This event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required.

Those musicians applying for the Music Industry Mentorship MUST attend the panel to be chosen.

BRIAN TRAEGER
Talent Buyer/ Programming

Brian Traeger is currently the Grand Ole Opry’s Head of Artist Relations and Programming. Previously, Brian held the role of President of Live Nation’s Tennessee Business Unit, and was in charge of Live Nation’s Ascend Amphitheatre. In 2015, Brian was nominated for the Pollstar Awards’ “Talent Buyer of the Year”.

DAVE BRAINARD
Producer/ Songwriter

Dave Brainard has produced albums for a number of Nashville artists including Jamey Johnson, Jerrod Niemann (including the #1 hit “Lover, Lover” and the top five hit “What Do You Want”), and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Brandy Clark’s acclaimed album, “12 Stories”. In addition to producing, Dave has a long songwriting career that includes songs recorded by artists like Brooks & Dunn, Neal McCoy, Sammy Kershaw, Hunter Hayes, Jeff Bridges, and Jenny Tolman to name a few.

LUKE PIERCE
Management/ Executive

Luke Pierce is a music executive and General Manager of WORKS Entertainment’s Nashville office. In addition to looking after the careers of artists like Home Free, Striking Matches, Brass Against, Brian Culbertson, and 98°, Luke has steered WORKS Entertainment’s music rights and label service efforts. Luke was also the co-host of the Promoter101 Podcast, an anthology of live music business as told by more than 250 music executives and artists.

MATT SHAY
Management/ Marketing Executive

Matt Shay is the founder and owner of ARTIST MGMT. Formerly, Matt was President at C3 Management (2014-2019), where he headed the division and managed The Head And The Heart, Modest Mouse, Mt Joy, White Reaper, JS Ondara, Boots, MS MR, Wet and more. He also oversaw the C3 Management roster and Management roster of over 80artists that included Future, Nas, The Strokes, Phoenix, Justice, and Sylvan Esso. This followed three years at Zeitgeist Management where Matt signed The Head And The Heart, MS MR, and more.

Prior to his career in management, Matt spent 15 years on the record label side-which included 10 years at the RCA Music Group (2000-2010), where he rose to SVP A&R/Marketing and ran the RCA imprint Black Seal as GM. In his decade at RCA MG, Matt signed Pearl Jam, followed by the signing and marketing of Eddie Vedder’s Into The Wild soundtrack. Matt also A&R’d and marketed the soundtrack to the Cameron Crowe film Elizabethtown, worked closely on marketing the debut albums from both Maroon 5 and Alicia Keys, and signed a number of developing bands from Say Anything to Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons.