.

“Our artists are our top priority, and we are constantly looking for ways to surround them with the best team in the business,” said The AMG CEO Rob Beckham. “Steve is an established manager who is well respected across the industry, and Haley is a smart and resourceful rising star. We are thrilled to have them join our team at AMG to help us better serve our clients.”

Additionally, industry executives Cantrell and Van Nuck have been added to The AMG’s leadership team.

Cantrell joins The AMG in the newly formed Chief Strategy Officer role to oversee the development and execution of corporate strategic initiatives, public relations and community outreach. Prior to joining The AMG, Cantrell was an executive at WME, managing PR and Events for the agency’s Nashville office.

Van Nuck joins The AMG as its Chief People Officer. In this role, she will supervise all aspects of human resource management and operations for the organization, as well as all corporate culture and wellness initiatives. Prior to joining The AMG, Van Nuck was Director of Human Resources for APA and worked in Human Resources at WME.

“The AMG staff has doubled over the last six months, and we are thrilled to add Kristin and Ashley to our leadership team,” said The AMG COO Kristy Reeves. “Their knowledge and experience combined with their innovative ideas and unique perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to identify growth opportunities and expand our reach within the industry.”

Cantrell and Van Nuck will join Beckham and Reeves to round out The AMG’s Executive Leadership Team.

Ashley Van Nuck can be reached at ashley@theamg.com.

Kristin Cantrell can be reached at kristin@theamg.com.

Haley Teske can be reached at haley@theamg.com.

Steve Bryan can be reached at steve@theamg.com.

HARDY remains at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the fifth consecutive week, with co-writer credits on Morgan Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown,” Jameson Rodgers’ “Some Girls,” Robert Counts’ “What Do I Know,” Cole Swindell’s “Single Saturday Night,” and his own “Give Heaven Some Hell” and “One Beer.”

Josh Osborne remains at No. 2 this week, Jake Mitchell at No. 3 and Lance Miller at No. 4. Hillary Lindsey enters the top five with HARDY’s “One Beer,” Kelsea Ballerini’s “Hole In The Bottle,” and Jordan Davis’ “Almost Maybes.”

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.