Margaret Comeaux
The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.
As Senior Vice President of Music and Events Production for CMT, Margaret Comeaux oversees the creation, development and production of music and live event specials for the network. She serves as Executive Producer in charge of such hits as the annual CMT Music Awards, the critically-acclaimed CMT Crossroads series, CMT Giants and the exciting new event CMT Smashing Glass: A Celebration of the Groundbreaking Women of Music.
Since its 2002 inception, Comeaux has worked on more than 80 episodes of CMT Crossroads, working with some of the biggest names in music across genres. Comeaux has also worked on the CMT Music Awards, which is the highest-rated show on the network annually and stands apart from other awards shows for its water-cooler moments and diverse mix of musical talent and Hollywood celebrities.
Her credits include other CMT series and specials, such as CMT Presents The Judds: Love Is Alive – The Final Concert, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Loretta Lynn, CMT Giants, CMT Campfire Sessions, CMT Summer Camp: Little Big Town, CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party Live From the College Football Playoff National Championship, CMT Artists of the Year, CMT Cross Country, Jimmy Buffett and Friends Live from the Gulf Coast, Music Builds and CMT Outlaws, to name a few.
Prior to joining CMT in 2000, Comeaux served as a video editor and Associate Producer at High Five Entertainment/Music City Digital in Nashville. She received her Bachelor’s degree at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and is a member of the CMA, ACM, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS), National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and Producers Guild of America. Her honors include BANFF 2013 Best Music & Variety Program for the 2013 CMT Music Awards, and she is a MTSU College of Media and Entertainment Wall Of Fame Inductee (2014) and Nashville Business Journal’s Women in Music City Award recipient (2019).
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana in the heart of cajun country. I was there until I moved here to Tennessee when I was about 21.
Music City Digital’s Jeff Cronenberg, Andreas Kouris, Kathryn Russ, Brian McNamara and Margaret Comeaux. Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
What brought you here?
School did. I spent my first two years of college at LSU and then took a little bit of a break. During that break, I had gone to New York to be a nanny for the summer. Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, it was like my world just opened up. I always loved movies and television growing up—it was a passion—but I don’t think I ever really realized that there was a job in that for me and that was going to be my future.
I ended up going back to school. I took an Introduction to Mass Communications class in Louisiana, and the professor I had at the time said, “If this is really something you want to do, you should go to MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.” My dad and my stepmother had already moved here my senior year of high school, so I went ahead and came here. I started in school and found what I loved.
What was your time at MTSU like?
One of my really great mentors that I found when I got to MTSU was Mary Nichols. She was my advisor and she did a lot of things in the Nashville community. Once I connected with her, I got to [be a production assistant (PA)] and everything for a bunch of different shows. We would be talent escorts at the CMA Awards, PAs on music videos and all of those different things. I actually never did an internship because I was really lucky enough to be able to find production assistant work. When I graduated from there, I was able to pick up where I had started during college. It was great.
Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
What was your next step after graduation?
I went to work for High Five Entertainment. Eventually they started a post-production facility called Music City Digital, so I was an assistant editor there and then started editing. I learned from some really fantastic editors, producers and directors. It was the basis for what I do today. I’m lucky enough to work with all of those guys occasionally, so that’s nice.
[During that time] we did a series for TNN called Monday Night Concert at the Ryman. It had various names throughout the years, but Ricky Skaggs was the host. It was incredible. There were so many artists, both out-of-genre and in country. They did CBS Christmas specials and all kinds of things. I really was exposed to a lot of incredible content and content creators at the time.
Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
How did you get to CMT?
I was at Music City Digital for a while. I started doing post-production supervising for some of the award shows, like the Music City News Awards and the Dove Awards. I started learning a lot about that process, and that was really fun. I loved it. I guess we all come from a base in the creative world. You could start in the script department or many different places. For me, post-production and editing is my home. It’s where I learned my storytelling skills and honed my craft.
When I left there, I did freelance for a little while and then I had a former boss call me to come into CMT to work on the very first Crossroads as the Post Supervisor. I came in and I worked on that show. I was a freelancer at CMT for probably a year and 21 years later, here I am.
Everyone obviously has their own path, but for me, I’m really proud of the longevity that I’ve been able to have in my career, from starting out as a post-production supervisor to now be SVP of Music and Events. [I’m proud to be] doing what I’m doing and trying to lead here with Leslie Fram. My time at at CMT has been incredible.
Margaret Comeaux, Patti LaBelle, Sheryl Crow, Tanya Tucker and Leslie Fram. Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
What do you love about your job?
I would consider myself a serial collaborator. I love collaboration. There’s nothing more enjoyable to me than watching the teams that we’ve assembled over the years come together and create some really magical moments, from the Crossroads that we do each year to bringing back Storytellers, a brand that was on VH1 that we brought to CMT [as well as] the CMT Music Awards and then obviously creating this new tentpole event with CMT Smashing Glass—it’s a dream come true. It’s really exciting to do these things and create new events, and obviously celebrating the females in music is incredibly exciting and rewarding.
Smashing Glass premieres tonight (Nov. 15) at 8 p.m. CT. What can you tell me about that special?
Leslie and I set out with a mission to make 2023 a year of celebrating women in music on CMT. We were thoughtful in the things that we were booking and the directions that we wanted to take with some of the shows. We started talking to Patrizia DiMaria, Michelle Mahoney and Lauren Quinn about Smashing Glass. We spent our time developing that over the year and it just came to life.
To walk around that building [during taping] and feel the energy—and seeing the pride on everyone’s face in this thing we had all joined together to create—there’s just nothing like it. It was incredible to stand there with Tanya Tucker, Patti LaBelle and Billie Jean King—these are moments you can’t even begin to imagine in your career. All of those ladies were just so incredible.
Margaret Comeaux & Leslie Fram. Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
Who have been some of your mentors through the years?
My parents were my first and greatest mentors. They taught me to believe that I could do anything I set my mind to. To this day they are the first people I go to when I need advice and they are the first texts I receive after any show I work on airs. I would not and could not be the person I am today without their love and support.
I mentioned her early on, but Mary Nichols. She means the world to me. One of the first things I did when I got to MTSU was PA at The Judds‘ final concert. Mary got us on that. So, when we went back and did the concert with Wynonna last year, I was able to reach out to Mary—who had since retired—and she came and worked on the show. That was a full circle moment.
Beyond that, I’ve had some great bosses and have been really been lucky to work with people in the industry here, like Martin Fischer, who was my first boss at High Five Entertainment. Sarah Brock was the person that brought me in at CMT. Obviously working side by side with someone like Leslie Fram is wonderful. It’s been an honor in my career to stand next to her at CMT and try to make the channel what it is right now.
What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Follow your gut. It’s also about staying current with the things that are there and never being afraid to ask about something and learn something new. I’ve been at CMT for 21 years, but I have more to learn. I think [it’s about] knowing that you always have more to learn and that you never reach a saturation point for that. You continue to learn new things, and it’s my job to grow with the industry. Just because it’s always been done a certain way doesn’t mean that that’s where we should continue. I think you have to ask the questions.
What’s a moment that you’ve had that your kid self would think is so cool?
There were so many of them. We were doing the documentary portion of Crossroads with Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers. It was back at Cafe 123, which isn’t there anymore. We walked in and there was piano in the corner, and Lionel Richie was sitting at the piano playing “Sail On.” I thought I was going to pass out. [Laughs] I’ve always been a Lionel Richie fan—he was one of my first concerts that I ever went to. It was a dream come true, and I was like, “Wow, this is what I get to do. I’m in.”
Honestly, it still happens. Standing on a stage talking to Billie Jean King—someone who’s changed the trajectory for females in so many different formats. That’s a pinch-me moment. They continue to happen. They happened in the beginning and they still happen today.
Nominees Revealed For 2024 CRS New Faces
/by LB CantrellCountry Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has announced the nominees for this year’s New Faces of Country Music Show, which will take place at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 (Feb. 28 – March 1).
The artists nominated for consideration are George Birge (Records Nashville), Chayce Beckham (BMG Nashville), Dillon Carmichael (Riser House), Corey Kent (Sony Music Nashville/RCA), Megan Moroney (Sony Music Nashville/Columbia), Conner Smith (The Valory Music Co.) and Warren Zeiders (Warner Music Nashville).
Co-partnered by the Academy of Country Music and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the New Faces of Country Music Show has been a hallmark event at CRS for over five decades. It showcases five emerging artists who have achieved significant success at country radio during the qualification period. For 2024, the qualification period spans from Nov. 1, 2022, to Oct. 31, 2023.
“Even as other formats become more transient, the country community’s commitment to developing artists for the long term remains. All these artists are prime examples, and the five who will be voted in as New Faces join a storied lineage to that effect,” shares Chuck Aly, CRS New Faces Committee Chairman.
Voting for the Class of 2024 will be open from Monday, Nov. 27, to Friday, Dec. 1, at countryradioseminar.com. The final lineup for the New Faces Show will be determined based on the five acts with the most votes.
Eligible voters must be full-time employees primarily involved in the programming, promotion and distribution of country music. This includes professionals from broadcast radio, satellite radio, television outlets and digital service providers while excluding those with vested interests in individual artists or musical works, such as labels, managers, agents and publishers.
Dylan Gossett Signs With Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Joey Moi (Partner/Producer/President of A&R, Big Loud), Seth England (CEO/Partner, Big Loud), Miranda Lambert (Partner, Big Loud Texas), Dylan Gossett, Jon Randall (President of A&R, Big Loud Texas), Tyler Arnold (President, Mercury Records) and Alex Coslov (EVP, Republic Marketing Strategy/Head of Marketing, Mercury Records); (L-R, back row): Candice Watkins (SVP of Marketing, Big Loud Records), Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud), Sara Knabe (SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records), Patch Culbertson (SVP/GM, Big Loud Records), Stacy Blythe (SVP of Radio Promotion, Big Loud Records), Matt Buser (Entertainment Attorney, Buser Legal), Federico Morris (Director A&R, Range Media Partners), Matt Graham (Managing Partner, Range Media Partners), Sam Katz (Manager, Homebase Management), Shawn McSpadden (Managing Partner, Range Media Partners Nashville), Jake Levensohn (Manager A&R, Mercury Records) and Lucy Bartozzi (VP of Marketing, Big Loud Records). Photo: Brayln Kelly
Texas singer-songwriter Dylan Gossett has signed with Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records in collaboration with Range Media Partners.
The announcement follows the recent release of his debut EP No Better Time last month, and the release of his single “Coal,” which has gathered over 50 million streams to date. “Coal” recently climbed to No. 35 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart and No. 24 on Billboard‘s Country Digital Song Sales chart, cracked the top 5 on Spotify’s Global and U.S. Viral 50 Charts, and peaked at No. 14 on the iTunes Country Chart and No. 36 on the All Genres Chart shortly after its release.
Written, recorded, produced and mixed by Gossett himself in his bedroom, No Better Time showcases the breadth of the Austin native’s talents. It debuted at No. 7 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart this week, and also features fan favorites “Beneath Oak Trees” and “Flip A Coin.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Dylan into the Mercury family,” says Tyler Arnold, President of Mercury Records. “He’s an incredible artist and songwriter, and it’s been a really memorable process getting to know him over the last few months. We truly believe he’s going to be a game changing artist for this generation.”
Miranda Lambert, Partner, Big Loud Texas says, “When I first heard Dylan’s song ‘Coal,’ I played it a few times because I wanted to catch all the ways he was sharing his life with us. To write and deliver something that is complex yet elegant lyrically and to also make it vulnerable is an art. After Jon [Randall] and I spent time with Dylan, we both agreed he is an artist Big Loud Texas was created to champion and support.”
“Dylan’s the kind of artist we are passionate about developing and investing in at Big Loud—a songwriter’s songwriter and incredible vocal talent who’s got something compelling to say through his music,” says Seth England, CEO/ Partner, Big Loud. “Thrilled to have him as the flagship artist launching our newest venture, Big Loud Texas, and honored to be part of telling his story.”
“After releasing ‘Coal,’ Sam Katz, Federico Morris and I quickly realized we wanted to find the right kind of partner to jump in and help amplify the velocity of the song and clear a path for a unique artist who clearly draws his inspiration from his Texas country roots, but showed a clear desire to cross genres and have global appeal,” says Matt Graham, Managing Partner, Range Media Partners. “Mercury and Big Loud have both shown an ability to do this with their clients. The idea really appealed to Dylan, particularly when the opportunity to be the first artist on Big Loud Texas was put forward as a possibility. We couldn’t be happier with how it’s come together, and look forward to a tremendous partnership on a genre breaking artist.”
Gossett grew up in Austin and taught himself guitar in middle school. In between listening to classics from Alan Jackson, George Strait, Journey, The Eagles, Scorpions and Boston, he immersed himself in the records by Turnpike Troubadours, Flatland Cavalry and Cody Johnson. Throughout this college days at Texas A&M University, he never stopped playing and singing. In spring 2023, Gossett began posting his music online, eventually gaining traction with a cover of Flatland Cavalry. He first caught fire with his debut single “To Be Free,” which exploded on TikTok and amassed nearly six million Spotify streams to date.
Dierks Bentley Partners With WithCo Beverage Company
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Joshua Ellis (Co-Founder, WithCo), Dierks Bentley, Bradley Ryan (Co-Founder, WithCo). Photo: Evan Davies
Dierks Bentley has joined forces with Nashville-based beverage company WithCo Cocktails in order to bring their non-alcoholic cocktail mixes, made of only fresh juices and real botanicals, to a bigger market nationwide.
The collection includes nine signature blends, including Bouquet, Espresso Martini, Ellis Old Fashioned, Agave Margarita, Hey Girl, Bloody Mary, Ginger Mule, Honey Sour and Paloma. The mixes can either be paired with a spirit or with soda water for a non-alcoholic option.
“Life is too short for a bad cocktail,” says Bentley. “When I first discovered WithCo during the pandemic, we kept it stocked at the house and then when we went back to work, I added it to my rider on the road too. We do a lot of entertaining, and I don’t want anyone to not enjoy their drink. WithCo totally takes the guesswork out of it.”
“We started WithCo with a dual purpose in mind,” shares co-founder Joshua Ellis. “We were tired of mediocre cocktails packed with additives, concentrates and nonsense ingredients, so we set out to raise the bar. Secondly, we recognized that life is just better in good company. So we adopted the simple name ‘WithCo,’ short for ‘With Company.’ Our mission? To encourage people to gather around and build community, one cocktail at a time.”
WithCo products can be purchased at Target and Sprouts stores nationwide, as well online at WithCoCocktails.com.
Zach Bryan Partners With Bud Light For Super Bowl Concert & 2024 Backyard Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughZach Bryan. Photo: Trevor Pavlik
Zach Bryan has partnered with Bud Light and will headline the brand’s concert event during Super Bowl LVIII weekend on Feb. 9 at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
“Anheuser-Busch and our brands have brought unparalleled experiences to football fans and to country music lovers for decades. We could not be more excited to partner with Zach Bryan and to showcase his all-star talent during Super Bowl LVIII weekend,” says Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch. “All of us at Anheuser-Busch are thrilled to work alongside Zach to bring positive experiences to country music fans and to local communities nationwide.”
Bud Light will also kick off the second year of their “Bud Light Backyard Tour” with “The Bud Light Backyard Tour Presents Zach Bryan.” Additional partnership initiatives will include promotional giveaways and an integration with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders.
“I’ve been drinking Bud Light since I was old enough to drink and partnering with them now after all the songs I’ve written while swigging them is full circle for me,” says Bryan. “When Bud Light asked if I would be involved, I didn’t hesitate after I learned the immense amount of support going into Folds of Honor, fallen service members, first responders’ families and loved ones. It is a privilege and honor to provide help in any way to veterans and all the people who make this country as great as it can possibly be.”
Growing up in a military household, Bryan went on to serve in the U.S. Navy for eight years before pursuing a career in music and accruing over three billion global streams and counting. His self-titled album landed in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart earlier this year.
Austin Snell Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Liza AndersonAustin Snell during his Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Emma Golden
Country artist Austin Snell made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday (Nov. 14).
Pictured (L-R): River House Artists’ Zebb Luster, Grand Ole Opry’s Jordan Pettit, Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy, Austin Snell, Warner Music Nashville’s Stephanie Davenport and Grand Ole Opry’s Jenn Tressler
Snell performed his self-penned track “Pray All The Way Home” as well as a cover of “Wasting All These Tears,” bringing a blend of country and grunge into the circle.
“I for one have struggled with self confidence my whole life, I’ve struggled with believing in myself and believing that I belong…I can honestly say looking out tonight man, for once in my life, I finally feel like I belong somewhere. I feel like I belong in country music, and it’s all thanks to God,” he said to the crowd.
Snell will release a a stripped-down version of “Pray All The Way Home” tomorrow (Nov. 17).
The MLC Introduces New Toolkit For Legal Professionals
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Mechanical Licensing Collective has released a comprehensive toolkit from The MLC’s Educational Partnerships team, tailored to assist legal advisors and members of the music publishing community in finding answers to their frequently asked questions pertaining to The MLC.
The MLC’s Lawyer Toolkit brings together helpful information and organizes it in a way to provide legal advisors with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the world of mechanical licensing and royalties efficiently.
Key features of The MLC’s Lawyer Toolkit include:
The purpose of the materials is to offer general information about The MLC and is not intended to provide legal advice, and nothing contained within the materials should be construed as legal advice. The toolkit can be accessed here.
Brooklyn Basement Records Relaunches As Brooklyn Basement, Adds Divisions
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Gracie Moore, Susan Hamilton, Blair Clark, Grey Gordon, Ron Pope
Brooklyn Basement Records has officially relaunched as Brooklyn Basement.
The company, which has locations in Brooklyn and Nashville, was founded in 2015 in a basement apartment in Brooklyn by music manager Blair Clark and Platinum artist Ron Pope as an indie record label. The company expanded in 2018 to offer creative/artist services.
In its new iteration, Brooklyn Basement will comprise three divisions: Brooklyn Basement Management, Brooklyn Basement Records and Brooklyn Basement & Co—the latter being the relaunched artist services division. Clark will oversee all three divisions and Nashville-based publicist Susan Hamilton will be heading up Publicity and New Business for Brooklyn Basement & Co. Grey Gordon, Brooklyn Basement’s Director of Creative & Digital, will lead the Brooklyn office.
“Watching Brooklyn Basement evolve into what it is today has truly been magic—Ron and I legitimately started Brooklyn Basement Records in a basement in Brooklyn,” says Clark. “I moved to Nashville eight years ago and have been so inspired by like-minded companies in the community—there’s a kinship and a scrappy attitude here that keeps me on my toes and pushes me forward. I started in the business as an independent artist manager and I continue to approach every project with that same DIY mentality. I’ve seen a paradigm shift in the industry lately and recognize that artists need options—and that’s what these three divisions deliver.”
The Brooklyn Basement Management Division includes artists Pope, Miko Marks, Emily Scott Robinson and newly-signed Brandy Zdan, who will be working with Clark and Nashville-based day-to-day manager Gracie Moore. Zdan is an up-and-coming producer and Juno Award-nominated artist who is part of a new class of non-country and Americana acts coming out of Nashville.
Brooklyn Basement & Co, whose roster includes Pope, Marks, Jolie Holland, Melissa Carper, Thunderstorm Artis, Kyshona and more, along with nonprofits like Girls Write Nashville and Your Song, will support albums for artists Robby Hecht, Crow and Gazelle and others in 2024.
Brooklyn Basement & Co will also be the official distribution and marketing partner for Redtone Records.
Caylee Hammack To Host New Radio Show On SiriusXM
/by Lorie HollabaughCapitol Records Nashville artist Caylee Hammack has been tapped to host her own radio show on SiriusXM on Prime Country (Channel 58).
Hammack appeared on SiriusXM’s Highway Mornings with Cody Alan & Macie Banks to announce the new show, which will air Fridays from 2-5 p.m. CT, with replays on Saturdays at 4 p.m. CT and Tuesdays at 11 p.m. CT.
Known for her personality and ability to tell stories through her songs and social media, Hammack will bring her passion for country music and its history to her new show. She will curate her favorite songs from the ’80s and ’90s and share stories during the three-hour program.
“To have a platform to share the stories behind the music that made me fall in love with this genre and to dive into those stories with friends in the future episodes…well, it’s an exciting journey to start down memory lane. Buckle in, y’all,” shared Hammack.
Hammack’s most recent releases are “History Of Repeating” and “All Or Nothing” from her forthcoming sophomore album. Earlier this year, she performed at the C2C Festival with shows in London, Dublin and Glasgow and was an opener on Dierks Bentley’s “Gravel & Gold Tour.” Hammack was also recently featured on several tracks from Ashley McBryde’s album Lindeville including “Brenda Put Your Bra On,” “Bonfire At Tina’s” and “When Will I Be Loved.”
The Castellows Announce 21-City Tour For 2024
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Castellows
The Castellows are kicking off a 21-city tour in February. In advance of the new tour, the trio has released a cover of Levon Helm‘s classic “Hurricane.”
They will visit Birmingham, Ann Arbor, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Lexington, Shreveport, Tulsa and more through June, with additional dates to be added. Tour presale today (Nov. 15),with a general sales set for this Friday (Nov. 17). For more information, click here.
Last month, the group released their debut song, “No. 7 Road,” via Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records. Comprised of sisters Ellie (lead guitar), Powell (banjo) and Lily (vocals), the trio hails from Georgetown, Georgia, but now call Nashville home. They are currently working with veteran producer Trina Shoemaker on their debut project.
“The Castellows On Tour ’24” Dates:
Feb. 17 – Little Rock, AR – Little Rock Hall (with Josh Abbott Band)
Feb. 22 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
Feb. 23 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
Feb. 24 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
March 7 – Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s
March 8 – Chattanooga, TN – The Barrelhouse Ballroom
March 9 – Bainbridge, GA – Bainbridge Amphitheater
March 13 – Oxford, OH – Brick Street
March 14 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig
March 15 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland
March 16 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi
March 21 – Lexington, KY – The Burl Arcade
March 22 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House Music Hall
April 11 – Fort Worth, TX – Tulips FTW
April 12 – Shreveport, LA – Louisiana Grandstand
April 13 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston
April 18 – Tulsa, OK – Venue Shrine
April 19 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
April 20 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn 2024
April 27 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live (with Flatland Calvary)
June 29 – Cadott, WI – Country Fest
My Music Row Story: CMT’s Margaret Comeaux
/by LB CantrellMargaret Comeaux
As Senior Vice President of Music and Events Production for CMT, Margaret Comeaux oversees the creation, development and production of music and live event specials for the network. She serves as Executive Producer in charge of such hits as the annual CMT Music Awards, the critically-acclaimed CMT Crossroads series, CMT Giants and the exciting new event CMT Smashing Glass: A Celebration of the Groundbreaking Women of Music.
Since its 2002 inception, Comeaux has worked on more than 80 episodes of CMT Crossroads, working with some of the biggest names in music across genres. Comeaux has also worked on the CMT Music Awards, which is the highest-rated show on the network annually and stands apart from other awards shows for its water-cooler moments and diverse mix of musical talent and Hollywood celebrities.
Her credits include other CMT series and specials, such as CMT Presents The Judds: Love Is Alive – The Final Concert, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Loretta Lynn, CMT Giants, CMT Campfire Sessions, CMT Summer Camp: Little Big Town, CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party Live From the College Football Playoff National Championship, CMT Artists of the Year, CMT Cross Country, Jimmy Buffett and Friends Live from the Gulf Coast, Music Builds and CMT Outlaws, to name a few.
Prior to joining CMT in 2000, Comeaux served as a video editor and Associate Producer at High Five Entertainment/Music City Digital in Nashville. She received her Bachelor’s degree at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and is a member of the CMA, ACM, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS), National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and Producers Guild of America. Her honors include BANFF 2013 Best Music & Variety Program for the 2013 CMT Music Awards, and she is a MTSU College of Media and Entertainment Wall Of Fame Inductee (2014) and Nashville Business Journal’s Women in Music City Award recipient (2019).
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana in the heart of cajun country. I was there until I moved here to Tennessee when I was about 21.
Music City Digital’s Jeff Cronenberg, Andreas Kouris, Kathryn Russ, Brian McNamara and Margaret Comeaux. Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
What brought you here?
School did. I spent my first two years of college at LSU and then took a little bit of a break. During that break, I had gone to New York to be a nanny for the summer. Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, it was like my world just opened up. I always loved movies and television growing up—it was a passion—but I don’t think I ever really realized that there was a job in that for me and that was going to be my future.
I ended up going back to school. I took an Introduction to Mass Communications class in Louisiana, and the professor I had at the time said, “If this is really something you want to do, you should go to MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.” My dad and my stepmother had already moved here my senior year of high school, so I went ahead and came here. I started in school and found what I loved.
What was your time at MTSU like?
One of my really great mentors that I found when I got to MTSU was Mary Nichols. She was my advisor and she did a lot of things in the Nashville community. Once I connected with her, I got to [be a production assistant (PA)] and everything for a bunch of different shows. We would be talent escorts at the CMA Awards, PAs on music videos and all of those different things. I actually never did an internship because I was really lucky enough to be able to find production assistant work. When I graduated from there, I was able to pick up where I had started during college. It was great.
Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
What was your next step after graduation?
I went to work for High Five Entertainment. Eventually they started a post-production facility called Music City Digital, so I was an assistant editor there and then started editing. I learned from some really fantastic editors, producers and directors. It was the basis for what I do today. I’m lucky enough to work with all of those guys occasionally, so that’s nice.
[During that time] we did a series for TNN called Monday Night Concert at the Ryman. It had various names throughout the years, but Ricky Skaggs was the host. It was incredible. There were so many artists, both out-of-genre and in country. They did CBS Christmas specials and all kinds of things. I really was exposed to a lot of incredible content and content creators at the time.
Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
How did you get to CMT?
I was at Music City Digital for a while. I started doing post-production supervising for some of the award shows, like the Music City News Awards and the Dove Awards. I started learning a lot about that process, and that was really fun. I loved it. I guess we all come from a base in the creative world. You could start in the script department or many different places. For me, post-production and editing is my home. It’s where I learned my storytelling skills and honed my craft.
When I left there, I did freelance for a little while and then I had a former boss call me to come into CMT to work on the very first Crossroads as the Post Supervisor. I came in and I worked on that show. I was a freelancer at CMT for probably a year and 21 years later, here I am.
Everyone obviously has their own path, but for me, I’m really proud of the longevity that I’ve been able to have in my career, from starting out as a post-production supervisor to now be SVP of Music and Events. [I’m proud to be] doing what I’m doing and trying to lead here with Leslie Fram. My time at at CMT has been incredible.
Margaret Comeaux, Patti LaBelle, Sheryl Crow, Tanya Tucker and Leslie Fram. Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
What do you love about your job?
I would consider myself a serial collaborator. I love collaboration. There’s nothing more enjoyable to me than watching the teams that we’ve assembled over the years come together and create some really magical moments, from the Crossroads that we do each year to bringing back Storytellers, a brand that was on VH1 that we brought to CMT [as well as] the CMT Music Awards and then obviously creating this new tentpole event with CMT Smashing Glass—it’s a dream come true. It’s really exciting to do these things and create new events, and obviously celebrating the females in music is incredibly exciting and rewarding.
Smashing Glass premieres tonight (Nov. 15) at 8 p.m. CT. What can you tell me about that special?
Leslie and I set out with a mission to make 2023 a year of celebrating women in music on CMT. We were thoughtful in the things that we were booking and the directions that we wanted to take with some of the shows. We started talking to Patrizia DiMaria, Michelle Mahoney and Lauren Quinn about Smashing Glass. We spent our time developing that over the year and it just came to life.
To walk around that building [during taping] and feel the energy—and seeing the pride on everyone’s face in this thing we had all joined together to create—there’s just nothing like it. It was incredible to stand there with Tanya Tucker, Patti LaBelle and Billie Jean King—these are moments you can’t even begin to imagine in your career. All of those ladies were just so incredible.
Margaret Comeaux & Leslie Fram. Photo: Courtesy of Margaret Comeaux
Who have been some of your mentors through the years?
My parents were my first and greatest mentors. They taught me to believe that I could do anything I set my mind to. To this day they are the first people I go to when I need advice and they are the first texts I receive after any show I work on airs. I would not and could not be the person I am today without their love and support.
I mentioned her early on, but Mary Nichols. She means the world to me. One of the first things I did when I got to MTSU was PA at The Judds‘ final concert. Mary got us on that. So, when we went back and did the concert with Wynonna last year, I was able to reach out to Mary—who had since retired—and she came and worked on the show. That was a full circle moment.
Beyond that, I’ve had some great bosses and have been really been lucky to work with people in the industry here, like Martin Fischer, who was my first boss at High Five Entertainment. Sarah Brock was the person that brought me in at CMT. Obviously working side by side with someone like Leslie Fram is wonderful. It’s been an honor in my career to stand next to her at CMT and try to make the channel what it is right now.
What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Follow your gut. It’s also about staying current with the things that are there and never being afraid to ask about something and learn something new. I’ve been at CMT for 21 years, but I have more to learn. I think [it’s about] knowing that you always have more to learn and that you never reach a saturation point for that. You continue to learn new things, and it’s my job to grow with the industry. Just because it’s always been done a certain way doesn’t mean that that’s where we should continue. I think you have to ask the questions.
What’s a moment that you’ve had that your kid self would think is so cool?
There were so many of them. We were doing the documentary portion of Crossroads with Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers. It was back at Cafe 123, which isn’t there anymore. We walked in and there was piano in the corner, and Lionel Richie was sitting at the piano playing “Sail On.” I thought I was going to pass out. [Laughs] I’ve always been a Lionel Richie fan—he was one of my first concerts that I ever went to. It was a dream come true, and I was like, “Wow, this is what I get to do. I’m in.”
Honestly, it still happens. Standing on a stage talking to Billie Jean King—someone who’s changed the trajectory for females in so many different formats. That’s a pinch-me moment. They continue to happen. They happened in the beginning and they still happen today.