Country artist launches college tour at MTSU to raise awareness on sexual harassment in music industry

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University recently served as the launch site of a multicity college tour about sexual harassment in the music industry that continues throughout April, coinciding with Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Advocacy organization Calling All Crows and social impact leadership firm The Change Agent·cy have joined forces with CMT Next Women of Country artist Julie Williams to embark on a multicity college tour, “Green Room Conversations,” a series of speaking engagements and performances designed to raise awareness around sexual harassment in the music industry, according to a joint news release.

Created by Williams, the tour began March 27 with a panel discussion in the MTSU College of Education Building that included Williams and College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, a vocal and longtime advocate for gender equality and diversity in the music industry, and Maggie Arthur, director of Calling All Crows, which works with music festivals and venues to support actions that support women and educates people about urgent social issues. Williams also performed.

Country music artist Julie Williams, center, makes a point as she launches a collaborative multicity college tour titled “Green Room Conversations” with a panel discussion March 27 in the College of Education Building at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The tour’s purpose is to raise awareness about sexual harassment in the music industry. Also pictured is MTSU College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, right, and fellow panelist Maggie Arthur, director of Calling All Crows, a partnering organization in the series. (Photo courtesy of The Change Agent·cy)

Guided by a curriculum developed by Calling All Crows, or CAC, Williams addresses common myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual violence in the music business, drawing from her own experiences as a new artist, and as a survivor.

“One of the first pieces of advice I received from a female artist when I moved to Nashville was ‘don’t take a business meeting with a man after 6 p.m. because that is not a meeting,’” said Williams. “Women have always had conversations like these behind closed doors to protect each other, and I’m excited to bring such topics out of artist green rooms and onto college campuses. By combining the power of music through storytelling and encouraging open discussion about sexual violence, my hope is that these conversations will empower the next generation of members of the music business including artists, the industry and the fans.”

Joined by representatives from CAC, future tour stops include “Take Back the Night” at the University of Texas, Austin, on Thursday, April 4 and Duke University, on Monday, April 15. Additional dates and cities to be announced, the release stated.

“I am honored that Julie Williams chose MTSU to launch her multi-city university tour,” said Keel. “She had such important and inspiring things to say to our students about consent and sexual harassment, especially in the music industry. By sharing her personal story in conversation and song, she created a safe environment where students felt comfortable asking questions. She gave practical advice on how students can protect themselves in various situations.”

Middle Tennessee State University College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, right, makes a point during a panel discussion March 27 that launched a collaborative multicity college tour titled “Green Room Conversations” about sexual harassment in the music industry led by country music artist Julie Williams, center. The panel was held in MTSU’s College of Education Building in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Also pictured is panelist Maggie Arthur, left, director of Calling All Crows, a partner in the series along with social impact leadership firm The Change Agent·cy. (Photo courtesy of The Change Agent·cy)

A versatile songwriter and performer known for her soul-stirring songs about racism, social justice, and mental health, Williams was inspired to create “Green Room Conversations” after she wrote and released “The Prince” — a powerful, personal account of a harmful sexual encounter that examines the emotional complexity of consent.

Visiting students on college campuses and sharing her messaging through music allows Williams the opportunity to encourage discourse about dating violence and relationship abuse while highlighting valuable, accessible resources for support.

Country music artist Julie Williams performs a song as part of the launch of her collaborative multicity college tour titled “Green Room Conversations” with a panel discussion March 27 in the College of Education Building at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The tour’s purpose is to raise awareness about sexual harassment in the music industry. Also pictured is MTSU College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, right, and fellow panelist Maggie Arthur, director of Calling All Crows. (Photo courtesy of The Change Agent·cy)

Arthur said her organization was proud to partner with Williams and The Change Agent-cy to have “candid conversations” to help normalize discussion around sexual violence and harassment.

“Sexual harassment in the music industry is real, and it’s time for all sectors of the business to address it openly,” Arthur said. “Silence only perpetuates the problem and it’s incumbent upon us as a community to offer meaningful resources and safe spaces for music to be created and enjoyed by everyone.”

Lisa Chader and Lucia Folk of The Change Agent·cy echoed that sentiment in a joint statement and thanked the participating colleges as they look to expand the series to other campuses across the country.

“We’re honored to launch this important effort with Julie and our new friends at Calling All Crows,” they said. “From the moment we met Julie four years ago, we bonded over our shared passion for activism and the belief that those with influence can make an immense, positive impact in the social justice space.”

From left, Maggie Arthur, director of Calling All Crows, country music artist Julie Williams, MTSU College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, and The Change Agent·cy’s Chief Communications Officer Lisa Chader pose for a photo at the launch of Williams’ collaborative multicity college tour titled “Green Room Conversations” March 27 in the College of Education Building at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The tour’s purpose is to raise awareness about sexual harassment in the music industry as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. (Photo courtesy of The Change Agent·cy)

About the partners

Julie Williams, country music artist — Julie Williams (Submitted photo)

• Florida native Julie Williams is turning heads in Nashville’s country music scene with songs that tell the stories she wished to hear as a mixed race child. A member of CMT Next Women of Country, the Black Opry Revue, ACM and BMAC’s inaugural OnRamp cohort, and a host of Song Suffragettes, Williams was named to Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country Class of 2021, featured on Wide Open Country’s list of “10 Country Acts Poised for a Breakout Year in 2023,” and her single “Southern Curls” was covered by Billboard, CMT, PBS NewsHour, and numerous music publications.

Having opened for acts such as Will Hoge and Mt. Joy, Williams frequently tours with the Black Opry Revue, a showcase of Black artists in country, blues, folk, and Americana music, taking the stage at CMA Fest, Newport Folk Festival, AmericanaFest, Cayamo, and High Water Fest.

Find out more about her at thisisjuliewilliams.com.

• Calling All Crows is dedicated to creating a more feminist and just music industry. The organization says it harnesses the power of music to create long-term social change that amplifies the voices of women and marginalized communities. CAC aims to bridge the gap between music culture and activism by providing individuals and organizations with the tools necessary for sustained action. Learn more at callingallcrows.organd keep up on socials @callingallcrows.

• The Change Agent·cy is a social impact leadership firm that builds and supports meaningful partnerships amongst artists, brands, nonprofits and media to advocate for the causes important to them. In the music space, the company works to elevate underrepresented groups in country music via CMT’s Next Women of Country and Equal Access programs, and has partnered with such organizations as Black Opry, Change the Conversation, mtheory and Song Suffragettes. For more information, visit thechangeagentcy.com.