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Being an agent in the entertainment industry isn’t for everyone. But for two decades, Rob Beckham has been blazing trails, inking deals, and making it look effortless along the way. He says it’s a combination of hard work, insight, and an unwavering dedication to his clients—artists like Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, and Rascal Flatts. He’s responsible for booking, touring, endorsements, sponsorships, and television and film appearances. Even after 20 years, he says he still gets chills when he hears the crowd scream as a client takes the stage.
“I love what I do and look forward to coming to work every single day, x93 he says. “The best experiences have been starting out with an artist and then taking them to superstar status. x93 That feeling of pride, accomplishment, and excitement never gets old, he adds.
One of the most important aspects of his career, he says, is mentoring others. “As an agency, we are committed to finding talent in young people and providing a platform for them to [succeed]. There are many opportunities in this competitive field, and we believe in promoting from within, x93 he says. He speaks to students at Belmont University who are interested in the music industry and serves on the Billboard Advisory Committee and CMA board.
Photo by Mandy Whitley Photography
Rob Beckham
Agent/Co-Head of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, NashvilleBeing an agent in the entertainment industry isn’t for everyone. But for two decades, Rob Beckham has been blazing trails, inking deals, and making it look effortless along the way. He says it’s a combination of hard work, insight, and an unwavering dedication to his clients—artists like Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, and Rascal Flatts. He’s responsible for booking, touring, endorsements, sponsorships, and television and film appearances. Even after 20 years, he says he still gets chills when he hears the crowd scream as a client takes the stage.
“I love what I do and look forward to coming to work every single day, x93 he says. “The best experiences have been starting out with an artist and then taking them to superstar status. x93 That feeling of pride, accomplishment, and excitement never gets old, he adds.
One of the most important aspects of his career, he says, is mentoring others. “As an agency, we are committed to finding talent in young people and providing a platform for them to [succeed]. There are many opportunities in this competitive field, and we believe in promoting from within, x93 he says. He speaks to students at Belmont University who are interested in the music industry and serves on the Billboard Advisory Committee and CMA board.
Photo by Mandy Whitley Photography
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Ryman Auditorium General Manager Sally Williams is spreading the gospel of “The Mother Church of Country Music x93 ever further across the sound spectrum. Since she took the Ryman’s reins in 2008, the venue’s historic stage has boasted performances by top rockers (The Black Keys, Wilco), indie darlings (Mumford & Sons, The Civil Wars, The Avett Brothers), and the one-name-only crowd (Dylan, Bruce, Aretha). It’s truly a magical place—the Ryman has even hosted Harry Houdini.
“We’re very fortunate because artists love to play the Ryman—we’re on many artists’ bucket list, x93 she says.“ Ketch Secor from Old Crow Medicine Show was interviewed recently and said, ‘It’s not when you go to Nashville, you have to play the Ryman; it’s when you go to America, you have to play the Ryman.’
“We’re in a unique position because we have such a rich history and we’re constantly making new history, x93 she continues. “Visitors can experience both: They can tour the Ryman during the day to learn about the history and come to a concert in the evening to experience history in the making. x93
Sally Williams
General manager, Ryman AuditoriumRyman Auditorium General Manager Sally Williams is spreading the gospel of “The Mother Church of Country Music x93 ever further across the sound spectrum. Since she took the Ryman’s reins in 2008, the venue’s historic stage has boasted performances by top rockers (The Black Keys, Wilco), indie darlings (Mumford & Sons, The Civil Wars, The Avett Brothers), and the one-name-only crowd (Dylan, Bruce, Aretha). It’s truly a magical place—the Ryman has even hosted Harry Houdini.
“We’re very fortunate because artists love to play the Ryman—we’re on many artists’ bucket list, x93 she says.“ Ketch Secor from Old Crow Medicine Show was interviewed recently and said, ‘It’s not when you go to Nashville, you have to play the Ryman; it’s when you go to America, you have to play the Ryman.’
“We’re in a unique position because we have such a rich history and we’re constantly making new history, x93 she continues. “Visitors can experience both: They can tour the Ryman during the day to learn about the history and come to a concert in the evening to experience history in the making. x93
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How do you become one of Nashville’s music industry success stories without ever singing a note or picking up an instrument? Ask Larry Kloess, founder and curator of Cause a Scene. The humble, bearded entrepreneur began blogging in January 2012 to share new music with a wider network of friends and followed that up by curating house shows. Twelve shows a year turned into 28, turned into a group of 250 show-goers in his backyard.
These days, the blog is volunteer-run while Kloess manages the curation, booking, and promotion of all Cause a Scene shows filling venues across town, from Edgehill Café to The High Watt to The Basement. "It’s all about making Nashville smaller," Kloess says. “There aren't a lot of people in Nashville being really intentional about who’s on the bill, x93 he says. “But for me, it’s finding local bands that make sense together; that tell a story musically. x93
His passion put him on the radar of U.K. inspiration, Communion, a music model co-founded by Mumford & Sons’ Ben Lovett. Since Kloess was already doing a great job of that here, partnering with Communion was a logical fit. The new season of 'Communion Presents' hits nine U.S. cities this year—and Kloess’s skills as a curator give him first dibs on the Nashville lineup.
Photo by Jamie Clayton
Larry Kloess
Founder, Cause a Scene MusicHow do you become one of Nashville’s music industry success stories without ever singing a note or picking up an instrument? Ask Larry Kloess, founder and curator of Cause a Scene. The humble, bearded entrepreneur began blogging in January 2012 to share new music with a wider network of friends and followed that up by curating house shows. Twelve shows a year turned into 28, turned into a group of 250 show-goers in his backyard.
These days, the blog is volunteer-run while Kloess manages the curation, booking, and promotion of all Cause a Scene shows filling venues across town, from Edgehill Café to The High Watt to The Basement. "It’s all about making Nashville smaller," Kloess says. “There aren't a lot of people in Nashville being really intentional about who’s on the bill, x93 he says. “But for me, it’s finding local bands that make sense together; that tell a story musically. x93
His passion put him on the radar of U.K. inspiration, Communion, a music model co-founded by Mumford & Sons’ Ben Lovett. Since Kloess was already doing a great job of that here, partnering with Communion was a logical fit. The new season of 'Communion Presents' hits nine U.S. cities this year—and Kloess’s skills as a curator give him first dibs on the Nashville lineup.
Photo by Jamie Clayton
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If you have a moment, the president and CEO of Warner Music Nashville, John Esposito, would love to talk about his current roster of country music artists. He’ll tell you why he will celebrate the success of Blake Shelton for the rest of his career, the story of Hunter Hayes’s rise from obscurity to fame, and why he feels newbie Brett Eldredge is a voice we will hear for decades. Of course, if you don’t have a moment, he’s going to tell you anyway. He used to be a New Yorker, after all.
“I wouldn’t mind rattling off all of those names, x93 the Music Row executive says with a chuckle. “I’m just so proud of everything we have accomplished thus far, and the truth is that in my mind, I know we still have so much farther to go. x93
Indeed, 2014 is looking like it will be another banner year for Esposito and his WMN team, with several new artists currently knocking on the door of country stardom, including Jana Kramer, Charlie Worsham, Frankie Ballard, and, in his words, the “out of the chute, in rocket-style x93 duo Dan + Shay. It’s a good place to be for Esposito, who, since taking the helm of the WMN roster just four years ago, has completely transformed the label.
John Esposito
President/CEO, Warner Music NashvilleIf you have a moment, the president and CEO of Warner Music Nashville, John Esposito, would love to talk about his current roster of country music artists. He’ll tell you why he will celebrate the success of Blake Shelton for the rest of his career, the story of Hunter Hayes’s rise from obscurity to fame, and why he feels newbie Brett Eldredge is a voice we will hear for decades. Of course, if you don’t have a moment, he’s going to tell you anyway. He used to be a New Yorker, after all.
“I wouldn’t mind rattling off all of those names, x93 the Music Row executive says with a chuckle. “I’m just so proud of everything we have accomplished thus far, and the truth is that in my mind, I know we still have so much farther to go. x93
Indeed, 2014 is looking like it will be another banner year for Esposito and his WMN team, with several new artists currently knocking on the door of country stardom, including Jana Kramer, Charlie Worsham, Frankie Ballard, and, in his words, the “out of the chute, in rocket-style x93 duo Dan + Shay. It’s a good place to be for Esposito, who, since taking the helm of the WMN roster just four years ago, has completely transformed the label.
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People trade all sorts of things—phone numbers, baseball cards, beauty tips, even state secrets. Usually they’re exchanged even-Steven, this-for-that. With Noisetrade.com, East Nashville’s Derek Webb has created an almost too-good-to-be-true offer: Give your email address and get tons of free exclusive music from both established and upcoming artists, like B-sides from Fun and The Lumineers, a tour sampler from Dawes, and an intimate live recording from The Civil Wars.
So what do the artists stand to gain? Valuable marketing info. They can find out where in the country people are buying and listening to their music and concentrate additional efforts there.
Webb, a longtime solo artist (he cut his teeth in the popular Christian rock act Caedmon’s Call), says NoiseTrade—which boasts more than 15,000 active artists and 750,000 album downloads a month—was borne five years ago out of that famed mother of invention: necessity. “I often tell my friends and other artists that the secret to a long, robust career in this business is learning how to apply the same creativity [you employ in the] writing and recording of your album to the marketing and distribution of your album. If you stop and think about it, there really is no better person to solve the creative challenges you are facing than you. x93
Derek Webb
Founder, NoisetradePeople trade all sorts of things—phone numbers, baseball cards, beauty tips, even state secrets. Usually they’re exchanged even-Steven, this-for-that. With Noisetrade.com, East Nashville’s Derek Webb has created an almost too-good-to-be-true offer: Give your email address and get tons of free exclusive music from both established and upcoming artists, like B-sides from Fun and The Lumineers, a tour sampler from Dawes, and an intimate live recording from The Civil Wars.
So what do the artists stand to gain? Valuable marketing info. They can find out where in the country people are buying and listening to their music and concentrate additional efforts there.
Webb, a longtime solo artist (he cut his teeth in the popular Christian rock act Caedmon’s Call), says NoiseTrade—which boasts more than 15,000 active artists and 750,000 album downloads a month—was borne five years ago out of that famed mother of invention: necessity. “I often tell my friends and other artists that the secret to a long, robust career in this business is learning how to apply the same creativity [you employ in the] writing and recording of your album to the marketing and distribution of your album. If you stop and think about it, there really is no better person to solve the creative challenges you are facing than you. x93
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As co-founders of Nashville’s 24HR Records web series, Michael Hardesty and Stephen Turney are living every music junkie’s dream. Each month, they handpick an impromptu band of musicians, challenge them to write and record three original songs in 24 hours, and start the clock and the cameras on their experiment in collaboration. The artists, who have probably never met—much less worked together—enter the studio with zero preparation and no time to waste on egos or endless revisions. Each mini-marathon session produces a ten-minute episode of 24HR Records, three songs, and photographs of the artists in action.
The ongoing series comes from Made in Network, a new local YouTube channel bringing a spotlight and creative energy to Nashville’s music and television scene. Recent episodes feature a mix of local and nationally recognized names, including Ian Bush (No Regrets Coyote), Aaron Martin (Sol Cat), Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses), Lindsay Jamieson (Ben Folds/Elle Macho), and Butterfly Boucher.
Michael Hardesty and Stephen Turney
Founders, 24HR RecordsAs co-founders of Nashville’s 24HR Records web series, Michael Hardesty and Stephen Turney are living every music junkie’s dream. Each month, they handpick an impromptu band of musicians, challenge them to write and record three original songs in 24 hours, and start the clock and the cameras on their experiment in collaboration. The artists, who have probably never met—much less worked together—enter the studio with zero preparation and no time to waste on egos or endless revisions. Each mini-marathon session produces a ten-minute episode of 24HR Records, three songs, and photographs of the artists in action.
The ongoing series comes from Made in Network, a new local YouTube channel bringing a spotlight and creative energy to Nashville’s music and television scene. Recent episodes feature a mix of local and nationally recognized names, including Ian Bush (No Regrets Coyote), Aaron Martin (Sol Cat), Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses), Lindsay Jamieson (Ben Folds/Elle Macho), and Butterfly Boucher.
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In the music world, artists have been implementing the do-it-yourself method for ages. The idea that artists can—and should—control all aspects of their music and the distribution thereof: You print your own fliers, you book your own tours, you press your own records, and, ultimately, you make your own way. Matt Urmy brings this analog idea into the digital age with Artist Growth, an innovative business app for musicians.
“I think that [being located in] Nashville really helped me get this company up and running. One, there is an entrepreneurial fire spreading through the community here, and I was out pitching the company right as that was just starting to heat up, x93 Urmy says. “And secondly, there is such a high concentration of entertainment industry professionals in Nashville that it helped me to get some key meetings early on. x93
Artist Growth now boasts a user base of more than 10,000 major label and indie acts (like Kings of Leon, Rascal Flatts, and Emmylou Harris) and a recent partnership with a concert promotion/discovery app called Bandsintown, allowing bands to sync their accounts with the two services. There’s been only one noticeable downside to Artist Growth’s tremendous, well, growth. “I’m definitely not touring anymore… at least not in clubs, x93 Urmy says. “I travel just as much, but the trips are shorter, and instead of clubs and theaters, it’s offices and boardrooms. x93
Matt Urmy
Founder, Artists GrowthIn the music world, artists have been implementing the do-it-yourself method for ages. The idea that artists can—and should—control all aspects of their music and the distribution thereof: You print your own fliers, you book your own tours, you press your own records, and, ultimately, you make your own way. Matt Urmy brings this analog idea into the digital age with Artist Growth, an innovative business app for musicians.
“I think that [being located in] Nashville really helped me get this company up and running. One, there is an entrepreneurial fire spreading through the community here, and I was out pitching the company right as that was just starting to heat up, x93 Urmy says. “And secondly, there is such a high concentration of entertainment industry professionals in Nashville that it helped me to get some key meetings early on. x93
Artist Growth now boasts a user base of more than 10,000 major label and indie acts (like Kings of Leon, Rascal Flatts, and Emmylou Harris) and a recent partnership with a concert promotion/discovery app called Bandsintown, allowing bands to sync their accounts with the two services. There’s been only one noticeable downside to Artist Growth’s tremendous, well, growth. “I’m definitely not touring anymore… at least not in clubs, x93 Urmy says. “I travel just as much, but the trips are shorter, and instead of clubs and theaters, it’s offices and boardrooms. x93