Are you an aspiring artist?  Want to gain free consultation from 5 top executives on developing your career?

Sponsored by

MUST RSVP to secure your spot.  Only 25 spots available.

RSVP to studentenrichment@belmont.edu with subject: Artist Consultation RSVP

Learn from these top executives regarding how to advance your personal career as an artist. November 10, 2015 | 5-7pm | Location TBA

SHELBY KENNEDY

As a music industry veteran, Shelby Kennedy continues to utilize his passion for developing today’s music creators. During his tenure at Lyric Street Records, Kennedy’s involvement with SheDaisy and Rascal Flatts firmly established the label. He also introduced Alan Jackson to then bourgeoning label Arista Nashville. In the recording studio, he works from both sides of the glass as a producer and a background vocalist. As a writer, Kennedy’s first cut was recorded by Ray Charles, and he counts Reba McEntire’s “I’m A Survivor” among his favorite triumphs. Graduating from Belmont University in 1985, he received the inaugural Mike Curb School of Music Business Award of Excellence in 1996. He is a rare executive to have served writer and publisher relations for both ASCAP and BMI. He has been an adjunct professor for the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University and has served on Nashville’s Board of Governors for the Recording Academy Board as well as the Board of Directors for NSAI. He hails from a musical family: his mother sang on The Louisiana Hayride; his father is legendary producer and musician Jerry Kennedy while his brothers, Gordon and Bryan, are award winning songwriters. Kennedy currently serves as Vice President, Entertainment Relations for TuneCore.

CHRIS OGLESBY

In his 20-plus years in publishing, Chris has worked with some of the giants in the industry. He learned the ropes at Almo-Irving from David Conrad, widely revered as one of Nashville’s top “song men” who attracted talents like Kent Robbins and Mike Reid to the company. While he was there it took Chris signed a new writer named Craig Wiseman who went on to become 4-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year.

From there he teamed up with Bob Doyle (Garth Brook’s manager) and Kye Fleming (3-time BMI Writer of the Year) to launch Dreamcatcher Music with a handful of songs and 2 writers in their first staff-writing deals. During his 18 month tenure there, Chris scored 18 cuts and 3 singles including Pam Tillis’s “Mi Vida Loca.”

From there he began a 10 year run at BMG where he worked with notable songwriters like Marcus Hummon and Hugh Prestwood, and signing emerging superstar talent like David Lee and Barry Dean. Chris was responsible for and a part of a steady stream of hit songs including “Prayin’ For Daylight”,  “Check Yes or No,” “The Good Stuff”  and “Live Like You Were Dying.”

In 2004 he founded Oglesby Writer Management as a joint venture with 19 Entertainment that produces American Idol. Along with managing the careers of developing and established songwriters including Rodney Crowell and Dan Couche, Chris became instrumental in developing the career of Carrie Underwood. His ties with 19 Entertainment remained strong after his company became independent in 2010, producing #1 hits with Kip Moore’s “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck” and Jake Owen’s “Alone With You.”

In 2013 Chris returned to BMG (now BMG/Chrysalis), but working at a publishing giant has not changed his down-to-earth style or his continual quest for new talent.

SCOTT GUNTER

MP, LLC, Day to Day Mgmt/Publisher/A&R

Hard Tix Entertainment, Manager/Publisher/Agent/Tour Press

Gunter Entertainment, A&R,Blogger,Merchandising

Almo Irving/Universal Music Publishing, Creative Manager

Signed the following songwriters:

• Anthony Smith – “Run” & “Cowboys Like Us” – recorded by George Strait– both #2 Country Singles. “What Do Ya Think About That” – recorded by
  Montgomery Gentry – #3 Country Single – and 70 other Major Record Label Recordings.
• Tony Mullins – “Me And My Gang” – recorded by Rascal Flatts – #6 Country Single. “A Little Bit Of Life” – recorded by Craig Morgan – #7 Country
  Single. “Nobody Gonna Tell Me What To Do” – recorded by Van Zant – #16 Country Single.
• Bobby Terry – major cuts recorded by Brad Paisley, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson, Montgomery Gentry and Trisha
  Yearwood Single. “Nobody Gonna Tell Me What To Do” – recorded by Van Zant – #16 Country Single.
• Bobby Terry – major cuts recorded by Brad Paisley, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson, Montgomery Gentry and Trisha Yearwood.
• John Kennedy – “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way” – recorded by LeAnn Rimes – #2 Country Single.

Product Manager for the following songwriters:

• Craig Wiseman – Seven #1 Country Singles during his Almo Irving period and hundreds of songs recorded by Major Label Recording Artists.
• Annie Roboff – “Walking Away” – recorded by Diamond Rio – #1 Country Single. “This Kiss” – Faith Hill – #1 country Single. In the late 1990’s while working with Annie she had seven songs on the Billboard Country singles charts at one time.
• Danny Wells – seven singles in three years with Almo Irving with three top ten singles.
• Steve Robson – Universal Music Publishing Songwriter based in London- “These Days” and “What Hurts The Most” – recorded by Rascal Flatts – both

STEPHEN LINN

Stephen Linn is the founder of AmpliFLY Entertainment, a strategic artist development and management company that helps developing artists set up their business, create a brand and strategies, grow their social media and develop their careers.

Before starting AmpliFLY Entertainment, Stephen was SVP of Broken Bow Records’ artist management company and, prior to that, Sr. Director of Music Programming and Promotion at CMT/MTV Networks.

Before getting into the music business, Stephen was an award-winning television reporter, host and author. He is also a frequent speaker at music, digital and media conferences across the country.

RUSTY GASTON

Passion and enthusiasm are the fuel that fires this Texas native. As Partner and General Manager of THIS Music, Rusty oversees all creative and day to day operations of the publishing company he owns with partners/songwriters Tim Nichols and Connie Harrington. THiS Music has celebrated more than 30 ASCAP/BMI award winning songs, since the company’s launch in 2006. THiS Music publishes the 2014 ACM & 2013 CMA Song of The Year “I Drive Your Truck”, as well as the 2014 ASCAP Song Of The Year “It Goes Like This”, the 2012 ASCAP Song of the Year “Honey Bee” and the 2011 BMI Song Of The Year “All Over Me”. The company also celebrated ASCAP Songwriter Of The Year honors in 2011 and 2012 with songwriter Ben Hayslip.