ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC TO HOST SONGWRITERS ROUND FEATURING ONRAMP CLASS MEMBERS
ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC TO HOST SONGWRITERS ROUND FEATURING ONRAMP CLASS MEMBERS
Groundbreaking Initiative Partners with the Black Music Action Coalition to Support Young Black Members of the Nashville Music Community
(Asset courtesy of ACM and available in full resolution HERE.)
NASHVILLE, TN (January 11, 2024) – The Academy of Country Music (ACM) is hosting a Songwriters Round at Jackalope Brewing Company in Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston neighborhood on Thursday, February 22, showcasing members of the inaugural class of its much-heralded OnRamp professional development program: Larysa Jaye, Tae Lewis, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Nick Tabron, Jerison Qualls, and Kendall Warner.
The Songwriters Round is free to attend, and RSVPs are being accepted at https://acmcountry.formstack.com/forms/onramp_jackalope_february_2024. The Songwriters Round will start at 4 p.m. and wrap at 6 p.m.
This Songwriters Round follows successful shows highlighting members of the OnRamp program including a 50th anniversary of Hip Hop showcase at The Basement in September and a performance showcase in collaboration with BMI at the Bluebird Cafe in December.
OnRamp is a partnership with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) focused on improving inclusivity and equity within Music City and aiming to empower the next generation of leaders in the early stages of their careers by granting access to informational panels, professional development opportunities, 360º mentorship, industry exposure, and other opportunities. Additionally, through the program, each participant will receive a monthly stipend for one year. Half of the inaugural class are artists; the other half come from across the industry and range from attorneys to audio engineers, publicists to business managers.
ACM x BMAC OnRamp, Inaugural Class:
- Erica Baker, attorney
- Jasmine Bavaro, management and audio engineer
- Tylar Bryant, artist
- Tatyana Carter, artist manager
- Carmen Dianne, artist
- Larysa Jaye, artist
- The Kentucky Gentlemen, artist
- Chasidy Lauderdale, business management
- Cameron Leavy-Thorn, music business student
- Tae Lewis, artist
- Roz Malone, musician
- Daisha McBride, artist
- Kim Ortiz, music licensing
- Nina Teapot Owens, creative consultant
- Qualls, artist
- Nick Tabron, artist
- Kendall Warner, artist
- Dede Neahn West, public relations
- Julie Williams, artist
- Amari Young, A&R
For more information regarding the OnRamp program, please visit acmcountry.com/onramp. For more about the Black Music Action Coalition, please visit bmacoalition.org. For more information on the Academy of Country Music, please visit acmcountry.com.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown in the almost-60 years since into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Now headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2023 was another monumental year for the Academy, with the 58th ACM Awards, hosted by global superstars Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, ranking as one of the most-watched awards shows of the year. 2024 will see the ACM Awards return in May to the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys in Texas for a second consecutive year and stream live for a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents both ACM LEVel Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, and OnRamp, a guaranteed income program for Black members of the Nashville music community, in partnership with the Black Music Action Coalition. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.