If you missed CSU 2005, you missed an opportunity to learn
from all these great panelists, moderators, and performers.
Don't miss your chance to register now
for CSU 2006, when we'll have another amazing cast of
country music's biggest names to tell it like it really
is, and help you in your quest to become country music's
next superstar!
Rachel Proctor
Performing @ Hitmakers
Where I Belong
Rachel Proctor just might be the most seasoned pro you’ve ever met. With one listen to her debut album, Where I Belong, you hear the enormous musical diversity in her background. But although she sings a variety of styles well, Rachel knows exactly where she belongs.
Moderators & Panelists
Tim DuBois
Senior Partner, Universal South Records
Keynote Speaker
Tim DuBois is long known as one of Nashville’s top visionary and artist-minded music executives. An Oklahoma native, DuBois became a Certified Public Accountant in the 1970s before moving to Texas, where he successfully held positions with Arthur Anderson & Co. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Country music was in the air there and soon DuBois had become drawn to the notion of writing country songs himself.
Tracy Gershon
Sr. VP A&R Warner Bros./Former Nashville Star Judge
What Do Record Labels Really Want - Moderator
A native of Los Angeles, Gershon began her career in the music industry by booking concerts for the University of California Santa Barbara. After graduation, she went to work for Avalon Attractions as a concert promoter, and in 1982, she left Avalon to work for Backstreet/MCA Records as Senior Director of Creative Services. Soon after, she became Vice President of Wavelength Video, one of the premier music video pools.
Adam McKeown
Co-Principal - Splat Productions LLC
Moderator - Marketing & Merchandising
Adam McKeown has enjoyed a successful career in the music business, and it’s one that has taken him down many diverse paths including marketing, touring, information technology, and musical instrument marketing. Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, McKeown’s foray into the music business began with his education...
Jeremy Witt
A&R Coordinator
Warner Bros. Records
Songschool Day Two - Moderator
THE BIOGRAPHY OF JEREMY WITT
Or "How To Succeed In The Music Business Without Really Dying..." Jeremy Witt was born and raised in the cultural wasteland of Reagan-era suburbia, in a little grey house between a Wendy's and a strip-mall in a small town about fifty feet outside of Chattanooga.
Producer/creative director, Storme Warren joined the Travis Television production staff in 1999, after spending six years working on Music Row as an on-air reporter/producer for TNN’s “This Week in Country Music,” “Crook and Chase,” “Today’s Country,” and “TNN Country News.” Prior to coming to Nashville, Storme spent 5 years in the CNN Los Angeles Bureau, working for the network’s daily entertainment program “Showbiz Today.”
Larry Holden
Executive Editor
Country Weekly
Larry
Holden's entertainment journalism background spans almost
30 years, including more than 1,000 interviews with movie
and TV stars -- and, of course, country music performers.
Crom Tidwell is a Nashville native who began his career working in the concert merchandising business 23 years ago. He formed his own company Crom Tidwell Merchandising and has worked with over fifty different artists. Crom Tidwell Merchandising works with artists in a variety of ways with the ability to design and manufacture product, warehouse product, supply road vendor, and enjoys excellent working relationships with fairs and venues throughout the country and Canada. He also has contacts and the ability to support touring in Europe and Australia. Crom is the in-house vendor at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, and staffs all events that have merchandise for sale, except hockey. Crom is married and has three children.
Stan Moress
Consortium
Moress garnered his earliest experience in entertainment publicity, creating television series, and as GM of West Coast operations of a major record label, where his involvement included A&R, promotion, and marketing. After witnessing the lack of guidance and direction which adversely impacted artists with whom he was associated, Moress decided his true calling was that of artist management.
Al Schiltz
Consortium
From working on the road to working closely with agencies and management companies, AL SCHILTZ has a background that spans all facets of the live entertainment industry. In 1996 he formed AS Is Management to serve as personal manager for recording artist Billy Ray Cyrus, with whom he had been involved since the 1992 release of Cyrus’s successful debut album “Some Gave All.”
Jordon Keller
Moderator - Legal Panel
Jordan Keller is a third generation entertainment industry veteran whose law practice covers a wide range of legal specialties, including copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property, IP valuations, rights of publicity, contract negotiations, licensing, estate and probate matters involving intellectual property, litigation, fiduciary interactions, domain name disputes and technology issues. Mr. Keller represents small businesses with intellectual property needs, as well as independent publishers and recording labels, songwriters, actors, theatrical organizations, producers, managers, agents and recording artists.
Jimmy Carter
Publicity - Panelist
Some make their name in front of the mike or camera . . . others do it as a producer, writer or technician. Jimmy Carter has done them all!
Since 1968, at age 15, when he started his on-the-job training at his favorite rock radio station, Carter has taken in firsthand knowledge of what it takes to make a successful radio and television show...
RJ Meacham
Director of Promotion, NE
Curb/Asylum Records
Panelist, Country Radio and You
RJ Meacham joined Curb/Asylum Records as Director of Promotion/Northeast in 2004. He previously spent 6 years in Colorado as VP/Operations of Eagle Marketing Services, a leading direct marketing and advertising agency for radio. Prior to Eagle, Meacham was the Northeast Promotion manager for Sony/Monument Records and Imprint Records. A third generation radio brat and thus destined for this madness, RJ began his career in radio and records at the ripe old age of four when he cut his first commercial for the Bank of Vicksburg.
Tim Wipperman CCO, Equity Music Group
What Do Record Labels Really Want - Panelist
Tim
Wipperman came to Nashville in 1971 after graduating from
the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Political
Science [International Relations] with dreams of becoming
a session trumpet player. Given the 'great demand' for
trumpet players in Nashville at the time, he went to work
at Chet Atkins publishing company...
Chip Petree
General Manager & Vice President, Business Affairs
Copyright Exchange
The Law And Country Stars - Panelist
As
a solo practitioner specializing in transactional work
in the music and entertainment industries, Petree represents
a diverse group of songwriters, artists and music publishers,
as well as technology and e-commerce companies. From 2000
to 2002 he practiced technology law in Silicon Valley,
and prior to that served in the in-house legal departments
at the RIAA, BMG and MTV Networks, where he was primary
counsel to CMT.
Rob Beckham
Booking Agent
William Morris Agency
Panelist - Booking
Rob Beckham’s tenure with the William Morris Agency has spanned twelve years, during which he has been a booking agent for several territories across the United States. He is currently responsible for the daily touring, television, motion picture, literary and sponsorships for his clients including Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Chris Cagle, Josh Gracin and Steve Azar.
Phillip White
Songwriter
Song School Day 1
Phillip White was born in Music City but grew up in North Alabama. In his teens, he began tinkering around with a guitar his dad had bought him, and hanging around with legendary cousin Spooner Oldham. Oldham let Phillip tag along with him on a session he was hired to play in the early 90’s for Grammy winning producer J. Aaron Brown. Aaron immediately took a liking to Phillip and convinced him to make the move to Nashville to run and write for his publishing company. White worked for Brown three years where he co-wrote the title track for the 1996 Grammy nominated children’s album “Lovesongs and Lullabyes”.
Billy Decker
Engineer
Production
BIly Decker is one of Nashville’s most in-demand recording and mixing engineers. His discography includes work on projects by Nashville’s hottest acts including Trace Adkins, Leann Rimes, John Michael Montgomery, Billy Dean, Rodney Atkins, Sherrie Austin, Shelly Fairchild, Davie Lee Murphy, Steve Holy, Amy Dalley, and countless other artists.
Stewart Harris
Songwriter
Songwriting Stewart Harris had an epiphany one day in his sociology class at the University of South Carolina. “There was a substitute teacher but it was like I couldn’t hear him. I was just jotting down song titles – about 25 titles during the 50-minute class. I shut my book and told one of my fraternity brothers I was leaving school that day!”
Kim Leslie
WKDF
Radio Promotions - Panelist
Kim Leslie has been involved in country radio for more than 20 years, including an 8-year stint at WMZQ/Washington and three years at WSM/Nashville. Kim has been heard on nationally syndicated shows including United Stations' "Supercountry" and served as Director of Talent for AM/FM Radio Network's "Country Live Tonight." Kim was named Billboard Music Director of the Year in 1996. Kim is currently heard on the WKDF afternoon show with Nashville radio veteran Dean Warfield. “I am elated to be actively involved in the music for the CMA Station of the Year,” says Leslie. “In addition to having fun on the air, WKDF has the unique position in Nashville of respecting our legends as the soul of what makes the country format successful today. Our balance of new country and the legends contributes significantly to what makes WKDF the #1 country station among the all important 25-54 demographic.”
Joanna Carter
Director of Creative Services, Capitol Records
Panelist, Image
As head of Creative Services, Joanna Carter is responsible for all visual elements of production, including CD packaging, sales displays, mailers, videos and photo shoots. She is art director on all CD packages and printed matter from the label and contributes creative guidance on marketing projects. She also works closely with all Capitol artists, to develop, refine and maintain their public image.
Rick Carnes
Songwriter/President, Songwriters Guild Of America
Moderator, Songwriting
During the Stax/Volt, "Soul Music" boom in Memphis in the sixties, Rick found himself playing in an R&B band at every chicken joint and frat house in the southeastern United States. Determined not to have his career shortened by nerve deafness, or a stray bullet, he enrolled in Memphis State University where he hid in the library for six years. Two degrees and thousands of dollars later, he left school totally prepared for life in the sixteenth century.
Scott Haugen
President, Pitch Fork Music
Moderator-Publishing
Scott Haugen started Pitchfork Music Group, an independent music publishing company, in the fall of 2003. Pitchfork Music represents pop/country hit songwriters Mike Reid & Allen Shamblin. Pitchfork’s roster also includes Los Angeles native Kevin Fisher.
Tim Carroll
Downbeat Entertainment
Panelist-Live Performance
For Tim Carroll, creating, developing, and breathing life into innovative and entertaining stage productions isn’t a career choice, it’s a life he was literally born into. With the launch of Downbeat Entertainment, Carroll is synergizing his lifelong experiences as a performer, director, writer, and producer to bring his amazing ideas to audiences worldwide.
Jerry Vandiver
Songwriter/Author
"Your First Cut"
Panelist-Songwriting
Originally from Kansas City, Jerry made the move to Nashville in 1984. Since then, he has been a staff writer for Dick James Music, Little Big Town Music, and Malaco Music while owning and managing a mail order demo studio on Music Row. He is currently an exclusive staff writer for Talbot Music.
Scott Gunter Creative Director
Universal Music Publishing
Panelist - Publishing
Scott Gunter lived and grew up in the town of Dacula Georgia. While attending Dacula High school, Scott had played in several Country, Rock and Christian/Rock bands. It was during that time, he visited a friend who was in the Belmont University Music Business program. He drove back to his home to his various blue collar jobs (i.e., digging ditches and working on cars) all the while thinking of life in Nashville.
Todd Cassetty
President Hi-Fi Fusion
Panelist - Marketing & Merchandising
Todd Cassetty is the founder and president of Hi-Fi Fusion, a new media marketing firm specializing in the promotion of recorded product and recording artists using the ‘Net, e-mail, streaming media, Enhanced CD’s, DVD’s and other forms of new media. Hi-Fi Fusion has carved out a...
Nathan Cruise
Southeast Regional Promotion Manager
Universal South
A relatively new addition to the Universal South team, Cruise joined the label in 2004 as Southeast Regional Promotion Manager. He now adds national duties and oversight of the Midwest region to his responsibilities. Cruise previously spent eight years at Arista Nashville, covering regional promotion for both the southeast and Midwest territories. Prior to that, he was a regional at the MCG/Curb label and worked in Top 40 promotion at Giant Records. Cruise attended the University of Colorado and began his career as the Music Director at KKMG/Colorado Springs.
Renee Grant-Williams
Celebrity Voice Coach
Moderator, Live Performance
Being an effective voice coach is an ironic pursuit. Unlike most professions, the greatest successes of a voice coach are achieved by helping clients sound like they’ve never had a voice lesson in their lives. That said, if you’ve never heard of Renee Grant-Williams, she won’t take offense.
Kye Fleming
Songwriter
Panelist, Song School Day 2
Kyehas been awarded over 45 BMI awards in her career making her one of the most awarded songwriters in country music.
Vanessa Parker-Davis
President
Splash Public Relations
Vanessa Parker-Davis has more than fifteen years of varied experience in the music industry. As a publicist she has strong contacts in national television, print, internet and radio syndication outlets. She has placed artists on programs such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Today...
Ben Vaughn
VP A&R
EMI Music Publishing
Song School Day 1 - Panelist
As
the VP of one of the largest and most successful publishing
companies in Nashville, Ben Vaughn manages the creative
efforts of writers such as Alan Jackson, Guy Clark, Kelley
Lovelace, Tom Shapiro, Shaye Smith and many more. Quite
a responsibility for such a young, yet accomplished music
industry executive.
Wade Hunt
VP-Creative Services
Panelist - Imaging
NASHVILLE, TN – Butch Waugh, Executive Vice President, RCA Label Group RLG/Nashville announces the promotion of Wade Hunt to the position of Vice President, Creative Services, RCA Label Group RLG/Nashville. Headquartered in Nashville, he will report directly to Waugh.
Mike Martinovich
Artist Manager
Management - Moderator
After spending his entire corporate career with CBS Records/Sony Music, Mike Martinovich parlayed his knowledge and experience into a successful marketing consulting firm where he worked with record labels, artist management firms, radio, music retail, and the world of media. Past and present client roster includes: Anderson Merchandisers,...
Billy Block
Western Beat
Panelist - Live Performance
After creating the internet with Al Gore Jr., Billy Block set his sights on the world of music. Rather than jump into the vanilla world of mainstream country music he created a new flavor that has become the neopolitan of country, called Western Beat. Bringing together rock, folk, blues and country sounds, Western Beat became a hit with America’s teens and landed Billy a TV deal on CMT in 2000. Now, Billy Block’s Western Beat Radio is the only nationally syndicated Americana music show on country radio and his weekly Americana Teen Dance Party, every Tuesday night at the Exit/In in Nashville attracts young kids from several counties. Billy continues to pioneer new areas of music where others dare to follow. Hear Billy every Monday night on Lightning 100 at 8pm.
Ryan Small
Booking Agent, APA
Panelist - Booking
Ryan Small is a 4th generation Nashvillian who attended the University School of Nashville. He graduated from Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business in 2000 with a BSM in Management and a minor in Sociology. Ryan began his career at the William Morris Agency as an Agent Trainee. He held several positions at...
Autumn House Director Of A&R, Capitol Records Nashville
Song School - Friday
A native Nashvillian, House grew up with country music. Her father Gerry House, is a popular Nashville radio personality and a successful country songwriter. After graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in Communications/Broadcasting, House returned to Nashville to intern at the management firm, Moress, Nanas Entertainment. In 1995...
Chris Oglesby
Oglesby Writer Management
Panelist - Publishing
Chris
Oglesby is a 20 year veteran of the music publishing industry
who moved to Nashville in 1985 with dreams of becoming
a star. His real talent lay in working with songs and songwriters.
He persuaded Nashville publisher Karen Conrad into letting
him help out at her company...
Tim DuBois is long known as one of Nashville’s top visionary and artist-minded music executives. An Oklahoma native, DuBois became a Certified Public Accountant in the 1970s before moving to Texas, where he successfully held positions with Arthur Anderson & Co. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Country music was in the air there and soon DuBois had become drawn to the notion of writing country songs himself. 
A native of Los Angeles, Gershon began her career in the music industry by booking concerts for the University of California Santa Barbara. After graduation, she went to work for Avalon Attractions as a concert promoter, and in 1982, she left Avalon to work for Backstreet/MCA Records as Senior Director of Creative Services. Soon after, she became Vice President of Wavelength Video, one of the premier music video pools. 
Adam McKeown has enjoyed a successful career in the music business, and it’s one that has taken him down many diverse paths including marketing, touring, information technology, and musical instrument marketing. Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, McKeown’s foray into the music business began with his education...
THE BIOGRAPHY OF JEREMY WITT 
Crom Tidwell is a Nashville native who began his career working in the concert merchandising business 23 years ago. He formed his own company Crom Tidwell Merchandising and has worked with over fifty different artists. Crom Tidwell Merchandising works with artists in a variety of ways with the ability to design and manufacture product, warehouse product, supply road vendor, and enjoys excellent working relationships with fairs and venues throughout the country and Canada. He also has contacts and the ability to support touring in Europe and Australia. Crom is the in-house vendor at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, and staffs all events that have merchandise for sale, except hockey. Crom is married and has three children.
Moress garnered his earliest experience in entertainment publicity, creating television series, and as GM of West Coast operations of a major record label, where his involvement included A&R, promotion, and marketing. After witnessing the lack of guidance and direction which adversely impacted artists with whom he was associated, Moress decided his true calling was that of artist management.
From working on the road to working closely with agencies and management companies, AL SCHILTZ has a background that spans all facets of the live entertainment industry. In 1996 he formed AS Is Management to serve as personal manager for recording artist Billy Ray Cyrus, with whom he had been involved since the 1992 release of Cyrus’s successful debut album “Some Gave All.” 
RJ Meacham joined Curb/Asylum Records as Director of Promotion/Northeast in 2004. He previously spent 6 years in Colorado as VP/Operations of Eagle Marketing Services, a leading direct marketing and advertising agency for radio. Prior to Eagle, Meacham was the Northeast Promotion manager for Sony/Monument Records and Imprint Records. A third generation radio brat and thus destined for this madness, RJ began his career in radio and records at the ripe old age of four when he cut his first commercial for the Bank of Vicksburg. 
Rob Beckham’s tenure with the William Morris Agency has spanned twelve years, during which he has been a booking agent for several territories across the United States. He is currently responsible for the daily touring, television, motion picture, literary and sponsorships for his clients including Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Chris Cagle, Josh Gracin and Steve Azar.
Phillip White was born in Music City but grew up in North Alabama. In his teens, he began tinkering around with a guitar his dad had bought him, and hanging around with legendary cousin Spooner Oldham. Oldham let Phillip tag along with him on a session he was hired to play in the early 90’s for Grammy winning producer J. Aaron Brown. Aaron immediately took a liking to Phillip and convinced him to make the move to Nashville to run and write for his publishing company. White worked for Brown three years where he co-wrote the title track for the 1996 Grammy nominated children’s album “Lovesongs and Lullabyes”.
Kim Leslie has been involved in country radio for more than 20 years, including an 8-year stint at WMZQ/Washington and three years at WSM/Nashville. Kim has been heard on nationally syndicated shows including United Stations' "Supercountry" and served as Director of Talent for AM/FM Radio Network's "Country Live Tonight." Kim was named Billboard Music Director of the Year in 1996. Kim is currently heard on the WKDF afternoon show with Nashville radio veteran Dean Warfield. “I am elated to be actively involved in the music for the CMA Station of the Year,” says Leslie. “In addition to having fun on the air, WKDF has the unique position in Nashville of respecting our legends as the soul of what makes the country format successful today. Our balance of new country and the legends contributes significantly to what makes WKDF the #1 country station among the all important 25-54 demographic.” 
As head of Creative Services, Joanna Carter is responsible for all visual elements of production, including CD packaging, sales displays, mailers, videos and photo shoots. She is art director on all CD packages and printed matter from the label and contributes creative guidance on marketing projects. She also works closely with all Capitol artists, to develop, refine and maintain their public image.
During the Stax/Volt, "Soul Music" boom in Memphis in the sixties, Rick found himself playing in an R&B band at every chicken joint and frat house in the southeastern United States. Determined not to have his career shortened by nerve deafness, or a stray bullet, he enrolled in Memphis State University where he hid in the library for six years. Two degrees and thousands of dollars later, he left school totally prepared for life in the sixteenth century.
Scott Haugen started Pitchfork Music Group, an independent music publishing company, in the fall of 2003. Pitchfork Music represents pop/country hit songwriters Mike Reid & Allen Shamblin. Pitchfork’s roster also includes Los Angeles native Kevin Fisher. 
For Tim Carroll, creating, developing, and breathing life into innovative and entertaining stage productions isn’t a career choice, it’s a life he was literally born into. With the launch of Downbeat Entertainment, Carroll is synergizing his lifelong experiences as a performer, director, writer, and producer to bring his amazing ideas to audiences worldwide.
Originally from Kansas City, Jerry made the move to Nashville in 1984. Since then, he has been a staff writer for Dick James Music, Little Big Town Music, and Malaco Music while owning and managing a mail order demo studio on Music Row. He is currently an exclusive staff writer for Talbot Music. 
Scott Gunter lived and grew up in the town of Dacula Georgia. While attending Dacula High school, Scott had played in several Country, Rock and Christian/Rock bands. It was during that time, he visited a friend who was in the Belmont University Music Business program. He drove back to his home to his various blue collar jobs (i.e., digging ditches and working on cars) all the while thinking of life in Nashville. 
Todd Cassetty is the founder and president of Hi-Fi Fusion, a new media marketing firm specializing in the promotion of recorded product and recording artists using the ‘Net, e-mail, streaming media, Enhanced CD’s, DVD’s and other forms of new media. Hi-Fi Fusion has carved out a...
A relatively new addition to the Universal South team, Cruise joined the label in 2004 as Southeast Regional Promotion Manager. He now adds national duties and oversight of the Midwest region to his responsibilities. Cruise previously spent eight years at Arista Nashville, covering regional promotion for both the southeast and Midwest territories. Prior to that, he was a regional at the MCG/Curb label and worked in Top 40 promotion at Giant Records. Cruise attended the University of Colorado and began his career as the Music Director at KKMG/Colorado Springs.
Being an effective voice coach is an ironic pursuit. Unlike most professions, the greatest successes of a voice coach are achieved by helping clients sound like they’ve never had a voice lesson in their lives. That said, if you’ve never heard of Renee Grant-Williams, she won’t take offense.
Kye has been awarded over 45 BMI awards in her career making her one of the most awarded songwriters in country music.
Vanessa Parker-Davis has more than fifteen years of varied experience in the music industry. As a publicist she has strong contacts in national television, print, internet and radio syndication outlets. She has placed artists on programs such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Today...
NASHVILLE, TN – Butch Waugh, Executive Vice President, RCA Label Group RLG/Nashville announces the promotion of Wade Hunt to the position of Vice President, Creative Services, RCA Label Group RLG/Nashville. Headquartered in Nashville, he will report directly to Waugh.
After spending his entire corporate career with CBS Records/Sony Music, Mike Martinovich parlayed his knowledge and experience into a successful marketing consulting firm where he worked with record labels, artist management firms, radio, music retail, and the world of media. Past and present client roster includes: Anderson Merchandisers,...
After creating the internet with Al Gore Jr., Billy Block set his sights on the world of music. Rather than jump into the vanilla world of mainstream country music he created a new flavor that has become the neopolitan of country, called Western Beat. Bringing together rock, folk, blues and country sounds, Western Beat became a hit with America’s teens and landed Billy a TV deal on CMT in 2000. Now, Billy Block’s Western Beat Radio is the only nationally syndicated Americana music show on country radio and his weekly Americana Teen Dance Party, every Tuesday night at the Exit/In in Nashville attracts young kids from several counties. Billy continues to pioneer new areas of music where others dare to follow. Hear Billy every Monday night on Lightning 100 at 8pm. 
Ryan Small is a 4th generation Nashvillian who attended the University School of Nashville. He graduated from Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business in 2000 with a BSM in Management and a minor in Sociology. Ryan began his career at the William Morris Agency as an Agent Trainee. He held several positions at...