Top Music Executives, Creatives Honored At Inaugural Innovation In Music Awards

Pictured (L-R) back: David Macias, J.R. Schumann, Brian O’Connell, Mike McVay, and Gogi Gupta; (front): Leslie Fram, John Esposito, and Bobby Bones. Not pictured: Shane McAnally. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Innovation in Music Awards

Several of Nashville’s top music executives were on hand for Tuesday evening’s (June 6) inaugural Innovation In Music Awards ceremony, held at The Westin Nashville. Awards founder and Cold River Records leader Pete O’Heeron welcomed guests before introducing host for the evening, Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus.

The evening’s lengthy list of honorees include Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Cumulus Media/Westwood One’s Mike McVay, Thirty Tigers’ David Macias, SMACKSongs’ Shane McAnally, Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell, CMT’s Leslie Fram, iHeartMedia’s Bobby Bones, Gupta Media’s Gogi Gupta, SiriusXM’s J.R. Schumann, and radio recipients Tim Roberts (WYCD/ Major Market), Bev Rainey (KBQI/Medium Market), and Kory James (KPLM/Small Market). According to O’Heeron, the inaugural class of winners will be part of the process in selecting next year’s Innovation In Music honorees.

Two other individuals were recognized with a “Makes Shit Happen” (MSH) award, alternatively named the “Makes Stuff Happen” award; an award that honors individuals who are known as hard working, dedicated, and exemplifying that of a forward thinker. This year’s MSH awards went to Gregg Swedberg of KEEY/Minneapolis and Tony Grotticelli of Universal Music Group Nashville.

CMT’s Leslie Fram, recipient of the Innovation In Music, National Media honor, is known for being a champion of female artists. Fram launched both CMT’s Women of Country franchise, and with fellow industry executives Tracy Gershon and Beverly Keel, launched the Change The Conversation series to initiate discussions regarding the obstacles for female artists and songwriters in the music industry. This night, she again championed a female artist, by giving up her award acceptance time slot to allow UMG Nashville artist Mickey Guyton to perform.

Guyton offered a cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow,” a nod to Fram’s early career work in rock radio, where she was the first to play songs from Arcade Fire, Shawn Mullins, White Stripes, and more.

KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards honored Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell, the evening’s Live/Touring category winner. She offered heartfelt remarks from watching O’Connell’s passion for touring and for artists. “I would watch him get this great whiteboard and watch him map out city after city, and artist after artist. He started numerous festivals, and has made each of them a brand within themselves,” she said, as O’Connell brought a round of laughter from the audience as he lit a cigarette onstage. “They can’t stop me from smoking here,” he quipped.

Rod Phillips recalled how Innovation In Music, National Radio recipient Bobby Bones failed to tell him that he would be playing “Buy Me A Boat,” a single by Chris Janson, a charismatic singer-songwriter largely unknown outside of Nashville circles.

“Playing that song made a career, and we made Chris an ‘On The Verge’ Artist,” recalled Phillips. Janson went on to sign with Warner Music Nashville, led by fellow Innovation In Music honoree John Esposito.

Performers during the evening included Warner Nashville’s Hunter Hayes, Warner Nashville/300 Entertainment’s Bailey Bryan, Cold River Records’ Drew Baldridge, and Monument Records artist Walker Hayes. In addition to a solo performance, Hayes was joined by songwriter Josh Osborne to honor McAnally, the Innovation in Music, Artist & Creative honoree, with a medley of McAnally’s songs, including “Follow Your Arrow,” “Alone With You,” “Different For Girls,” and more. Kristian Bush offered an inspirational speech on the risks and fearlessness required to be a true innovator and creator.

Brett Eldredge was on hand to honor Innovator of the Year honoree, Esposito.

“I was the first artist that John signed to Warner. I had dinner with him at The Palm and that dinner was by far one of the most important meetings of my life,” Eldredge said. “I knew this guy would do things for me that no one else would, so I love you for that, brother. One of my biggest inspirations is Frank Sinatra. Not a lot of country artists love Frank Sinatra, but this is my passion. He happened to love the same. We’ve drank gallons of whiskey through the years together and traveled across the country and it’s been amazing. You do amazing things for not only me but so many artists. You take risks and that’s what it takes. You follow your heart and your heart is music.”

In closing the ceremony, O’Heeron promised that the awards show’s auspicious inaugural year is only the beginning, and that he hopes to grow the event into a multi-day affair. “We want to be the SXSW of Nashville,” he summed.