That’s My “InCharge” Story. What’s Yours?

In the current print issue of MusicRow InCharge, Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson shares the story of his career path from Arthur Andersen & Co. (pre-Enron) in the 90’s to Nashville’s Music Industry Publication, MusicRow. He discusses the executives profiled in the InCharge magazine who helped guide his way and made a huge impact on his career.

“These pages in InCharge list the most influential people in our industry, but that influence is not limited to artists, their music and our industry’s commerce. That influence affects us all in unique and personal ways through our relationships, our careers and even our friendships,” says Robertson.

Many people on the Row have stories about how the decision makers in InCharge have impacted their careers, or maybe how the magazine itself led to opportunities.

We would love to hear YOUR story.

Email your story to Sarah Skates at sskates@musicrow.com or call me directly at 499-5419.

Here’s my story:

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In the summer of 1999 my parents took me to freshman orientation at MTSU. Recording Industry professor Matthew O’Brien held up a copy of InCharge, and instructed the group of incoming music business students to subscribe to MusicRow. Learning the players was key to our success, he told us. Thankfully, my very supportive Dad went home to LaFayette, Georgia and signed me up for a subscription.

Sarah Skates

The magazines and emails came steadily over the next few years. I read “Bobby Karl Works The Room” and tried to keep up with the names and faces on the pages. The InCharge issue came in handy for research, like the time I was going to SOLID Shadow Day to follow Curb’s Drew Alexander. And the Artist Roster was helpful when I needed to find a manager to interview for class. It led me to Daniel Miller at Borman Entertainment who graciously agreed to help a MTSU student.

Fast forward to graduation in 2003. It was time to find a real job in the music business. I’d interned in the DreamWorks publicity department under Summer Harman, but the label’s impending merger with UMG meant they weren’t hiring.

I landed behind the ticket counter at the Country Music Hall of Fame. That six-month gig proved extremely valuable as I wandered the galleries, getting a much needed crash course in the history of Country music.

My MusicRow subscription had become more important than ever, as I scanned every email and issue for job leads. One day, I saw a tiny classified ad for a part-time writer at the magazine in the @MusicRow email. The requirement: “Must love country music.” I interviewed a few times, submitted writing samples, and MusicRow founder David Ross took a chance on me. As a board member of The Hall, he liked that I was working there and it helped my resume stand out from the rest. That customer service position was a key stepping stone, just as the DreamWorks internship helped my application stand out to hiring managers at The Hall.

If it weren’t for that copy of InCharge at freshman orientation in 1999, I wouldn’t be here today, helping compile, write and edit the valuable information presented in that very magazine. Eight years after joining MusicRow, my profile is among the players I read and write about. I am grateful to everyone who helped me along the way. That’s my InCharge story. What’s yours?