NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwired - September 18, 2014) - On Monday, Sept. 15, Nashville Business Journal held its inaugural 2014 Women in Music City Awards at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The red-carpet awards dinner honored Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott as the 2014 Artist of the Year as well as other women who are helping shape Nashville's $9.8 billion music industry. From bankers and lawyers to label heads and agents, the music industry attended to celebrate the event's honorees.

Opening remarks were given by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean in a welcome speech to the event attendees. He has expressed his support of the event saying, "Women like Hillary Scott embody Nashville's creative energy and diverse music culture. The music industry is a central part of Nashville's unique culture and our strong economy. We are fortunate to have so many talented women in the music industry here -- from songwriters to performers to managers. Their leadership is vital to the industry's success and to our city's success, as well."

Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott delivered a keynote address describing her experiences as an artist in Nashville's music business. She also thanked many of the event's honorees for their involvement in her success, as well as other women who have mentored, inspired and impacted her career.

Throughout the night a clear theme emerged: in Nashville, it's all about the relationships. From advice to pay it forward, to honorees sharing the stage with their young daughters, Nashville's sense of community was on display.

There was a live Twitter feed of the event where attendees, using the hashtag #nbjwomeninmusiccity, created a conversation that can still be seen on the NBJ webpage.

All of the event's honorees were featured in both a Nashville Business Journal printed program and online at NashvilleBusinessJournal.com. The list of honorees included: Marcie Allen of MAC Presents; Sharon Brawner of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Debbie Carroll of MusiCares; Tiffany Dunn of Loeb & Loeb LLP; Kerri Edwards of Kpentertainment; Leslie Fram of CMT-Viacom; Lisa Harless of Regions Bank; Ali Harnell of AEG Live/The Messina Group; Kelli Cashiola Haywood of Starstruck Entertainment Group; Laura Heatherly of T.J. Martell Foundation; Linda Edell Howard of Adams & Reese LLP; Martha Ivester of Creative Artists Agency; Beverly Keel of Middle Tennessee State University; Gina Keltner of Grand Ole Opry; Chandra LaPlume of Taillight; Shari Lewin of William Morris Endeavor; Cindy Mabe of Universal Music Group Nashville; Pam Matthews of International Entertainment Buyers Association; Mary Ann McCready of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy; Jill Napier of Music Services Inc.; Erika Wollam Nichols of The Bluebird Café; Diane Pearson of City National Bank; Kelly Rich of Big Machine Label Group; Alison Smith of BMI; Ellen Truley of SESAC; and Sally Williams of Ryman Auditorium/Opry Entertainment Group.

Nominations were taken from the public, and the final selection of honorees were judged by Michele Bernstein of William Morris Endeavor, Claudia Butzky of RCA Records, Lori Feldman of Warner Bros Records, Jacqueline Saturn of Harvest Records, Judee Ann Williams of Creative Artists Agency and Marsha Vlasic of International Creative Management.

Gold sponsors of the awards dinner were Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Hospitality Properties, Loeb & Loeb LLP, Middle Tennessee State University, Universal Music Group Nashville and Van Mol Restoration.

About the Nashville Business Journal (NBJ)
The Nashville Business Journal, one of 43 country-wide publications with American City Business Journals, is a division of Advanced Media Publications. NBJ is a media outlet that provides local business news and connections through our platforms: print, online, mobile and events. The Nashville Business Journal believes that growing the strength of women business leaders is essential to our community's success. NBJ holds multiple award programs and events for women including the Women of Influence Awards and Mentoring Monday. NBJ's parent company, American City Business Journals, recently launched Bizwomen.com, a national website for women business leaders. The Nashville Business Journal is published every Friday and can be viewed online daily at NashvilleBusinessJournal.com.

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