Pictured (L-R): Randy Goodman, Kane Brown, James Donio. Photo: Music Biz

The Music Business Association trade organization moved its Music Biz conference to Nashville five years ago, however, some of its long-standing awards stretch back to 1964.

This year’s honors went to the charitable entertainer Darius Rucker, Sony Nashville Chairman/CEO Randy Goodman, the man-of-few-words Kane Brown, the ailing but joyous entertainer Peter Frampton, the bold Bebe Rexha, the illustrious The Orchard partner Richard Gottehrer, the respectively charming and indelible Record Archive store owners Alayna Alderman and Richard Storms, and Hall of Fame inductee the late producer George Martin.

The longest running of these awards is the Chairman Award For Sustained Creative Achievement—evolved from the organization’s previous name, NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers)—which went to an emotional Frampton.

“It’s not been an easy last couple of months,” confessed the Nashville resident, who previously announced he suffers from the inflammatory muscle disease Inclusion-Body Myositis (IBM). “The support and love I have received since I announced my health issue has been absolutely overwhelming. My band and I have been in the recording studio with co-producer Chuck Ainlay and recorded four albums. I’ve never recorded this much in my life, but I have to do that because this year will be my final tour, unfortunately not because I want to stop playing…It’s not my choice.”

Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Rucker accepted his Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award with a playful dig. “I would thank my manager but the last thing Clarence [Spalding] would want me to do is to go play some show for some cause on a Friday night,” teased Rucker, who turned the tone to gratitude. “To my mother who taught me at a young age, although we didn’t have a lot, you could help anybody.”

Pictured (L-R): Darius Rucker, Harry Chapin’s widow Sandra Chapin. Photo: Music Biz

Brown’s acceptance for a Breakthrough Artist Award on stage was heartfelt and brief. “To everyone in this room who gave me a chance, it’s opening the doors for other people who don’t think they belong in country music,” thanked the Sony Music Nashville recording artist.

Sony Music Nashville was well-represented at the event, seeing a two-song acoustic set from it’s breakout artist Luke Combs, including his impactful “She Got The Best Of Me.” Combs was showered with plaques by his management and label team including Chris Kappy, Lynn Oliver-Cline and Goodman.

Pictured (L-R): Chris Kappy, Randy Goodman, Luke Combs, James Donio, Lynn Oliver-Cline. Photo: Katti Mayberry

That Sony Nashville exec, Goodman, formally read his acceptance for the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement. A video of his revitalized Sony Nashville saw remarks from the likes of Maren Morris and his ex-employer Spalding. “To all the artists I have worked with over the years—particularly at Sony Music Nashville—you give meaning to my work…to our work.”

Breakout smash co-performer with Florida Georgia Line, Rexha, offered candid remarks for another Breakthrough Artist Award. “We need more women executives in the music business,” said Rexha. “Only 15 percent of women in the music business run labels. I think 86 percent of the songs on radio in the U.S. are men. Women deserve a chance. One day I will be running one of the biggest record labels…I’ll see you in the future when my artists win this award.”

Peter Frampton. Photo: Katti Mayberry

The show also honored non-Nashville affiliates.

The late George Martin was honored by his induction in the Hall of Fame. Martin’s son Giles Martin accepted from the UK. “It would make him laugh that he was in the Music Business Hall of Fame because he was terrible at the music business,” said the young Martin. “He managed to sign away royalties…but he was a great man and what he had was inspiration and innovation and would take risks all the time.”

Songwriter-turned-executive, The Orchard distribution co-founder Gottehrer charmed as only a songwriter can for his Outstanding Achievement Award. “As we go through the craziness in the business that’s happening now, you have to respect the songwriter and make sure they are compensated beyond anything else,” he advised.

Rochester, New York’s Alderman and Storms offered respective heartfelt and poetic gratitude for the recognition of their store Record Archive with the Independent Spirit Award.

Music Biz continues through May 8, 2019, and will return to Nashville’s J.W. Marriott Nashville hotel from May 11-14, 2020 and May 10-13, 2021.

Bebe Rexha. Photo: Katti Mayberry

Giles Martin. Photo: Katti Mayberry

Pictured (L-R): Richard Gottehrer, James Donio. Photo: Music Biz

Pictured (L-R): Alayna Alderman, James Donio and Richard Storms. Photo: Katti Mayberry

Deborah Dugan. Photo: Courtesy The Recording Academy

The Recording Academy Board of Trustees has appointed Deborah Dugan as the next President/CEO of the Recording Academy, the leading society of performers, musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals, and the organization behind the annual GRAMMY Awards^®. The appointment was announced today by John Poppo, Chair of the Board. Dugan is the first woman appointed as President/CEO of the Recording Academy and will assume the role on Aug. 1, 2019.

“I’m honored, humbled, and ready,” said incoming Recording Academy President/CEO Dugan. “The goal of the Recording Academy is to support, encourage, and advocate for those within the music community. I will listen to and champion all of those individuals, and lead this iconic organization into the future. I’m excited to get started.”

“Deborah is a highly accomplished business executive and a visionary leader who also brings to this role a great passion for the mission of the Academy,” said Poppo. “The Board of Trustees is very eager to work with her as we embark on this next chapter in the Recording Academy’s story.”

Dugan brings three decades of high-level private sector and nonprofit executive experience to the role. Dugan most recently served as CEO of (RED), the AIDS nonprofit co-founded in 2006 by U2 singer Bono and activist Bobby Shriver. During her tenure, she worked with the creative community on many groundbreaking campaigns, tripling (RED)’s contributions to the Global Fund and positively impacting millions of lives.

A former Wall Street mergers and acquisitions attorney, Dugan was also president of Disney Publishing Worldwide, and executive vice president of EMI Records Group/Angel Records. She currently serves as co-chair of the award-winning storytelling nonprofit The Moth.

In her role, Dugan will oversee all Recording Academy affairs, working closely with the Academy’s Board of Trustees and senior management team to advance the Academy’s goals and mission. She will drive the creative and strategic vision of the organization and lead the operations of the Academy. Dugan will also serve as President/CEO of MusiCares^® and on the boards of the GRAMMY Museum Foundation^® and The Latin Recording Academy^®.

Music City Hit-Makers (MCHM) will release their debut EP, Songs & Symphony, on June 4. The EP features some of Nashville’s most successful songwriters including Brett James, Jessi Alexander, Chris DeStefano, Hillary Lindsey, Marcus Hummon and Rivers Rutherford. MCHM features Nashville’s biggest songwriters performing their hits as arranged for a symphony by musician and arranger, Charlie Judge.

“Nashville is the epicenter of great songwriting, so the top songwriters in Nashville really are the best in the business,” says Judge. “It is my incredibly good fortune to have the opportunity to work with these talented writers, both as a keyboardist in the studio recording their hits, and as an arranger re-casting their songs for orchestra.”

The group of writers featured on this project has a combined 75 No. 1 hits from today’s superstars, country music legends and new artists.

“Most of the hit songs we incorporate in our Music City Hit-Makers shows can be heard on country radio,” continues Judge. “But great songs transcend genre, and they work equally well whether they’re dressed in a cowboy hat or a tuxedo. I find great joy in stripping the songs down to their essence, finding the emotional core, and then rebuilding them with the endlessly inspiring orchestral palette.”

Pre-order for the EP will be available on May 10. To celebrate the release of Songs & Symphony, MCHM’s Chris DeStefano, Rivers Rutherford and Marcus Hummon will be performing on June 4 at City Winery in Nashville. Tickets for the City Winery show are available here.