The Recording Academy has invited more than 2,300 music professionals from wide-ranging backgrounds, genres and disciplines to become members to help influence progressive changes within the music industry.

The 2020 class of invitees is 48% female, 21% African American/African descent, eight percent Hispanic, and three percent Asian American and Pacific Islander. The class representation also spans different ages, genres and regions. The Recording Academy’s current membership is 26 percent female and 25 percent from traditionally underrepresented communities.

“We are proud of the strides we’ve made toward ensuring our membership is diverse and inclusive, which is reflected within this new pool of invitees,” said Harvey Mason jr., Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “While this progress signifies meaningful impact, there’s still more work to be done. We’ll continue to fight to achieve inclusive representation across gender, race, age, national origin, sexual orientation, and beyond within our community. Furthermore, we’re excited to see how the contributions of the incoming new member class will help inspire meaningful change within the music industry.”

Convening virtually in April, the Recording Academy’s Peer Review Panel of music creators evaluated new member submissions considering criteria including craft, genre and overall diversity. The more than 2,300 new invitations were extended under the Academy’s community-driven and peer-reviewed membership model. Implemented in 2018 in an ongoing effort to build a more representative and relevant membership body, the annual member submission process entails two community-centered key elements: industry recommendations and peer review.

To celebrate the incoming new member class, GRAMMY.com Editor-In-Chief Justin Dwayne Joseph hosted a moderated discussion on June 24 titled “Your Academy: Welcoming The 2020 New Member Class.” Featuring new invitees and existing members, the conversation showcased a look into what it means to be a member of the Academy, the important initiatives worked on year-round, progress members hope to see within the Academy, and diversity and inclusion in the music industry at large. The roundtable debuted today on GRAMMY.com.

The Country Radio Broadcasters have completed their elections for the organization’s 2020-2021 Board of Directors. Returning as CRB Board President is Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media), elected as Vice President is John Shomby and returning as Secretary is Beverlee Brannigan.

Serving on this year’s Board of Directors are: Chuck Aly (Country Aircheck), Brannigan, Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Consulting), Johnny Chiang (KKBQ-FM), George Couri (Triple 8 Management), Andy Denemark (United Stations), Ryan Dokke (Play It Again Music), Mike Dungan (UMG Nashville),  Gator Harrison (iHeart), Debra Herman (Shazam/Apple), Steve Hodges (Sony Nashville), Clay Hunnicutt (Big Machine Records), Johnson (Townsquare Media), Dave Kelly (Big Machine Label Group), Jon Loba (BMG), Judy Lakin (Vista14), Mike McVay (McVay Media), Charlie Morgan (Apple Music), Rod Phillips (iHeartCountry), Tim Roberts (Entercom), Royce Risser (UMG Nashville), Bob Richards (Emmis Communications/WLHK), Brittany Schaffer (Spotify), Shomby, Lesly Simon (Pearl Records), Matt Sunshine (CFSS), Joel Raab (Joel Raab Country Radio/Media), Ryan Redington (Amazon Music), Paul Williams (Westwood One/Cumulus), and Kristen Williams (Warner). Charlie Monk continues as a Lifetime Director Emeritus.

CRB/CRS President Johnson stated, “I am proud to welcome the new board members and grateful to the board vets who continue on this year. This is a unique time for the country music industry. I can’t imagine a better group to help guide all of us toward the industry’s center point, Country Radio Seminar 2021. Looking forward to a great year.”

The CRS Board of Directors is made up of volunteer professionals from all areas of the country music industry. Together, they govern the organization and see that its mission is being fulfilled. Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. was created to provide a platform and structure for education and growth for the country music format, serving as the conduit connecting the interests of country radio with the country music industry.

Eric Wong has been named President & Chief Marketing Officer at Warner Recorded Music, effective Aug. 17. Wong, who is currently Chief Operating Officer of Island Records, will continue to be based in New York and will report to Max Lousada, Warner Music Group’s Global CEO of Recorded Music.

In this first of its kind post at Warner, Wong will serve as the head of worldwide marketing. A key member of Warner Recorded Music’s senior leadership team, he will work closely with the company’s labels around the world to create and drive comprehensive marketing strategies, as well as overseeing Warner’s international A&R.

Eric Wong reunites with Warner Music following nearly 10 years at Universal Music Group. He initially served as EVP of Marketing for Island Def Jam Music Group, executing strategies for Kanye West, Rihanna, Avicii, Fall Out Boy, The Killers, Bon Jovi, and others. His responsibilities were expanded to overseeing the label group’s marketing, digital, creative, artist development, video promotion, and video production departments.

Wong first joined IDJ in 1999 after graduating from New York University. In 2006, he was named to the dual posts of Chief Marketing Officer at Bad Boy Entertainment and SVP, Marketing at Atlantic Records, working closely with Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Janelle Monaé, and others. Before returning to IDJ in 2011, he founded Wong Management in 2009, with a roster that included Mariah Carey.

Wong was named EVP/General Manager of Island Records in 2014, and in 2018, he was promoted to Island’s COO, heading operations, strategy, and marketing for the label’s entire roster, including superstars such as Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Elton John, and Jessie Reyez. Wong was named to Billboard’s prestigious Power List in both 2019 and 2020.

“If you want to propel the global conversation around artists, you need to be able to cut through the noise with the intensity, fluidity, and creativity needed to produce superstars,” said Lousada. “I’ve known Eric since he was with Atlantic over a decade ago. He’s a bold, inventive marketer with a true fan’s sensibility, and he’s been behind a string of disruptive campaigns that have launched global careers. He’ll have a worldwide remit to drive our one-company philosophy as we grow our artist development capabilities and expand our ability to make great talent impossible to ignore.”

“Max and his team have a visionary view of how artist development should work in the streaming age,” said Eric Wong. “The Warner global roster, from local talent to international superstars, is incredible, and I’m excited to work with everyone in the U.S., UK, and around the world to create the most inventive, impactful campaigns to break and sustain artists’ careers. I want to thank Max for this fantastic new opportunity, and I’m looking forward to working closely with Jessica Keeley-Carter and the global team.”

Following Tuesday’s (July 7) announcement of this year’s nominees for the 32nd annual MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Producer of the Year category. Nominees conjured up some of country music’s most innovative projects during the eligibility period of April 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

The MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 17 at 5:00 p.m..

To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.

Dave Cobb merged critical and commercial success with his work on albums by The Highwomen, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, and the upcoming Lori McKenna project. Tapping into the creative vibes at his homebase of historic RCA Studio A, Cobb continued crafting the cool sounds that helped him become MusicRow Awards Producer of the Year in 2018 and 2016.

Ross Copperman led a diverse group of artists to studio success, ranging from pop-leaning songstresses Kelsea Ballerini and Gabby Barrett, to radio mainstays Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney, to newcomers King Calaway. Copperman co-produced Barrett’s smash debut single “I Hope,” which helped her earn two MusicRow Awards nominations. With a string of hits as a writer, Copperman is also in the running for Male Songwriter of the Year.

Scott Hendricks continued his hitmaking run as producer for Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton and Michael Ray. His studio skills earned several hit singles during the eligibility period, including Shelton’s “Hell Right,” “Nobody But You” and “God’s Country,” and Dan + Shay’s “All To Myself.” Hendricks’ work helped yield an Artist of the Year nomination for Dan + Shay and a Discovery Award nomination for newcomer Trea Landon.

Dann Huff, a three-time and reigning MusicRow Awards Producer of the Year, returns to the nominations with another impressive list of credits. Among the No. 1 records he produced are Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You,” Brett Young’s “Here Tonight,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” and Thomas Rhett’s “Remember You Young” and “Beer Can’t Fix” (ft. Jon Pardi). Adding to Huff’s tally are projects by Brantley Gilbert, Brooks & Dunn, Kane Brown, Midland, Riley Green, Runaway June and Seaforth.

Jay Joyce leaves fingerprints all over this year’s slate of MusicRow Awards nominees, including producing projects by Artist of the Year nominees Ashley McBryde and Miranda Lambert. He also produced Song of the Year nominees “One Night Standards” (McBryde), “Bluebird” (Lambert), and “Monsters” (Eric Church). Joyce steered recent recordings by Brandy Clark, Brothers Osborne, Lainey Wilson, LANCO, Tenille Townes and Declan McKenna. Joyce was voted MusicRow Producer of the Year in 2017 and 2015.

Scott Moffatt is the studio brains behind Luke Combs’ hit-making brawn. Together they have churned out multiple No. 1 hits, including “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “Even Though I’m Leaving” and the most recent “Does To Me,” which is in the running for MusicRow Awards Song of the Year. Additionally Combs is vying to retain his title as reigning Artist of the Year. This is Moffatt’s first MusicRow Awards nomination.