Pictured (L-R): Bob Kingsley, Clarence Spalding, Jason Aldean
Clarence Spalding was honored with the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award during an event held Wednesday night (Feb. 28) at the Grand Ole Opry House. Spalding was honored for his impact on country music, and the evening benefitted the Opry Trust Fund, which has supported members of the country music community in need for more than 50 years.
Among the artists performing at the event were Jason Aldean, who also presented Spalding with his award, Terri Clark, Brooks & Dunn, Exile, Rascal Flatts, Reba, and Darius Rucker. Many of Spalding’s industry colleagues and friends were also a part of the honor including Steve Buchanan, Robert Deaton, John Esposito, Randy Goodman, Mary Ann McCready, Stan Moress, Brian O’Connell, Sally Williams and more.
Spalding got his start in the business while he was studying at the University of Kentucky and began booking acts into local bars. He soon began road managing the band Exile, and developed friendships and relationships throughout the industry. In the late ‘80s he joined Stan Moress’ management group, and settled in Nashville to work with artists like Lorrie Morgan, K.T. Oslin, Eddie Rabbitt, Mike Reid and Restless Heart. In 1993, Spalding joined Bob Titley Management and worked directly with the newly-signed Brooks & Dunn. Spalding’s management of the pair helped establish the duo as one of country music’s superstar acts, and the company eventually became Titley Spalding & Associates. In 2004, Spalding formed Spalding Entertainment, and the firm now boasts a powerhouse roster that includes Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Terri Clark and others. In 2014 partnered with Maverick, a consortium of managers around the globe, to create broader opportunities for his clients.
The Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award was created in 2014 to recognize the most deserving individuals across the spectrum of record label/industry, creative/production and radio/media.
About the Author
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
