LeAnn Phelan, a music industry veteran with a background in writer relations and A&R, has been tapped as Senior Creative Director for ASCAP’s Nashville office. She will report to Tim DuBois, who recently took the top local post, working as VP and Managing Executive of Operations.

ASCAP has been restructuring its Nashville branch, re-focusing it as a Regional Office serving all genres of music.

“LeAnn has established a reputation as one of the most assertive, successful advocates for writers and artists in the business today,” DuBois said. “ASCAP is delighted to bring on board her insight, talent and passion, as we broaden our service area and simultaneously deepen our relationships with the writers and publishers we serve.”

Phelan previously worked with 19 Entertainment as a Writer Producer/Manager, where she managed multi-genre songwriters. While at 19 Entertainment, she also worked on the audition team for American Idol, Seasons 6-9. Prior to joining 19 Entertainment, Phelan was Senior Director of A&R at Sony Nashville. She previously helped open Windswept Nashville in 1996, and later served as VP and partner at Windswept’s Combustion Music venture. She began her career as a background vocalist/musician on tour with Steve Winwood from 1988-1989. Phelan has a B.B.A. from Belmont University with an emphasis in music business.

“I am thrilled to step into this creative position with ASCAP, as we make Nashville a comprehensive creative hub for writers and publishers from Nashville and beyond,” Phelan said. “There are unlimited possibilities for our members to expand their relationships across genres and across the country and I look forward to facilitating opportunities for talented songwriters and artists.”

(L-R): Bruce Esworthy, Michael O'Neill, Richard Conlon

BMI President & CEO Del Bryant today (4/5) announced a new alignment in the company’s senior management team, with elevated responsibilities for Nashville based Bruce Esworthy, and New York based Richard Conlon and Michael O’Neill.

BMI Chief Financial Officer Esworthy adds new duties as Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, overseeing Human Resources and Facilities in addition to managing the Finance & Accounting departments.

Conlon has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Communications & New Media. In his expanded role, Conlon assumes responsibility for BMI’s Corporate Communications & Marketing and Corporate Planning departments. He was previously Vice President, New Media and Strategic Development.

O’Neill now holds the newly established position of Senior Vice President, Repertoire & Licensing. In this expansion of his role, he adds oversight of BMI’s Writer/Publisher Relations, Performing Rights and Special Projects departments to his Licensing responsibilities. He was previously Senior Vice President, Licensing. The three executives will report to Bryant.

The realignment follows the announced retirements of BMI Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer John Cody, and Landmark Digital Services Managing Director Robert Barone at the end of 2010.

Leading cultural arts specialist Pamela Johnson has been named vice president of development at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, Director Kyle Young announced today (3/22). Johnson brings 37 years of executive experience when she begins the new position on Mon., April 5. Reporting directly to Young, Johnson will oversee the Museum’s membership program, annual and planned giving initiatives, and special fundraising events.

Most recently, Johnson served as director, university marketing-special initiatives at Nashville’s Belmont University where, among other responsibilities, she managed the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and John McCain.

Prior to joining the Belmont staff in 2005, the native Nashvillian spent three years in Los Angeles as vice president, communications and corporate relations for the J. Paul Getty Trust. She oversaw a staff of 32, and implemented the institution’s first corporate sponsorship program.

She spent six years heading the PR division of New York City ad agency Serino Coyne, and then launched her own publicity and marketing firm, working with clients such as Philip Morris, AT&T, and Chase Manhattan Bank. Johnson’s earlier career includes executive positions at the American Association of Museums, Smithsonian Institution, Rogers & Cowan, and Cheekwood.

She is president-elect of the Tennessee Repertory Theater board, vice president of the Exchange Club of Nashville, and a member of the W. O. Smith Nashville Community Music School Advisory Council. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama.