New beginnings are a theme in this year’s issue. It’s a presidential election year and Nashville has a new mayor, but leaders are rotating into this esteemed list every year. Whether it’s been decades or weeks leading the companies, whether they’re well-known or under the radar, the 2023 In Charge list represents people to call on to make the city the best it can be.
Kris Ahrend — CEO, Mechanical Licensing Collective: Former Rhino Entertainment and Warner Music Group exec leads organization formed to license and administer music rights under 2018 Music Modernization Act. Recently announced it had distributed $1.5 billion in royalties to members.
John Allen — President, New West Records: Opened Nashville office for Athens-founded New West, which focuses on indie rock, alternative country and Americana bands. Roster has included Jason Isbell and James McMurtry, and today includes Emily Nenni and Ben Folds.
Sara Barnett — General Manager, Brooklyn Bowl: Nashville native moved from managing area restaurants to Germantown music venue that opened in 2021. Brooklyn-founded company hosts events, concerts, food and bowling.
Julie Boos — Owner and Vice President, FBMM: Veteran music industry financial adviser holds leadership role in firm with more than 100 staff in Nashville, New York and Los Angeles.
Dave Cobb — Producer: Tenant of historic RCA Studio A is one of Nashville’s most sought-after producers. Has worked with top country artists including Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell and recently worked on Hunger Games prequel.
Derek Crownover — Partner, Loeb & Loeb: Vice chair of firm’s music industry section is well-known entertainment, media and sports attorney. Brokers rights deals and other negotiations for songwriter, publisher, artist and producer clients.
Mike Curb — Founder and Chairman, Curb Records: Former California lieutenant governor and songwriter and producer behind independent record company. Major benefactor of area universities and music-related causes has namesake buildings on multiple campuses. Record label celebrates 60 years in 2024.
Doyle Davis and Mike Grimes — Co-Owners, Grimey’s New & Preloved Music: Host music events and manage renowned indie record store that moved from Eighth Avenue South to Trinity Lane in 2018. Grimes, along with co-owner Dave Brown, runs live music venues The Basement and The Basement East.
Steven Eaves — Dean, Belmont College of Music and Performing Arts: Trained conductor manages area school’s programs in music, theater and dance, including 900 students and 160 faculty and staff.
Holly G — Founder, Black Opry: Launched collective in early 2021 for Black artists in country music and Americana. Set to launch record label, Black Opry Records, in 2024 along with co-director Tanner Davenport.
Joe Galante — Chairman, Galante Entertainment Organization: Former Sony Music Nashville and RCA leader serves on several boards including CMA and Pinnacle Financial Partners. Key figure of country music history, he was inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022.
Becky Gardenhire — Co-Head, WME Nashville: Co-leads Nashville office of national firm with Joey Lee and Jay Williams, though began her career in Beverly Hills office more than two decades ago. Works directly with country greats including Rascal Flatts and Trisha Yearwood.
Randy Goodman — Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Nashville: Area native and 30-plus year industry veteran began leading country-focused SMN in 2015. Shuttered company’s Arista imprint to streamline processes in 2023, and works with Kane Brown and Luke Combs, among others.
Cesar Gueikian — CEO, Gibson Brands: Named to top spot in 2023 succeeding James “JC” Curleigh, after joining as chief merchant officer in 2018. Also serves as president and board member of Nashville-based guitar company.
Jed Hilly — Executive Director, Americana Music Association: Helped grow genre’s stature since taking charge in 2007 at advocacy group that hosts AmericanaFest. Grammy and Emmy winner for work on Levon Helm: Ramble at the Ryman.
Joe Hudak — Senior Editor, Rolling Stone Country: Oversees magazine’s Nashville office housing Rolling Stone Country, which he helped launch in 2014. Formerly served as TV Guide editor and Country Weekly managing editor.
Brent Hyams — General Manager, Cannery Hall: Longtime live music official tasked by DZL with managing venues at former site of Mercy Lounge, High Watt and Cannery Ballroom. In 2024 rebranded and reopened stages Mainstage, The Mil and Row One in former Cannery Row site.
John Josephson — Chair and CEO, SESAC: Longtime leader of licensing organization oversaw its sale to Blackstone in 2017, and currently licenses public performance of 1.5 million songs and more than 15,000 songwriters, composers and publishers.
Jay Joyce — Producer, Songwriter and Session Musician: Seasoned professional transformed East Nashville church into studio and has worked with the likes of Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Emmylou Harris and Cage the Elephant. Named producer of the year by ACM in 2023.
Ben Kline and Cris Lacy — Co-Presidents, Warner Music Nashville: Rose from EVP roles to succeed Josh Esposito as head of Warner’s country music-focused Nashville office at start of 2023. Artist roster includes Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and Gabby Barrett.
Jeff Krones — Co-Head, Creative Artists Agency Nashville: Was promoted to role in 2023 after starting at artist management company in 2004 as intern. Shares position with Marc Dennis, Brian Manning and Darin Murphy.
Jonathan Loba — President, BMG Nashville: Stayed on after former local label group BBR was bought by industry giant BMG in 2017. Record label opened Nashville office in 2019 and added publishing duties to label responsibilities in 2022.
Megan Loveless — Talent Buyer, The Blue Room: Marketing assistant handles project management for Third Man Records, founded by Jack White. Also books shows for adjoining venue The Blue Room and co-founded DIY record label To-Go Records.
Cindy Mabe — Chair and CEO, Universal Music Group Nashville: Replaced veteran label exec Mike Dungan in 2023, promoted from president. Touted as first woman to serve as chair and CEO of major label group in Nashville.
David Macias — CEO and Co-Founder, Thirty Tigers: Founded in 2001 firm that handles marketing distribution and publishing for artists. TSU alum and Grammy-winning producer.
Shane McAnally — CEO, SMACK and Co-President, Monument Records: Decorated songwriter who wrote more than 40 No. 1 hit songs for Sam Hunt, Kacey Musgraves and others. Won three Grammy awards and composed Shucked Broadway musical.
Michael Milom — Partner and Founding Member, Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan: Industry veteran concentrates on intellectual property and entertainment and taught copyright and entertainment law at Vanderbilt for decades. Also serves as legal counsel to Country Music Hall of Fame.
Jason Owen — President and CEO, Sandbox Entertainment: Longtime music industry exec left Universal Music to start Sandbox artist management company in 2010. Worked with Shane McAnally to revive Monument Records in 2017.
Jackie Patillo — President, Gospel Music Association: Experienced exec at Sony has led Christian organization since 2011, now preparing for downtown museum. Lipscomb board member also helps produce GMA Dove Awards.
John Peets — Founder, Q Prime South: Seasoned artist manager partnered with longtime client Eric Church to establish Solid Entertainment in 2022. Q Prime opened new headquarters at East Nashville former church the same year.
Royce Risser — Head of Nashville, The Familie: Former Universal Music Group Nashville exec overseeing move of Los Angeles-based firm to Nashville in 2024 and serving as EVP of country music. Firm focuses on music and sports clients.
Shannon Sanders — Executive Director, Broadcast Music Inc.: Grammy, Dove and Emmy award winner joined BMI’s Nashville office in 2020, and also was founder and original program director of local soul radio station 102.1 FM.
Jessie Scott — Program Director, WMOT Roots Radio: Co-founded Americana Music Association and helped MTSU station switch to Americana format, serving in program director role since 2016.
Barry Neil Shrum — Founder, Shrum Disney & Associates: Industry veteran specializing in licensing, royalties and copyright law recently created Music Row law firm with partner Dennis Disney.
Mike Sistad — Vice President, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers: Promoted to position in 2019, Belmont alumnus has spent more than two decades with performance rights organizations. Also worked with The Recording Academy, Operation Song and Association of Independent Music Publishers.
Kenny Smoov — Program Director, Cumulus Broadcasting: Broadcast veteran and host of morning show on 92Q, Nashville’s R&B and throwbacks station, also serves as vice president of urban formats at Cumulus Media.
Jennie Smythe — CEO, Girlilla Marketing: Founder of boutique digital marketing firm became CMA board officer in 2024. Roster includes Brooke Shields, Gavin DeGraw, Thomas Rhett and Blondie, but also serves actors and some businesses.
Stephen Trageser — Music Editor, Nashville Scene: Oversees diverse coverage of local music scene for alt weekly influential off Music Row, teaming with editor-in-chief and former music editor D. Patrick Rodgers. Recently contributed to exhibit on hip-hop coverage at National Museum for African American Music.
Sarah Trahern — CEO, Country Music Association: Former politics reporter at C-SPAN and Great American Country executive began leading trade group in 2014 and oversees CMA Fest, CMA Country Christmas and CMA Awards, among other events.
Mike Vaden — Principal, Elliott Davis: Leads regional firm’s entertainment and family office practice. Accountant with long history of working with music industry figures including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and George Jones.
Bob Valentine — CEO, Concord: Longtime employee of independent record company served as president and CFO before promotion to CEO in 2023. Represents more than 1 million songs with six additional offices internationally.
Jon Vlassopulos — CEO, Napster: Brentwood-based former Roblox music executive was named CEO of music platform company in 2022 and oversaw moving its headquarters to Nashville in 2023.
Jason Moon Wilkins — Program Director, WNXP: Founder of Do615 and daily host on Nashville’s NPR affiliate alternative indie music station is longtime veteran of city’s music scene.
G. Preston Wilson Jr. — Director, Fisk Jubilee Singers: Former member of ensemble was named director in 2023. Historically Black group thought to have brought “Music City” name to Nashville, and in 2021 marked 150 years and released Grammy-winning album.
Sally Williams — President of Nashville Music and Business Strategy, Live Nation: Moved from Ryman Hospitality Group in 2019 to head up overall business and entertainment strategy. Oversees operations of area Live Nation venues Ascend Amphitheater and Brooklyn Bowl.
