This Week’s Disruptors 9/12/24

We’re back this week with another round of DISRUPTORS. This group of executives is making an impact here in Music City. Get to know them all! - Zak (Founder, Nashville Briefing)

Nicolette McCann

Artist Manager, Red Light Management

Nicolette McCann, a Wake Forest University grad originally from Potomac, MD, has always had a love for music and storytelling. Her stints at Starstruck Entertainment, Disney Music Publishing, and Twelve6 Entertainment gave her the foundation for her knowledge and passion for artist development. In the summer of 2022, she decided to take a leap of faith and founded her own company, TWIST Music Group, with flagship alt-pop artist and Big Loud Rock signee BIZZY. Since then, she has expanded the roster to include indie-rock band Cousin Simple and Sony Music Nashville / River House recording artist Georgia Webster. McCann has recently joined forces with Red Light Management in partnership with long-time mentor Zach Sutton. She hopes to continue the genre-expansion of the definition of “music” in Music City by allowing herself to be driven solely by good songs and good people.

Proudest moment: Though I have been lucky to have many moments in my career to be proud of with different artists, co-workers, and friends; there is one moment that sticks out above them all. When BIZZY sold out her first ever headlining show at The Basement in Nashville. After leaving my previous role in pursuit of this crazy dream we had together, it became clear that there were more than a few people in the peripherals who thought we were just that - crazy. Yes, she had a viral song on TikTok; yes, she was quickly wracking up millions of streams; and yes, we were approached by more than a few labels, investors, etc. But neither of us had ever really done this thing before. At least not at this level. But that was what made it all so great. In the same way that I helped to elevate her status by being represented by a manager, she helped me to elevate mine by having a client to represent, and not to mention a buzzing one.

Jamie Forster

Penthouse

Jamie started his career in entertainment by working in nightclubs throughout the Los Angeles area and eventually became a tour manager for bands in his early 20s. Since then, he’s been managing talent in the music and influencer space. Jamie began working at The Penthouse in early 2018. He’s been instrumental in securing major label deals, brand partnerships, and publishing deals for a wide range of clients including RVSHVD, Willie Jones and Pretty Sister. Most recently, Jamie has overseen the digital strategy of internet sensation and Penthouse client Haliey Welch by officially launching Welch on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Snapchat. Under his mgmt, the accounts gained millions of followers in under 30 days.

Proudest moment: I don’t think my proudest moment has happened yet, but when it does…you’ll all know about it.

Vipin Reddy

UMG Nashville, VP Streaming

Vipin Reddy joined the UMG Nashville label group in 2018 and now leads the label’s streaming department. In his role, he oversees all DSP relationships as well as audio and video streaming strategy for all UMGN artists globally. Prior to joining UMGN, Reddy was part of the UMG global streaming marketing team. The William & Mary graduate and Fairfax, Virginia native has cultivated strong relationships with UMGN streaming partners.

Proudest moment: Launching Apple Music’s Apple Music Sessions program with Carrie Underwood!

David Dormon

General Counsel, Downtown

David K. Dormon serves as General Counsel of Downtown where he oversees worldwide legal and business affairs including acquisitions, global policy and digital licensing strategy. He joined Downtown in this role in 2022 after serving at the international law firm Reed Smith LLP. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs at Downtown. He has also previously worked at the law firms of Vedder Price and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP in Chicago. He is a graduate of Tufts University and earned his J.D. at University of Chicago Law School.

Proudest moment: There have been a series of landmarks over the last few years where I’ve been able to stop and really appreciate what we’re building here at Downtown. From our acquisitions of CD Baby, FUGA and Curve Royalty Systems, to our evolution from publisher and copyright owner to end-to-end industry partner and artist champion. But I think the coolest thing is just being a part of the team that brought this platform together, and I’m glad we get to spend every day serving the incredible creators and creative businesses we partner with.

Marvin Garcia

Songtrust, U.S. + LATAM Events and Partnerships Specialist

Marvin García is the U.S. + LATAM Events and Sponsorship Specialist at Songtrust, a Downtown company based in New York that provides music publishing administration. At Songtrust, Marvin has focused on artist development education, specifically music publishing. Collaborating with a range of industry professionals and music companies, Marvin has played a key role in organizing numerous webinars, presentations, workshops, and music camps. These initiatives are designed to raise awareness of the complexities within the music industry and offer valuable opportunities for emerging artists to advance their careers. In addition to his work in publishing, Marvin has experience as a talent buyer for events in Miami and Los Angeles and is currently involved in music sync. He has also served as a voting member of Muisca 503 in El Salvador (2023, 2024), a juror for the Capital Music Awards in Ottawa, Canada (2023, 2024), the Events Project Manager for Industry in Spanglish, and a mentor for Live Out Live in Los Angeles (2024).

Proudest moment: One of my proudest moments was bringing one of the only music camps to El Salvador and getting on one of the big newspapers in the country and a social media repost from Timbaland/BeatClub promoting this camp.

Nate Ritches

Wasserman Music, VP

Nashville-based Wasserman Music VP Nate Ritches powers tours for some of the most in-demand contemporary country artists, along with some of the genre’s most resurgent icons and hot newcomers. Ritches has helped Old Dominion reach many career milestones including booking their extensive U.S/Canada headlining arena tour, No Bad Vibes 2023. Ritches has guided Old Dominion in balancing hard ticket dates, select support opportunities, corporate events and fairs and festivals. With a passion for developing artists from the ground up, he has played a key role in Old Dominion’s growth from a van-traveling band with no record deal to the multi-platinum selling, 7x ACM Award-winning and 6x CMA Group of the Year Award-winning band it is today. Ritches also represents esteemed country artists including ‘90s icons Jo Dee Messina, Shenandoah and Billy Dean. He takes pride in developing artists such as Angie K, Tayler Holder, Brian Fuller and Kassi Ashton.

Proudest moment: Watching Old Dominion go from vans to packing out major market arenas: TD Garden (Boston), Climate Pledge (Seattle), and Scotiabank (Toronto) are specific memories. Stadiums next….