Mason Hunter has been named Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships/Business Development at BMI. In this role, he will identify new partners that align with BMI’s business needs, create new revenue streams to benefit the organization’s affiliates, and maximize existing partnerships. Hunter will be based in BMI’s Nashville office, and will report to Jody Williams, VP, Writer/Publisher Relations.
“I am delighted to welcome Mason to our organization’s Writer/Publisher team and to utilize his keen partnership perspective to serve BMI’s affiliates,” Williams said. “He will play a vital role in building on our success to create unique opportunities that grow BMI’s value in the music business community.”
“Bringing together our songwriters with our licensees creates a synergy, which is beneficial to both our customers,” commented Phil Graham, BMI Sr. VP, Writer/Publisher Relations. “Mason’s knowledge in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships is a valuable asset; he’ll oversee a structure that will optimize BMI’s efforts as an advocate for content creators.”
A 14-year veteran of BMI, Hunter was most recently Executive Director, Chain & Specialty Market Sales. During his work at BMI, he has held several titles, including Sr. Director in both Media and General Licensing, where he worked with key accounts and trade associations in media and hospitality industries. Hunter is a Certified Public Accountant, and began his career in audit services at Deloitte, before joining BMI’s Audit and Finance Department.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson will perform a solo acoustic show at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 13, 2014 at 8 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Tickets will go on sale Friday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m, and will be available at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, Ryman box office, ryman.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
This Renaissance man has taken on a seemingly endless number of roles in his lifetime, including Golden Gloves boxer, Rhodes scholar, college football player, actor, military officer, helicopter pilot, and, most notably, a Grammy-winning, iconic singer-songwriter. He penned the timeless tunes “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and “For The Good Times,” among others.
“Going back to the beginning, the songs have been reflections of where I was at that point in my life,” he says. “I always try to be as honest as I can in the songwriting, otherwise there’s no point in doing it: I might as well be doing an advertising job or something. And what I’m finding, to my pleasant surprise at this age, is that I’m more inclined to laughter than tears. I hope I’ll feel this creative and this grateful until they throw dirt over me.”

Nashville will ring in 2015 to the sounds of a live set from Country trio Lady Antebellum. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) announced Monday (Aug. 11) that Lady A will headline the Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Bash on Broadway. The bash will once again include a free concert and the midnight “Music Note Drop.”
“In just six years, the event has rapidly grown to be one of the biggest New Year’s Eve productions in the country,” said Ken Levitan, chairman of the NCVC board of directors and president of Vector Management. “It’s a major draw for visitors and locals alike, generating a tremendous amount of revenue for Nashville. The event has grown every year and drawn international attention to Music City. Lady A assures that we continue that upward trajectory.”
“We’re so looking forward to celebrating New Year’s this year in our hometown,” Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott said. “It’s such a magical time of year, so getting to be home with our friends, family and all of Nashville downtown on Broadway will be such a fun way to ring in 2015!”
Jack Daniel’s Bash on Broadway is produced by the NCVC for the city of Nashville and presented by Jack Daniel’s. The celebration is sponsored by Advance Financial, Anderson Benson Insurance, Carl Black Chevrolet, McDonald’s, Durango Boot, Korbel, Miller Lite and Coors Light.
Additional performers will be announced soon.