The Recording Academy Elects New Board Of Trustees Officers

The Recording Academy recently held its Spring Board Of Trustees Officer Elections where John Poppo was re-elected Chair of its Board of Trustees and A&R executive Ruby Marchand was re-elected Vice Chair. Music executive Terry Hemmings will serve as Secretary/Treasurer and recording artist and founder/CEO of Swan Songs Christine Albert was also elected Chair Emeritus during the annual meeting.

“The dedication and wisdom of these talented National Officers will help us continue our mission of keeping the Recording Academy a premier organization within our vibrant industry,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “I look forward to working closely with such a diverse group of music professionals. The Academy, our membership, and the entire music community will benefit from their many years of experience.”

About The Officers:

Hemmings is a 30-year industry veteran who has helped shape and guide the careers of artists and songwriters and has executive produced dozens of albums and multiple award-winning feature films. As president/CEO of Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, his roster includes Casting Crowns, Kirk Franklin, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brandon Heath, Matt Maher, Fred Hammond, and more. Hemmings also oversees Provident Films (War Room, Courageous and Woodlawn), Provident Distribution, Essential Music Publishing, Essential Artist Services and New York-based Descendant Records (The Lone Bellow and Colony House). A Leadership Music alumnus, he serves on multiple music industry boards.

Poppo has enjoyed a 30-year career as a multiplatinum-selling producer, engineer, songwriter, and musician who’s worked in a wide range of genres. His credits include recordings by artists like Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Al Green, Daryl Hall, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Annie Lennox, Madonna, ‘N Sync, Diana Ross, Seal, and Luther Vandross. The New York native is currently focused on the development of new artists for his production/management company, Pop Productions Inc. He has served on the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees for the past 14 years.

Marchand has served as a global A&R professional over the past three decades who has discovered and developed artists across a multitude of genres. Having started her music career as a flutist in the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble, she now oversees the International Repertoire Initiative for Warner Music. She was previously head of A&R for the Ryko label, where she signed artists including Keb? Mo?, Will Hoge, Fran Healy, Allison Moorer, and the Posies, among others. As VP of A&R at Warner Music International for almost 25 years, she worked with prominent and emerging artists throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Marchand is an adjunct professor at the NYU Steinhardt Music Business program.

Albert is an independent artist and founder/CEO of Swan Songs, an Austin-based non-profit that fulfills musical last wishes. Albert has released 12 albums as a solo artist and as part of the folk/Americana duo Albert and Gage. She and her husband/musical partner Chris Gage also own and operate MoonHouse Studio and MoonHouse Records in Austin. Albert is known for her “Texafrance” series of French/English recordings that combine her European heritage and Texas musical roots. She has appeared on “Austin City Limits,” was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year by the Kerrville Folk Festival Music Awards, and Superstar of Austin Music by the Austin Chamber of Commerce for her community service work.