Nashville-based music industry organization, Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID), recently appointed its 2016 Executive Board of Directors and inducted 82 new members, all while celebrating its most successful year to date.
SOLID, which is approaching its 20th anniversary, ended 2015 with over $46,000 donated to organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Operation Warm, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Notes for Notes and Ryan Huie’s Guitars Project, adding to the 20+ non-profits that the organization regularly aims to make contributions to. In addition to fundraising, the 2015 class volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Nashville and alongside Leadership Music for the Dale Franklin Awards. This year, SOLID was also able to collect 7,125 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee– 2,000 more pounds than last year’s donation.
“We finished off 2015 with so many successful events, the largest amount of food we’ve been able to donate to date and over $46,000 raised for local charities,” said 2014-2015 President, Brian O’Neil. “These successes reflect the hard work of the entire organization collaborating in an efficient and healthy means. But above any dollar donated or any industry lesson learned, SOLID is most about building the strongest community amongst ourselves, our city, and our industry – and I’m proud to say we have done just that.”
To wrap the year up, second year member Kari Barnhart was announced SOLID’s 2015 Member of the Year at the annual Christmas party on Dec. 3 for her efforts in overseeing and managing the organization’s primary annual source of funding, the 13th Annual Music Row Yard Sale & Auction. The event, which runs in conjunction with the CMA Music Festival each year, allowed the group to donate more than $6,800 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Notes for Notes. Aside from donations, Barnhart raised over $30,000 in 2015 which will be used for educational opportunities, volunteer efforts and networking tools for 2016.
To continue upon 2015’s success, the organization has wasted no time planning for next year by welcoming the new members at the annual Christmas party and prepping for the first events of the year with the recently elected board members. The 2015/2016 class is now comprised of 155 members.
The 2016 SOLID Board :
President Basak Kizilisik (Morris Higham Management)
Vice President Eric Wright (Music Data Analytics)
Secretary Rachel Cunningham (The Collective)
Treasurer John Huelsman (Big Enterprises)
Social Chair Johnny Cloherty (WME | IMG)
Social Co-chair Kelsey McMahan (Modern Management)
Communications Chair Jason G Zinser (So Good Entertainment)
Communications Co-chair Matt Pramstaller (Naxos of America)
Education Chair Juliana Lee (Notes for Notes)
Education Co-chair Lucia Kaminsky (Warner Music Nashville)
University Outreach Chair Tim Gray (Grayscale Entertainment)
Community Outreach Chair Courtney Kruckeberg (Clearbox Rights)
Community Outreach Co-Chair Ben Boyd (Music Services)
University Outreach Co-Chair Lisa Nolan (For the Record Entertainment)
Yard Sale Chair Kari Barnhart (Fifth Third Bank)
Yard Sale Co-Chair Carli McLaughlin (Rebel Engine Entertainment)
Alumni Chair Emma Tur (Warner Music Nashville + Word Entertainment)
“I’m honored to have been chosen to lead SOLID in 2016… I can’t wait to give back to our community and to help develop and contribute to the education of the next generation of leaders in the music industry,” said 2016 President, Basak Kizilisik. “As we approach our 20-year milestone, I have no doubt that we’re on the verge of some great things. We have some fresh faces on the board and an incredible incoming class.”
SOLID, starting with just six members in 1997, has grown into a strong learning and networking tool for developing and seasoned industry professionals with hundreds of alumni and an international reach. This year alone, some of the industry’s most innovative executives provided guidance and insight into the ever-changing business such as Damon Whiteside, Senior VP of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships of the CMA, Bob Romeo, CEO of the ACM, David Macias, President and Founder of Thirty Tigers and Stephanie Cox, VP of Creative for Kobalt.
SOLID’s Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, January 5 January Board Meeting Saturday, January 9 New Member Retreat Monday, January 18 MLK Day of Service Tuesday, January 19 1st Quarter GA Meeting Tuesday, January 26 Official Happy Hour Monday, February 1 February Board Meeting Tuesday, February 9 CRS SOLID Meetup Monday, March 7 March Board Meeting Week of March 14 Committee Hangout Wednesday, March 16 Board Sorting Party Sunday, March 27 Habitat for Humanity Build Tuesday, March 29 Belmont Industry Connect
SOLID would also like to extend a special thanks to its 2015 sponsors CAA, WME, ACM, Iconic Entertainment, Songkick, The Recording Academy, Laci K Photography, Country Aircheck, and Evolution PR.
ABOUT SOLID
The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) is a nonprofit organization comprised of developing music business professionals dedicated to improving the future success of the music industry. Members of SOLID come from all areas of the music business community, therefore contributing to the diversity, productivity and integrity of the group. As a dynamic organization rooted firmly in Nashville, SOLID’s Board of Directors is continually adapting to meet the changing needs of their membership, working tirelessly to fulfill SOLID’s mission of helping others, teaching others, and leading others. Online at http://solidnashville.com.
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