CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King announces program at 2022 CMT Music Awards
CMT and management services company mtheory have announced the six candidates chosen to participate in its newly-launched Equal Access Development Program, an artist and management training initiative. 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 CMT Music Awards by CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King. King called the new effort “a bold commitment towards ensuring an inclusive future for all voices in country music.”
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. Equal Access will work intensively with participants for one year, providing them funding, training and support, as well as access to mtheory’s management services, helping them further navigate and grow within country music.
“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,” said 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,” said 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.”
Equal Access is supported by CMT’s Equal Play initiative, an all-encompassing effort to elevate underrepresented voices in country music across CMT brands, encouraging and promoting an ongoing path for parity and diversity in the format. Equal Play efforts include the highly-regarded CMT Next Women of Country franchise, which has grown to include six nationwide tours, live events and access to independent social impact and advocacy resources. Equal Access is also aligned with Content for Change, Paramount’s global initiative that seeks to apply scientific research, rigor and data to transform the creative ecosystem through the company’s content, creative supply chain and culture. CMT’s Equal Play initiative reflects the focus of Content for Change on systemically transforming the creative supply chain, with a renewed emphasis on hiring emerging talent and moving to new paradigms that inject equity into talent pipelines.
