winning women of Nashville, The

southerners

Three women guide the city's music scene with style and resolve.

Connie Bradley hits the Nashville night scene regularly, looking not for good times but for good talent. Donna Hilley doesn't just listen to the singers and songwriters, she counts them as friends. And at the GRAMMY Awards, Nancy Shapiro is on the red carpet, greeting the glittering guests.

These women are music industry insiders, top ranking among the executives in charge of making decisions and shaping directions. Connie is senior vice president of the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP), the world's largest performing rights organization. Donna is president and chief executive officer of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville, the world's largest country music publisher. And Nancy serves as vice president of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, best known for the GRAMMY Awards.

Their world is sometimes filled with glamour, but most times it's loaded with work. "Attending parties and meeting stars are great fringe benefits," admits Nancy, "but what I love most is the important work our organization does-supporting music in schools, helping with professional development among our members, providing financial assistance and referral services for people in the music industry."

Donna's job involves some match-- making. "When our people spot the talent, they let me know, and then we take the songwriters or performers to the record labels to find the right fit," she explains. "I don't sign the writers; I make the deals with the attorneys to copyright the music. People line up to see me: up-and-coming writers, musicians, students looking for a mentor. I try to talk to anyone who wants to meet with me."

Connie remembers driving along a Colorado road, listening to music. "This girl with an incredible voice came on the radio. I pulled over at the next phone booth and called the station; then I called back to Nashville and said, `Find out where she lives, go there, and sign her.'" That's how Reba McEntire of Oklahoma first signed with ASCAP, the organization that ensures her royalties for every note she sings.

Each of the women rose through the ranks to her current position. For Connie and Donna, the route was secretarial. Nancy, who didn't type at all, says, "One person said to me, 'I need someone to type my letters and get me coffee.' And I said, 'I do too.'" She landed a position as hotel catering director.

That might've been it. But there was a quality-if not outright ambition, then certainly can-do gumption-that propelled each woman forward.

At the core of their success is a willingness to do it all. "People are shocked when they see me answering the phone," says Nancy. "They ask, 'Why?' and I say, 'It's ringing.'"

Connie, Donna, and Nancy lead their field and live their music-and they love it. "The funny thing is," says Connie, "if you had told me I'd be working in country, I would have said, `No way.' I listened to rock 'n' roll."

CAROLANNE GRIFFITH ROBERTS

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jul 2002
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