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Wasserman Music, Black Music Action Coalition and Tennessee State University teamed to launch their inaugural Music Accelerator Program – a three-week academic program running May 9-26 – that will provide about 20 students an intensive curriculum in disciplines across the music business.

In collaboration with Nashville Music Equality and the Recording INdustry Association of America, MAP will cover topics including songwriting, copyrights, publishing, labels, marketing, touring, publicity and more. Registration is currently taking place and is open to all TSU students.

The program will feature guest lectures from influential music executives, along with internship placements for students looking to start their career paths across multiple music industry companies, including Wasserman Music and Quality Control Music.

Speakers confirmed include Post Malone manager Dre London, Artistry Group founder/CEO Max Gousse, Roddy Ricch manager Shawn Holiday, EMPIRE product manager Russell Barrett, Revels Group manager Jamil Davis, and Wasserman Music agents Lee Anderson, Lenore Kinder, Callender, Chappel McCollister and Mallory Smith. Additional guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Lindsay LaBennett, Senior Director of Inclusion, Equity & Diversity at Wasserman, explains, “In recognizing the need for more diverse representation across all areas of the music industry, we want to inform, educate and expose the next generation of leaders with our specialized industry insight and intelligence.”

The initiative is one of many commitments Wasserman Music has made via their partnership with Color of Change and their #ChangeMusic platform. The agency plans to expand the program to other HBCUs – historically Black colleges and universities – in future years.

YouTube, in partnership with 353 Media Group, will support the initiative by capturing content from the program to showcase its impact and encourage additional partners and universities to participate in the future.

“The launch of this program is one step in Wasserman’s commitment to doing the work to create real change in this industry,” said Lee Anderson, EVP and Managing Executive at Wasserman Music. ” We couldn’t ask for a better partner to work with than BMAC, whose values and goals perfectly align with ours in this effort. We look forward to expanding this program to other schools in the years ahead.”

Wasserman Music Senior Vice President Lenore Kinder adds, “We’re excited about kicking off our program with TSU here in Nashville and working with Nashville Music Equality to help prepare these promising students to launch successful music industry careers. Our aim is to help grow the next generation of industry leaders to create a lasting impact on the music business.”

Dr. Robert L. Elliott, Head of the Department of Music at Tennessee State University, said, “Tennessee State University has one of the longest established Commercial Music degree programs in the country, not to mention HBCUs. We are extremely pleased to join all of the program partners in this activity to expand equity of access and participation within all parts of the music industry to students, who upon graduation, have too often found themselves marginalized and shut out from full participation. The partners in this activity are truly working to help shift the paradigm of inclusion and equity within all parts of the music industry, and TSU and its students are proud to be a part of this historic change.”

Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder and co-chair of BMAC, said, “Black Music Action Coalition is committed to breaking down barriers, creating access and opportunities and leveling the playing field for the next generation of Black Executives and creatives. This partnership with Wasserman Music and TSU is the beginning of a movement that will grow and further expand to colleges across the country. Not only are we ensuring meaningful paid internships with support services like housing and transportation but to have the opportunity to bring in subject matter experts and industry leaders to conduct in-person classes will be invaluable to the students.”

Additional program partners include the International Entertainment Buyers Association, Spotify, the Country Music Association, SOLID Nashville, Sony Music, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

READ MORE: https://news.pollstar.com/2022/03/30/wasserman-bmac-tennessee-state-university-launch-music-accelerator-program/

The three-week program will provide a class of approximately 20 Tennessee State University students with an intensive curriculum in various music business disciplines.

Wasserman Music and Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) have teamed up for a music accelerator program at HBCU Tennessee State University (TSU). The program is in partnership with TSU’s Commercial Music Program, with essential local collaboration and contributions by Nashville Music Equality and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The Music Accelerator Program is a three-week educational program that will take place during TSU’s “Maymester” mini-semester that runs from May 9-26. The program will provide a class of approximately 20 TSU students with an intensive curriculum in various disciplines across the music business, from songwriting and copyrights to publishing, labels, marketing, touring, publicity and beyond.

“In recognizing the need for more diverse representation across all areas of the music industry, we want to inform, educate and expose the next generation of leaders with our specialized industry insight and intelligence,” said Wasserman Music senior director of inclusion, equity and diversity Lindsay LaBennett.

The program will feature guest lectures from influential music executives, along with internship placements for students looking to start their career paths across multiple music industry companies, including Wasserman Music and Quality Control Music. Confirmed speakers include Post Malone manager Dre London, Artistry Group founder/CEO Max Gousse, Roddy Ricch manager Shawn Holiday, EMPIRE product manager Russell Barrett, Revels Group manager Jamil Davis and Wasserman Music agents Lee Anderson, Lenore Kinder, De’Mont Callender, Chappel McCollister and Mallory Smith. Additional guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

“This partnership with Wasserman Music and TSU is the beginning of a movement that will grow and further expand to colleges across the country,” said BMAC co-founder and co-chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers in a release. “Not only are we ensuring meaningful paid internships with support services like housing and transportation but to have the opportunity to bring in subject matter experts and industry leaders to conduct in-person classes will be invaluable to the students.”

The initiative is one of many commitments Wasserman Music has made via its partnership with civil rights nonprofit Color of Change and its #ChangeMusic platform. The agency plans to expand the program to other historically Black colleges and universities in future years. YouTube, in partnership with 353 Media Group, will be supporting this initiative by capturing content from the program to showcase its impact and encourage additional partners and universities to participate in the future.

“Tennessee State University has one of the longest established Commercial Music degree programs in the country, not to mention HBCUs,” said TSU head of the department of music Dr. Robert L. Elliott. “We are extremely pleased to join all of the program partners in this activity to expand equity of access and participation within all parts of the music industry to students, who upon graduation, have too often found themselves marginalized and shut out from full participation.”

Additional program partners include the International Entertainment Buyers Association, Spotify, the Country Music Association, SOLID Nashville, Sony Music and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Registration for the Music Accelerator Program, which is open to all TSU students, opens on Monday.

READ MORE: https://www.billboard.com/pro/wasserman-black-music-action-coalition-tennessee-state-university-accelerator-program/

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) has announced a partnership with Wasserman Music and the commercial music program at Tennessee State University for a music accelerator program set to run May 9 to 26.

In collaboration with Nashville Music Equality and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the intensive curriculum will cover multiple sectors of the industry including songwriting, copyrights, publishing, labels, marketing, touring and publicity, among other focuses, and include guest lectures from influential executives. Among them: Post Malone manager Dre London, Artistry Group founder/CEO Max Gousse, Roddy Ricch manager Shawn Holiday, EMPIRE product manager Russell Barrett, Revels Group manager Jamil Davis and Wasserman Music agents Lee Anderson, Lenore Kinder, Callender, Chappel McCollister and Mallory Smith.

Internship placements are also a component and participating companies include Quality Control Music and Wasserman Music, which has pledged to further the program in the future to other historically Black colleges and universities. The agency also houses its own Color of Change and #ChangeMusic platform.

Said Lee Anderson, EVP and managing executive at Wasserman Music: “The launch of this program is one step in Wasserman’s commitment to doing the work to create real change in this industry. We couldn’t ask for a better partner to work with than BMAC, whose values and goals perfectly align with ours in this effort. We look forward to expanding this program to other schools in the years ahead.”

“Tennessee State University has one of the longest established commercial music degree programs in the country, not to mention HBCUs,” added Dr. Robert L. Elliott, head of the Department of Music at TSU. “We are extremely pleased to join all of the program partners in this activity to expand equity of access and participation within all parts of the music industry to students, who upon graduation, have too often found themselves marginalized and shut out from full participation. The partners in this activity are truly working to help shift the paradigm of inclusion and equity within all parts of the music industry, and TSU and its students are proud to be a part of this historic change.”

The initiative aligns with BMAC’s “[commitment] to breaking down barriers, creating access and opportunities and leveling the playing field for the next generation of Black Executives and creatives,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder and co-chair of BMAC. “This partnership with Wasserman Music and TSU is the beginning of a movement that will grow and further expand to colleges across the country. Not only are we ensuring meaningful paid internships with support services like housing and transportation but to have the opportunity to bring in subject matter experts and industry leaders to conduct in-person classes will be invaluable to the students.”

Additional program partners include the International Entertainment Buyers Association, Spotify, the Country Music Association, SOLID Nashville, Sony Music, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Registration for the music accelerator program opens on March 28 and is open to all TSU students.

READ MORE: https://variety.com/2022/music/news/wasserman-black-music-action-coalition-bmac-tennessee-state-university-tsu-accelerator-1235215310/

NASHVILLE (CelebrityAccess) – Wasserman Music, Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), and Tennessee State University (TSU) launch their inaugural Music Accelerator Program, alongside Nashville Music Equality, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and YouTube.

The Music Accelerator Program is a three-week educational program at TSU that runs from May 9-26, providing approximately 20 TSU students with an intensive curriculum in a multitude of disciplines across the music business, from songwriting and copyrights to publishing, labels, marketing, touring, publicity, and beyond. The program will feature guest lectures from music executives and entrepreneurs along with case studies. The program will provide paid internships with companies including Wasserman Music and Quality Control Music.

The Music Accelerator Program offers students the opportunity to hear from subject experts across industry disciplines. Confirmed guest speakers and sessions include:

• Life of a Song: Dre London (Post Malone manager), Rachel Whitney (Spotify), Janishia Jones and Tina Davis (EMPIRE), and Shay Lawson (Lawson McKinley)

• Marketing 101: Tuma Basa (YouTube), Shawn Holiday (Full Stop), Mallory Smith and Chappel McCollister (Wasserman Music), and Ashaunna Ayars (Ayars Agency)

• Record Label 101: Russell Barrett (EMPIRE), Jon Loba and Tim Reid (BMG), and Rachel Fontenot (UMG)

• Live Touring 101: Alex Maxwell (Live Nation), Jamil Davis (Revels Group), Callender (Wasserman Music), and Andrew Lieber (MAC Agency)

• Talent Buying/Event Promotion: Marcus Allen and Brandon McEachern (Broccoli City), Marcus Johnson (Goldenvoice), and Bryan Benson (Live Nation)

• Guest Artist Session and Original Content: singer/songwriter/record producer Breland, artist services executive Nada Taha (GoodCopBadCop and Apple Music), and Stephanie Davenport (Warner Music A&R)

• PR/Media Relations: Max Gousse (Founder, Artistry Group), Kenny Smoov (Cumulus), Didier Morais (Vital Versatility), and Ashley Eicher (Personality and Host)

• Networking/Leadership: Cameo Carlson (mTheory), Farrah Usmani (Nixon Peabody), Shannon Sanders (BMI)

• Artists & Teams: Amber Grimes (LVRN)

• Art 101: Singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun and team

This initiative is one of Wasserman Music’s commitments via its partnership with Color of Change and their #ChangeMusic platform. Wasserman and BMAC plan to expand the program to additional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the coming years. YouTube and 353 Media Group will support this effort by capturing content from the program to showcase its impact and encourage additional partners and universities to participate in the future.

“We’re delighted that this prestigious and accomplished group of speakers have chosen to be part of our effort to train the next generation of music industry leaders,” says Denise Melanson, Director of Social Impact at Wasserman. “We’re proud to work with all of them, along with our partners, to make this an outstanding program for these students.”

“Nashville has, for decades, largely ignored the rich history of Black artists and Black music coming out of the city. Music Row, specifically, has shut out almost any ‘outside’ artists, songwriters, producers, and musicians. This accelerator program is an opportunity for the next generation to get a start right in Nashville, which will hopefully provide them an advantage,” says Naima Cochrane, BMAC Board Member.

“I am truly honored to come to speak with a live audience of music lovers at Tennessee State University. The Music Accelerator Program is an incredible resource for aspiring young creatives, a program I would have loved to be a part of when I was starting out on my music journey, so I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to share what I’ve learned and to help in any way that I can.” – Dre London, BMAC Executive Leadership Council & Post Malone Manager

The Music Accelerator Program opens with an introductory session featuring program partners: Dr. Mark Crawford of Tennessee State University’s Commercial Music Program; Wasserman Music executives Lee Anderson, Lenore Kinder; Wasserman’s Senior Director, Inclusion, Equity & Diversity, Lindsay LaBennett, and Director, Social Impact Denise Melanson; BMAC Co-Founder/Co-Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers; Nashville Music Equality’s Brian Sexton; RIAA’s Jackie Jones; and Google’s Margaret Hart.

The closing session will be held at the National Museum of African American Music on May 26th and feature Dallas Austin, SIR THE BAPTIST, Catherine Brewton, and museum President/CEO Henry Hicks.

READ MORE: https://celebrityaccess.com/2022/05/10/wasserman-music-black-music-action-coalition-and-tn-state-university-announce-speaker-lineup-for-music-accelerator-program/

Wasserman Music, Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) and the Commercial Music Program at Tennessee State University (TSU) have launched their inaugural Music Accelerator Program, with essential, local collaboration and contributions from Nashville Music Equality, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and YouTube.

The Music Accelerator Program is a three-week educational program during TSU’s “Maymester” mini-semester that runs through May 26, providing a class of approximately 20 TSU students with an intensive curriculum in various disciplines across the music business, from songwriting and copyrights to publishing, labels, marketing, touring, publicity, and beyond. The program will feature guest lectures from influential music executives and dynamic entrepreneurs along with in-class case studies. The program will provide paid internship placements with companies including Wasserman Music and Quality Control Music.

The Music Accelerator Program offers students deep dives with subject experts across industry disciplines. Confirmed guest speakers and sessions include:

• Life of a Song: Dre London (Post Malone manager), Rachel Whitney (Spotify), Janishia Jones & Tina Davis (EMPIRE), and Shay Lawson (Lawson McKinley)
• Marketing 101: Tuma Basa (YouTube), Shawn Holiday (Full Stop), Mallory Smith & Chappel McCollister (Wasserman Music), and Ashaunna Ayars (Ayars Agency)
• Record Label 101: Russell Barrett (EMPIRE), Jon Loba & Tim Reid (BMG), and Rachel Fontenot (UMG)
• Live Touring 101: Alex Maxwell (Live Nation), Jamil Davis (Revels Group), Callender (Wasserman Music), and Andrew Lieber (MAC Agency)
• Talent Buying/Event Promotion: Marcus Allen & Brandon McEachern (Broccoli City), Marcus Johnson (Goldenvoice), and Bryan Benson (Live Nation)
• Guest Artist Session and Original Content: singer/songwriter/record producer Breland, artist services executive Nada Taha (GoodCopBadCop and Apple Music), and Stephanie Davenport (Warner Music A&R)
• PR/Media Relations: Max Gousse (Founder, Artistry Group), Kenny Smoov (Cumulus), Didier Morais (Vital Versatility), and Ashley Eicher (Personality & Host)
• Networking/Leadership: Cameo Carlson (mTheory), Farrah Usmani (Nixon Peabody), Shannon Sanders (BMI)
• Artists & Teams: Amber Grimes (LVRN)
• Art 101: Singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun and team

This initiative is one of many commitments Wasserman Music has made via its partnership with Color of Change and their #ChangeMusic platform. The agency and partner BMAC plan to expand the program to additional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the coming years. YouTube, in partnership with 353 Media Group, will support this effort by capturing content from the program to showcase its impact and encourage additional partners and universities to participate in the future. BMAC’s commitment to impactful change starts with making space for the next generation of young Black leaders in the music industry. The Music Accelerator Program at Tennessee State University will be an opportunity to give students a leg up in Nashville and beyond.

“We’re delighted that this prestigious and accomplished group of speakers have chosen to be part of our effort to train the next generation of music industry leaders,” says Denise Melanson, Director of Social Impact at Wasserman. “We’re proud to work with all of them, along with our partners, to make this an outstanding program for these students.”

Tuma Basa, Director of Black Music & Culture at YouTube, says, “My father is a professor at an HBCU down the road, so this is a real full circle moment for me. It’s a pleasure to walk in his footsteps sharing knowledge with the students of Tennessee State University. Let’s go!”

“LVRN supports BMAC and Wasserman Music Accelerator Program at Tennessee State University.  We all started very young in this business and are forever grateful to those that invested time into developing us as executives. We believe we have a responsibility to pay it  forward and invest in the next generation of young leaders and this program is the perfect opportunity,” adds Amber Grimes, EVP/GM of LVRN.

Tina Davis, EVP of A&R, EMPIRE continues, “What BMAC and Wasserman have put together for the students of TSU is incredible.  Throughout my career, I’ve been dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders and I’m thrilled to be a part of the inauguration of this program!”

“Nashville has, for decades, largely ignored the rich history of Black artists and Black music coming out of the city. Music Row, specifically, has shut out almost any ‘outside’ artists, songwriters, producers and musicians. This accelerator program is an opportunity for the next generation to get a start right in Nashville, which will hopefully provide them an advantage,” says Naima Cochrane, BMAC Board Member.

“I am truly honored to come speak with a live audience of music lovers at Tennessee State University. The Music Accelerator Program is an incredible resource for aspiring young creatives, a program I would have loved to be a part of when I was starting out on my music journey, so I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to share what I’ve learned and to help in any way that I can,” says Dre London, BMAC Executive Leadership Council.

Catherine Brewton EVP, BMI continues, “Supporting initiatives like Black Music Action Coalition x Wasserman’s Music Accelerator program is a great platform for myself to invest into the future leaders of the music industry, I have built my career investing in and mentoring future leaders. It is incumbent upon those of us who are gatekeepers to provide access, opportunities and a seat at the table that creates room for success.”

Dallas Austin adds, “I have always considered myself a teacher, supporter and investor in the future leaders in the industry as my studios have always been a place for learning and collaboration. I fully support the Black Music Action Coalition and the Wasserman’s Music Accelerator program.”

The Music Accelerator Program opens with an introductory retreat featuring program partners Dr. Mark Crawford of Tennessee State University’s Commercial Music Program; Wasserman Music executives Lee Anderson, Lenore Kinder; Wasserman’s Senior Director, Inclusion, Equity & Diversity, Lindsay LaBennett, and Director, Social Impact Denise Melanson; BMAC Co-Founder/Co-Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers; Nashville Music Equality’s Brian Sexton; RIAA’s Jackie Jones; and Google’s Margaret Hart. Its May 26 closing retreat, to be held at the National Museum of African American Music, features speakers Dallas Austin, SIR THE BAPTIST, Catherine Brewton, and museum President/CEO Henry Hicks.

ABOUT WASSERMAN MUSIC:

Wasserman Music represents a world-class roster of artists for live performance, touring, brand partnerships and beyond, empowering them to create culture and impact audiences globally. The passionate, entrepreneurial agents at Wasserman Music are long-term artist development strategists who build significant, global platforms for the world’s most impactful artists. Wasserman Music is a division of Wasserman, a partner to the world’s most iconic sports figures, musical artists, brands, and properties.

READ MORE: https://www.musicconnection.com/wasserman-music-bmac-and-tennessee-state-university-announce-music-accelerator-program/

WASSERMAN MUSIC, BLACK MUSIC ACTION COALITION (BMAC) and the COMMERCIAL MUSIC PROGRAM at TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY have launched their inaugural MUSIC ACCELERATOR PROGRAM with contributions from NASHVILLE MUSIC EQUALITY, the RIAA and YOUTUBE.  

The MUSIC ACCELERATOR PROGRAM is a three-week educational program during TSU’s “MAYMASTER” mini-semester that runs from MAY 9th-26th, providing a class of approximately 20 TSU students with an intensive curriculum in various disciplines across the music business, from songwriting and copyrights to publishing, labels, marketing, touring, publicity and beyond. 

Among the industry figures on hand are POST MALONE manager DRE LONDON, YOUTUBE Dir./Black Music & Culture TUMA BASA and singer/songwriter JOY OLADOKUN and her team.

This initiative is one of many commitments WASSERMAN MUSIC has made via its partnership with COLOR OF CHANGE and its #ChangeMusic platform. 

The agency and partner BMAC plan to expand the program to additional HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES and UNIVERSITIES (HBCUs) in the coming years. 

WASSERMAN MUSIC Dir./Social Impact DENISE MELANSON said, “We’re delighted that this prestigious and accomplished group of speakers [has] chosen to be part of our effort to train the next generation of music industry leaders. We’re proud to work with all of them, along with our partners, to make this an outstanding program for these students.”

Said YOUTUBE’s TUMA BASA, “My father is a professor at an HBCU down the road, so this is a real full circle moment for me. It’s a pleasure to walk in his footsteps sharing knowledge with the students of TENNESSE STATE UNIVERSITY.” 

EMPIRE EVP/A&R TINA DAVIS added, “What BMAC and WASSERMAN have put together for the students of TSU is incredible. Throughout my career, I’ve been dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the inauguration of this program.” 

BMI VP/Creative ATLANTA CATHERINE BREWTON commented, “Supporting initiatives like BLACK MUSIC ACTION COALITION x WASSERMAN’s MUSIC ACCELERATOR program is a great platform for myself to invest into the future leaders of the music industry. I have built my career investing in and mentoring future leaders. It is incumbent upon those of us who are gatekeepers to provide access, opportunities and a seat at the table that creates room for success.”

Added DALLAS AUSTIN, “I have always considered myself a teacher, supporter and investor in the future leaders in the industry as my studios have always been a place for learning and collaboration. I fully support the BLACK MUSIC ACTION COALITION and WASSERMAN’s MUSIC ACCELERATOR program.”

READ MORE: https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/218164/wasserman-music-black-music-action-coalition-tenne

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), in partnership with Wasserman Music, Nashville Music Equality, RIAA and YouTube Music, recently concluded its first annual Music Accelerator Program with Tennessee State University. Culminating over the weekend, the three-week program’s final class was held at the National Museum of African American Music, where each student received a gold plaque from the RIAA.

In addition to music biz curriculum, the program included internship placements across Wasserman, Warner Music Nashville and LVRN, as well as guest lecturers Dre London, Artistry Group Founder/CEO Max Gousse, YouTube Music’s Tuma Basa, MAC Agency’s Andrew Lieber, Shawn Holiday, Ashaunna Ayars, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Wasserman agents Lee Anderson, Lenore Kinder, Callender, Chappel McCollister and Mallory Smith, artists BRELAND, Blanco Brown, Joy Oladokun and more.

This program ended with producer Dallas Austin and recording artist Sir the Baptist, both of whom received honorary doctorates in music from TSU.

“The Music Business Accelerator course was a one-of-a-kind learning experience that exposed students to successful music professionals,” said Dr. Mark Crawford, Professor of Music and Coordinator of Commercial Music, TSU. EMPIRE VP, Tina Davis, added, “The level of passion and focus I saw at the accelerator program gave me so much hope and excitement for the future of the music industry.”

“Black Music Action Coalition wants to be intentional about addressing the erasure of Black artists, executives, and the creative community on Music Row by creating a real pipeline to opportunities and resources to level the playing field in Nashville,” shared BMAC co-Founder/co-Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers. “This was an incredible first step, of which many BMAC will take with those in Nashville dedicated to racial, social and economic justice.”

READ MORE: https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=331652

TSU students. Photo: Courtesy of 353 media

A handful of music industry organizations recently completed the three-week Maymester Music Accelerator Program at Tennessee State University. The Music Accelerator Program at TSU is a program in partnership with Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), Nashville Music Equality, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Wasserman Music, and YouTube Music.

Over the course of the 3-week program, TSU students heard from influential music executives, and took advantage of internship placements across multiple music industry companies, including Wasserman Music, Warner Music Nashville and LVRN.

Breland (far right) speaking to TSU students. Photo: Courtesy of 353 media

Speakers who participated in the program included Post Malone manager Dre London; Artistry Group founder/CEO Max Gousse; Tuma Basa (Youtube Music); Andrew Lieber (MAC Agency); Roddy Ricch manager Shawn Holiday; recording artists Breland, Blanco Brown and Joy Oladokun; Mary J Blige’s manager Ashaunna Ayars; Marcus Johnson (Goldenvoice/AEG); Brandon McEachern and Marcus Allen (Broccoli City); EMPIRE product manager Russell Barrett; RIAA’s Jackie Jones; VP of EMPIRE Tina Davis; BMG’s Tim Reid and Jon Loba; Wasserman Music agents Lee Anderson, Lenore Kinder, Callender, Chappel McCollister and Mallory Smith, and many more.

“The Music Business Accelerator course was a one-of-a-kind learning experience that exposed students to successful music professionals,” shares Dr. Mark Crawford, Professor of Music and Coordinator of Commercial Music, TSU. “Whether having guests in the classroom, or visiting a music related company, the course provided real-time and real-life information that have enabled the students to see their future careers as a tangible goal and not an ambiguous dream. This course provided inspiration, calculation, and anticipation of things to come!”

Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder/co-chair of BMAC, adds, “Black Music Action Coalition wants to be intentional about addressing the erasure of Black artists, executives, and the creative community on Music Row by creating a real pipeline to opportunities and resources to level the playing field in Nashville. I was able to watch the students in this music accelerator program show up at 8:15 in the morning on a daily basis, ready to learn and were completely engaged for over 3 hours, as some of the most successful and influential leaders in the entertainment industry poured into them. The students were able to learn about publishing, management & branding, distribution, marketing, tour routing & talent buying and even participate in a focus group for an upcoming release from an artist signed to a major label. Three weeks of nonstop action.”

Stiggers continues, “I met some incredible artists, rappers, singer-songwriters, managers, and producers who will definitely make their mark in this industry. Not only through the paid internships that follow this program, but we will continue to work directly with all of these students to ensure they are equipped with all they need to succeed. This was an incredible first step, of which many BMAC will take with those in Nashville dedicated to racial, social and economic justice. We are grateful for the partnership with Dr. Crawford, Wasserman Music, RIAA, Youtube Music, Nashville Music Equality and Tennessee State University.”

READ MORE : https://musicrow.com/2022/06/music-industry-organizations-conclude-first-annual-tsu-music-accelerator-program/

Wasserman Music pairs with Joy Oladokun, BRELAND, YouTube, Goldenvoice, and more for the inaugural class of TSU’s Music Industry Accelerator program

A group of Black college students who emerged Tuesday morning from a 90-minute conversation about songwriting with emerging star Joy Oladokun at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum could represent the future of Nashville’s music industry.

After an unprecedented, immersive, three-week course of study, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) students, may be uniquely poised for immediate, game-changing success in the music business.

Historically, predominantly white-populated Music City-area universities, including Belmont and Middle Tennessee State, have developed many vaunted industry professionals via their Music Industry programs. However, in the wake of social justice and institutional change invigorated by the Black Lives Matter movement, depth and scope — via reparational equity — have been added to the conversation.

In 2021, Lindsay LaBennett, the Senior Director for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity at Wasserman and Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 class member Brian Sexton, the Special Projects Manager for Community Development at Nashville’s Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (both HBCU graduates) emailed Dr. Mark Crawford, the director of HBCU Tennessee State University’s quarter-century-old Commerical Music department with an intriguing proposition. It evolved into the inaugural Music Accelerator Program — which visited the country music’s hallowed halls on Tuesday. 

The duo wanted to pair sports, marketing and talent agency Wasserman’s existing work with Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, YouTube, the Recording Industry Association of America, Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), local collaborative effort Nashville Music Equality and numerous other industry partners with the ability to facilitate access for 20 of Dr. Crawford’s students to unprecedented opportunities to establish themselves in the modern era’s evolving music industry.

From music marketing to team-building, songwriting, production, public relations and more, ten courses (described as “deep dives with subject experts across industry disciplines”) were offered.

At the Hall of Fame and Museum — which 99% of the students had never visited — the students had questions after discovering contextual similarities to America’s Black cultural guideposts in the genre’s fashions and traditions during a tour.

The group met with Oladokun, her production collaborator and Grammy-winning Dr. Dre protege Mike Elizondo, plus her songwriting and management cohort at Nashville’s outpost of Los Angeles’ Prescription Songs in the museum’s theater. TSU’s music industry hopefuls were inspired Oladokun’s blend of sensitive singer-songwriter handiwork, plus the loving, but honest music business wisdom offered by the emerging Nigerian-American performer and her team.

Connecting Tennessee State University students to musical stars like Breland, Oladokun and Post Malone, digital and streaming brands including YouTube and Spotify, Coachella and Stagecoach festival organizer Goldenvoice, plus music groups like BMI and BMG prepares soon-to-be college graduates for what Dr. Crawford calls “life beyond the collegiate bubble.”

“We’re delighted that this prestigious and accomplished group of speakers have chosen to be part of our effort to train the next generation of music industry leaders,” says Denise Melanson, Director of Social Impact at Wasserman. “We’re proud to work with all of them, along with our partners, to make this an outstanding program for these students.

“My father is a professor at an HBCU, so this is a real full-circle moment for me,” said Tuma Basa, Director of Black Music & Culture at YouTube. “It’s a pleasure to walk in his footsteps sharing knowledge with the students of Tennessee State University.” 

LaBennett said she hopes the plan will spawn a “music industry legacy” for Nashville that expands beyond this moment into generations of young HBCU graduates — like she once was — reinvigorating a pipeline of Black music industry professionals teeming with undeniable executive or otherwise top-tier talents.

“Legacy is about constant inspiration, over time. This inaugural class will inspire their fellow classmates, plus spaces like Universal Music Group and YouTube Music, to further engage with Black professionals desiring leadership opportunities.”

Brian Sexton is a Chicago native who has lived in Nashville for two decades. Unfortunately, though, he’s found that racist attitudes that permeated the city’s music industry limited his ability to appreciate its ubiquitous impact on Nashville’s culture fully. In the wake of the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement, his daily desire to serve as “a broker of connecting people to access, opportunities and resources” met with his desire to create a legacy of change in his chosen home.  

Thus, for him, the Music Accelerator Program allows “motivated black and brown folks” more direct opportunities to achieve success amid a music industry squarely focused on addressing equity between the industry and its significant globalized, multicultural and multiethnic fanbase.

“Selfishly, I’d love the Music Accelerator Program to stay [at TSU] and be a ‘destination course’ for students across the country,” says Dr. Crawford. “This is a crucial, once in a lifetime opportunity,” Sexton adds. “we’re setting the bar for success with this program.”

READ MORE: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2022/05/27/black-tsu-students-offered-unprecedented-music-industry-leadership-access/9840213002/