ACM Tempo | Winter 2022

TEMPO ACM

WINTER 2022

ACM Award Winner

KANE BROWN Proudly Authentic

Q&A

with MRC’S

ADAM STOTSKY

57 TH ACM AWARDS TAKE OVER ALLEGIANT STADIUM MARCH 7 s MEET THE ACADEMY’S NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CHAIRS

Contents

12 | STAFFING UP Meet the new staffers on the ACM team and see who was recently promoted

16 | MEET THE DIRECTORS New directors join both the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives Board

20 | STADIUM TAKEOVER

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Editor’s Note

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CEO Note

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ACM News

40

In Memory

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ACM Moment

Cover Story ACM Tempo talks to Kane Brown about his success in 2021 and his plans for new music PAGE 30

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Take a look back at the last time the ACM Awards were held in a stadium as the Academy prepares to land in Allegiant Stadium for the 57th ACM Awards

22 | THIS CHAIR’S TAKEN Lori Badgett steps into her new role as the Academy of Country Music Chair

26 | OFF THE ICE Troy Vollhoffer gears up to take on his new role as Chair of ACM Lifting Lives

36 | NEW FAN ON THE BLOCK MRC’s Live & Alternative President, Adam Stotsky, highlights the power of streaming and expectations for the 57th ACM Awards

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ON THE COVER: ACM Award Winner Kane Brown

photographed by John Shearer

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TEMPO

E D ITO R ’ S N OTE

E ditor

Libby Gardner

Happy New Year!

A ssistant E ditor

Hannah Kellis C ontributors

Tricia Despres, Craig Shelburne D esign

Randi Karabin, Karabin Creative

As I sit at my kitchen table typing this letter on my laptop, tossing-back coffee, water and Emergen-C, with my laundry in the wash and cat climbing on me, it’s apparent that life these days still looks a bit different.

Jokes aside, the pandemic has affected us all, but as we prepare for a new year and the 57th ACM Awards, we are reminded of the strength and resilience of Country Music and the community’s power when we rally together.

In a year where every day was (I hate to say it given the frequency it’s now used) unprecedented, with the help of our incredible staff, Board of Directors and Members, the Academy managed to pull-off incredible successes, including the 56th ACM Awards, 14th Annual ACM Honors and Party for a Cause event, all in a year’s time. It’s evident that as a team we make moves and only success lies ahead for the Academy.

In this issue, we welcome Lori Badgett as Chair of the Academy and Troy Vollhoffer as Chair of ACM Lifting Lives. Learn more about them and their plans on pages 22 and 26. Also, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our ACM and ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors and our 2022 Academy of Country Music Member Class.

Featured on the cover, Kane Brown, gives us a glimpse into his plans for 2022, including new music and gives his take on diversity, equality and inclusion in the Country Music industry. Read it on page 30.

Now, as we look ahead to a fruitful year, I’d like to take a moment to remember all the lives we lost in 2021, including one of our own, Lisa Lee. You are probably used to seeing her letter on this page, and I’m no Lisa Lee, but I promise to make her and the Academy proud as the new editor of ACM Tempo.

P rinting

Graphic Visions Commerical Printing P hotos

ACM, Lori Badgett, Getty Images, MRC, John Shearer, Troy Vollhoffer ACADEMY STAFF CEO

Damon Whiteside E xecutive D irector/ACM L ifting L ives

Lyndsay Cruz

Vice P resident/Finance & O perations

Alexa Fasheh

Vice P resident/Strategic Partnerships

Jen Heaton

Vice P resident/M arketing and D igital Strategy & E ngagement

Rory Levine

Vice P resident/A rtist & I ndustry R elations , B oard A dministration & G overnance

Tommy Moore

D irector/C reative & C ontent

Brandon Campbell

D irector/D esign & B rand C reative

Lori Kraft

D irector/B rand M arketing & Partnerships

Steve Mekler

D irector/C ommunications , M edia R elations & R adio

Melissa Moldovan D irector/Events

Lanni (Gagnon) Niggli M anager/M arketing

Jessica Curtis

M anager/Events

Jennifer Davis

M anager/C reative & C ontent

Libby Gardner

M anager/Awards & M embership

Haley Montgomery

Stay happy and healthy!

M anager/A rtist & I ndustry R elations , B oard A dministration & G overnance

Maddy Stessman

M anager/L ifting L ives

Taylor Wolf

Libby Gardner Tempo Editor

C oordinator/Strategic Partnerships

Jenny Dunn

C oordinator/C reative & C ontent

Hannah Kellis

C oordinator/D igital & S ocial M edia

Dayna Poskanzer A ssistant/Events

Alexis Bingham

A ssistant/M arketing & C ommunications

Carrie McDonough

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“With her layered necklaces, colorful scrunchies, and plainspoken, relatable lyrics, Block is the best friend country music fans wish they had. She’s vulnerable, funny and fierce with a story to tell – and people are finally listening” —People “Block delivers lyrics that are not only openly honest but also full of confidence and self-certainty” —The Boot

“JUST ABOUT OVER YOU”

“A well-crafted lament that propelled her out of the TikTok underground and into the Country mainstream –The New Yorker

OVER 165M

Global Streams

TOP 15

at Country Radio

Priscilla’s self-titled debut EP was the best performing EP from a new female artist in 2021

“Bar” the doors… another hit is on its way in early 2022

FRO M TH E CEO

Dear Valued Academy Members, Well, we made it! We can now look back on 2021 as another pivotal year for the Country Music industry – filled with its challenges, uncertainties and struggles. However, what is most important is that we can reflect on how resilient, connected and innovative our community really is. We have leaned on each other for the past two years of dark times and have emerged stronger than ever. Now as we prepare for 2022, despite some of the uncertainties that still lie ahead, we can have confidence that Country Music will continue to be at the forefront as our business normalizes.

Reflecting on 2021 at the Academy, I am extremely proud of our accomplishments despite many difficult situations. Our 56th ACM Awards live from Nashville will always remain one of our most special and heartfelt shows ever produced. We followed that with the return of the 14th Annual ACM Honors, which celebrated our deserving Industry, SRA and Special Awards winners and brought our artist community back together on one stage. That week also celebrated the heart of our artists bringing ACM Party for a Cause to Nashville for the first time, supporting the mission of ACM Lifting Lives, which is to improve lives through the power of music. This mission has been the focus of the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives staff and Boards, which is evident by the nearly $4 million dollars raised and distributed to those in need through our ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund. The most challenging part of 2021 surely was losing our beloved Lisa Lee. Quite simply, it ripped the hearts out of our staff, Board, industry and artists who all knew and loved her. Thankfully we had an opportunity to celebrate her legacy at a special service which took place in December at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. We will carry her memory forward with us in all that we do at the Academy for many years to come.

As I write this, I feel energized about the year ahead. We are lucky to have incredible leadership of our two Board of Directors, with Lori Badgett as our ACM Chair and Troy Vollhoffer as our ACM Lifting Lives Chair. They will both be instrumental as we plan for our recently announced return to Las Vegas for the 57th ACM Awards to be held at Allegiant Stadium on Monday, March 7. In addition to this being a super-sized show in a new venue and on a new night, it is also breaking ground as the first awards show ever to exclusively livestream, thanks to our partnership with Amazon Prime Video.

The show’s format will be completely innovated for this platform and for the first time will have a significant global distribution footprint so that we can reach new and existing Country fans around the world. The ACM Awards ballot opened January 3, and we hope that our Members will take advantage of this benefit by using your voice to cast your vote!

Another fundamental new shift will be the opening of the ACM office in Nashville. Our new doors are planned to open mid-summer in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood, and I hope that this will become a place that you can visit your Academy and interact with our staff. As we have many talented new staff members that have joined our team recently, I encourage you to get to know them by reading about them in this issue.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement with the Academy and ACM Lifting Lives, and I look forward to you being a part of our story in 2022.

Damon Whiteside Chief Executive Officer

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ACM DICK CLARK ARTIST OF THE DECADE

10TH STUDIO DOUBLE-ALBUM MACON, GEORGIA

AVAILABLE NOW

AVAILABLE 4/22

FEATURING THE MUTLI-WEEK #1 HIT SINGLE “IF I DIDN’T LOVE YOU” WITH CARRIE UNDERWOOD

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57TH ACM AWARDS SET FOR ALLEGIANT STADIUM The 57th ACM Awards is coming to you live on Monday, March 7, 2022 from the Allegiant

VOTING TIMELINES

Stadium in Las Vegas. Country Music’s favorite party and musical event of the year will stream on Prime Video in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, marking the first time a major awards show has livestreamed exclusively. The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards™ will honor the biggest names and emerging talent in Country Music, all while featuring exciting performances, unprecedented collaborations, and surprising moments and you can be a part of the action.

The ballot timeline for professional members: The submissions eligibility period for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards is January 1, 2021 through November 15, 2021.

Key dates for Academy professional members for the 2021 ACM Awards cycle are as follows:

57th ACM Awards Balloting Periods FIRST ROUND MAIN AWARDS

January 3, 2022 — January 10, 2022 RADIO AWARDS

January 3, 2022 - January 17, 2022

SECOND ROUND January 24, 2022 — January 31, 2022

Tickets are selling fast, so buy yours now at Ticketmaster.com.

FINAL ROUND RADIO AWARDS

January 24, 2022 — February 7, 2022 MAIN AWARDS

February 21, 2022 — February 28, 2022 To learn more about voting eligibility and categories, please visit acmcountry.com/voting-criteria.

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kelsea ballerini

congratulations on a monumental 2021 #3 most played female on country radio half of my hometown (feat. Kenny Chesney) cma awards for music video of the year and musical event of the year, top 10, certified gold, 120+ million streams hole in the bottle sixth #1, certified platinum i quit drinking - collaboration with LANY hot ac top 20, certified gold, 100+ million streams kelsea album certified gold feel your way through release of first poetry collection cmt artist of the year the remember this tour with the jonas brothers 4 gold and platinum RIAA certifications in 2021 and 25 overall

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NASHVILLE BOUND

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n November 1, the Academy of Country Music ® announced the signing of a lease at Nashville Warehouse Company, a new Class-A office development on 5.2 acres in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood of Nashville, TN. Nashville Warehouse Company is the city’s first large-scale, modern mass timber building and will be the Academy’s first office location in Nashville.

A Conversation with Jimmie Allen This fall, as part of the Mondo.NYC conference, multi-platinum recording artist and current GRAMMY Award nominee for Best New Artist Jimmie Allen sat down with the Academy’s Damon Whiteside and RIAA’s Jackie Jones to talk about being named the ACM Male New Artist of the Year, how he broke into the Country Music industry, change he has witnessed in the industry over the past few years and how important diversity is to the music community. Allen also touched on the importance of staying to true to yourself in order to find real success and offered advice to artists on the rise, who look to him now as a breakout star.

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Melissa Moldovan Named Director, Communications, Media Relations & Radio

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Chicago native, Melissa Moldovan joined the Academy in 2015, fresh off a four-year stint at the nationally syndicated radio show The Big Time with Whitney Allen, where she worked as an assistant producer and fill-in co-host while simultaneously developing the show's social media marketing strategy. Her work there led to the creation of a social media staff position, which Moldovan undertook in addition to her other roles. Once she joined the Academy of Country Music, Moldovan has been an integral part in leading on all publicity, marketing, radio and promotional efforts throughout her past six years.

In her role as Director, Moldovan executes and oversees all media relations, radio promotions, and leads on Academy and ACM Lifting Lives press materials. Additionally, Moldovan will oversee media relations and radio promotions while the 57th ACM Awards makes its live debut on Amazon Prime Video, marking the first time a major awards show will stream live.

Moldovan will also lead those same efforts on Academy of Country Music Honors, ACM Party for a Cause events, ACM Lifting Lives events, red carpets, and work closely with the marketing and events teams. With the support of her department, PR Task Force and Radio Task Force, she will also work to create new and strategic initiatives to benefit the Academy of Country Music entity. Moldovan reports to Rory Levine, VP, Marketing and Digital Strategy & Engagement.

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LANNI (GAGNON) NIGGLI NAMED DIRECTOR, EVENTS Born and raised in Reading, MA, just north of Boston, Lanni (Gagnon) Niggli first joined the Academy full time in December 2017 as Coordinator, Events. Niggli attended Ithaca College where she received a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Management, and Design. During her final year at Ithaca, she participated in the Ithaca College Los Angeles program and interned for the Academy. As an intern, she assisted the Events department with planning and logistics for the 50th Annual ACM Awards that took place at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Upon completion of her internship, she went on to work in the events industry in Los Angeles, gaining further experience in entertainment, nonprofit, and corporate events. She also continued to freelance for the Academy, joining the events team on-site for the 51st and 52nd ACM Award shows.

In her role as Director, Niggli oversees the planning and logistics for the ACM Awards, Academy of Country Music Honors, and ACM Party for a Cause events, including event production, budgets, security, health and safety, red carpet, transportation, food and beverage and partnership fulfillment.

With the support of her department and the events committee, she also works to create new and strategic event initiatives that will benefit both the ACM community and ACM Lifting Lives. Niggli reports to Alexa Fasheh, VP, Finance & Operations.

Hannah Kellis Named Coordinator, Creative & Content

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orn and raised in Sanford, ME, Hannah Kellis graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, where she studied Media Production. Upon graduating, she interned with companies such as A Rocha USA and Therapy Studios, where she assisted with both production and post-production. She then began work at Vendetta/ Apartment 3B Productions, where she handled script coverage and event preparation. Kellis joined the Academy in early 2020 as Assistant, Creative & Content.

In her role as Coordinator, Kellis will oversee day-to-day responsibilities of the Creative & Content department, manage the Academy’s photo archives and EPK pages, and serve as a production assistant for all major events. She reports to Brandon Campbell, Director, Content.

DAYNA POSKANZER NAMED COORDINATOR, DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Born and raised in Albany, NY, Dayna Poskanzer attended Ithaca College where she studied Integrated Marketing Communications. After graduating in December 2018, she relocated to Los Angeles and interned with the Academy's Marketing department during the 54th ACM Awards and the 13th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors. Following her internship, Poskanzer joined the Academy full-time in the fall of 2019, serving as Assistant, Marketing.

During her time in this role, she assisted the marketing department with all needs pertaining to public relations, radio promotion, digital and social media, with special attention to administrative and support duties, proofreading, culling media lists, press coverage, and also served as a public relations point of contact on behalf of the Academy for all major events, among other responsibilities.

Most recently, Poskanzer has shifted into a new role, Coordinator, Digital & Social Media, where she will be supporting the day-to-day responsibilities of the Academy’s Digital and Social department. Poskanzer will play a collaborative role in all strategic expansion and growth – including launching official Academy-branded presence on new platforms, articulating and deploying new tactical approaches on existing platforms, and developing new content and creative materials.

She reports to Rory Levine, VP, Marketing and Digital Strategy & Engagement.

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CARRIE McDONOUGH NAMED ASSISTANT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Alexis Bingham

Named Assistant, Events

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riginally from Watkins Glen, New York, Alexis Bingham graduated from Ithaca College where she studied communication management and design. During her time at Ithaca College, she was a student event manager as well as commencement intern on campus and an events intern for the 56th ACM Awards and 14th Academy of Country Music Honors. In her role, Bingham supports the events team with several projects surrounding the planning of the ACM Awards, ACM Honors, and ACM Party for a Cause. She also assists the department with various needs, and any other internal or external events that occur throughout the year.

Bingham reports to Lanni (Gagnon) Niggli, Director, Events.

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Originally from Pennsylvania, Carrie McDonough is a 2021 graduate from Millersville University, where she studied Speech Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. She interned with the Academy’s Marketing department beginning in her junior year of college, assisting with ACM Our Country, the 55th ACM Awards, 56th ACM Awards and 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors. Prior to her internship with the ACM, McDonough’s passion for Country Music led to an early internship with WCAT-FM Red 102.3 in Carlisle, PA before being hired on the Street Team for WGTY-FM Froggy 107.7 in York, PA. Additionally, she served as a Communication Intern for the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention in Maryland. In her role at the Academy, she assists the Marketing and Communications teams with all day-to-day needs, with special attention to administrative and support duties, proofreading, culling media lists, radio and press coverage, and serving as a production assistant for all major events, among other duties. She reports to Rory Levine, VP, Marketing and Digital Strategy & Engagement.

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The Academy Announces New Board of Directors For 2021-2022

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he Academy of Country Music® announced its newly-elected Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term. Previously announced officer roles for the Academy of Country Music for the 2021-2022 term are, Chair Lori Badgett, Vice-Chair Chuck Aly, Vice-President Ebie McFarland, Treasurer Carmen Romano, Sergeant-at-Arms Gayle Holcomb, Parliamentarian Paul Moore, and Secretary Tommy Moore.

“We are honored to usher in the upcoming term by welcoming our newly elected Board of Directors who have graciously agreed to serve the Academy through what is sure to be a pivotal year,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “As we prepare for 2022 and our awards show’s historic move to Amazon Prime Video, we remain grateful for the guidance these well-respected professionals will provide to ensure the Academy’s success well into the future.”

This year, 6 of the 13 qualifying professional categories were elected by the Academy’s membership. In addition to those elected, director-at-large positions

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have been appointed by Chair Lori Badgett, Vice-Chair Chuck Aly, and Vice-President Ebie McFarland.

Directors are elected from each category based on the number of members in that category. Each director serves a staggered two-year term.

Newly elected members of the Board of Directors include Chuck Ainlay, Enzo DeVincenzo, Kerri Edwards, Chris Kappy, Beverly Keel, Katie McCartney, Mike Molinar, Annie Ortmeier, TJ Osborne, Kevin Ream, Ken Robold, Frank Rogers, Troy Vollhoffer and Derek Wells.

Newly appointed director-at-large members of the Board of Directors include Scott Bailey, Randy Bernard, RAC Clark, George Couri, Crystal Dishmon, Rusty Gaston, Will Hitchcock, Andrew Kautz, Ben Kline, Jeff Krones, Cris Lacy, Beth Laird, Daniel Miller, Tree Paine, Chris Parr, Ryan Redington, Shannon Sanders and Brittany Schaffer. George Couri and Brittany Schaffer were appointed to a one-year term to fill a previous vacancy.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Lori Badgett; Chuck Aly; Ebie McFarland; Carmen Romano; Gayle Holcomb; Paul Moore; Tommy Moore.

Academy of Country Music Board of Directors 2021–2022 OFFICERS Chair of the Board, Lori Badgett, City National Bank Vice-Chair, Chuck Aly, Country Aircheck Vice-President, Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media Treasurer*, Carmen Romano, FBMM Sergeant-at-Arms, Gayle Holcomb, WME Parliamentarian, Paul Moore, PGM Connections Secretary, Tommy Moore, Academy of Country Music *Treasurer elected in 2019 for a three-year term

MUSIC PUBLISHER/PRO Cyndi Forman, UMPG Mike Molinar, Big Machine Music

AFFILIATED Deana Ivey, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Beverly Keel, MTSU Chris Lisle, CLLD, LLC / The Touring Career Workshop Scott Scovill, The Steel Mill/Moo TV Sally Williams, Live Nation

SONGWRITER Lee Thomas Miller

ARTIST/MUSICIAN/ PRODUCER/ENGINEER Chuck Ainlay TJ Osborne Frank Rogers Derek Wells

VENUE Kevin Ream, Cheatham Street Warehouse Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production

DIGITAL MARKETING/ DISTRIBUTION Beville Dunkerley, Pandora MANAGER Enzo DeVincenzo, 377 Management Kerri Edwards, kpentertainment Chris Kappy, Make Wake Artists MEDIA/PUBLIC RELATIONS Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media

RADIO Tim Roberts, Entercom RECORD COMPANY Cindy Mabe, Universal Music Group Nashville Katie McCartney, Monument Records Annie Ortmeier, Universal Music Group Nashville Ken Robold, Sony Music Nashville

TALENT AGENT Becky Gardenhire, WME TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER Ali Harnell, Live Nation

VISUAL CONTENT Tom Forrest, taillight DIRECTORS AT LARGE Scott Bailey, Opry Entertainment Randy Bernard, Bob Doyle & Associates Bobby Bones, iHeart Media Jackie Campbell, 615 Leverage + Strategy RAC Clark, Lion’s Heart Entertainment Crystal Dishmon, Shopkeeper Management Charlie Cook, Cumulus George Couri, Triple 8 Management Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing Nashville

Will Hitchcock, Morris Higham Management Jeremy Holley, FlyteVu Andrew Kautz, BMLG Ben Kline, Warner Music Nashville Jeff Krones, CAA Cris Lacy, Warner Music Nashville Beth Laird, Creative Nation Frank Liddell, Carnival Music Jon Loba, Broken Bow Music Group Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management Daniel Miller, Fusion Music Curt Motley, UTA Brian O’Connell, Live Nation Tree Paine, Premium PR Chris Parr, MAVERICK Rod Phillips, iHeart Media Ryan Redington, Amazon Music Kelly Rich Shannon Sanders, BMI Brittany Schaffer, Spotify Sally Seitz, Apple Music Candice Watkins, Big Loud Records Trisha Yearwood PAST CHAIRS Paul Barnabee, FBMM Duane Clark, FBMM Darin Murphy, CAA Ken Tucker, Wheelhouse Records Ed Warm, Joe’s Live Ben Vaughn, Warner Chappell EX OFFICIO PAST CHAIRS Rod Essig, CAA Mark Hartley Butch Waugh, Studio2bee

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LE T ’ S LI F T LIVE S

TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: Troy Vollhoffer; Lorie Lytle; Daniel Miller BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: Duane Clark; Taylor Wolf

ACM Lifting Lives Announces New Board of Directors for 2021-2022

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CM Lifting Lives® announced the newly elected Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term. Previously announced officer roles for ACM Lifting Lives 2021-2022 term are Chair Troy Vollhoffer, Vice-Chair Lorie Lytle, Vice-President Daniel Miller, Treasurer Duane Clark and Secretary Taylor Wolf.

“As we conclude a monumental year for ACM Lifting Lives, we are grateful for the service of this year’s board members and the role they played in helping to distribute more than $3.8 million in funds to our Country Music community,” said Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director. “We are excited to welcome our new board members and to utilize their unique expertise and passion in continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of others though the power of music.”

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The ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors is comprised of ACM Board Members, referred to as representative directors, as well as leaders in nonprofit and corporate affairs who aren’t ACM Board Members and are referred to as public directors.

This year, there were four representative director positions elected, four public director positions elected, and one public director position appointed by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors: Newly elected representative directors include RAC Clark, Shawn McSpadden, Darin Murphy and Annie Ortmeier.

Newly elected public directors include Scott Adkins, Tiffany Brush, Ellen Lehman and Judee Ann Williams.

Newly appointed public director includes Julie Gordon.

ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors 2021–2022 OFFICERS Chair, Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production Vice-Chair, Lorie Lytle, Fridrich & Clark Realty Vice-President, Daniel Miller, Fusion Music Treasurer, Duane Clark, FBMM Secretary, Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS Jackie Campbell, 615 Leverage + Strategy Duane Clark, FBMM RAC Clark, Lion’s Heart Entertainment Beville Dunkerley, Pandora Rod Essig, CAA Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management Daniel Miller, Fusion Music Darin Murphy, CAA Annie Ortmeier, Universal Music Group Nashville Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production Butch Waugh, Studio2bee Sally Williams, Live Nation PUBLIC DIRECTORS Scott Adkins, Adkins Publicity Tiffany Brush, Topgolf Mark Bloom, UBS Financial Services, Inc. Ross Copperman Chris Farren, Combustion Music Kathleen Flaherty, K21 Communications Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment Julie Gordon John Hickman, Dallas Cowboys Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group Ricky Kelley, Harley-Davidson of Columbia Ellen Lehman, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Lorie Lytle, Fridrich & Clark Realty Beth Moore Kimberly Schlapman, Little Big Town Meredith Seacrest, Ryan Seacrest Foundation F. Reid Shippen, Robot Lemon Elaina Smith, Nights with Elaina Jay Williams, WME Judee Ann Williams, CAA PAST CHAIRS Lori Badgett, City National Bank Paul Barnabee, FBMM Bruce Bowman, PlaySpots Debbie Carroll, MusiCares Mark Hartley Gayle Holcomb, WME Tree Paine, Premium PR Ed Warm, Joe’s Live

GIVE THE GIFT OF A NEW BEGINNING The ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund is still open and accepting applications from those in the Country Music community who qualify for assistance. This fund helps to alleviate the burden that many of the behind-the-scenes professionals, such as touring personnel and musicians, songwriters and developing artists, are facing. Many are still living in a constant state of uncertainty and facing desperate needs, which include mental and emotional anxiety as well as financial strain. ACM Lifting Lives continues to support the needs of our industry family by providing both financial assistance and access to resources for mental health support.

To date, over $3.8 million has been disbursed directly to individuals in the Country Music community who are experiencing financial hardship due to this pandemic.

TO LEARN MORE AND DONATE TO THE FUND, VISIT ACMLIFITINGLIVES.ORG

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THE COUNTRY MUSIC PARTY SO BIG,

ONLY A STADIUM CAN HOLD IT!

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he Academy is excited to not only be returning to Las Vegas, but also to be bringing Country Music’s Party of the Year® back to a stadium venue.

In 2015, the ACM Awards® landed in Arlington, Texas to celebrate the 50th ACM Awards at AT&T Stadium. It was a night full of surprising collaborations, historic awards and record-breaking attendance, earning a Guiness World Record for the Highest Attendance of an Award Show Broadcast with 70,252 attendees. Take a look back through the photos from our 2015 stadium show and get excited for all the spectacular performances that will take place during the 57th ACM Awards at Allegiant Stadium!

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BELOW: Dan + Shay perform a mash-up of hits with superstar, Nick Jonas; Little Big Town accepts the ACM Vocal Group of the Year award

ABOVE: Honoree Miranda Lambert accepts the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Award; Co-hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton pose for a selfie during the 50th ACM Awards BELOW: George Strait, recipient of the 50th Anniversary Milestone Award, performs onstage

ABOVE: Lady A performs onstage during the 50th ACM Awards at AT&T Stadium

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Transactions

Interactions

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BY LIBBY GARDNER

City National Bank’s Lori Badgett readies as the Academy of Country Music® Chair

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ori Badgett jokes that loving Country Music wasn’t really a choice for her. A true Nashville native, Badgett was raised in Hendersonville, and her father, Ed Stone, served as the head of marketing for the Opryland theme park, the Opryland Hotel and the Grand Ole Opry for almost 15 years, spending much of her childhood surrounded by all things Country Music.

“Most Saturday nights were at the Opry. Even at 5, 6, 7 years old, I would sleep in Roy Acuff’s dressing room,” Badgett recalled. “That was just our life, and I didn’t realize that other people didn’t live that way or didn’t go to concerts when they were little and sit on their dad’s knee and sing to every Gene Watson song. It wasn’t just the music. It was the people who made the music.”

This unique Country Music upbringing led Badgett at first to believe she would follow in her father’s footsteps, but in college she gained a newfound love for banking and found a career where she could marry her understanding of the creative side with the logistical side of music-making. And with time, in her career, she not only saw but also contributed to her hometown embracing its name, “Music City.”

“When you really study the history of Nashville and understand that the city did not embrace the words ‘Music City’ until more recently,” Badgett explained. “The people

FROM LEFT: Dolly Parton and Lori Badgett; Ed Stone (father), sister and Lori Badgett; Conway Twitty and Lori Badgett; Lori Badgett and Ed Stone (father)

who made Country Music were the hillbillies and were not necessarily a good look for the city of Nashville. There was a lot of people who built bridges between the general business community and the music community. And I was fortunate to work for Brian Williams when I first started my career, and he was perfect at that. He was a banker who had a lot of relationships, a lot of connections in the general business community but his heart was in music.

So, he brought those people together.”

From tours to publishing, and especially due to the continued consumer demand for music, Badgett foresees sustained growth for the Country Music industry.

“Well, obviously the touring business has been hit so hard with COVID, and thank God we had almost $4 million to give away in the ACM Lifting Lives® COVID-19 Response Fund because without that support a lot of people didn’t have alternatives,” she said. “So, the touring business, I suspect, will come back bigger and better than ever because people are ready to get out. But the publishing side of the business is actually booming. Some of that is people being at home during COVID and they’re

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“But at the end of the day, it’s helping individuals — whether it’s songwriters, artists, engineers, producers, whoever it may be.”

FROM LEFT: Gary Haber and Lori Badgett; Ellie, Lori, John, and Anna Badgett

streaming more. But also, just with low interest rates and with the private equity business in general, they have sort of discussed this music publishing and it’s a really good return on investment. When you’re a private equity firm and you invest in widgets, it’s fun to have a music catalog to talk about and say that you own music. It just makes it more interesting, but it’s also a really good return. So, we’re seeing more and more money come into that space.

Overall, I think, music is one of those things people always want. It’s important during the good times. It’s important during the bad times.”

Just like the average consumer, the music keeps Badgett energized in her career, but her favorite part of the job is interacting with and aiding the blossoming careers of musicians, songwriters and producers.

“You just can’t describe how it feels to work with somebody on the front end of their career before anybody knows who they are, when their parents come into the bank with them,” Badgett said. “And then to watch them grow — you know, they become your babies. You know when they first play the Opry or when they first have a hit! And they bring you music and they play you songs. I mean, we still have people who come into the office. A lot of our colleagues in New York and L.A., they don’t have that. The cities just don’t lend themselves to allow people to have the time to just drop in, but we still do, and I do

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appreciate that part of my job. You know, the fact that I work with people, as individuals, as well as companies, as well as very complex transactions. But at the end of the day, it’s helping individuals – whether it’s songwriters, artists, engineers, producers, whoever it may be. Just working with creative people and helping them make good decisions for their family.”

And what keeps her serving the ACM® boils down to the same notion — the ability to give back to and help the community.

“Everything that we do at the ACM, it all comes back to that driving purpose,” Badgett shared. “And it has been so fun to see Lifting Lives find its purpose as well, because we first started just fundraising and trying to help people in need. And over time, it’s interesting how we kept giving money to things that were associated with healthcare or doing music studies around the Williams Syndrome, or now autism with our relationship with Vanderbilt. So, it’s been so neat to see how we have found our footing. It all ties back to healthcare. These are the things that we have found to be really fruitful relationships and really helpful for our industry.”

Even amidst her busy job and duties at the ACM, Badgett still finds time to spend with her husband, John, and two daughters Ellie and Anna. And with 2022 on the horizon, it all comes back to the music and the connections for Badgett.

“To have Amazon as a partner and to be going back to Vegas, to finally have a show where hopefully people can sit in the audience, I think everybody is looking forward to that and having that interaction,” Badgett said. “I think that’s going to be a really special moment for the ACM and for Country Music.” ●

Troy Vollhoffer is ready to face off 2022 as Chair of

ACM Lifting Lives

®

GOAL, VOLLHOFFER!

BY LIBBY GARDNER

I

t’s not often you meet a person who has incredible success in two very different careers, but ACM Lifting Lives Chair, Troy Vollhoffer, is the exception.

Hailing from Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada, Vollhoffer

is no stranger to the music industry and his passion for music and live events was evident at a young age. Growing up, his exposure to music festivals by his father led him to regularly serving as a backline at Big Valley Jamboree in Craven, Canada.

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“My father was a production manager of a festival that was up in Canada, the Big Valley Jamboree. It started in 1982. It was one of the first large Country Music format festivals in North America. I started out as a kid doing backline there.

That’s kind of where I got my interest.”

Eventually, Vollhoffer, who also happened to be an extraordinarily talented hockey player, took to the ice to back his other desire of one day owning his own live music production company.

“I was fortunate enough to sign a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins to play professional hockey. And I got enough money from my signing bonus to get into the production business, which really was kind of a passion of mine. That’s how I got started. Eventually, I started picking up festivals from a production standpoint and ironically, you know, 20 years later, I ended up owning these festivals.”

Vollhoffer concluded his hockey career in Nashville with the Nashville Knights in the mid 1990s. With his Country Music past, Nashville felt like home, so he made it his home. Now, he’s proud to call himself an American citizen which he officially became almost 10 years ago, and having spent almost a decade in Nashville, he has witnessed the immense growth of the Country Music genre.

“I think Country Music is in a really healthy place. I think it’s a genre right now that’s never seen the success it’s seeing. It’s definitely a genre that is on top of the world and gaining listeners daily and fans because it seems to be attracting the kids.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Dierks Bentley, Kelly Chase and Troy Vollhoffer; Brian Andrews, Terry Ree, Troy Vollhoffer, Willie Nelson, Bruce Williams, Jordan Williams and Steve Bainer; William Lee Golden (Oak Ridge Boys), Joe Bonsall (Oak Ridge Boys), Gil Cunningham, Troy Vollhoffer, Duane Allen (Oak Ridge Boys) and Richard Sterban (Oak Ridge Boys)

When I was a kid, Country Music, unless you were brought up on it, really wasn’t what you listened to.

Now it’s the go-to for the kids which I think is a great foundation for the future of Country Music.”

Vollhoffer first learned of the Academy when he was invited to attend an ACM Awards® show in Vegas back when Dick Clark was involved. He saw value in the ACM® and its philanthropic efforts as ACM Lifting Lives was not yet quite established. A couple years after attending his first ACM Awards, ACM Lifting Lives was created and shortly thereafter, he was asked to join the ACM Lifting Lives board and later became a board member of the Academy, as well.

As Chair, Vollhoffer recognizes the dedication of his predecessor, Paul Barnabee, and Executive Director,

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Big Kenny, Troy Vollhoffer, Phil Vassar and Robin Zander; Troy Vollhoffer and Dennis Quaid; Janet Gretzky, Troy Vollhoffer, Nicole More (wife of Vollhoffer) and Wayne Gretzky; Troy Vollhoffer receiving alumni jersey; Troy Vollhoffer celebrating Air Canada win; Troy Vollhoffer playing with Baltimore Skipjacks

“Going forward, our focus now, is to raise money so we can give it away to great charities.” —Troy

Lyndsay Cruz, who navigated the organization and industry through the COVID-19 pandemic. Vollhoffer is excited to expand the reach of ACM Lifting Lives and help foster its mission statement.

“We gave a lot of money to people in need who are road people, musicians, sound guy, the bus driver, whoever was in need and could apply and get help. I’m very proud of being the Vice-Chair during that time and serving with Paul and the Board. It was a great achievement.

Going forward, our focus now, is to raise money so we can give it away to great charities. We are now changing gears a little bit; we still have a focus on helping people out with the COVID

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needs, but also now starting to go into music and the mind, which is really where we are headed with our mission statement.”

In terms of challenges this year, Vollhoffer is looking at the organization’s future as optimistically as possible, and he aims to score big this year…off the ice.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of challenges. I’m looking at it at a very cup half full scenario. Our goal is to raise money, and I think that’s always the challenge and you have to put a lot of hard work into raising money.

I mean the cause is probably the most amazing organization in regard to philanthropy that is out there.

It does so many great things. It helps so many people.

I’m truly honored just to be a part of it.”

And Vollhoffer aims to score big on the ice, too…literally.

“The Nashville Predators made me an honoree alumni member, so we get out and play these alumni games. It’s been fun to get back into it and get with the guys. It’s been a blast. I have a lot of friends who are now obviously retired from hockey, but we stay really close, and it’s been great.” ●

I M P R OV I N G

LIVES THROUGH THE

POWE R

OF

MUSIC

WWW. ACMLIFTINGLIVES.ORG

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BY LIBBY GARDNER

Kane Brown is staying true to his fans, his music and most importantly, himself.

Feeling Blessed

& FREE

A

peak inside Kane Brown’s brain reveals the classic human inner battle, knowing you should act with your heart versus feeling the need to act with your head.

When writing his new album, set to be released next year, Brown worried that exploring with different sounds and genres of music wouldn’t be accepted.

“I wanted to go super Country for a lot of it, and I was just going to do the whole album like that. And I was like, ‘No, I'm Kane Brown, I shouldn't have to do that, I should be able to do what I want to do.’”

Brown joked. “So then I would do that, but then I was like, ‘Well no, it's too far apart from the Country stuff that I want to release, so maybe I don't need to do it.’ But then I'm like, ‘No, you're Kane Brown, you can do that.’ I'm just constantly just going back and forth in my head about stuff, so now I'm just at the point where I'm just going to release a crazy album that sounds nothing like it should.”

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It’s no wonder Brown was named one of TIME’s Most Influential People of 2021. His confidence

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Brown and Khalid perform at the 54th ACM Awards; Brown performs onstage at the Ryman Auditorium for the 56th ACM Awards

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on-and-off the stage, songwriting brilliance and good-nature make him likeable to all, while his ability to combine Country with other genres in his music attracts a wide-range of fans.

“That's why I do like an older Country vibe, to show my fans and the fans of Country Music that I'm not going to go anywhere, and I can still do this,” Brown said. “But I'm the type that you can come to my show and it's basically like you're just listening to a mixtape the whole time. Like I have a song coming out, my next song, a lot of people who have heard it have said it definitely has a Randy Travis kind of vibe. And then a song that I want to release after that is like a weird rock and Country/ R&B song, which a lot of people dig. And then I have another song which is a straight pop song.”

Since taking home his first ever ACM® Award in April, Brown hasn’t slowed down. He hit the road in September to take on all 29 NBA arenas, while writing new music and still finding time to spend with his wife Katelyn, daughter Kingsley and newborn Kodi Jane. But for Brown, being back on the road, especially performing in front of fans at the NBA arenas, has been a highpoint.

“Just getting to do the NBA arenas and just getting to tour again, it's been amazing,” Brown explained. “I've had a lot of positive feedback of just how big my shows have grown, and just the confidence of me and my band on stage. The band has just been great. And of course, the energy from the fans, not getting to come to shows for a while, has just been amazing.”

His confidence on-and-off the stage, songwriting brilliance and goodnature make him likeable to all, while his ability to combine Country with other genres in his music attracts a wide-range of fans.

And any chance Brown gets to perform, he takes.

Just a few weeks ago, he found his way to the stage at Jingle Ball in both New York and Philadelphia as the only Country artist on the lineup.

“It was a fun experience,” Brown recalled. “I didn't know how the crowd was going to react, especially because it was a very young crowd. I feel young. I'm 28 years old, and I asked Tate McRae how old she was, and she said 18. My jaw hit the floor. That made me feel super old. And I was the only Country artist on the field, so is kind of different. It was kind of funny because for the longest time I felt out of place in Country Music, and then I went to this pop event and I felt out of place a little bit. It was strange. But

the crowd was very fun. They knew all my songs, which I thought was wild. It was a great experience.”

And it’s moments like these that keep Brown creatively energized and going back to the songwriting drawing board.

“I heard this band, AJR, and them live, they were just insane,” Brown said. “I remember it really inspired me.

That night, I left and I wanted to write but I had nobody to write with and I wanted to cry.”

Brown prides himself on his songwriting, and with diversity, equality and inclusion a hot topic in Country Music, Brown feels his music speaks for itself – that his lyrics present a stronger message than his words.

“I mean people can obviously see it with their eyes,

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FROM NOMINEE TO WINNER Check out Brown’s style evolution on the ACM Awards red carpet through the years.

1

3 4

2 1. Brown poses on the 52nd ACM Awards red carpet; 2. Katelyn and Kane Brown smile for the camera on the 53rd ACM Awards red carpet; 3. The Browns attend the 54th ACM Awards; 4. Brown attends the 55th ACM Awards

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I still think there’s definitely a long way to go, but [Country Music] is on the right track.

instead of just me having to talk about it,” Brown explained.

“I feel like it just gets really political at times. A lot of people they feel like you're crying about it. I don't want people to think that. I just want to show them. I tell people that it's in my music. They see the shows that we're doing. They see our streams and how many fans we have come to the show, so I don't really have to open my mouth and say anything about it.”

Brown is thrilled to see the Country Music community becoming more accepting and diverse, as artists of all backgrounds are getting time in the spotlight, but still feels there is progress to be made.

“I definitely see the industry opening up, which I love,” Brown said. “I love all these other artists getting chances and it's just amazing to see how many doors have opened in 2021. I still think there's definitely a long way to go, but it's on the right track.”

As his Blessed and Free Tour and 2021 comes to a close, Brown is ready for a year that is a bit calmer but still full of success and energy, especially as he readies to release new music.

“I think I'm going to take 2022 kind of light just because of the tour we've had this year,” Brown said. “But I do know we have the album to look forward to next year and I guess we'll have to see where that takes us.”

And with the 57th ACM Awards in March heading back to Vegas, Brown is looking forward to hanging out with his Country Music buddies and of course seeing fans in seats again.

“I'm hoping that the fans and artists will be able to attend and enjoy the show and experience it fully now that the world is opening back up more,” Brown said. “And now that the awards are back in Vegas, I can’t wait.” ●

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MRC’s Live & Alternative President, Adam Stotsky, talks plans for the upcoming 57th ACM Awards in Las Vegas.

COUNTRY MUSIC’S

NEWEST FAN

BY LIBBY GARDNER

TEMPO: I know you just started at MRC Live & Alternative a couple months ago. Could you talk a little about your career in entertainment and what led you to MRC? STOTSKY: I joined MRC after almost two decades

at NBCUniversal. Across those two decades, I spent the first part as a marketer. I was Chief Marketing Officer of NBC. And I spent the last part as a Channel Operator. I was the President of a startup network called Esquire Network, which was a partnership between NBCUniversal and Hearst Magazines and then the President for about five and a half, six years at E! Entertainment. And it was during my time at E! that I got bitten by the live entertainment bug, where we produced Live from the Red Carpet shows for all the major award shows like the Oscars, the Emmys, the Golden Globes, as well as produced our own longform entertainment events including the People’s Choice Awards, Live from New York Fashion Week, Live from the Met Gala, amongst others. And it was that passion

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for live entertainment storytelling that led me to this opportunity here at MRC. Obviously, the opportunity to become the steward of a 55-, 60-year- old brand like dick clark productions and to lead this team, who have done such great work across six decades into the future, was an incredibly exciting opportunity for me.

And to have access to blue chip, premium content, premium brands, like the Academy of Country Music Awards™, along with the American Music Awards, New Year's Rockin’ Eve and Billboard Music Awards amongst others, was an incredibly exciting opportunity. You know, a great evolution of my experience, coming from a platform like NBCUniversal into a producing studio, like MRC Live & Alternative, was a great career evolution for me, but also kind of a continuation of what I've done the entirety of my career, which has been leading creative teams across complex business solutions, complex business problems and create some great stories along the way. This is just a continuation of that, so I'm very excited to dig in.

TEMPO: We're very excited to have you. I know this will be your first year working on the ACM Awards®, so what are you most looking forward to about this upcoming show?

STOTSKY: I mean, the ACM Awards in 2022 is probably,

if not inarguably, our biggest strategic priority. The shift from the ACM Awards on CBS to the ACM Awards on Amazon Prime Video really is a transformative moment in our life stage as a business. You know, streaming is quite clearly the future of the television business, and it's where the majority of audiences are migrating. And so, for us to be able to partner with Prime Video on the 57th ACM Awards show is just an incredible opportunity to learn how to connect with streaming audiences, how to tell stories across a digital platform, and as a subset, how to connect the big events that we're producing to the passion that this audience loves, which is Country Music. And to actually connect that passion with the actual consumption opportunities inside the Amazon universe, Amazon Music and streaming and downloading and actually owning, it's just an incredible opportunity for us.

TEMPO: Yeah, I got to sit in on one of the meetings with Amazon and they were talking about how you can have the option to buy merchandise while watching the show or donate while watching the show, and I think that's a cool feature. It sets us apart.

STOTSKY: I do think it's a transformative moment for

the industry because historically these awards shows, whether it's our show or others, they sit in isolation and would be used primarily as promotional platforms for an artist or for an album or for a track. And then the rest of the value chain would have to be activated through you know terrestrial radio or streaming radio or other digital providers or retail. This is a little bit of an integrated solution. You know, where we're creating content that can actually drive commerce, and that's super exciting.

The conversations that Damon and I have had with the label and management community in Nashville, you know the excitement that we have is kind of echoed across the entire community and that kind of support is invaluable.

TEMPO: I think it’s going to be a really neat year and a great show. I know you talked a little about streaming versus the live events. Coming from the live events background, why do you think still having live events is important?

STOSKY: I think there are very few things that can drive

cultural conversation as dramatically and as powerfully as a big life event. Having the entirety of the Country Music community converge in Las Vegas in early March to celebrate with community, to celebrate music, to celebrate the artists that have made the most impactful contribution to the industry throughout the year drives just massive amounts of cultural conversation. And in an on-demand world, those kinds of, I call it “monoculture,” those kinds of cultural moments that can connect tens of

millions of fans together around one idea are increasingly rare. You know you see it in sports certainly, Super Bowls and playoffs or the Olympics, but you also see it around big live events like the ACM Awards. And so that's incredibly exciting, to kind of bring that cultural catalyst I like to call it into the streaming world through our partnership with Amazon Prime Video.

TEMPO: Yeah, that's awesome. What do you foresee as the biggest challenge for the ACM Awards this upcoming year?

STOTSKY: I mean, it's always a challenge to kind of

pick and choose who to include. I think we would love to include everybody. There's so much great music and so many interesting artists coming from all aspects of the Country community. I think curating an event that shows the breadth in diversity of its community is always a challenge because there's so much great talent and so many great artists that we have a privilege to work through. You have to make choices and making those choices is always just brutally difficult, for sure.

TEMPO: Of course. This industry is full of such talented people. One last question for you, I have to ask, are you a Country Music fan?

STOTSKY: I'm increasingly becoming one, that's for sure.

I didn't grow up inside a Country loving household. I did go to school in West Virginia, I went to West Virginia University and was exposed to, certainly not Deep South, but southern culture. But you know I have, since taking on this assignment and getting to spend time with Damon, the ACM® team, the community in Nashville, have definitely come to be a fan. I think what's so interesting, from the outside in, and seeing it from the inside out, I mean the passion not only for this music but also for this community is really kind of unrivaled at anywhere else inside the pop culture world. And that's super unique and so I feel really privileged to be a part of it even in my own little way.

TEMPO: Well, yeah! We’re glad to have you in the Country Music scene.

STOTSKY: That’s right! Whether or not I like it or not –

*both laugh* STOTSKY: I do. We did a couple of days of meetings with

the heads of labels and respective teams in managers talking about our ambition for the show. We're bringing the show onto such a huge canvas in Las Vegas inside Allegiant Stadium. Sharing our vision and meeting our vision head-on with their vision for their artists and their passion for the work that their artists are doing, it's just breathtaking. I’m just incredibly exciting to be a part of. So, while historically I may not have been a fan, I am quickly becoming one. ●

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Lisa Lee

Celebration of Life

T

he Academy hosted a Celebration of Life in memory of Lisa Lee on Monday, December 6th at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Country Music community gathered both in-person and virtually,

surrounding Lee’s family and friends with love and support while honoring the legacy of Lee. Thoughtful remarks were given by the Academy’s CEO Damon Whiteside, as well as some of Lee’s childhood and career friends including RAC Clark, Krystal Jones, Stubby Stumbaugh and Sharon Tinsley. Host and long-time friend of Lee’s, Storme Warren, shared fondly how he and Lee started their careers together in Nashville.

Lee’s Celebration ended with a stirring poem written by her husband, Doug, and read by Warren. Touching performances by Lee Brice, the Warren Brothers and Trisha Yearwood solidified the true impact Lee had on the Country Music industry. The event was a special tribute to our beloved friend, colleague and Country Music family member.

The Lee and Young families want to thank the Academy

ABOVE: Lee's children, Jackson (L) and Grayson (R), pose with her framed photo; Jackson, Doug and Grayson Lee (L to R)

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of Country Music, the artists, the Country Music Hall of Fame and any and all involved in Lisa’s Celebration of Life. ●

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Sharon Tinsley; Lee Brice; honorary Hatch Prints and program books; Stubby Stumbaugh; The Warren Brothers; Trisha Yearwood; signed guest book; Krystal Jones; host Storme Warren; Lisa Lee's urn designed by husband Doug

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I N M E M O RY

Sudie Callaway

Stonewall Jackson

Ken Kragen

1934–2021

1932–2021

1936–2021

Sudie Callaway, who recorded

Stonewall Jackson, a Country

Ken Kragen, manager, author and

for decades in Nashville as a

Music singer, guitarist, and

film and television producer who

session vocalist, died on November

musician and longtime member

guided the career of Kenny Rogers,

10, 2021. She was 87.

of the Grand Ole Opry died on

died on December 14, 2021. He was 85.

December 4, 2021. He was 89.

With business partner Ken Fritz,

Callaway was born in Twila, Kentucky, and began singing and

Born on November 6, 1932, in

Kragen co-produced “The Glen

playing guitar at church at the age

Tabor City, North Carolina, Jackson

Campbell Goodtime Hour” and

of 6. As a teenager, she performed

was the youngest of three children,

“The Smothers Brothers Comedy

at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance,

growing up on his uncle’s farm before

Hour.” After meeting Rogers on

then moved to Detroit after high

enlisting in the Navy in 1950. After

the latter show, Kragen became his

school to work at WJR-AM. There

his discharge in 1954, Jackson got his

manager. Kragen received an ACM®

she met her husband, steel guitarist

first industry job at the legendary

nomination for producing the 1980

Jim Baker. The couple worked

Acuff-Rose publishing company, but

TV movie, “The Gambler.” In 1984, he

on “The Cas Walker Show” in

soon found an even stronger love

assembled an all-star cast to record

Knoxville, Tennessee, and later

permeating from the fine folks at the

“We Are the World,” a charity single

moved to Nashville in the 1960s.

Grand Ole Opry, who offered him

supporting African famine relief. He

An in-demand background vocalist,

a member contract before he had a

also managed the early careers of

her credits include George Strait’s

recording contract.

Travis Tritt and Trisha Yearwood. A

first two albums. She also sang with

In 1958, Jackson scored his first hit

Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, Mel

“Life to Go,” and followed it up with

Memorial Award in 1980, Kragen also

Tillis and many others. Her niece is

songs such as “Waterloo,” “A Wound

was president of the ACM Board of

Country Music artist and Nashville

Time Can’t Erase” and “Don’t Be

Directors in 1994 and 1995, and served

Songwriters Hall of Fame member

Angry.” When all was said and done,

six years total as a board member.

Matraca Berg. —CRAIG SHELBURNE

Jackson would finish off his career

—CRAIG SHELBURNE

with 44 singles finding their way onto the Billboard Country Music charts.

—TRICIA DESPRES

40

recipient of the Academy’s Jim Reeves

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Doug Nichols

Gary Scruggs

Renee Grant-Williams

1956–2021

1949–2021

1943–2021

Doug Nichols, a longtime

Gary Scruggs, a versatile

Renee Grant-Williams, a

artist manager and former

musician, producer and

preeminent vocal coach in

board member of the Academy

songwriter, died on December 1,

Nashville, died on November 12,

of Country Music , died on

2021. He was 72.

2021. She was 78.

®

October 31, 2021. He was 65.

His father, banjo legend Earl

Her clients have included the

Scruggs, created the Earl Scruggs

Chicks, Miley Cyrus, Tim McGraw

Associates, Nichols and Trey Turner

Revue with his sons Gary and Randy

and the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir.

managed Rascal Flatts from 2000

after dissolving the bluegrass duo

In addition, she worked with

to 2011. The firm also guided Easton

Flatt & Scruggs in 1969. Gary played

attorneys, politicians and salespeople

Corbin’s early career on Mercury

bass and sang lead in the group, which

to improve their speaking voice.

Nashville. Nichols served on the ACM

pioneered a Country-rock sound with

Grant-Williams authored “Voice

Board of Directors from 2003 to 2011.

a bluegrass influence. When the Nitty

Power: Using Your Voice to Captivate,

In addition, he led the ACM Television

Gritty Dirt Band played a Nashville

Persuade, and Command Attention,”

Committee as Chairman from 2005 to

show in 1970, Gary introduced them

which received an endorsement

2008. Prior to going into management,

to his father, setting the foundation

from Paul Harvey. Grant-Williams

Nichols worked as a touring musician

for the Dirt Band’s seminal 1972

conducted voice seminars in South

and songwriter, landing album cuts

album, Will the Circle Be Unbroken.

America, Europe and Australia.

such as Trace Adkins’ “Out of My

In the 1980s, Scruggs produced and

She studied at the San Francisco

Dreams” in 1997. Born and raised in

toured with Waylon Jennings. His

Conservatory of Music, where she

Marshall, Texas, Nichols founded

songs have been recorded by Vince

also taught. Her professional stops at

Rough Hollow Entertainment in 2013

Gill, Patty Loveless, Steve Martin,

the University of California, Berkeley

with offices in Austin and Nashville.

Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Eddy

and the Actors Studio in Manhattan,

—CRAIG SHELBURNE

Raven, Tanya Tucker and others.

preceded her move to Nashville. Her

—CRAIG SHELBURNE

media appearances include “CNN,”

As founders of Turner Nichols &

“The Today Show,” “Tennessee Crossroads” and “Three Wishes with Amy Grant.” —CRAIG SHELBURNE

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ACM M O M E NT

Girl Power

50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards AT&T Stadium | April 19, 2015 Sofía Vergara, Miranda Lambert and Reese Witherspoon pose backstage at the AT&T Stadium after Vergara and Witherspoon presented Lambert with the prestigious 50th Anniversary Milestone Award onstage during the 50th ACM Awards.

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