Diane Pearson
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.
Diane Pearson is Sr. VP, Manager at City National Bank’s Nashville office. With over two decades of entertainment banking experience she provides financial solutions to music industry professionals including artists, songwriters, business managers, producers, artist managers, performing rights organizations, agencies, publishing companies, entrepreneurs, labels and law firms.
Pearson helped launch City National Bank’s Nashville office in 2011, co-managing the Nashville Entertainment Division with Lori Badgett. She serves multiple philanthropic organizations, including sitting on the board of Musicians On Call and Leadership Music.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky called Lewisburg. I tell everybody, though, that I’m from Russellville, Kentucky because they’re right next to each other. Russellville is near Bowling Green and people have actually heard of Bowling Green.
What was your dream job then?
My dream job was to be a stay-at-home mom and have about six kids. [Laughs] No music business. No working. But as you can tell, that did not happen.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
When did that desire change for you?
My parents moved me my senior year of high school to Nashville. That was a huge difference coming from a very small town—there was a bit of culture shock. I started working as a relief teller for Third National Bank while I was taking classes. When you’re a relief teller, you go around to different offices and fill in for people while they are on vacation or out sick. So I didn’t really have a home office until I landed at an office called South Madison.
There was a lady there by the name of Ellen Kemp, who was one of my very first mentors. There was just something about Ellen. She was just the epitome of class. She loved sports—I do, too. She had the best clothes, the best jewelry, she was just always dressed perfectly. She was well respected and loved in the community, everyone looked up to her. She managed the office, but was primarily responsible for all of the lending. That’s when I realized lending was something I would like to get into someday.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
Now that you had a different example to look up to, how did you start your career?
Ellen took me under her wing, but unfortunately for me, she was also at the age of retirement. So I knew I was going to lose Ellen. Another friend of mine, Kim, was working at South Madison and was picked to help launch the Entertainment Division of Third National Bank (a SunTrust Bank) as an FSR (Financial Service Rep). She knew my passion was the lending side, so once a position opened up, she told me. I applied for the job and was lucky enough to get an interview with Brian Williams. I was not qualified for the lending position at all, but he saw something in me and decided to take me on. I later found out that once Ellen Kemp found out I went and interviewed, she picked up the phone and called Brian to tell him she believed in me.
Brian truly was the pioneer of music industry banking. To be able to work WITH him (he never let you say you worked “for” him) for almost 20 years before he passed away was just the best experience I could have ever asked for. He taught me everything about the music business and how to make work fun.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
What do you remember about those days?
I hate to call it the “roaring nineties,” but it was. There was always something going on, whether it was a No. 1 party or a Gold or Platinum Party. There were all these events. Brian made sure I was armed with everything I needed to know about the industry, but he also was such an advocate of introducing me to people. I was always welcome at the table and that was something I’m very appreciative of. He taught me the ropes, he taught me about how to give back to the community and to make sure you’re heavily involved in non-profit work.
When Brian passed away in 2006, it was devastating. Not only to me because I had lost my mentor and my friend, but the bank lost its visionary for the Music Industry, because Brian was the one who created it. I stayed there for five years after that. I felt like if I left, I was leaving his legacy behind, which was really hard. But in walks Martha Henderson, she was an angel who came in and made me realize I could continue Brian’s Legacy working with her at City National Bank as she was the Division Leader for their Entertainment Division. She is in her 40th year at CNB and recently was promoted to Vice Chairman.
She is Ellen Kemp and Brian Williams all rolled into one. She is just phenomenal. She can go toe-to-toe with anybody and win. She’s compassionate. She’s kindhearted. She truly treats her employees and clients great.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
You helped Martha start the City National Bank office in Nashville from the ground up. What was that like?
March 31 is when we started. We were in the old MCA building and then we moved into our new office right next door in August of 2011. Nobody had heard of City National Bank 12 years ago. They knew us but they didn’t know City National, so we didn’t have to sell ourselves because people knew who we were, we had to sell the bank.
Again, Martha was the visionary just like Brian was. When we came on board, it was almost like we were taking a step back in time in some way. We like the office to feel like Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show. It’s a small town, it’s a small community. We want a Cheers atmosphere, where everybody knows your name. We don’t ever want to be “the big bank,” even though we are a big bank.
When was a time that you struggled at the beginning of building the City National Bank office?
I can tell you when it didn’t feel like it was going to be a success. I work a lot with business managers and artists. I always keep up with CMA and ACM Awards and see [which nominees] are clients and who are not.
I always wanted a hundred percent sweep, meaning every on air award winner was a client. The first CMA’s I attended as a CNB employee was hard. That was the year everybody that had been my client won an award.
There was the sweep I longed for but not everyone had made the move yet, it was just like a gut punch. This [had been a goal of mine] my whole career, to have clients in all of these categories. I remember walking out of that award show and Martha Henderson looked at me and said, “Honey, I’ve been through this before. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t worry they will come.”
She was 100% right. After the first year, I started getting more and more clients.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
That’s awesome! When do you feel most fulfilled in what you do?
I feel most fulfilled when I get an artist on the very beginning of their career and [see them] get their first record deal or first publishing deal. Seeing them have a No. 1 party, play their first time at the Grand Ole Opry, or sell out Madison Square Garden. That’s when I’m most fulfilled. Every little step along way. They’re like my children. I’ve got all these kids now running all over the place. What fulfills me the most is seeing them succeed.
Does any particular story come to mind about supporting an artist from the beginning?
Roger Murrah, who owned Murrah Music Publishing, had signed Luke Bryan to a publishing deal. Roger called me and said, “I’m sending this new kid from Georgia over to you. Take care of him, I think he’s got something.” So Luke comes over to my office and we start a friendship.
I remember pulling into my driveway one day and my phone rang, it was Luke. He said, “Hey baby”—that’s back when I thought I was the only one he called “baby”…ha! He told me he got his record deal and I cried. He was like, “Oh my gosh. Are you crying? You’re worse than my mama.”
When he played the first time on the Opry, I was invited to come. I was standing backstage and Luke was walking out on stage. I’m known as the CEO “Chief Emotional Officer”. So someone looked over at me and said, “Oh God, Diane’s getting ready to cry.” Mike Dungan turned around and I was waiting for him to say something sarcastic. He said, “Are you seriously getting ready to cry? I think that’s the sweetest thing. We need more people who actually care about the artists.” It’s like your kid getting on stage for the first time, and then now look at all that he’s accomplished. That’s what fuels me. I love celebrating everybody’s successes.
Industry Ink: Niko Moon, Safe Tracks, Natalie Layne, More
/by Lorie HollabaughNiko Moon Enjoys Triple Platinum “Good Time”
Pictured: Staff from RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville and Make Wake Artists surprise Niko Moon with news his debut single “Good Time” earned triple Platinum status. Photo: Corey Miler
Niko Moon recently celebrated his first RIAA triple-Platinum certification for his No. 1 debut single, “Good Time.” Staff from RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville and Make Wake Artists presented Moon with the news ahead of his sold-out show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl (Feb. 9).
Moon’s “Ain’t No Better Place Tour” continues this weekend with shows in Missouri and Arkansas.
CMA Hosts Safe Tracks Launch Party
Photo: Courtesy of Safe Tracks
Safe Tracks, a sexual assault prevention bystander intervention training program designed specifically for the music industry, held its official launch party at CMA’s headquarters on Jan. 25. The goal of the event was to raise awareness about the bystander intervention training program and grow the Safe Tracks advocate community.
Originally, the Safe Tracks program was the creation of husband-wife duo Haley & Michaels and their two Belmont University interns with the goal of making Nashville the safest place to make music and chase dreams free from sexual harassment and violence. The program was officially adopted by the Sexual Assault Center (SAC) in 2022, and endorsed by the CMA with the support of one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, activist Tarana Burke.
To learn more about Safe Tracks, click here.
Natalie Layne Signs With Centricity Music
Layne also takes a celebratory photo with Centricity Music staff and manager Marcus Rixon
Natalie Layne has signed a worldwide recording and publishing contract with Centricity Music. Layne’s latest independent single, “Love Me Back to Life,” has gained millions of views on socials, where she has 2.8 million likes on her videos. The single follows her 2021 Castles EP and 2020 independent debut Be Human. She has opened for Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin and We the Kingdom, and shared stages at festivals with Steven Curtis Chapman, Mandisa and Crowder.
“I’ve been telling our team for a long time that Natalie was an absolute force of talent and one of the most gifted artists I’ve come across,” says John Mays, Centricity Music’s Senior Vice President, A&R. “At our recent indie artist retreat, we discovered that her level of talent is exceeded only by her heart for God and love for people. We’re fortunate to be able to partner with Natalie and are excited to play our role in getting her music to the world.”
Carter Vintage Guitars To Relocate To Paseo South Gulch
Paseo South Gulch
Nashville guitar store Carter Vintage Guitars has signed a lease for 13,000 square feet encompassing the entire second floor of the revitalized antiques building found within SomeraRoad’s mixed-use district, Paseo South Gulch.
“We’re excited to continue Carter Vintage in the neighborhood where it all began,” shares Ben Montague, CEO of The North American Guitar, which merged with Carter Vintage Guitars in 2022. “Combining the legacy that Walter and Christie Carter built at their legendary location on 8th Avenue with the historic Antiques building next door feels like the perfect match. We want to ensure Carter Vintage remains just as convenient of a stop on 8th Avenue as it always has been, and the additional showroom space will help us to better serve our customers across the globe and the local vintage guitar market that Music City is known and loved for.”
Walter Carter, co-founder of Carter Vintage Guitars, adds, “The historic Antique building has a great vintage vibe, plus the space to accommodate a growing business, which makes it the perfect future home for Carter Vintage Guitars.”
Christie and Walter Carter founded Carter Vintage Guitars in November 2012 with the vision of providing a comfortable place for fine fretted instruments and the people who appreciate them. When the company was founded, both had more than 25 years of experience in the guitar and music industry.
Carly Evans Joins Marathon Music Group
Marathon Music Group’s Carly Evans & Chuck Sweeney at the 2022 Texas Country Music Awards
Carly Evans has joined Marathon Music Group as a booking agent. A veteran radio personality and programmer, Evans has received award nominations from both the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association, in addition to capturing the award for Texas Regional Radio Personality of the Year six times. She also carved out a home behind the mic with her podcast, The Troubadour Podcast, which aired on stations in Kansas, Texas, Colorado, South Dakota and Virginia.
Marathon Music Group’s team was also among the nominees for the 2023 Texas Country Music Industry Awards. Owner and CEO Chuck Sweeney is nominated for Artist Manager of the Year and Evans earned a nomination for Texas Country Podcast of the Year for her work alongside Jared “Pete” Gile on The Troubadour Podcast.
Entertainment Lawyer Craig Hayes Passes
/by LB CantrellCraig Hayes
Entertainment attorney Craig Hayes, who represented artists such as Faith Hill and Aaron Neville as well as music business clients, passed away at his home on Feb. 5. He was 75.
In addition to being an attorney, Hayes was a road manager and a musician himself. The Arlington, Virginia native earned a B.A. in Economics and Business from Wofford College in South Carolina in 1968. After spending three semesters at the University of North Carolina School of Law, Hayes quit school to play music for seven years. He then returned to school, graduating in 1978 with a Juris Doctorate in Law. Hayes also studied copyright, motion picture television, and First Amendment law at Duke Law School from 1977-1978.
After graduation, Hayes was admitted to the State and Federal Bar in Tennessee while working as an associate at Thompson, Harris, and Leach. He left to form a new firm, Thompson & Hayes, with Robert Thompson in 1981.
In 1983, Hayes once again took a hiatus to play music, joining Neil Young’s band as a baritone sax player and creating the character “Vito Toledo” on Young’s “Shocking Pink Tour.” He also recorded with Young and Crazy Horse during this time.
Following his time on stage, Hayes formed the law partnership Zumwalt, Almon & Hayes. An involved member of the community, Hayes was part of Leadership Music’s Class of 1996.
Craig Hayes is survived by his wife Pamela Brown Hayes, a singer-songwriter who crafted such hits as “I Can Love You Better” by the The Chicks and “In Your Eyes”by Aaron Neville. Hayes is also survived by sons Luke Aaron Hayes and Samuel Clemens (Kristen) Hayes; and siblings Curtis (Jessica) Hampton, Robert (Bobby) Hayes, and Leslie Hampton-Lash.
A celebration of life for Hayes will be held at a later date.
New ‘Power Hour’ Speaker Sessions Announced for CRS 2023
/by Steven BoeroCountry Radio Seminar (CRS) is launching its new “Power Hour” speaker sessions, set to take place on Wednesday, March 15, during CRS 2023.
These new sessions are designed to challenge the traditional ways of thinking by presenting topics in a unique and dynamic manner, utilizing speakers to cover different subjects in short-form presentations. The “Power Hour” sessions will feature several lecturers, each presenting their own perspective on a given subject in a fast-paced 15-20 minute “talk” style format.
The speakers and their respective topics include:
“Prepare to be inspired and perhaps even a little provoked at CRS this year! Our ‘Power Hour’ speakers have been hand-picked to help you connect the dots between the business of today and the future,” says Joey Tack, chairman of the CRS 2023 Agenda Committee.
CRS attendees are encouraged to mark their calendars for these “Power Hour” sessions, which are sure to educate, inspire and energize.
CRS 2023 will take place Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration for CRS 2023 is open and is available through www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. More agenda details surrounding the remainder of CRS 2023 will be released soon.
Live Nation Announces New Country Music Festival In Virginia Beach
/by Caela GriffinLuke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, and Thomas Rhett are headlining Live Nation’s new Beach It! Festival in Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia this June for a three-day, two-stage festival. Joining the lineup for June 23-25 will be Riley Green, Jo Dee Messina, Kip Moore, Megan Moroney, Brothers Osborne, Jameson Rodgers, Nate Smith, Alana Springsteen, Cole Swindell, Lily Rose, and Hailey Whitters, with Dee Jay Silver performing in between sets.
Brian O’Connell, President of Country Touring for Live Nation, announced the addition to Live Nation’s slate of festivals this morning alongside Deputy City Manager Taylor Adams and Virginia Beach native Springsteen. General Admission and VIP passes for this summer event will go on sale Feb. 21 at beachitfestival.com.
The Beach It! Festival will also feature a host of newcomers on its second-stage called Next From Nashville. Chayce Beckham, George Birge, Tyler Braden, Ben Burgess, Mackenzie Carpenter, Ashland Craft, Madeline Edwards, Erin Kinsey, Pillbox Patti, Peytan Porter, and Aaron Raitiere are set to perform during the weekend in Viriginia Beach.
Beach It! is the latest announcement of country music festivals playing across the country this year. It joins Tidal/Wave in Atlantic City Beach, New Jersey; Watershed in George, Washington; Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Faster Horses Music Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan; and Seven Peaks Music Festival in Villa Grove, Colorado.
Lonestar Announces New Album & Upcoming National Tour
/by Caela GriffinPictured (L-R): Lonestar’s Michael Britt, Drew Womack, Keech Rainwater, Dean Sams. Photo: Taylor Ballantyne
In 2022, Lonestar celebrated their 30th anniversary as a band. The award-winning group is celebrating the milestone by announcing their new album, Ten to 1, will release June 2. By re-recording 10 of their No. 1 hits, the album will give fans brand new versions of their beloved classics in a project that combines nostalgia and innovation.
The collection’s lead single, “Amazed,” originally spent 11 weeks atop the charts, and it is set to release on March 1. Lonestar’s Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater, Michael Britt, and Drew Womack all worked on these re-recordings to balance freshness and familiarity for the Ten to 1 project.
“We’ve been doing this for a very long time, and we’ve been super blessed in our 30 plus years together to have 22 top 10 singles and then have 10 of those go No.1,” says Sams, a founding member of Lonestar and producer of the group’s last six albums.
“Most of these songs we’ve played for 25 years or so, and we know these songs like the back of our hand,” adds Britt. “It was fun to be able to record songs that everybody knows and just put a different spin on them because we’ve changed them over time.”
The 10-song collection is ordered chronologically beginning with Lonestar’s very first No. 1 from 1996, “No News.”
Ten to 1 Tracklist:
“No News”
“My Front Porch Looking In”
“Come Cryin’ To Me”
“Amazed”
“Smile”
“What About Now”
“Tell Her”
“I’m Already There”
“Mr. Mom”
“Everything’s Changed”
Coming off a successful touring year in 2022, Lonestar has a full slate of upcoming shows beginning in February, including some of their bucket list venues on their national trip. March 3 will mark Lonestar’s first headlining show at Nashville’s historic and iconic Ryman Auditorium.
Lonestar Tour Dates:
2/17 – Carlsbad, NM – Walter Gerrells Performing Arts & Exhibition Center
2/18 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Rodeo
2/25 – Kingsland, GA – K-Bay Mardi Gras
3/3 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
3/4 – Versailles, OH – BMI Event Center
3/16 – Sugarcreek, OH – Ohio Star Theater
3/17 – Bloomington, IL – Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
3/18 – Flint, MI – Capitol Theatre
3/19 – Jackson, MI – The Potter Center at Jackson College
3/24 – Lake Jackson, TX – The Clarion at Brazosport College
3/25 – Marble Falls, TX – Putters & Gutters
4/13 – El Cajon, CA – Sycuan Casino Resort
4/14 – Florence, AZ – Country Thunder Arizona
4/15 – Santa Fe, NM – Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
4/16 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn
5/12 – Lampe, MO – Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater
5/13 – Kansas City, KS – Legends Field
6/16 – Deadwood, SD – Downtown Deadwood (Main Street)
7/15 – Tipton, IA – Cedar County Fair
7/22 – Twin Lakes, WI – Country Thunder Wisconsin
8/4 – Camrose, AB – Big Valley Jamboree
8/5 – Lake Cowichan, BC – Sunset Country Festival
8/12 – Galva, IL – The Back Road Music Festival
8/17 – Fairmont, MN – Martin County Fair
8/19 – Lakeside Marblehead, OH – Hoover Auditorium
9/2 – West Liberty, OH – Country Legends Festival
10/7 – Pocomoke City, MD – Dock Jam
10/21 – Kissimmee, FL – Country Thunder Florida
Tracy Lawrence & Gary Allan Slate First Ever Co-Headlining Tour For May
/by Lorie HollabaughTracy Lawrence and Gary Allan are teaming up for a new co-headlining tour kicking off in May.
Lawrence and Allan have both shared radio waves and mutual respect for each other throughout their lengthy careers, and the new tour marks the first time fans will get to see both artists do full sets on the same stage. Tickets will be available for presale on Thursday, Feb. 16 with public on sale beginning Feb. 17 at tracylawrence.com.
“I’m really looking forward to doing these shows with Gary Allan,” shares Lawrence. “We’ve been talking every day and we’re really excited to hit the road together. What he brings to the table is unmatched and is going to elevate an already great night of music.”
“Tracy Lawrence is one of the iconic artists of the ’90s country sound,” says Allan. “It’s going to be fun to hit the road with him and hear those great songs every night.”
Lawrence just wrapped the rollout of a three-part album series, Hindsight 2020, featuring a collection of new songs and re-recordings of some of his biggest hits. In addition to releasing new music and touring, he continues his radio show, Honky Tonkin’ With Tracy Lawrence, and recently launched a new podcast right from his tour bus called TL’s Road House, which has featured guests including Hardy, Jason Aldean and Jelly Roll, to name a few.
Allan is on the heels of his recent album Ruthless and a tour spanning his 25 years of outside-the-lines hits. His latest album won praise from critics and marked his eighth straight top 10 country project. He recently appeared on Lawrence’s radio show and supported Lawrence’s Mission:Possible charity, including a set at 2022’s 17th annual Turkey Fry—which raised more than $250,000 to help combat homelessness.
King Business And Financial Management Rebrands & Promotes To Celebrate Four Years
/by Caela GriffinMallory Mason Pascal. Photo: Vintage Tree Photography/Meredith Bustillo
King Business and Financial Management, now KBFM, has announced the promotion of Mallory Mason Pascal to Partner. The promotion comes as the company celebrates its fourth year in business.
Hailing from Alabama, Pascal brought her 14 years of experience as a business and financial expert to Music City’s KBFM in 2020. Her time at the Nashville-based company has been instrumental in its growth.
“I met Mallory in 2019 and immediately knew she would be a huge asset for KBFM if given the chance to bring her on board,” shares KBFM founder Chris King. “Since she joined in 2020, that thought has been confirmed through her work ethic and relationships with clients and employees. I’m very excited about Mallory’s new role as partner and what she’ll lend to the next chapter of KBFM.”
“I knew almost immediately that Chris was a professional partner in every sense—he’s a team player, very passionate about what we do, our clients and being a trustworthy person,” shares Pascal. “I felt confident that what we were talking about and planning for KBFM would be just the start and that’s been proven in our work from the past two years. I’m excited for what’s to come for KBFM.”
To reach Pascal, email mallory@kbfmgmt.com.
KBFM has grown a diverse roster of over 40 clients, including award-winning artists, producers, and songwriters since its inception in February 2019. With 13 employees currently on staff, KBFM continues to add team members to provide strong support systems for its dynamic and growing group of clients.
For King + Country & Jimmie Allen Team For New ‘CMT Crossroads’ Episode
/by Lorie HollabaughFor King + Country and Jimmie Allen Photo by Catherine Powell/Getty Images
For King + Country and Jimmie Allen are the latest pair to join forces for the newest installment of CMT Crossroads, which premieres on the network on Feb. 28 at 9 p.m. CT.
Filmed in front of a studio audience outside of Nashville, the special episode pairs the Christian pop duo with Allen as they swap stories and collaborate on each other’s most-loved songs, including Allen’s “Best Shot,” “Down Home” and “Freedom Was A Highway,” and For King + Country’s “God Only Knows,” “Joy” and “Relate,” as well as a special debut performance of a brand-new song.
The soulful night of never-before-seen collaborations comes on the heels of the duo’s captivating CMT Christmas Crossroads holiday special featuring Breland, Chrissy Metz, Natalie Grant and Rebecca St. James.
Since 2002 CMT has been pairing up artists from different genres in CMT Crossroads, including Ray Charles and Travis Tritt, Bon Jovi and Sugarland, Def Leppard and Taylor Swift, Sting and Vince Gill, John Mayer and Keith Urban, Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood, Stevie Nicks and Lady A, Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves, and many more. The show celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022 with the special installment CMT Crossroads: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.
My Music Row Story: City National Bank’s Diane Pearson
/by LB CantrellDiane Pearson
Diane Pearson is Sr. VP, Manager at City National Bank’s Nashville office. With over two decades of entertainment banking experience she provides financial solutions to music industry professionals including artists, songwriters, business managers, producers, artist managers, performing rights organizations, agencies, publishing companies, entrepreneurs, labels and law firms.
Pearson helped launch City National Bank’s Nashville office in 2011, co-managing the Nashville Entertainment Division with Lori Badgett. She serves multiple philanthropic organizations, including sitting on the board of Musicians On Call and Leadership Music.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky called Lewisburg. I tell everybody, though, that I’m from Russellville, Kentucky because they’re right next to each other. Russellville is near Bowling Green and people have actually heard of Bowling Green.
What was your dream job then?
My dream job was to be a stay-at-home mom and have about six kids. [Laughs] No music business. No working. But as you can tell, that did not happen.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
When did that desire change for you?
My parents moved me my senior year of high school to Nashville. That was a huge difference coming from a very small town—there was a bit of culture shock. I started working as a relief teller for Third National Bank while I was taking classes. When you’re a relief teller, you go around to different offices and fill in for people while they are on vacation or out sick. So I didn’t really have a home office until I landed at an office called South Madison.
There was a lady there by the name of Ellen Kemp, who was one of my very first mentors. There was just something about Ellen. She was just the epitome of class. She loved sports—I do, too. She had the best clothes, the best jewelry, she was just always dressed perfectly. She was well respected and loved in the community, everyone looked up to her. She managed the office, but was primarily responsible for all of the lending. That’s when I realized lending was something I would like to get into someday.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
Now that you had a different example to look up to, how did you start your career?
Ellen took me under her wing, but unfortunately for me, she was also at the age of retirement. So I knew I was going to lose Ellen. Another friend of mine, Kim, was working at South Madison and was picked to help launch the Entertainment Division of Third National Bank (a SunTrust Bank) as an FSR (Financial Service Rep). She knew my passion was the lending side, so once a position opened up, she told me. I applied for the job and was lucky enough to get an interview with Brian Williams. I was not qualified for the lending position at all, but he saw something in me and decided to take me on. I later found out that once Ellen Kemp found out I went and interviewed, she picked up the phone and called Brian to tell him she believed in me.
Brian truly was the pioneer of music industry banking. To be able to work WITH him (he never let you say you worked “for” him) for almost 20 years before he passed away was just the best experience I could have ever asked for. He taught me everything about the music business and how to make work fun.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
What do you remember about those days?
I hate to call it the “roaring nineties,” but it was. There was always something going on, whether it was a No. 1 party or a Gold or Platinum Party. There were all these events. Brian made sure I was armed with everything I needed to know about the industry, but he also was such an advocate of introducing me to people. I was always welcome at the table and that was something I’m very appreciative of. He taught me the ropes, he taught me about how to give back to the community and to make sure you’re heavily involved in non-profit work.
When Brian passed away in 2006, it was devastating. Not only to me because I had lost my mentor and my friend, but the bank lost its visionary for the Music Industry, because Brian was the one who created it. I stayed there for five years after that. I felt like if I left, I was leaving his legacy behind, which was really hard. But in walks Martha Henderson, she was an angel who came in and made me realize I could continue Brian’s Legacy working with her at City National Bank as she was the Division Leader for their Entertainment Division. She is in her 40th year at CNB and recently was promoted to Vice Chairman.
She is Ellen Kemp and Brian Williams all rolled into one. She is just phenomenal. She can go toe-to-toe with anybody and win. She’s compassionate. She’s kindhearted. She truly treats her employees and clients great.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
You helped Martha start the City National Bank office in Nashville from the ground up. What was that like?
March 31 is when we started. We were in the old MCA building and then we moved into our new office right next door in August of 2011. Nobody had heard of City National Bank 12 years ago. They knew us but they didn’t know City National, so we didn’t have to sell ourselves because people knew who we were, we had to sell the bank.
Again, Martha was the visionary just like Brian was. When we came on board, it was almost like we were taking a step back in time in some way. We like the office to feel like Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show. It’s a small town, it’s a small community. We want a Cheers atmosphere, where everybody knows your name. We don’t ever want to be “the big bank,” even though we are a big bank.
When was a time that you struggled at the beginning of building the City National Bank office?
I can tell you when it didn’t feel like it was going to be a success. I work a lot with business managers and artists. I always keep up with CMA and ACM Awards and see [which nominees] are clients and who are not.
I always wanted a hundred percent sweep, meaning every on air award winner was a client. The first CMA’s I attended as a CNB employee was hard. That was the year everybody that had been my client won an award.
There was the sweep I longed for but not everyone had made the move yet, it was just like a gut punch. This [had been a goal of mine] my whole career, to have clients in all of these categories. I remember walking out of that award show and Martha Henderson looked at me and said, “Honey, I’ve been through this before. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t worry they will come.”
She was 100% right. After the first year, I started getting more and more clients.
Photo: Courtesy of Diane Pearson
That’s awesome! When do you feel most fulfilled in what you do?
I feel most fulfilled when I get an artist on the very beginning of their career and [see them] get their first record deal or first publishing deal. Seeing them have a No. 1 party, play their first time at the Grand Ole Opry, or sell out Madison Square Garden. That’s when I’m most fulfilled. Every little step along way. They’re like my children. I’ve got all these kids now running all over the place. What fulfills me the most is seeing them succeed.
Does any particular story come to mind about supporting an artist from the beginning?
Roger Murrah, who owned Murrah Music Publishing, had signed Luke Bryan to a publishing deal. Roger called me and said, “I’m sending this new kid from Georgia over to you. Take care of him, I think he’s got something.” So Luke comes over to my office and we start a friendship.
I remember pulling into my driveway one day and my phone rang, it was Luke. He said, “Hey baby”—that’s back when I thought I was the only one he called “baby”…ha! He told me he got his record deal and I cried. He was like, “Oh my gosh. Are you crying? You’re worse than my mama.”
When he played the first time on the Opry, I was invited to come. I was standing backstage and Luke was walking out on stage. I’m known as the CEO “Chief Emotional Officer”. So someone looked over at me and said, “Oh God, Diane’s getting ready to cry.” Mike Dungan turned around and I was waiting for him to say something sarcastic. He said, “Are you seriously getting ready to cry? I think that’s the sweetest thing. We need more people who actually care about the artists.” It’s like your kid getting on stage for the first time, and then now look at all that he’s accomplished. That’s what fuels me. I love celebrating everybody’s successes.
Tyler Johnson Partners With Influence Media
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Nathaniel Cochrane, Tyler Johnson and Rene McLean
Hit songwriter and producer Tyler Johnson has entered a partnership with Influence Media Partners.
Alongside global superstar Harry Styles, Johnson has co-written or co-produced the vast majority of the pop star’s solo discography and biggest hits from his 2017 solo debut to his chart-topping 2022 release Harry’s House. Johnson co-wrote on every song on Styles’ self-titled debut album and most songs on 2019 follow-up Fine Line, including “Watermelon Sugar,” which went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Adore You,” which tied the record for most weeks on the pop charts.
The news of his deal with Influence Media comes after Johnson’s big win with Styles for Album of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Splitting his time between Nashville and Los Angeles, Johnson has multiple country credits under his belt in addition to his work in the pop space. He produced Cam‘s 2015 album Untamed, as well as her most recent project The Otherside. He has also worked with artists including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus, John Legend, Keith Urban, Diplo, Pink, OneRepublic, Sam Smith and Meghan Trainor.
Influence Media has invested in a diverse catalog of titles created by Johnson between 2012 and 2020.
“Influence Media is committed to partnering with the secret weapons behind some of music’s modern classics, and Tyler Johnson is at the top of that list for his work with Harry Styles alone, along with fellow superstars like Sam Smith, Meghan Trainor and Miley Cyrus. We are so proud to represent Tyler’s works and look forward to introducing them to even wider audiences,” shares Influence Media Partner & Founding Advisor Rene McLean.
“It has been a pleasure working with the trusted team at Influence Media on my song catalog,” says Johnson. “These songs are very important to me and I feel our deal reflects the value of this catalog that I have built over the last 10 years.”