4 hours ago - Business

Country Music Association taps new CEO

Adam Tamburin

Portrait of a smiling blonde woman in a green sweater, standing in a modern office with glass walls and soft indoor lighting. — Brittany Schaffer, the incoming CEO of the Country Music Association. Photo: Matt Andrews/courtesy of the CMA

The Country Music Association announced Wednesday that it has selected Belmont University official Brittany Schaffer to serve as its next CEO.

Why it matters: The CMA is one of the most powerful institutions on Music Row. The organization's leaders oversee Country Music Hall of Fame inductions, the CMA Awards and CMA Fest.

Zoom in: Schaffer has spent more than 15 years working in different facets of the industry, including stints at Spotify and in entertainment law. She currently serves as dean of Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.

At Belmont, Schaffer has led the major expansion of the university's footprint on Music Row as well as the establishment of the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment.

What's next: Schaffer will replace the CMA's outgoing CEO, Sarah Trahern, who earlier this year announced plans to retire.

Trahern will stay on as CEO through the end of 2026.

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Country Music Association taps new CEO

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