Sophia Sansone
In less than a decade, Sophia Sansone has risen from an assistant role to become one of Nashville’s most respected young executives, now serving as a Managing Partner at Make Wake Artists. Since joining the company in 2017 as assistant to founder Chris Kappy, Sansone has distinguished herself through sharp strategic instincts, deep artist advocacy and an exceptional understanding of long-term career building.
A key member of Luke Combs’ management team during a period of historic growth, Sansone has played an integral role in helping guide one of the most successful careers in modern country music. She also manages Nicole Combs, serving as a trusted advisor across brand, business and philanthropic initiatives. In 2025, Sansone expanded her roster by taking on Grammy Award–winning act The Band Perry, leading their highly anticipated return to country music while honoring the legacy that made them one of the genre’s most influential acts.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Sansone credits much of her leadership style to growing up as one of ten siblings, an unconventional training ground that shaped her collaborative mindset, adaptability and decisiveness. Her impact has been consistently recognized by the industry. She was named to Nashville Briefing’s 30 Under 30 in 2021 and went on to earn repeated honors including Billboard Women in Music (2023, 2024, 2025), MusicRow’s Next Big Thing (N.B.T.) (2023), Variety’s Hitmakers (2023, 2024), Billboard’s Country Power Players (2023, 2024, 2025) and Billboard’s 40 Under 40 (2024).
Sansone will be honored as part of MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row class of 2026 on March 3 at the JW Marriott. Read more about the event here.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, with a big Italian and Greek family. I have nine siblings, and I was the first girl after five boys.
What were you into as a kid?
I was definitely a tomboy, so I was really into sports and I also boxed a lot with my brothers growing up, but at the same time I really cared about fashion from a young age and what I wore. I went to an all-girls Catholic school and had to wear a uniform all the way until college, but I always loved fashion and my dream was to move to Chicago and work in it. I also liked pop culture and would watch E! News and Oprah religiously after school.
I went to The Catholic University of America in DC for two years, where I played field hockey, and then I transferred to Vanderbilt. During the summers, I would work at Fox Sports Midwest in St. Louis, helping the local teams with whatever they needed. I worked on the production and marketing side of things, helping pull clips for the jumbotron, literally whatever you could think of. At one point, I was sitting in a closet going through old Cardinals baseball footage and pulling clips they wanted.
I grew up a big country music fan, but I really didn’t understand the industry at all. I didn’t know there were songwriters. So when I moved here and started going to writers’ rounds, that was when the light bulb went off.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
How did you get your feet wet?
I started just managing my friends and being around artists and songwriters. I remember going to a round at a bar on Demonbreun and seeing Jonathan Singleton play “Watching Airplanes,” which he wrote. I had no idea someone other than the artist wrote songs. It really opened my eyes.
I finished up at Vanderbilt and was doing a lot of hustling on the side, managing my friends. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I knew I wanted to get into the industry somehow. I expressed that to my parents, but there were no job openings that I could find. All I had was babysitting money and a degree. I couldn’t afford to live here, so I had to move home.
My parents encouraged me to go to law school, so I started studying for the LSAT, took it, and applied to law school. But the whole time, I’d drive to Nashville every other week, stay with friends, and get coffee with whoever would take me in the industry. Everyone was so great, but no one had a job opening.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
One day, my girlfriend saw a Facebook post from Kappy at Make Wake. He was looking for a day-to-day position for a bunch of his baby acts at the time. I knew who Luke Combs was. He had just had a No. 1 with “Hurricane,” and “When It Rains It Pours” was at radio. I also had lots of mutual friends with his then-girlfriend, Nicole.
I met with Kappy at the then Edgehill Cafe in 2017, admitting I was under-qualified for the job but asked him to take a chance. He ended up hiring someone else for the day-to-day role, but he said, “I can’t not hire you, and I really want you to grow and learn under me,” which is all I ever wanted. So he hired me as an assistant, paid me as much as he could, and gave me my chance.
That’s awesome. Tell me about getting started.
My first day of work was CMA Awards day. Kappy had me meet him at this address around 9:00 a.m. I showed up, and Luke was in the middle of a really big interview with a huge crowd. Then we went to Bridgestone for soundcheck, and there were all of these big names in the room, like Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift. I was like, “What is happening to me?” Kappy threw me right in.
I’ll never forget Mary Catherine Kenny, who was Luke’s PR at the time, coming out the door at Bridgestone to grab us. She was quick and decisive and wasn’t phased by all the people. She just radiated boss energy. I realized I had joined an environment where I was going to have to work really, really hard and use my voice. You could get eaten alive if you didn’t keep up with the pace. A lot of it looks glamorous, but there’s so much happening behind the scenes.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
Within six months of working at Make Wake, Kappy called me into the office and asked me to be Luke’s day-to-day. I was like, “Are you sure? I’m so new.” I was so honored. I’ve been his day-to-day ever since and have been able to grow a lot on the team, which has instilled a lot of confidence in me.
Now you are also Partner at Make Wake.
Yes, about two years ago, Kappy asked me to be a Partner. That was a huge honor for me, and I feel really grateful for it. About a year ago, I also signed The Band Perry, which was something I never expected to do because Luke is so busy and the company is busy. I also manage Nicole with her brand marketing sponsorships.
But when Kimberly Perry messaged me that she was returning to country music, I had to meet with her. I was honored. Once we talked, I knew I needed to do it. I built a team around it, and I’m really grateful.
What is a day in the life like for you, balancing all of that?
Every day is different. Before work, I try to work out and do my Bible study before I get ready for the day. I really prioritize my mornings now. It’s better for everyone that way. [Laughs]
Then, depending on the day, I’ll go to meetings, and after that it’s more meetings, calls and emails. If we’re in an album cycle, we’re going to interviews and the studio, and now touring is ramping up, so I’ll be going to stadium shows for Luke and shows for The Band Perry.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
Kappy still goes to every show for Luke, and I go to a lot of them. We’re so close with the touring team. We get so much done out there, and there’s so much camaraderie. It’s a grind, but it’s rewarding, and it’s a privilege to me.
Tell me about a moment in your career that you are most proud of.
When Luke and Tracy Chapman performed “Fast Car” at the Grammys, that was an incredible moment. It was such an important moment for Luke and such an honor for him. The fact that Tracy appreciated his cover of the song and wanted to perform with him was a full-circle moment. No one knew it was happening at the Grammys besides our teams.
I become the seat filler for Luke when he’s on stage at award shows, so I was sitting with Nicole when he came on stage. It was indescribable and such a proud moment, you could feel that the entire room was in awe too, which was really cool and felt like a huge step for country music.
I’m also really, really proud to be managing The Band Perry. It’s a big step for me to have something that I signed, and I’m honored.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
Who have been your mentors?
My Pop has always been my mentor in business. He pushes me to think bigger and gives the best advice. I also talk with my brothers about business all the time, having those conversations with both of them has shaped so much of how I approach my career.
My mom is incredible. She raised 10 kids while also building her own path as an entrepreneur. She is a fitness coach, specifically for the elderly, wrote a bestselling book titled Women First, Family Always, and was featured on Oprah and in O Magazine. She’s my role model in every sense, her work ethic, her heart, and the way she shows up for people.
My brother Jimmy has gotten me through some pretty challenging times and pushes me to work on myself mentally, emotionally and physically. Of course, Kappy is my mentor in this industry. There are a lot of other names I could mention, too. I have a lot of people I can lean on.
What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
I’ve gotten a lot of amazing advice. I’m really close to my grandparents. My Pa, who was extremely wise, always said, “Treat the janitor the same way you treat the CEO. You’re not better than anybody, and nobody’s better than you.”
It’s simple, but it’s important. Treat everybody with kindness and respect.
Do Write Music Transitions Copyright Administration To Music Admin Inc., Marghie Evans Retires
/by Lauryn SinkMarghie Evans.
Do Write Music, LLC has transitioned its copyright administration to Music Admin Inc. as Co-Founder Marghie Evans steps into retirement.
Evans co-founded Do Write Music alongside Dwight Wiles, providing copyright administration, licensing, royalty collection and related services for songwriters, independent publishers and select audiovisual clients.
The transition reflects Evans’ retirement after more than 35 years as a respected music publishing executive. Evans has served as a past board member and secretary of Leadership Music and as chair of the Copyright Society of the South. Originally based in London, she relocated to Nashville in 2001. Prior to her move, Evans served as Head of Rights & Clearances for Universal Pictures Home Video (U.K.), overseeing rights work for high-profile home video releases including An American Werewolf in London, as well as documentaries and live concert projects featuring artists such as The Who, Dire Straits, Bon Jovi, and INXS.
Do Write Music’s roster has included songwriters such as Jeffrey Steele, Tom Paxton, Jon Vezner, Kathy Mattea, Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, and Old Crow Medicine Show, alongside catalogs from multiple independent publishers. Do Write songs have been recorded by artists including Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Riley Green, Montgomery Gentry, Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Christina Aguilera, among others.
Tin Pan South Announces 2026 Venues, Charity Partner
/by Lorie HollabaughTin Pan South 2026 has announced the 10 local spots that have been secured as official venues for the upcoming five-day event, scheduled for March 24-28.
Participating venues include 3rd and Lindsley Nashville (stage presented by Jack Daniel’s), 1865 Club, Anzie Blue, Analog at Hutton Hotel (stage presented by Tennessee Entertainment Commission), The Bluebird Cafe (stage presented by Southbound Tequila), The Commodore Grille (stage presented by beyerdynamic), The Cowan at Topgolf (stage presented by Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp), Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole (stage presented by Musicnotes), Love and Exile (stage presented by Nashville Scene), and Station Inn (stage presented by Custom House at Guitar Center).
The full festival lineup and schedule will be released on Feb. 26. Ticket on-sale will begin the following week, starting March 3 and will rollout at tinpansouth.com according to the following schedule:
Tuesday, March 3 at 8 a.m. CT – Onsale begins for March 24 Shows
Wednesday, March 4 at 8 a.m. CT – Onsale begins for March 25 Shows
Thursday, March 5 at 8 a.m. CT – Onsale begins for March 26 Shows
Monday, March 9 at 8 a.m. CT – Onsale begins for March 27 and March 28 Shows
Tin Pan South is NSAI’s largest annual fundraising event to support its mission of protecting the rights and future of songwriting. As a way to give back and support another organization in need, each year a local non-profit is selected by the festival as a partner and beneficiary. In the past, ticket proceeds from a single show raised donation funds, but for this year, all attendees will have the opportunity to donate to the worthy cause with any ticket purchase. This year, the charity was carefully selected as it holds a special place for NSAI Board President, Lee Thomas Miller, and family, who suffered the loss of Miller’s son Levi in 2025. The mission of ShowerUp, an organization originally founded in Nashville, was extremely important to Levi, and the festival has chosen it in his honor.
ShowerUp provides showers, laundry, hygiene necessities and personal care to those experiencing homelessness and who are in need. The organization has grown to provide services in additional cities and states since its founding in 2016. With any 2026 ticket purchase, buyers will have the opportunity to add a donation amount of their choosing to the purchase, to directly support ShowerUp and their mission of elevating dignity and igniting hope for individuals who are in need, whether unhoused, in shelters, or affected by disasters.
“ShowerUp is an incredible organization serving Nashville in a unique way,” says Lee Thomas Miller, NSAI Board President. “Through our son Levi’s struggles with mental health he became burdened with the unhoused and once spoke of them as “unseen” the same way he felt “unseen.” ShowerUp is boots on the ground here at home and I love this opportunity for NSAI to showcase their work as part of this year’s Tin Pan South festival.”
CMHOFM Elevates Four Staff Members
/by Lauryn SinkMaggie Banker, Meredith Rife, Denise Alvis & Nancy Cason. Photo: Courtesy of CMHOFM
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has elevated four staff members within the its guest relations, human resources and marketing teams.
Maggie Banker has been elevated to Senior Director of Marketing. In this role, Banker oversees the museum’s owned and paid media strategies, leading integrated campaigns to expand the museum’s reach to new and existing audiences. Banker joined the museum’s marketing team in 2018 and most recently served as Director of Marketing. Banker has over 12 years of marketing experience in the tourism, nonprofit, music and entertainment industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa.
Meredith Rife has been named Associate Director of Social Media. In this role, she oversees the museum’s social media strategy, including organic content development, audience engagement and performance analysis. Since joining the museum in 2023, Rife most recently served as senior social media manager, supporting the social media presence of the museum and its properties. She has over six years of marketing experience focused on social media, including real estate marketing and work for Vanderbilt University. Rife holds a bachelor’s degree in interactive media from Middle Tennessee State University.
Denise Alvis has been named Director of Human Resources. In this role, she leads and implements human resources programs including recruiting, training, career development, performance management and internal processes and more. Prior to joining the museum in 2022, Alvis worked as director of human resources for National HealthCare Corporation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Nancy Cason has been promoted to Associate Director of Guest Experience. She oversees all aspects of the visitor experience for the museum, Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B, as well as other publicly ticketed events and programs. Cason’s responsibilities include overseeing the institution’s box-office operations, information and membership desks, guest experience staff and tour guides. During her 10 years with the museum, she has held roles in reservations, ticketing and guest experience, and most recently served as senior guest experience manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Eastern Michigan University.
Jonah Kagen Delivers Heartfelt Set To Sold-Out Nashville Room
/by Madison HahnenJonah Kagen
On Thursday night (Feb. 12), Jonah Kagen delivered a commanding set to a sold-out Basement East crowd as part of his “Sunflowers & Leather Tour.”
From the opening notes of “Simon,” the crowd was already tuned in. “The Reaper” followed with a pulsing intensity that got the room moving. He followed his opening tunes with “Candy Land,” “You Again” and “Matches,” keeping the momentum steady. Kagen’s voice kept gravelly and grounded throughout the night.
“There’s a lot of people in here!” Kagen exclaimed from the stage. “I’ve played here before and there was about 1/16 of the crowd in here than there is now. I’m so happy to be here. This tour has been a shock to the system, I feel like I have imposter syndrome.”
Midway through the set, Kagen shifted the energy by sitting down with the band. “Black Lung” landed heavy, drawing an energy over the room that only deepened for “Anvil,” which saw Kagen swap guitar for banjo. The acoustic moment added a raw, front-porch vibe to the evening.
When the band exited stage left and Kagen eventually found himself alone, he went solo for “Krissy,” a song dedicated to his mom. Then came one of the first songs he ever wrote, “Colorado,” played at the crowd’s request.
“Same Wind” began with just Kagen before the band rejoined halfway through, earning one of the loudest applause breaks of the night. “The Roads” carried that lift forward, and by the time he reached band introductions, the smiles onstage mirrored the ones in the crowd.
The final stretch included “Save My Soul” and Gold-certified breakout hit “God Needs the Devil,” both with the audience singing along.
For the encore, Kagen returned with tour and album namesake “Sunflowers & Leather.” Then came “Burn Me” to wrap up the night, elevated by a surprise appearance from Vincent Lima.
Kagen’s “Sunflowers & Leather Tour” will resume March 3 in Oklahoma City.
Casey Wasserman To Sell Agency
/by LB CantrellAmid fallout over his previously reported contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, Casey Wasserman has begun the process of selling the global talent agency Wasserman, according to a memo confirmed to MusicRow by the company.
In a company-wide memo sent by Wasserman on Friday evening (Feb. 13), he wrote to the agency’s 4,000 employees, “I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.
“At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway. During this time, Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while I devote my full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028 that is worthy of this outstanding city.”
Wasserman and the talent agency he founded have been under scrutiny since reports surfaced about email exchanges between him and Maxwell from 2003, and a humanitarian trip on Epstein’s plane to Africa the year prior.
Since then, clients including Chappell Roan, Orville Peck and Sylvan Esso have exited the agency, according to reports.
The full memo is below.
Jelly Roll To Receive 2026 CRB Artist Humanitarian Award
/by Lauryn SinkJelly Roll will receive this year’s Artist Humanitarian Award presented by Country Radio Broadcasters. This honor will be presented during CRS 2026, taking place March 18–20 in Nashville.
This year’s award recognizes the triple Grammy-winning artist for his commitment to addiction recovery, mental health and community.
The Artist Humanitarian Award was established in 1990 to honor country artists whose philanthropic efforts have significantly improved the effectiveness and impact of the causes they support. Past recipients include Eric Church, Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, and more.
More information about CRS, including registration, is available here.
Joybeth Taylor Jumps Into Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenJoybeth Taylor
Joybeth Taylor has moved into the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion” and “girl you’re taking home,” BigXthaPlug’s “Hell At Night,” and Gavin Adcock’s “Never Call Again” all put the songwriter at No. 7 this week.
Zach Bryan remains at No. 1 for the fourth consecutive week with all solo-penned “Appetite,” “Bad News,” “Plastic Cigarette,” “Say Why” and “Skin.” Chase McGill stays at No. 2 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Brunette,” “I Got Better,” “It Won’t Be Long,” “McArthur,” “the hell you are” and “Water At A Wedding.”
Blake Pendergrass (No. 3), Ty Myers (No. 4) and Randy Montana (No. 5) round out this weeks top five.
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.
Jason Aldean Notches 31st No. 1
/by Lauryn SinkJason Aldean. Photo: Spidey Smith
Jason Aldean has notched his 31st No. 1 track with his latest single “How Far Does A Goodbye Go,” topping both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts.
“Man, I thought 30 was a milestone…now we’re sitting at 31 number one songs. That’s pretty wild. Thank you to country radio, my team, our streaming partners, the songwriters and every one of y’all who’ve listened and turned these songs into something bigger than we ever imagined,” says Aldean.
The track served as the first preview of Aldean’s new album Songs About Us, set for release April 24. The song was co-penned by John Edwards, John Morgan, Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy, with production from Michael Knox.
On the Billboard Country Airplay chart, Aldean now ties George Strait, Alan Jackson and Luke Bryan for the fourth-most No. 1s since the chart began in 1990.
Aldean will kick off the Australia and New Zealand dates of his “Full Throttle World Tour” on Thursday (Feb. 19) in Auckland.
My Music Row Story: Make Wake Artists’ Sophia Sansone
/by LB CantrellSophia Sansone
In less than a decade, Sophia Sansone has risen from an assistant role to become one of Nashville’s most respected young executives, now serving as a Managing Partner at Make Wake Artists. Since joining the company in 2017 as assistant to founder Chris Kappy, Sansone has distinguished herself through sharp strategic instincts, deep artist advocacy and an exceptional understanding of long-term career building.
A key member of Luke Combs’ management team during a period of historic growth, Sansone has played an integral role in helping guide one of the most successful careers in modern country music. She also manages Nicole Combs, serving as a trusted advisor across brand, business and philanthropic initiatives. In 2025, Sansone expanded her roster by taking on Grammy Award–winning act The Band Perry, leading their highly anticipated return to country music while honoring the legacy that made them one of the genre’s most influential acts.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Sansone credits much of her leadership style to growing up as one of ten siblings, an unconventional training ground that shaped her collaborative mindset, adaptability and decisiveness. Her impact has been consistently recognized by the industry. She was named to Nashville Briefing’s 30 Under 30 in 2021 and went on to earn repeated honors including Billboard Women in Music (2023, 2024, 2025), MusicRow’s Next Big Thing (N.B.T.) (2023), Variety’s Hitmakers (2023, 2024), Billboard’s Country Power Players (2023, 2024, 2025) and Billboard’s 40 Under 40 (2024).
Sansone will be honored as part of MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row class of 2026 on March 3 at the JW Marriott. Read more about the event here.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, with a big Italian and Greek family. I have nine siblings, and I was the first girl after five boys.
What were you into as a kid?
I was definitely a tomboy, so I was really into sports and I also boxed a lot with my brothers growing up, but at the same time I really cared about fashion from a young age and what I wore. I went to an all-girls Catholic school and had to wear a uniform all the way until college, but I always loved fashion and my dream was to move to Chicago and work in it. I also liked pop culture and would watch E! News and Oprah religiously after school.
I went to The Catholic University of America in DC for two years, where I played field hockey, and then I transferred to Vanderbilt. During the summers, I would work at Fox Sports Midwest in St. Louis, helping the local teams with whatever they needed. I worked on the production and marketing side of things, helping pull clips for the jumbotron, literally whatever you could think of. At one point, I was sitting in a closet going through old Cardinals baseball footage and pulling clips they wanted.
I grew up a big country music fan, but I really didn’t understand the industry at all. I didn’t know there were songwriters. So when I moved here and started going to writers’ rounds, that was when the light bulb went off.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
How did you get your feet wet?
I started just managing my friends and being around artists and songwriters. I remember going to a round at a bar on Demonbreun and seeing Jonathan Singleton play “Watching Airplanes,” which he wrote. I had no idea someone other than the artist wrote songs. It really opened my eyes.
I finished up at Vanderbilt and was doing a lot of hustling on the side, managing my friends. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I knew I wanted to get into the industry somehow. I expressed that to my parents, but there were no job openings that I could find. All I had was babysitting money and a degree. I couldn’t afford to live here, so I had to move home.
My parents encouraged me to go to law school, so I started studying for the LSAT, took it, and applied to law school. But the whole time, I’d drive to Nashville every other week, stay with friends, and get coffee with whoever would take me in the industry. Everyone was so great, but no one had a job opening.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
One day, my girlfriend saw a Facebook post from Kappy at Make Wake. He was looking for a day-to-day position for a bunch of his baby acts at the time. I knew who Luke Combs was. He had just had a No. 1 with “Hurricane,” and “When It Rains It Pours” was at radio. I also had lots of mutual friends with his then-girlfriend, Nicole.
I met with Kappy at the then Edgehill Cafe in 2017, admitting I was under-qualified for the job but asked him to take a chance. He ended up hiring someone else for the day-to-day role, but he said, “I can’t not hire you, and I really want you to grow and learn under me,” which is all I ever wanted. So he hired me as an assistant, paid me as much as he could, and gave me my chance.
That’s awesome. Tell me about getting started.
My first day of work was CMA Awards day. Kappy had me meet him at this address around 9:00 a.m. I showed up, and Luke was in the middle of a really big interview with a huge crowd. Then we went to Bridgestone for soundcheck, and there were all of these big names in the room, like Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift. I was like, “What is happening to me?” Kappy threw me right in.
I’ll never forget Mary Catherine Kenny, who was Luke’s PR at the time, coming out the door at Bridgestone to grab us. She was quick and decisive and wasn’t phased by all the people. She just radiated boss energy. I realized I had joined an environment where I was going to have to work really, really hard and use my voice. You could get eaten alive if you didn’t keep up with the pace. A lot of it looks glamorous, but there’s so much happening behind the scenes.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
Within six months of working at Make Wake, Kappy called me into the office and asked me to be Luke’s day-to-day. I was like, “Are you sure? I’m so new.” I was so honored. I’ve been his day-to-day ever since and have been able to grow a lot on the team, which has instilled a lot of confidence in me.
Now you are also Partner at Make Wake.
Yes, about two years ago, Kappy asked me to be a Partner. That was a huge honor for me, and I feel really grateful for it. About a year ago, I also signed The Band Perry, which was something I never expected to do because Luke is so busy and the company is busy. I also manage Nicole with her brand marketing sponsorships.
But when Kimberly Perry messaged me that she was returning to country music, I had to meet with her. I was honored. Once we talked, I knew I needed to do it. I built a team around it, and I’m really grateful.
What is a day in the life like for you, balancing all of that?
Every day is different. Before work, I try to work out and do my Bible study before I get ready for the day. I really prioritize my mornings now. It’s better for everyone that way. [Laughs]
Then, depending on the day, I’ll go to meetings, and after that it’s more meetings, calls and emails. If we’re in an album cycle, we’re going to interviews and the studio, and now touring is ramping up, so I’ll be going to stadium shows for Luke and shows for The Band Perry.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
Kappy still goes to every show for Luke, and I go to a lot of them. We’re so close with the touring team. We get so much done out there, and there’s so much camaraderie. It’s a grind, but it’s rewarding, and it’s a privilege to me.
Tell me about a moment in your career that you are most proud of.
When Luke and Tracy Chapman performed “Fast Car” at the Grammys, that was an incredible moment. It was such an important moment for Luke and such an honor for him. The fact that Tracy appreciated his cover of the song and wanted to perform with him was a full-circle moment. No one knew it was happening at the Grammys besides our teams.
I become the seat filler for Luke when he’s on stage at award shows, so I was sitting with Nicole when he came on stage. It was indescribable and such a proud moment, you could feel that the entire room was in awe too, which was really cool and felt like a huge step for country music.
I’m also really, really proud to be managing The Band Perry. It’s a big step for me to have something that I signed, and I’m honored.
Photo: Courtesy of Sansone
Who have been your mentors?
My Pop has always been my mentor in business. He pushes me to think bigger and gives the best advice. I also talk with my brothers about business all the time, having those conversations with both of them has shaped so much of how I approach my career.
My mom is incredible. She raised 10 kids while also building her own path as an entrepreneur. She is a fitness coach, specifically for the elderly, wrote a bestselling book titled Women First, Family Always, and was featured on Oprah and in O Magazine. She’s my role model in every sense, her work ethic, her heart, and the way she shows up for people.
My brother Jimmy has gotten me through some pretty challenging times and pushes me to work on myself mentally, emotionally and physically. Of course, Kappy is my mentor in this industry. There are a lot of other names I could mention, too. I have a lot of people I can lean on.
What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
I’ve gotten a lot of amazing advice. I’m really close to my grandparents. My Pa, who was extremely wise, always said, “Treat the janitor the same way you treat the CEO. You’re not better than anybody, and nobody’s better than you.”
It’s simple, but it’s important. Treat everybody with kindness and respect.
Adrien Nunez Drops New Six-Track EP ‘Don’t Wanna Go Home’
/by Lorie HollabaughAdrien Nunez. Photo: Josh Erb
Basketball star and budding country singer-songwriter Adrien Nunez has released his new EP, Don’t Wanna Go Home, via Warner Records.
The six-song project includes tracks like “Cry For You,” where he looks back in the rearview mirror at a fractured relationship, “Lights Back On,” and “Over Again,” which has already racked up over 1.2 million streams on Spotify. In advance of its release, tracks from the EP have already generated nearly 30 million streams and counting.
Originally hailing from Brooklyn, Nunez made his name as an NCAA basketball star for the University of Michigan before turning back to his original passion, music. He took the internet by storm last year by giving country artists a unique platform to showcase their songs via his various channels, while also offering fans an avenue to discover their new favorite artists. The social media launch of his own project accumulated over 50 million views across platforms in the first weekend and over five million streams in the two weeks, bringing in over 250,000 new TikTok fans.
Nunez’s recent “Don’t Wanna Go Home Tour” played to sold-out crowds from coast-to-coast. Along with the release of his new album last week, he participated in the prestigious annual NBA All-Star Celebrity Game live from Los Angeles.
Dont Wanna Go Home EP Track List:
1. “808’s & 6 Strings”
2. “Cry for You”
3. “Don’t Wanna Go Home”
4. “Lights Back On”
5. “Over Again”
6. “Wild”