Pictured (L-R, top row): Charlene Bryant, Madeline Edwards, and Miko Marks; (L-R, bottom row): Valerie Ponzio, Kadeem Phillips and Marques Vance
Six candidates have been chosen to participate in the newly-launched Equal Access Development Program, an artist and management training initiative helmed by CMT and management services company Mtheory.
Artists chosen for the inaugural program include Madeline Edwards, Miko Marks and Valerie Ponzio; and music management professionals Charlene Bryant, Kadeem Phillips and Marques Vance.
Designed to foster and support all marginalized communities that are underrepresented in the genre—including Black, Native and Indigenous, Latino, LGBTQ+ and women—the program was first announced onstage at the 2022 CMT Music Awards by CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, who called the new effort “a bold commitment towards ensuring an inclusive future for all voices in country music.”
Equal Access will work intensively with participants for one year, providing funding, training and support, as well as access to Mtheory’s management services, helping them further navigate and grow within the country music industry.
“Mtheory is thrilled to partner with CMT to create this groundbreaking initiative with the goal of championing artists of color, and addressing the inequities in the workforce pipeline for all underrepresented groups in the country music industry,” notes Cameo Carlson, President, Mtheory Nashville. “By developing talent both on and off the stage, Equal Access hopes to tackle the lack of diversity and insular nature of the country industry head-on, and create networks and solutions for artists and managers.”
“CMT has long championed unheard voices in country music, and Equal Access is the next step in our ongoing efforts to break down barriers and move the format forward,” adds Leslie Fram, SVP, Music & Talent, CMT. “We look forward to working with and providing opportunities for this amazing group of artists and managers, helping them make important professional connections to build successful careers within country music.”
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