Phil Guerini
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.
Phil Guerini is CEO of Jonas Group Entertainment. Having amassed over 25 years of experience, across three divisions and 5 businesses at the Walt Disney Company, multiple big market radio stations and major record labels, Guerini has been named a Billboard Power Player multiple times.
While at Disney, he was responsible for overseeing the music strategy of Disney Channels Worldwide networks and all aspects of programming, strategic direction, talent, label relationships, branding as General Manager for Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country businesses.
In 2013, Guerini created and launched the Radio Disney Music Awards – Music’s Biggest Event for Families and reimagined Radio Disney’s highly acclaimed NBT artist development program while supporting the career launches of Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Camila Cabello, Jonas Brothers, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes, Gabby Barrett, Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, BTS, Zendaya, Becky G and Kelsea Ballerini, among many others.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I was born in San Diego and grew up in south Florida in small town within Fort Lauderdale.
Were you into music?
I’ve been into music as long as I can remember. My father was the lead singer in the Air Force Band. We had music in our house growing up. I grew up on everything from Al Jolson to Frank Sinatra to Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass and Sergio Mendes to whatever was [on the radio]. My mother had really diverse taste, so it was really well-rounded.
Did you want to pursue music or was it just a passion at that point?
I didn’t know what it meant to pursue it per se, but like many young people, I certainly grew up with aspirations of potentially being a rockstar. By default, I fell into the path of chorus and shows. I not only loved the music and the performance of it, but I loved the community. It was like what has been showcased on shows like Glee. I was an athlete as well for a brief period, but it was a community within a larger community of similar interests and aspirations. At that point in my journey, I definitely aspired to be an artist.
What did you do after high school?
I went to college, but through a series of events, I realized that being a performing artist was not necessarily in the cards for me [even though] I had such a deep love for music. I stumbled my way into radio. That’s where it began for me—on the air. I did everything you could do at a radio station at various radio stations. From answering the phones to being on the air to programming, I did everything with the exception of sales. They wore ties and that was just so not cool. [Laughs] That set the path for me. I was close enough to what I loved. I was getting to engage with artists. I found myself in the recording studio with some of the biggest artists in south Florida at the time, who became global superstars. I was just constantly surrounded by it and loved music.
What stations were you at early in your career?
I spent a year at the University of South Georgia in a small town in Georgia, which is where I got my start in radio. Later that summer, I went back to south Florida and having no context of market size or anything about the business, I went to the radio station that I grew up on. It was the preeminent pop radio station in south Florida at the time. I just continued to pursue it until I was finally given an opportunity. The Program Director took favor on me at the time and [gave me a job] on the phones during the overnight shift. I worked my way through and connected with people and the rest is history. I did radio in south Florida and south Georgia for a period of time, and ended up working in radio in Atlanta.
What happened in Atlanta?
Being in Atlanta and having had the background that I did led to my transition into the record business. I began that path at MCA Records. At the time, we were home to Bobby Brown and we had just returned Elton John to MCA. I was part of a marketing team who developed the first ever mall tour with an artist by the name Tiffany. We toured Tiffany through malls and it blew up.
While I was at MCA, I got my first opportunity to come to Nashville. I was given an opportunity to shadow the local promotion person in an effort to move my career forward. This would’ve been in late ’80s, and at that time, MCA Records was the heart of Nashville. It was Reba McEntire, George Stait and Lyle Lovett. I wasn’t on the country side of the business—I was a pop guy in Nashville trying to get Bobby Brown, New Edition and Tiffany records played, so I didn’t have as much fun necessarily. [Laughs] I was housed off of Music Row in Tony Brown‘s office. It was an extremely memorable 12 or 16 months that I was here.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
What led to your next career move?
I spent a number of years in the record business, bouncing around to various labels as as many do. Because I was based in Atlanta, oftentimes my region would include Florida. As part of a radio promo person’s responsibility, bringing my artists through marketplaces would often include Orlando. At that time, Disney’s new Mickey Mouse Club show was being taped there, so we would bring our younger developing acts through Disney for things like that. I established a number of relationships through that, and when I was between labels, I was chatting with some friends who suggested [trying to work at Disney]. At that point, I probably had been in the business 10 years. I was under contract with Atlantic Records and my family still lived in south Florida, so I decided to go for a job at Disney.
At Disney, I was put into some various capacities that were both challenging and exciting, as well as being given opportunities that really aligned with my past experience in booking artists and doing music things. Lo and behold, what I thought was going to be a just a temporary diversion ended up being where I called home for 28 plus years.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
That’s awesome! Tell me about your path at Disney.
I started in the theme parks in Orlando, which I’m forever grateful for because that really is the heart of all things Disney. I had so many opportunities there that inevitably led to me being a talent executive, overseeing bookings and strategies on bringing talent to the theme parks for grand openings for special events. I booked the Super Bowl halftime show that was presented by Disney in 2000. I realized during that time that if I really wanted to continue to grow and have opportunities, I needed to be where the company was based and where the greater amount of opportunities were, so I moved to Burbank in 2003.
Then I started at Walt Disney Records, which is the branded label division of the Walt Disney Company. I was Head of Broadcast Marketing Synergy and held a number of different capacities while there. I was blessed and fortunate to be there during a special period of time and to have been part of projects like High School Musical. I brought the Jonas Brothers to the Walt Disney Company and helped launch them, as well as [shows like] Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, Camp Rock and more.
What was next?
While I thoroughly loved that chapter and all of those opportunities, I aspired to have greater influence in the broader marketplace. I was given two opportunities: one was to go work within the Walt Disney Company for the Jonas Brothers and one was to go to Radio Disney. I had been part of Radio Disney’s launch back at the parks as it was coming into fruition, and [as I had learned in my early career], I felt this connection with radio and felt that I could really create something special there.
I entered Radio Disney as the Head of Marketing under one General Manager but within about six to nine months, I became the General Manager. I set a course from there to grow the business exponentially and expand into the country space with Radio Disney Country. To this day, that is probably one of my fondest achievements.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
Is that what brought you back to Nashville?
Someone whom I worked with at Walt Disney Records and a dear friend of mine who now runs the ACM, Damon Whiteside, had come to Nashville to work for the CMAs.
At the same time, I had just gone through one probably one of the most difficult periods in my professional career, which was assessing the Radio Disney business, how would it continue to grow and how would it move forward. That was cumbersome, emotional and difficult, and we had to make the difficult decision to divest the majority of our stations. Immediately we became profitable, as we had anticipated, but we had to say goodbye to a lot of friends and great people. The next question was what were we going to do next to grow the business.
It took a bit of selling [to create Radio Disney Country] because of the perception that country music is about heartbreak and drinking, which wouldn’t work with Disney, but at its core, the country music community is family. That aligned with the Walt Disney Company 100%. So armed with that and some very valuable insights that Damon and the CMA were able to provide to us, we made ultimately the decision to pursue Radio Disney Country. We were focused on supporting younger artists, similar to that of Radio Disney, as well tremendously underserved acts, such as female artists.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
What led to you joining Jonas Group Entertainment (JGE)?
We had had the most amazing, albeit brief, run at Radio Disney Country. We launched a few careers or certainly were instrumental in supporting some artists. Through that period, I was re-ensconced in Nashville, the community, the connection and the specialness of what this community is. Fast forward, [we decided] to sunset that business. We were heading into the pandemic and I was contemplating what that would look like.
I was living in Los Angeles still at the time, but I decided to come and spend a little time in Nashville while contemplating what was going to be next. I was fortunate to be presented with a number of great opportunities. I reconnected with Kevin Jonas Sr., who is the Founder of JGE. He was kind enough at that pivotal moment to call. He said, “I’m really just calling to say thank you for your support of the guys for all the years. You were instrumental at so many points. What are you doing now?”
We had some conversations that continued to evolve. I left the Disney company on April 30th and joined the Jonas Group on May 19th. It’s been an incredible transition that’s still a work in progress but we’re so tremendously excited about what’s ahead.
What are your goals now as CEO of Jonas Group Entertainment?
We’re still in a transition stage. I obviously inherited an infrastructure that has been in place for a while. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to partner with Kevin in this next chapter. We are evaluating the business that we were doing and what might be ahead of us. We’ve been in the process of really transforming and evolving the artist management side of the business. We are also in the TV and film business, as well as the consumer products business. We recently renewed out commitment to our publishing business, bringing in Leslie DiPiero. There are more exciting announcements that are still in the planning stages.
I hope that, when all is said and done, we can create and foster a community of creatives that can come together, irrespective of what publishing company or label they may work with. That really is a result of my time at Disney and recognizing that the sum of the parts is always greater when working together.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
Who have been some of your mentors?
I’ve been so blessed throughout my career to have so many mentors, but I may look at mentors different than many. I look at people in general as mentors. They’re not necessarily seniors to me. The mentors in my personal and professional life are those that set the example, those who inspire me, those who are optimistic and those who approach life and work with a sense of “We’re going to get through this together as a team.”
What is some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
The best advice I’ve gotten was from my father, who I unfortunately lost when I was 13. During the short years we had together, he both embodied and communicated the message that if you can pursue the things that you love, you never feel like you work a day in life. I am living proof that this is indeed the case. People often will consider my life unbalanced and wonder where the sleep comes in. My only response is that. I love every minute of it.
When you look back on your career, how do you feel?
The only word to describe my life is blessed. I’ve had blessing upon blessing that is far greater than I ever deserved. I’m blessed to be surrounded by, supported by and given opportunities by amazing people.
My Music Row Story: Jonas Group Entertainment’s Phil Guerini
/by LB CantrellPhil Guerini
Phil Guerini is CEO of Jonas Group Entertainment. Having amassed over 25 years of experience, across three divisions and 5 businesses at the Walt Disney Company, multiple big market radio stations and major record labels, Guerini has been named a Billboard Power Player multiple times.
While at Disney, he was responsible for overseeing the music strategy of Disney Channels Worldwide networks and all aspects of programming, strategic direction, talent, label relationships, branding as General Manager for Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country businesses.
In 2013, Guerini created and launched the Radio Disney Music Awards – Music’s Biggest Event for Families and reimagined Radio Disney’s highly acclaimed NBT artist development program while supporting the career launches of Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Camila Cabello, Jonas Brothers, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes, Gabby Barrett, Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, BTS, Zendaya, Becky G and Kelsea Ballerini, among many others.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I was born in San Diego and grew up in south Florida in small town within Fort Lauderdale.
Were you into music?
I’ve been into music as long as I can remember. My father was the lead singer in the Air Force Band. We had music in our house growing up. I grew up on everything from Al Jolson to Frank Sinatra to Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass and Sergio Mendes to whatever was [on the radio]. My mother had really diverse taste, so it was really well-rounded.
Did you want to pursue music or was it just a passion at that point?
I didn’t know what it meant to pursue it per se, but like many young people, I certainly grew up with aspirations of potentially being a rockstar. By default, I fell into the path of chorus and shows. I not only loved the music and the performance of it, but I loved the community. It was like what has been showcased on shows like Glee. I was an athlete as well for a brief period, but it was a community within a larger community of similar interests and aspirations. At that point in my journey, I definitely aspired to be an artist.
What did you do after high school?
I went to college, but through a series of events, I realized that being a performing artist was not necessarily in the cards for me [even though] I had such a deep love for music. I stumbled my way into radio. That’s where it began for me—on the air. I did everything you could do at a radio station at various radio stations. From answering the phones to being on the air to programming, I did everything with the exception of sales. They wore ties and that was just so not cool. [Laughs] That set the path for me. I was close enough to what I loved. I was getting to engage with artists. I found myself in the recording studio with some of the biggest artists in south Florida at the time, who became global superstars. I was just constantly surrounded by it and loved music.
What stations were you at early in your career?
I spent a year at the University of South Georgia in a small town in Georgia, which is where I got my start in radio. Later that summer, I went back to south Florida and having no context of market size or anything about the business, I went to the radio station that I grew up on. It was the preeminent pop radio station in south Florida at the time. I just continued to pursue it until I was finally given an opportunity. The Program Director took favor on me at the time and [gave me a job] on the phones during the overnight shift. I worked my way through and connected with people and the rest is history. I did radio in south Florida and south Georgia for a period of time, and ended up working in radio in Atlanta.
What happened in Atlanta?
Being in Atlanta and having had the background that I did led to my transition into the record business. I began that path at MCA Records. At the time, we were home to Bobby Brown and we had just returned Elton John to MCA. I was part of a marketing team who developed the first ever mall tour with an artist by the name Tiffany. We toured Tiffany through malls and it blew up.
While I was at MCA, I got my first opportunity to come to Nashville. I was given an opportunity to shadow the local promotion person in an effort to move my career forward. This would’ve been in late ’80s, and at that time, MCA Records was the heart of Nashville. It was Reba McEntire, George Stait and Lyle Lovett. I wasn’t on the country side of the business—I was a pop guy in Nashville trying to get Bobby Brown, New Edition and Tiffany records played, so I didn’t have as much fun necessarily. [Laughs] I was housed off of Music Row in Tony Brown‘s office. It was an extremely memorable 12 or 16 months that I was here.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
What led to your next career move?
I spent a number of years in the record business, bouncing around to various labels as as many do. Because I was based in Atlanta, oftentimes my region would include Florida. As part of a radio promo person’s responsibility, bringing my artists through marketplaces would often include Orlando. At that time, Disney’s new Mickey Mouse Club show was being taped there, so we would bring our younger developing acts through Disney for things like that. I established a number of relationships through that, and when I was between labels, I was chatting with some friends who suggested [trying to work at Disney]. At that point, I probably had been in the business 10 years. I was under contract with Atlantic Records and my family still lived in south Florida, so I decided to go for a job at Disney.
At Disney, I was put into some various capacities that were both challenging and exciting, as well as being given opportunities that really aligned with my past experience in booking artists and doing music things. Lo and behold, what I thought was going to be a just a temporary diversion ended up being where I called home for 28 plus years.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
That’s awesome! Tell me about your path at Disney.
I started in the theme parks in Orlando, which I’m forever grateful for because that really is the heart of all things Disney. I had so many opportunities there that inevitably led to me being a talent executive, overseeing bookings and strategies on bringing talent to the theme parks for grand openings for special events. I booked the Super Bowl halftime show that was presented by Disney in 2000. I realized during that time that if I really wanted to continue to grow and have opportunities, I needed to be where the company was based and where the greater amount of opportunities were, so I moved to Burbank in 2003.
Then I started at Walt Disney Records, which is the branded label division of the Walt Disney Company. I was Head of Broadcast Marketing Synergy and held a number of different capacities while there. I was blessed and fortunate to be there during a special period of time and to have been part of projects like High School Musical. I brought the Jonas Brothers to the Walt Disney Company and helped launch them, as well as [shows like] Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, Camp Rock and more.
What was next?
While I thoroughly loved that chapter and all of those opportunities, I aspired to have greater influence in the broader marketplace. I was given two opportunities: one was to go work within the Walt Disney Company for the Jonas Brothers and one was to go to Radio Disney. I had been part of Radio Disney’s launch back at the parks as it was coming into fruition, and [as I had learned in my early career], I felt this connection with radio and felt that I could really create something special there.
I entered Radio Disney as the Head of Marketing under one General Manager but within about six to nine months, I became the General Manager. I set a course from there to grow the business exponentially and expand into the country space with Radio Disney Country. To this day, that is probably one of my fondest achievements.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
Is that what brought you back to Nashville?
Someone whom I worked with at Walt Disney Records and a dear friend of mine who now runs the ACM, Damon Whiteside, had come to Nashville to work for the CMAs.
At the same time, I had just gone through one probably one of the most difficult periods in my professional career, which was assessing the Radio Disney business, how would it continue to grow and how would it move forward. That was cumbersome, emotional and difficult, and we had to make the difficult decision to divest the majority of our stations. Immediately we became profitable, as we had anticipated, but we had to say goodbye to a lot of friends and great people. The next question was what were we going to do next to grow the business.
It took a bit of selling [to create Radio Disney Country] because of the perception that country music is about heartbreak and drinking, which wouldn’t work with Disney, but at its core, the country music community is family. That aligned with the Walt Disney Company 100%. So armed with that and some very valuable insights that Damon and the CMA were able to provide to us, we made ultimately the decision to pursue Radio Disney Country. We were focused on supporting younger artists, similar to that of Radio Disney, as well tremendously underserved acts, such as female artists.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
What led to you joining Jonas Group Entertainment (JGE)?
We had had the most amazing, albeit brief, run at Radio Disney Country. We launched a few careers or certainly were instrumental in supporting some artists. Through that period, I was re-ensconced in Nashville, the community, the connection and the specialness of what this community is. Fast forward, [we decided] to sunset that business. We were heading into the pandemic and I was contemplating what that would look like.
I was living in Los Angeles still at the time, but I decided to come and spend a little time in Nashville while contemplating what was going to be next. I was fortunate to be presented with a number of great opportunities. I reconnected with Kevin Jonas Sr., who is the Founder of JGE. He was kind enough at that pivotal moment to call. He said, “I’m really just calling to say thank you for your support of the guys for all the years. You were instrumental at so many points. What are you doing now?”
We had some conversations that continued to evolve. I left the Disney company on April 30th and joined the Jonas Group on May 19th. It’s been an incredible transition that’s still a work in progress but we’re so tremendously excited about what’s ahead.
What are your goals now as CEO of Jonas Group Entertainment?
We’re still in a transition stage. I obviously inherited an infrastructure that has been in place for a while. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to partner with Kevin in this next chapter. We are evaluating the business that we were doing and what might be ahead of us. We’ve been in the process of really transforming and evolving the artist management side of the business. We are also in the TV and film business, as well as the consumer products business. We recently renewed out commitment to our publishing business, bringing in Leslie DiPiero. There are more exciting announcements that are still in the planning stages.
I hope that, when all is said and done, we can create and foster a community of creatives that can come together, irrespective of what publishing company or label they may work with. That really is a result of my time at Disney and recognizing that the sum of the parts is always greater when working together.
Photo: Courtesy of Phil Guerini
Who have been some of your mentors?
I’ve been so blessed throughout my career to have so many mentors, but I may look at mentors different than many. I look at people in general as mentors. They’re not necessarily seniors to me. The mentors in my personal and professional life are those that set the example, those who inspire me, those who are optimistic and those who approach life and work with a sense of “We’re going to get through this together as a team.”
What is some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
The best advice I’ve gotten was from my father, who I unfortunately lost when I was 13. During the short years we had together, he both embodied and communicated the message that if you can pursue the things that you love, you never feel like you work a day in life. I am living proof that this is indeed the case. People often will consider my life unbalanced and wonder where the sleep comes in. My only response is that. I love every minute of it.
When you look back on your career, how do you feel?
The only word to describe my life is blessed. I’ve had blessing upon blessing that is far greater than I ever deserved. I’m blessed to be surrounded by, supported by and given opportunities by amazing people.
Keith Urban To Return As Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament Presenting Sponsor
/by Liza AndersonKeith Urban
Keith Urban will return as Presenting Sponsor of the Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament (MRLGT) for the seventh consecutive year.
The Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament (MRLGT) is one of the Nashville music community’s longest-running charity events. With hundreds of industry professionals and artists participating each year throughout its 36-year history, the tournament has raised over $2.45 million for United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Middle Tennessee.
Nashville-based boutique investment and development firm E3 Construction Services has once again signed on as Tournament Host. Longtime supporters ASCAP and Tim McGraw will serve as Title Sponsors alongside Warner Music Nashville, an original MRLGT Title Sponsor.
The 36th annual MRLGT will take place on Monday, Aug. 14 at Old Natchez Country Club. Registration is now open and team space is extremely limited. For more information, click here or contact Suzanne Lee at mrlgtnash@gmail.com.
‘You Got Gold: Celebrating The Songs Of John Prine’ Returns In October
/by Lorie HollabaughThe second annual “You Got Gold: Celebrating the Songs of John Prine” will take place this October in Nashville, with shows at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater (Oct. 8), The Basement East (Oct. 9) and the Ryman (Oct. 10, Prine’s birthday).
The three-day affair will feature performances by an array of surprise artists, celebrating not only Prine’s esteemed career, but also the community he built over the past 50 years, and will benefit The Hello in There Foundation. Tickets for all three shows will go on sale to the public this Friday, June 30. Full ticket details can be found at yougotgold.johnprine.com/
“The time I spent with John on the road made one thing very clear—the community he helped create was always, and remains, at the heart of the music and the work we continue to do every day,” says Fiona Prine. “I’m so happy that ‘You Got Gold’ will now become an annual event to ensure that we maintain that connection and grow our beloved community. I look forward to seeing everyone back in Nashville this October, to celebrate John’s songs and help further the work of the Hello in There Foundation.”
Last year’s “You Got Gold” tribute raised nearly $500,000 for the Hello in There Foundation and featured performances by Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris and more. Established by the Prine family, the work of the Hello In There Foundation is inspired by John’s simple song title, “Hello In There.” The Foundation aims to identify and collaborate with individuals and communities where people are marginalized, discriminated against or, for any reason, are otherwise forgotten. Benefitting organizations for the 2023 “You Got Gold” concerts include the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Porter’s Call, Renewal House and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
Additionally, proceeds from the CMA Theater show will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “Words & Music” program, which is expected to reach more than 10,000 students through a songwriting curriculum that improves literacy and social-emotional learning. In addition to supporting the museum’s educational mission, the gift will honor the memory of Peter Cooper, who served as the museum’s Senior Director, Producer and Writer, and was also an award-winning music journalist, author, Grammy-nominated producer, recording musician, songwriter and father.
Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum To Open New Patty Loveless Exhibit
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Music Hall of Fame member-elect Patty Loveless‘ career will be highlighted in a brand new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, “Patty Loveless: No Trouble with the Truth,” opening Aug. 23.
Running through October 2024, “Patty Loveless: No Trouble with the Truth” will trace Loveless’ story from musical prodigy to Grammy-winning country star who carried forward the sounds of her Appalachian roots. It will include stage wear, tour memorabilia, manuscripts, instruments, photos, videos, posters and more. Examples of items to be displayed include:
“My journey into a career of music all started out on an Epiphone acoustic guitar my father bought for me in 1969,” says Loveless. “As a 12-year-old, I didn’t want to set the world on fire, I just wanted to play and sing music. By the age of 14, I wrote ‘Sounds of Loneliness’ and ‘I Did’ on this guitar, two songs that in 1986 ended up on my debut album for MCA records. Now that guitar will be displayed in my exhibit of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum where it truly belongs with other memorabilia of the many people that supported me throughout my musical journey to whom I’m forever grateful.”
“Patty Loveless achieved lasting success by merging traditional country music styles with a modern sensibility in her song choices and musical arrangements,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “As one of country music’s most accomplished song interpreters with immense vocal power, she has remained focused on conveying deep emotion through her lyrics and recordings, and her influence resonates throughout today’s generation of country artists.”
In support of the exhibit’s opening, Loveless will participate in a conversation and acoustic performance in the museum’s CMA Theater on Aug. 26. During the program, she will discuss her career and share stories and memories associated with the artifacts included in the exhibit. Tickets will be available here on June 30.
Throughout her career Loveless has won five CMA awards, two ACM awards and two Grammys. She became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on June 11, 1988, and will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October of this year.
Grayscale Marketing Promotes Alissa Endres & Hires Shelby Albrecht
/by Lorie HollabaughAlissa Endres & Shelby Albrecht
Grayscale Marketing has promoted Alissa Endres to Senior Marketing Manager and hired Shelby Albrecht as the company’s new Graphic Designer.
“Alissa joined Grayscale as an Account Executive in May of 2022 and has consistently demonstrated exceptional skills, dedication and a deep understanding of the marketing landscape receiving Grayscale’s Employee of the Year in 2022,” says Tim Gray, Grayscale Marketing CEO. “With her strong leadership abilities and keen eye for detail, we have promoted her to Senior Marketing Manager. In this new role, she will oversee key client accounts, develop innovative marketing strategies and lead the marketing team in achieving their objectives.
“Additionally, we are delighted to welcome Shelby to our creative team,” Gray adds. “Her talent and fresh perspective will undoubtedly strengthen our ability to create visually captivating marketing assets.”
“I am truly honored and excited to take on this new role as Senior Marketing Manager at Grayscale Marketing,” says Endres. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to collaborating with our talented team to deliver exceptional results for our clients. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of creativity and effectiveness in digital marketing.”
“I am thrilled to join Grayscale Marketing and contribute to the company’s creative endeavors,” says Albrecht. “I am passionate about translating ideas into visually stunning designs that effectively communicate the essence of a brand. I am eager to collaborate with the talented team at Grayscale Marketing and help drive impactful campaigns for our clients.”
Sam Sarno Promoted At SMACKSongs
/by LB CantrellSam Sarno. Photo: Ford Fairchild
SMACKSongs has promoted Sam Sarno to Creative Director, effective immediately.
After joining SMACKSong’s publishing team in 2019, Sarno has worked extensively with hit songwriters Pete Good and Marc Beeson, as well as with producer-writer Lalo Guzman, singer-songwriter Josh Dorr and up and coming singer-songwriter Johnny Clawson.
Sarno will continue that work in her new role. She will also be responsible for signing and developing new talent and generating opportunities for SMACK’s current roster of over 20 writers.
“Sam has proven herself to be one of the best young publishers in town over the last few years,” says SMACK VP of Publishing, Lee Krabel. “Her passion for her writers and for SMACK is second to none. Sam has earned every bit of this promotion and we can’t wait to see what else she can accomplish.”
“The culture that SMACK has cultivated is very special and our incredible roster of writers makes each day fulfilling. Working alongside Lee, Robin [Palmer] and the rest of the team has taught me so much about how to be the best advocate for my writers I can be. I’m beyond grateful to get to come to work each day and excited to see what we can accomplish from here.”
Congratulate Sarno at sam@smacksongs.com.
Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal Launch New Label, RumbleStrip Records
/by Lorie HollabaughRosanne Cash & John Leventhal. Photo: Vivian Wang
Longtime partners, creative collaborators and Grammy winners Rosanne Cash and producer John Leventhal have formed a new label, RumbleStrip Records.
RumbleStrip will release a slate of special projects, archives and reissues, including the first vinyl pressing of Cash’s album, The Wheel, remastered as an expanded edition to celebrate the project’s 30th anniversary. Recorded in the early ’90s when Cash first moved to New York City, The Wheel was produced by Leventhal—her eventual life partner—and sparked a reinvention of her sound and career. RumbleStrip is also planning to release a series that re-explores Cash’s recently-acquired catalog of masters from 1978-1993.
In early 2024, the label will also release Leventhal’s first solo album. Cash and Leventhal are also looking forward to signing new, unknown and undervalued artists to the RumbleStrip label. The company is partnering with Thirty Tigers for distribution.
“John and I are excited about starting our own label, and we are tremendously grateful to be partnered with Thirty Tigers, who know how to get it done,” shares Cash about the new venture.
“I have listened to Rosanne Cash’s music ever since Seven Year Ache came out, and I was working in record stores,” says Thirty Tigers founder David Macias. “She has continued to grow and push the boundaries of her creative powers. I respect her immensely. She is a vital artist, and I am so thrilled that she has agreed to team up with Thirty Tigers.”
Cash’s long-standing, exclusive partnership with Blue Note Records remains intact for her upcoming solo releases.
Anthem Entertainment Extends Publishing Agreement With Chris Janson [Exclusive]
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Lance Roberts, Chandler Thurston (Anthem Creative Director), Noah Dewey (Anthem VP of Creative), Kelly Janson, Chris Janson, Courtney Crist (Anthem Sr. Creative Director), Maddie Sanderson, Gracie Glass (Anthem Creative Coordinator) and Tom Lord
Anthem Entertainment has extended its publishing deal with multi-Platinum artist and songwriter Chris Janson, continuing the relationship the two started in 2016.
Janson just released his first album since signing with Big Machine Label Group, The Outlaw Side of Me. The project includes current single “All I Need Is You,” which is nearing the top 20 on the charts, and focus track “21 Forever,” which features Dolly Parton and Slash.
Janson’s first hit came in 2015, with the extremely popular track “Buy Me a Boat,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Country Airplay Chart and No. 1 on Mediabase, and has gone four-time Platinum since its release. Other songs that have recently earned Platinum certifications include “Good Vibes,” “Drunk Girl” and “Fix a Drink.” Janson has also celebrated two more No. 1 hits with “Good Vibes” and other 2019 single “Done,” with both songs also achieving RIAA Gold status.
“We are excited to continue and expand our co-publishing venture with Chris Janson,” says Gilles Godard, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “He is truly an amazing and innovative writer, who knows how to reach his audience by keeping it real and telling the truth with every lyric and every melody. We look forward to celebrating many more hits together!”
“Chris Janson is the real deal, period,” adds Noah Dewey, VP of Creative for Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “He’s the quintessential country artist and one of the best entertainers in the business. It’s a privilege to work with him and his wife Kelly, on our continuing partnership at Anthem Entertainment.”
Anderson Benson Acquired By Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
/by Liza AndersonBrent Daughrity
Nashville-based insurance broker and risk management firm Anderson Benson was recently acquired by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
A global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm headquartered in Illinois, Gallagher offers services in approximately 130 countries through their operations as well as a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.
Anderson Benson’s Entertainment Specialty Practice leader Brent Daughrity has joined Gallagher as Head of the National Music & Entertainment Practice Group alongside Co-Founder & President George Anderson, who now serves as Gallagher’s Area Chairman. They will remain in their current location under the direction of Bumpy Triche, Head of Gallagher’s Mid-South Retail Property/Casualty Brokerage Operations, along with Anderson Benson Co-Founder Reno Benson, Steve Buzzell, Will Wright and the rest of their team.
With entertainment niche expertise, Anderson Benson has provided insurance, risk management and loss control services to a variety of commercial industries and private clients across the nation. For over a decade, the company has built client relationships that have allowed them to fully understand risk exposure, provide expert consultation and offer effective customer service.
“Anderson Benson’s entertainment market expertise offers us significant opportunities for growth,” says J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President & CEO. “I am delighted to welcome George, Reno, Brent, Steve, Will and their associates to Gallagher.”
Industry Ink: WMBA, Major Bob, CMHOF, Gary Sinise, More
/by Caela GriffinWMBA Host ‘Mindset Matters’ Mental Health Workshop & Panel
Pictured (L-R): WMBA’s Mackenzie Adkins, Taylor Baird and Aura Guadagno; Founder and CEO Of The Music Health Alliance Tatum Allsep; Co-Founders Of The Mental Health Initiative Jessie Louverture and Lauren Conklin; Founder Of Tina Marie Manifestation Tina Marie Sanders; WMBA’s Katharine Poole, Virginia P. Brick and Alyssa Hoffman
The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) held a public event for the Nashville community focused on empowering mental wellness last month at the Hilton Green Hills.
Katharine Poole from MRow Network moderated the “Mindset Matters” mental health workshop and panel that featured Tatum Allsep, Founder and CEO of Music Health Alliance; Lauren Conklin and Jessie Louverture, co-founders of the Mental Health Initiative; and Tina Marie Sanders, founder of Tina Marie Manifestation. These wellness ambassadors shared personal stories with their medical and mental health experiences, which led to creating organizations that provide awareness, access to financial resources, tools to manage mental health and communities that support that journey.
“Mental Wellness is extremely important for me as I have been on my own mental health journey for decades. It’s my responsibility as a leader to create safe spaces like this so that conversations can happen,” shares WMBA’s President Virginia P. Brick. “For me, I got to witness people just showing up for themselves. But hearing them express the event made them feel seen and heard while leaving with tangible resources of hope. That’s impact. It was an incredible event.”
Expanding on WMBA’s wellness vision, the “Mindset Matters” mental health panel will be featured on MRow Network Salutary Row podcast. This special edition episode will be available July 1, 2023, and highlights Salutary Row Host KW Poole’s interviews with empowering women of mental health advocacy at the inaugural event.
Major Bob Celebrates Ben Williams As ‘Tennessee Orange’ Hits No. 1
Pictured (L-R): Graham Kothman (Creative Director), Ben Williams, Andy Friday (Head of Creative), Bob Doyle (Owner/President)
Major Bob Music is celebrating songwriter Ben Williams as the fan-favorite “Tennessee Orange” tops the charts. Williams co-wrote the track with Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins and David Fanning.
Bob Doyle, Owner and President of Major Bob Music, presented Williams with a plaque commemorating the success with Graham Kothman and Andy Friday, Major Bob’s Creative Director and Head of Creative, respectively.
CMHOF & Nashville Public Library Honor 10 Years of ‘String City’
Pictured (L-R): Terri Luke, NPL’s Interim Dir., Asst. Dir. for Branch Services; Linda Harrison, NPL’s Asst. Dir. for Education and Literacy; Lisa Purcell, the museum’s EVP of External Affairs; Steve Turner, the museum’s Chairman Emeritus; Donna Nicely, former Dir. of NPL and former Chair of the Education Council at the museum; Jay Turner, Board Member at the museum; and Bret Wilson, Wishing Chair Productions Program Manager
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Nashville Public Library (NPL) celebrated the 10th anniversary of String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry with the debut of several new additions to the performance.
String City is an exciting story of country music’s evolving history told through nearly 100 puppets ranging from DeFord Bailey to Johnny Cash to Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift. Marionettes, rod puppetry, animation and an ever-changing set tell the story of the genre as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City.
New additions to the family friendly program include representations Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker and Chris Stapleton. The museum’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs Lisa Purcell and the library’s Assistant Director for Education and Literacy Linda Harrison spoke at the performance in the museum’s Ford Theater, unveiling the new additions and acknowledging the anniversary of the long-running show and collaboration.
String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry is created and presented by the Library’s Wishing Chair Productions in collaboration with the museum. The production was made possible in part by a special gift from Steve Turner, the museum’s Chairman Emeritus, and his wife Judy to the Nashville Public Library Foundation.
Gary Sinise Accepts Charlie Daniels Patriot Award
Pictured (L-R): David Corlew, Gary Sinise, Joel Pruitt. Photo Credit: Erick Anderson / eafoto
Famed actor Gary Sinise, best known for his acclaimed role as Lt. Dan alongside Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, has formally accepted the Charlie Daniels Patriot Award. Longtime manager of the late Daniels, David Corlew, co-founded The Charlie Daniels Journey Hone Project (TCDJHP) and presented Sinise the award with Joel Pruitt, a Green Beret combat veteran and recipient of last year’s honor.
“I am honored to receive this award from Charlie Daniels, in his name,” says Sinise. “To receive an award in his name is a blessing, a privilege, an honor. Why did I get so lucky?”
“Gary Sinise has set the ‘high water mark’ in support for our vets,” explains Corlew. “Foundations and support groups can learn so much from this guy. Besides creating an incredible bed of work in the film and entertainment industry, he has utilized it to broaden the reach for all of us, a wonderful example of selfless service. Simply put, he cares, and so do we. Charlie would be very proud that we made this happen.”
In 2022, TCDJHP raised over one million dollars for our nation’s veterans, marking the organization’s most successful year to date. Today the non-profit continues Daniels’ patriotic mission with multiple yearly events, including the Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards, TCDJHP’s biggest fundraiser. This fall, the special dinner event will enter its fifth year with formal details to be announced in the coming weeks.
Touring Career Workshop Brought Free Counseling To Bonnaroo
TCW’s registration tent in Bonnaroo’s Artist Village. Counseling sessions were held in the trailer on the right.
Touring Career Workshop (TCW), a Nashville-based nonprofit designed to serve the touring music industry, provided confidential mental health counseling sessions free of charge to all artists, bands, crews and staffs at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.
As part of their All Access program, counselors were available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for each of the festival’s four show days, allowing folks to check in on topics including work, relationships and family issues.
“Festival sites can be busy, chaotic places and we wanted to have a resource like this available for anyone in need,” says Chris Lisle, TCW Co-Founder. “We are grateful to C3 Presents and, especially, Brandon Sossamon, their Director of Production—and a TCW board member—for his support in pulling this all together.”
Since its inception, TCW’s All Access program has paid for over 250 counseling sessions for those in need, offering four sessions with one of several pre-approved therapists and life coaches that are handled in total confidentiality.
MTSU Students Help Produce 30 Bonnaroo Concerts For Hulu
About 50 students and faculty from MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment worked this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Photo: James Cessna.
At this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, about 50 students and faculty from Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment worked in live television production and content creation for 30 performances that will be featured on Hulu.
MTSU’s long-time partnership with the iconic four-day music event began in 2014. The partnership allowed students to capture images and sound from more than 35% of the concerts at this year’s Bonnaroo. Over the first two days of the festival, Hulu streamed 30 stage performances that MTSU produced, 27 of which were student-directed.
“Our production efforts at Bonnaroo are as ‘real world’ as it can get,” says Bob Gordon, an Associate Professor of Media Arts and the college’s Live Production Degree Coordinator.
Students from MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media filed daily stories and photos for Sidelines, the university’s student news operation; Seigenthaler News Service; and the MTSU Student Voice. Also, photography students roamed the festival grounds for visual stories.
“We are doing more with Bonnaroo this year than ever,” says Beverly Keel, Dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment. “The work they create will be the highlight of their collegiate portfolios and the memories they create will last a lifetime.”