Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s Post

In the latest edition of the “My Music Row Story” column, Lori Badgett of City National Bank shares insights from her journey in the Nashville music industry. This series highlights key figures who have made significant contributions to the music scene, celebrating their experiences and achievements. Lori's story is a testament to the intersection of finance and creativity in promoting and supporting Nashville's vibrant musical landscape. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gSwb-DZE

I had the pleasure this week to sit on a panel to discuss Early Music in New York, past, present, and future and I thank the Early Music Foundation and Early Music America for the privilege. I touched on several issues that still plague the field with respect to ethnic diversity and that of black and brown musicians, among other things. Yes, there are more ethnically diverse players in the field now, but there is more work to be done to make sure there is representation in the field across the board. Today I had the pleasure of attending the Black Orchestral Network 2024 Summit and, low and behold, this was also the topic of discussion with respect to managing initiatives to increase diversity in every aspect of the field of classical music. The discussion focused on how to create equitable auditions, how to build community and financial support by increasing board, donor, and staff diversity, how to identify ways in which all of us can work together to break the stigma that comes with “white fragility,” and how to find ways in which we can reach a benchmark to celebrate black creative expression in the field rather than perpetuating the idea that this should be noted as extraordinary. Chi-chi Nwanoku, Founder of Chineke!. double bassist, broadcaster, writer, and mentor, spoke about the Berlin Conference of 1884, at which European Nations discussed how to divide up the continent of Africa among them. She brought to our attention that those nations sitting at the table reaped the benefits while those African countries that were not invited might consider themselves on the menu. All that to say, we need to have more change agents at the table alongside musicians of color to make the case for a more equitable field. We also need to respect the fact that musicians of color did not choose this field to right the wrongs of discrimination but chose the field because of a passion for making music. To work efficiently toward our goal, we need to see a larger and more diverse pool of advocates involved in every aspect of our field to move the DEI initiative forward, maintain it, and retain it as a high priority. https://lnkd.in/e4m-FhpF

Exciting news for music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike! Our latest blog post delves into the history and significance of the Grammy Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in the music world. This piece explores what it means to receive a Grammy, the evolution of the awards, and the incredible achievements of those who have joined the elite "EGOT" club. Whether you're a fan of music or a professional in the entertainment industry, understanding the impact of the Grammy Awards is essential. Read the full article here: [What is a Grammy? A quick history of the prestigious music award](https://ift.tt/T2Es6pZ)

The Recording Academy has announced the disqualification of St. Louis rapper J-Kwon from consideration for a Grammy Award related to the song 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' by Shaboozey. This decision has sparked discussions about eligibility criteria and the boundaries of collaborative work in the music industry. The impact of this disqualification on J-Kwon's career and future projects remains to be seen as the award season approaches. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gkp_pSSP

Did you hear? The College of Arts & Sciences released their first magazine issue! In this issue, you can learn all about Country Music Association’s CEO, cicadas, and student success. Read the full Spring 2024 issue here: https://lnkd.in/gH3EwMCV

Check out this new blog post discussing the influential music of Velvet Underground, Charles Mingus, and T-Bone Walker, as part of Atlantic 75. Learn more about their impact and contribution to music history. Click here to read the full post: https://lnkd.in/eNhPUkNE.

One Would Have Thought That in 2024, the Music Industry Would Have Grown Up and Stopped Being a Den of Iniquity Despite the progress and global reach of music, the industry continues to reveal deep flaws. Beyoncé, for example, was completely snubbed at the 2024 Country Music Awards, despite her album Cowboy Carter topping the country charts. This exclusion highlights a larger issue of systemic gatekeeping within country music, where Black artists are often overlooked, regardless of their success. Many hoped Beyoncé’s album, which sought to reclaim the genre’s Black roots, would open doors, but the industry continues to resist true inclusivity. Similarly, Tyla, a South African artist, won Best African Music Performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, even though her music is closer to amapiano and Afro-pop, not Afrobeat. This misclassification mirrors past missteps, like awarding The Police as a reggae group when Bob Marley was around. Such decisions not only show a lack of understanding but also insult the artists truly defining those genres. Lastly, nepotism remains a glaring issue in major labels. Damien Lucien’s appointment as president of Atlantic Records—mainly due to being the son of Lucian Grainge, CEO of Universal Music—exemplifies this. His rapid rise, despite limited experience, underscores how connections often take precedence over talent or hard work. For many, the independent route looks more attractive than ever, as the industry’s flawed hierarchy becomes clearer. #MusicIndustry2024 #BeyoncéSnub #TylaGrammy #NepotismInMusic

This important research will assess the economic and cultural impact of Black British music over the last 25 years (for the first time, ever!). If you work with Black British music, please spare a bit of time to fill it out.

Black Music Alliance Australia supports and celebrates this important research being conducted by UK Music Ltd. This data will help fill in the UK piece of what is a larger international connection of Black Music throughout the Diaspora, and begin to quantify the economic opportunities and cultural significance, Black creatives and industry professionals have contributed to the global musical landscape. #data #musiceconomics #researh #UKMusic #BMAA #Africandiaspora #BlackMusic #globalconnection

Sitting over here in the Middle East, we often look to the more developed markets assuming they have it all worked out in the West for the better. The reality is there are good lessons to learn from all over the world, but there are also bad precedents we should learn from. The US is one of those markets when it comes to performer and sound recording rights on radio that is broken. This needs to be fixed. The good news is we can learn from the mistakes and loopholes of others, to make a more egalitarian and fair system as we look to develop our own platforms starting from a clean slate.