The Country Music Association in Nashville has created the Rob Potts International Exchange Program in honour of Australian promoter Rob Potts.
Rob Potts died following a motorcycle accident in Tasmania in 2017.
The award in Rob’s name will seek out two recipients for the business side of the industry, one each from the USA and Australia/New Zealand for the exchange program. The Australia/New Zealand recipient will be based in Nashville while the American will take up their term in Australia.
The participants will take up internships learning skills from experts in Marketing/Digital, Media/Public Relations, Booking Agency, Management, Records Labels, Publishing/PRO, Live Events/Stage Production, Radio, Video Production and Recording Studio.
The exchange program is not intended for musicians.
The application for the program is open now and closes at 11:59 PM/CT on Sunday, June 30. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply at www.CMAworld.com/robpottsprogram/. The two selected recipients will be notified later this year.
“We are honored to celebrate the legacy of Rob and his contribution to the Country Music industry through this exchange program and are looking forward to impacting the next generation of music industry professionals through this international program. Even though his home was miles away in Australia, he was a regular fixture here in Nashville,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “I still expect to see him in the crowd at CMA Fest. Rob was a tireless advocate for Country Music and we are delighted to engage a new generation of the industry in his honor.” “Anyone who ever met Rob knows how he could light up any room with his smile and energy,” says John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and CMA Board member. “His passion for Country Music was unwavering. His passion to have it expand internationally was boundless. I am so thrilled to be a small part of helping lead the CMA task force that created this program. It will benefit future executives in the Country Music business. I’m sure Rob is smiling down on us as we carry the torch of his legacy!”
“The dream my father pursued for three decades was to build a bridge between Country Music in Australia and in Nashville, behind the scenes as much as on stage,” says Jeremy Dylan, Potts’ son. “This program will honor his legacy and further expand the global exchange of people and ideas that has made Country Music a truly international genre. I’m very grateful to Sarah, Milly Olykan, everyone at CMA, and everyone else who helped bring this project to fruition, and I’m excited to see the successful applicants embrace these amazing opportunities”.
“Country Music fans, artists and the greater global industry will forever be indebted to Rob his immeasurable and unwavering dedication to developing Country Music, both in Australia and across the globe,” says Matthew Lazarus Hall, Chief Executive Officer, CMC Rocks and CMA board member. “While always heavily involved in the detail, Rob never took his eye off the big picture, using his passion and expertise to bridge the gap between Australia and Nashville, and steering his efforts towards lasting growth and long-term development to build the Country Music profile and advocate for emerging artists. His impact is still evident today in his support and contributions to CMA, CMC, FANGATE and the CMAA Academy of Country Music. It has been an honor to work alongside such a passionate and inspiring friend, and we hope that the Rob Potts International Exchange Program will carry on his legacy for enhancing Country Music across the globe.”
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