SOLID Holds 20th Anniversary Holiday Party

SOLID 2017 Honorees (L-R) SOLID 20th Anniversary Chair Kari Barnhart, SESAC's Jayson Wyatt, Warner Music Nashville's Cris Lacy, Lev's House Ent.'s Justin Levenson, SOLID President Basak Kizilisik | Photo Courtesy: SOLID
Mayor Megan Barry, State of Tennessee Declares November 30 SOLID Day
Three distinguished alumni honored include SESAC’s Jayson Wyatt, Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy, and Lev’s House Ent.’s Justin Levenson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In celebration of Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID)’s 20th anniversary, the association of rising music industry professionals held a special holiday party (11/30) at The Cordelle, commemorating the last two decades and the SOLID alumni who have gone on to become esteemed leaders in the entertainment industry.

In special honor of the anniversary, Mayor Megan Barry’s office and the State of Tennessee presented the organization with an official proclamation, naming November 30 as SOLID day and cementing the society’s place in Nashville’s illustrious history.

While celebrating the accomplishments of 2017, SOLID looked back over the past 20 years to celebrate some of the members that catalyzed the group’s success and made big strides in the music industry. International royalties administrator at SESAC Jayson Wyatt received SOLID’s Spirit of SOLID Honor, VP of A&R at Warner Music Nashville, Cris Lacy, was honored as the Distinguished Alum, and Manager at Lev’s House Ent., Justin Levenson, was named the Inspire Award honoree.

“Being able to celebrate 20 years of SOLID with colleagues and friends in the current class as well as alumni dating back to the founding members was truly special. This organization has achieved so much in two decades and I’m proud that we were able to pay homage to its history on Thursday night,” shares SOLID president Basak Kizilisik. “Cris, Justin and Jayson are shining examples of the impact SOLID has had on the lives and careers of leaders who are shaping the landscape of the music industry and we’re so thankful for their continued passion and desire to pour into the generations that are coming up after them. The recognition from Mayor Megan Barry and the State of Tennessee was an incredibly humbling way to cap this night. I’m so thankful for the support Nashville gives to organizations like ours. Here’s to another twenty!”

Since the organization’s establishment in 1997, SOLID has raised more than $250,000 for the Nashville community through events such as Bowl For Kids’ Sake, Nashville Music Market during CMA Fest, SOLID’s annual kickball tournament, Red Rubber Showdown and the Miller Harris golf tournament, and has provided volunteer services through its Habitat for Humanity build, 343 Tribute Project to thank firefighters on Sept. 11 and SOLID’s day of service at Second Harvest Food Bank. The organization has provided funds for college scholarships, Ryan’s Guitar Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Notes for Notes and Porter’s Call.

Nashville’s premier young professional organization has hosted multiple events this year in celebration of the milestone anniversary, including several exclusive industry panels such as “The Team Behind the Artist, Luke Bryan” last month which featured music business power players Kerri Edwards (Manager/President, KP Entertainment and founding SOLID member), Jay Williams (Agent/Co-Head/Partner, WME), and Mike Dungan (Chairman/CEO, UMG Nashville). SOLID also hosted “Press & Publicity: The Art of the Pitch” in May, featuring acclaimed Nashville journalists Ann Powers (NPR), Jewly Hight (The New York TimesBillboardVulture) and Joseph Hudak (Rolling Stone Country) at an hour long panel hosted by Nashville publicist, owner of Essential Broadcast Media, LLC and SOLID alumni, Ebie McFarland.

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