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SOURCE: Hall of Fame inducts six “women behind the music” and honors Jeannie Seely
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SOURCE: Hall of Fame inducts six “women behind the music” and honors Jeannie Seely

Pictured (from left): Judy Seale, Marty Craighead, Teena Scogin Camp, Jeannie Seely, Kathy Harris, Leslie Fram and Sheree ‘Spoltore’. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Six more deserving veterans of the music industry were inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame last night (August 27) at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville’s historic Municipal Auditorium. Jeannie Seely was also awarded the Jo Walker-Meador Award for lifetime achievement.

SOURCE: Nashville Hall of Fame members are nominated and inducted based on peer recommendations, career histories, accomplishments, reputation, the number of years the individual has worked in the entertainment industry and community involvement. All members have made a significant impact on Nashville’s entertainment industry.

Tracy Gershon, Brenda Lee and Gina Keltner. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Seely hosted the evening along with her partner, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame Brenda Leeand a new host, Grand Ole Opry member Mandy Barnett.

This year’s award winners included Teena Scogin Camp, Marty Craighead, Leslie Fram, Kathy Harris, Judy Seale And Sheree’ Spoltore’.

The evening began with a video montage of photos from past induction ceremonies before the Chairman of the SOURCE Awards Committee Erika Rosa greeted the crowd to kick off the evening. “Their tenacity has shown us that there are no limits to what can be accomplished when passion and determination come together,” Rosa said of the new inductees. “Their contributions have enriched our lives, broadened our horizons and encouraged us to dream bigger.”

Gus ArrendalePresident of Springer Mountain Farms, which is sponsoring the event, then took a moment to talk about the new additions before welcoming everyone to dinner.

After dinner, the participants were welcomed by the President of SOURCE. Kari Barnhart. She welcomed those in attendance to the ceremony and spoke about the organization. “The members of SOURCE are a distinguished group of women who hold influential positions as decision-makers, professionals and entrepreneurs in the dynamic national music industry,” Barnhart said. “Our collective efforts are focused on gatherings where we offer each other valuable support and push each other to unprecedented success.” She then welcomed two of the evening’s hosts to the stage, Lee and Barnett.

After warming up the crowd with some laughs, Lee and Barnett each took the time to talk about the evening’s honorees.

“With the divine will of the industry and the experience of these women who have waited for countless years of institutional knowledge, Brenda and I are thrilled to stand on this stage tonight to honor their incredible accomplishments,” Barnett exclaimed.

Then the awards ceremony began with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award. Lee and Barnett talked about some of Seely’s incredible accomplishments, including a staggering 5,375 Opry performances, her radio show Sundays With Seeley on SiriusXM, Grammy Awards, being the first woman to host the Grand Ole Opry, and her honorary Doctor of Arts from Lincoln Memorial University.

Pictured (from left to right): Jeannie Seely, Mark Wills, Brenda Lee and Mandy Barnett. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

“Jeannie’s commitment to the industry knows no bounds,” Lee said of her longtime friend. “You can tell she loves what she does. The audience can tell, and that’s why she’s been in the industry for so long.”

Participants were then asked to turn their attention to the screen, where the Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry Daniel RogersBluegrass Star Rhonda Vincent and Opry member Carly Pearce congratulated Seely via video.

Mark Wills was brought on stage to make some remarks about Seely, who was the first to greet him at the Opry on his debut night 27 years ago. The two have remained friends ever since.

Seely was greeted onstage with a standing ovation. She spoke about her strong support system in her family and team, expressed her gratitude for her touring family, and thanked the Grand Ole Opry staff.

“Almost every speech I’ve ever heard, people say, ‘Thank you just isn’t enough,'” Seely began. “Well, damn it, I think that’s it. I think those are two of the most meaningful words – the ones that mean the most and that people remember.”

Seely then joined Lee and Barnett as hostess for the remainder of the evening. The SOUCE Hall of Fame inductees were honored by their friends, families and colleagues as Lee, Seely and Barnett told the crowd about their extensive accomplishments. A video of a special client or colleague was then played to further highlight the honoree’s impact.

Scogin Camp was the first to be honored. Her career has included stints at Standard Knitting Mills, Charisma Talent, Sound Pit Studios and GRC Records, as well as stints as road manager for David Allen Coe and Colleen Peterson and her own Teena Shirts (later renamed TSC Marketing). She sold her company in the late ’90s and has been active in Nashville’s creative scene ever since.

Scogin Camp was honored with some words of praise from Opry member and former customer, Crystal Gaylevia video. As the award winner took the floor, she shared anecdotes about starting her small company, creating a logo for the legendary George Strait, and how the Oak Ridge Boys gave her company a much-needed chance.

“No one who succeeds in life goes it alone,” said Scogin Camp. “Many of you in this room have been clients or we have worked together on volunteer projects. I have been fortunate to work with intelligent, ambitious, creative and fun-loving women.”

Next to be honored was Craighead, who shaped Nashville’s music industry during her time at MCA Music Publishing, Capitol Records, Javelina Recording Studios, Arista Nashville, Universal Records South, ASCAP, The Nashville Entrepreneur Center and FBMM, where she has served as Office Manager since 2017.

Tim Dubois congratulated Craighead via video. The two began a 14-year working relationship that began at Arista Nashville. Craighead expressed her gratitude for those she has worked with and her gratitude for the honor as she took the podium.

“When I look at the gallery and the photos of the women who have received this honor before me, I am amazed to be included in their company,” Craighead said. “This is truly a tremendous honor and one that I would not have received without the support and courage of so many people.”

Next to be honored was Fram. Her career in Nashville began when she took a leap of faith, leaving her impressive rock radio roots behind to work as SVP of Music & Talent at CMT, where she has served since 2011. During her tenure there, she has launched many women’s empowerment initiatives, including CMT’s Next Women of Country, Equal Play, Change The Conversation and Equal Access.

Former CMT President Brian Phillips paid his respects to Fram via video. He was the one who made the career-changing call to Fram 13 years ago.

Fram used her time at the podium to talk about some of the CMT family and friends in the industry that she was grateful to work with and how honored she felt to be on stage.

“You’re going to hear a lot of words tonight like grateful, humbled and scared to death,” she said. “I’m going to say them because it’s true. To be in a room with all these women who have paved the way – all the amazing inductees tonight, all the women in the room and all the men who support us – it’s a huge compliment and a high point for all of us.”

During a short break from the introductions, Rosa returned to the stage and praised the award committee, Barnhart, Sarah Brosmer, Linda Chambers, Karen Conrad, Debi Fleischer-Robin, Rachel Guttmann, Judy Harris, Martha Moore, Kay Smith And Claire Tayloras well as the sponsors and event production. She also reminded the crowd of SOURCE co-founder Pat Rolfewho died in May, as well as former members Mary Martin, Audrey Winters And Phyllis Dean Hill who also all died this year.

Harris was the next to be honored. Her 50-year career began when she was a secretary and receptionist for The Oak Ridge Boys. She later became a member of the operations management team before becoming vice president of marketing for Oak Ridge Boys, Inc. In addition to her work with the group, she also worked as a freelance writer and publicist and co-managed Harling with her husband, Larry Keith.

It was only fitting that the Oak Ridge Boys congratulated Harris on this honor via video. In her speech, Harris shared what she has learned during her time in the industry.

“If you have to compete, compete with yourself. Never with other women. Value your relationships with each other, develop your relationships with each other and build each other up,” Harris said.

Seale was the next to be inducted. She made a name for herself working with the George Lindsey Celebrity Golf Tournament and Concert for Special Children, the Jim Halsey Company and Refugee Management International. In 2001, she founded Judy Seale International, where she managed Jolie Edwards, Pat Boone, the Bellamy Brothers and others. She is currently the president/CEO of the organization as well as her nonprofit Stars For Stripes, founded in 2003. Fellow philanthropist Gary Sinise congratulated her via video.

In her speech, Seale highlighted moments in her career that make her grateful to be in the business and shared stories about her many mentors.

“I never thought about a career in the music industry. I wanted to be a teacher in a very small town in Alabama,” Seale said with a laugh. “Thank God that you have other plans for me.”

Spoltore’ was the last honoree to be inducted. Her career has included time as a performing artist, performing at Carnegie Hall for the Pope and Queen Elizabeth, taking the lead role in an off-Broadway play, and singing an original song at former President Bill Clinton’s inauguration. After moving to the business side of the industry, she spent time at Faverette Music Group, US Bank, Still Working Music, and NSAI before founding Global Songwriters Connection in 2013.

Spoltore’ was honored with a video message from the producer Brandon JamesAs she spoke, she recognized the friends and colleagues who had helped her along the way.

Spoltore’ recognized her first mentor Merle Kilgore for changing her life. “Merle heard me sing and said six words that changed my life forever: ‘You have to be present to win.’ Four weeks later, my family and I moved from Arkansas to Nashville with very little.” Spoltore’ told her story.

And so came the end of another inspiring SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards dinner, where six more deserving women were inducted.

Next year’s SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Madison HahnenMadison Hahnen
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