“Kenny Chesney Will Be Honored At The IMA Awards Gala to be Held June 3 in Nashville”

For Immediate Release From Kenny Camp

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

HONOREES ANNOUNCED FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL INNOVATION IN MUSIC AWARDS (IMA)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Shining the national spotlight on some of the music industry’s brightest risk takers and creative thinkers, the Innovation in Music Awards honoree have been announced. The winners will be recognized at the Second Annual Innovation in Music Awards gala Sunday, June 3 at Nashville’s Westin Hotel.   Hosted by respected industry veteran and media executive Bill Werde, Director of the Bandier Music Industry Program in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University, the highly-coveted awards were created to recognize achievements in the advancement of music through inspiration and ingenuity.   “This year’s recipients represent a broad spectrum of the industry, but what they have in common is
a proven track record of adapting to change and developing channels to reach meaningful results (connections with fans and creators),” said Pete O’Heeron, Chairman of the Innovation in Music Awards. “All of these individuals are deserving of this recognition for their commitment to advancing the future of music through innovative thinking.”   A committee of music professionals determined the honorees. They considered a diverse group of individuals who think outside the box, keeping music first, but who also recognizing how the music finds its audience is a constantly changing reality.

Coran Capshaw, founder and CEO of Red Light Management, was previously announced as 2018’s Innovator of the Year.

The honorees in the other seven award categories include:

IMPACT in INNOVATION AWARD – Joe Galante, Mayor’s Music City Council, CMA Foundation Chair and Former Chairman Sony Nashville

INNOVATION in MUSIC, EXECUTIVE – Sally Williams, Opry Entertainment Senior Vice President Programming & Artist Relations/General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry

INNOVATION in MUSIC, BROADCAST – Monica Escobedo, Entertainment Producer, ABC News, Good Morning America

INNOVATION in MUSIC, RADIO PROGRAMMING – Nate Deaton, General Manager, KRTY San Jose

INNOVATION in MUSIC, CREATIVE/ARTIST – Kenny Chesney, Songwriter/Producer/Artist

INNOVATION in MUSIC, DIGITAL MEDIA/MARKETING – John Marks, Spotify Global Editor for Country Music

INNOVATION in MUSIC, LIVE PERFORMANCE – Ed Warm, Owner, Joe’s on Weed Street & Smokeout Fest, Chicago

The IMA ceremony will feature musical performances, in addition to award presentations and moments dedicated to celebrating the honorees. Performers for this year’s IMA will be announced shortly. Tickets for this very special evening at the Westin Hotel are available here — and guests can check out the official Innovation in Music playlist on Spotify here.   For information about the Innovation in Music Awards, visit