LEADERSHIP MUSIC HAS SELECTED 48 INDUSTRY LEADERS FOR ITS 27th ANNUAL CLASS

NASHVILLE (6-2-15) – Leadership Music’s 27^th class will be composed of 48 industry leaders from across the country. Founded in 1989 by eleven music industry alumni of Leadership Nashville, Leadership Music has graduated more than 1000 leaders. The annual program is designed to create a forum for established music community leaders to identify and explore issues currently affecting the music industry, as well as providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences and meeting people one would not ordinarily meet with whom one builds lasting relationships.

“The Leadership Music Class of 2016 is an impressive group of industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from a diverse field of music businesses,” said Sally Williams, General Manager at the Ryman Auditorium, who, as immediate past president of the board of directors, chaired the selection committee. “We had a record number of applications this year, and choosing 48 applicants from among the hundreds who applied is one of the most daunting tasks I’ve ever faced. The selection committee, composed of 24 alumni from every facet of the industry, deliberates over a four week period, and makes every effort to choose the most balanced and diverse class possible. We all consider it a privilege to be charged with playing a role in the future of this organization.”

Members of the Class of 2016 are: Craig Balsam, Co-CEO/Co-Founder, Razor & Tie (NYC); Blaine Barcus, Vice President, A&R, Provident Label Group/Sony Music Entertainment; Deb Barnes, Editor/Writer; Heather Buresh, Executive Director, Big Loud Bucks/Round Hill Music; Justin Cole, Director of Country Programming, Premiere Networks/iHeart Media; Jason Colton, Artist Manager, Red Light Management (Seattle); Jen Danielson, Director, Music Strategy, CMT; Barry Dean, Songwriter; Todd Dupler, Director of Government Relations, The Recording Academy (Washington, DC); Steve Emley, Artist Manager, Fitzgerald Hartley; Nick Ferrara, Attorney, Nicholas C. Ferrara & Associates; Josh Friedlander, Senior VP, Strategic Data Analysis, RIAA (Washington, DC); Aaron Gant, Vice President, Production, Warner Chappell Production Music; Bob Guerra, Senior Vice President, Programming, Cherry Creek Radio; Margaret Hart, Manager, Artist & Label Relations, YouTube; Bruce Houghton, President, Skyline Music (Roanoke, VA) ; Brent Hyams, Chief Operating Officer, TPAC/War Memorial Auditorium; Gavin Ivester, CEO, Flo; Cris Lacy, Vice President, A&R, Warner Music Nashville;  Tim Lauer, musician/producer/writer; Jonathan Levine, Agent, Paradigm Talent Agency; Renee´ Leymon, Vice  President, Promotion, Red Bow Records; Chris Lisle, Owner, Chris Lisle Lighting Design; Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Operations & Events, Academy of Country Music (Los Angeles); Angie Magill, Vice  President, Legal & Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville; Blake McDaniel, Agent, CAA; Maurice Miner, President, Maurice Miner Media & Marketing; Sean Neff, Producer/Engineer, Spin Productions; A.J. Niland, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Huka Entertainment (New Orleans); Brad Peterson, Vice President/Music Division Team Leader; Fifth Third Bank; Bob Raines, Executive Director, Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission; Joe Rapolla,  Director, Music Industry Program, Monmouth University (New Jersey); Adam Ritholz, Attorney, Ritholz Levy Sanders Chidekel & Fields (NYC); Pete Robinson, Senior Vice President/GM, Big Deal Music; Carmen Romano, Business Manager, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy (NYC); Jon Romero, Head of Digital Marketing, Vector Management; Vince Santoro, Secretary/Treasurer, Nashville Musicians’ Union, AFM Local 257; Neville Shende, Fleet Operations & Safety Manager, Pioneer Coach; Brandi Simms, Senior Director, Membership & Balloting, Country Music Association; Anjula Singh, Chief Financial Officer, SoundExchange (Washington, DC);  Dr. Gregory Stewart, Executive  Principal, Nashville School of the Arts; Phil Thornton, Vice President/GM, Urban Inspirational, Entertainment One; Brad Turcotte, Vice President, Marketing, Universal Music Group Nashville; Jennifer Turnbow, Senior Director of Operations, Nashville Songwriters Association International; Allison Warren, Vice President, Market Manager, Cumulus Nashville; Jill Wheeler, Concert  Promoter, Red Mountain Entertainment (Birmingham); Jenn Witherell, Vice President, Marketing & Publicity, Big Enterprises; and Russ Zavitson, President, Zavitson Music Group.

Leadership Music is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization whose mission is to nurture a knowledgeable, issue-oriented of music industry professionals. The Program, which begins with an orientation and alumni reception in September, totals 10 days in eight sessions over eight months. It launches with a two-day opening retreat weekend in October; then presents six monthly themed days targeting the latest issues regarding songwriting, publishing, artists, studios and production, record companies, distribution, media, and touring; and concludes with a two-day closing retreat in May. The Program is produced by alumni volunteers and features worldwide experts as speakers and participants, to provide relevance to the future with context from the past.