Industry Ink: CMA, Regions Bank, Iconic Entertainment Group, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency

Pictured (L-R): CMA Board President Sally Williams; Eddy Cue, Sr. VP of Internet Software and Services, Apple; CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, CEO, CMA; John Esposito, CMA Board Chairman. Photo: Amanda Eckard/CMA

Apple executive Eddy Cue and writer Stephen Witt addressed the CMA Board of Directors at their quarterly meeting in Napa Valley, California on Tuesday.

Cue, who spearheads Apple’s iTunes music store, addressed the changing digital landscape of the music industry. Witt discussed the research and findings that lead to his 2015 book How Music Got Free, which explores the origins of digital music and online piracy.

Pictured (L-R): Bill Simmons, CMA Board President-Elect; Sally Williams, CMA Board President; Stephen Witt, Author, How the Music Got Free; Sarah Trahern, CEO, CMA; John Esposito, CMA Board Chairman.

Regions Bank Names Melodie Michael To New Role

Melodie Michael. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Regions Bank has named Melodie Michael as Branch Team Lead at Regions’ Entertainment and Sports Division on Music Row. In her new role, she will be responsible for new business development as well as providing leadership for the branch’s sales, service, and teller positions.

Melodie earned her B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University in 2011. She began her Regions career at the Belle Meade branch in 2014, focusing on needs of the elite customer and on-the-spot service. She is active in the community as a member of the Junior League of Murfreesboro and the Murfreesboro Young Professionals. Melodie is a Nashville native and life-long resident of Middle Tennessee and is looking forward to serving the customers of Nashville’s legendary Music Row.

Iconic Entertainment Group Adds To Staff

Halle Pinkham

Halle Pinkham has joined the Iconic Entertainment Group as office manager/managerial support. The announcement was made by Fletcher Foster, President/CEO of IEG. Chief among her responsibilities will be the flow of information between the company and its various industry partners. Pinkham previously worked at WME and CMT. Prior to that, she assisted the management team of both Hunter Hayes and Shawn Mendes.

“As our artists’ careers continue to grow and flourish, so does the need to bring in qualified and enthusiastic team members to support the IEG staff and roster,” Foster said.  “Because our company works broadly within the music industry, the person taking on this position needs a good understanding of the roles of a record label and publisher as well as the inner workings of the touring industry. Halle brings with her not only the expertise, but also the enthusiasm I look for in a new team member.”

Pinkham can be reached at 615-454-6795 and hallep@iconicentertainment.com.

The Kinkead Entertainment Agency Celebrates First Anniversary

Bob Kinkead

Bob Kinkead, CEO of The Kinkead Entertainment Agency, got his start in the entertainment business when he was only in his teens. Thirty-some years and six agencies later, Kinkead is celebrating the first anniversary of starting his own company.

Kinkead Entertainment, with offices in Nashville and New York City, has a diverse roster ranging from comedian/actor Bill Engvall, artist/comedian Ray Stevens, and legendary TV host Bob Eubanks. Recent signings include Emerson Drive and Bill Anderson. Kinkead also represents Olivia Lane, Chasin’ Crazy, The Cains, Lucy Angel, Lucas Hoge, New Hollow and Macy Kate.

“We are a boutique agency that handles all things, and we take pride in representing our great talent. We are in the people business, and the majority of our communication with buyers is through actual one-on-one telephone conversations which I believe are key to relationships that are important in getting the job done,” says Kinkead. “It’s always great and an honor to work with the star power of large acts, but also just as rewarding to be able to nurture emerging talent to star status.”

Kinkead can be reached at Bkinkead@kinkeadentertainment.com.