NASHVILLE, Tenn. — MTSU Recording Industry Chair Beverly Keel was among seven inductees honored this year at the 17th annual Source Hall of Fame Awards held Aug. 27 at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville’s historic Municipal Auditorium.

Source is “a nonprofit organization supporting an exclusive community of accomplished women professionals who work in all facets of Nashville’s entertainment industry,” according to a news release.

Said Keel: “I am humbled and thrilled to be included in this year’s class of the Source Hall of Fame and to be featured in its permanent exhibit in the Musicians Hall of Fame. I am honored to be included with some of my heroes and mentors and look forward to celebrating with many of the women who have been instrumental in my career and life over the last 30 years.”

Pictured are, front row, from left,, Gayle Hill, Judi Turner and Trisha Walker-Cunningham. Back row, from left: Grace Reinbold, Beverly Keel, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Sarah Brosmer at the 2019 Source Hall of Fame Awards in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo courtesy of Bev Moser)

A former music executive and journalist, Keel is also a co-founder of Change the Conversation, which aims to fix the gender imbalance within the music industry. The advocacy organization was formed in 2014 by Keel, Leslie Fram and Tracy Gershon and funds research, mentors young women and hosts events to allow industry experts to share their insights with the group.

Beverly Keel

“If I can leave you with one thought today, it’s support other women,” she told the audience. “Find the beauty and inspiration in them. Don’t be threatened by them because their success is our success,” she added. “Buy their music. See their shows. Like their posts. Support their causes.”

The seven “Women Behind The Music” who were inducted into the Source Hall of Fame 2019 class were:

• Sarah Brosmer, WMFD Radio, Ray Stevens Music, MusiVerse, a division of PolyGram, Compleat Records, MCA Records, Sony Records, Lytle Management; Gayle Hill, Epic Records, G Hill & Company, Sound City Tours; Keel, Nashville Banner, Polydor Records, American Profile, People magazine, Tennessean, UMG Nashville, MTSU; Grace Reinbold, World Wide Media, What A Trip! Inc., rockUnashville;

• Judi Turner, Country Music Association, Network Ink, Turner & Company, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Leadership Music; Trisha Walker-Cunningham, Radio Luxembourg London, UK, MC Promotions London, UK, TWI, Trisha Walker International, Nashville, TN; and Erika Wollam-Nichols, Greater Nashville Arts Foundation, Pro-Tours, NSAI, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, WPLN; Nashville Public Radio, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, The First Amendment Center, The Bluebird Cafe.

Presented by Springer Mountain Farms, this year marked the 17th anniversary of the Source Hall of Fame Awards, according to a Source news release. Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely hosted the sold-out event.

Additional event sponsors included Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, City National Bank, Monster Energy, Dream Catering, NSAI, ASCAP, Martin, Allbee, Miller, Bryan & Associates, Live Nation, Matt Davenport Productions and StratusFilm.

Inductees are nominated and inducted based upon peer recommendations, biographies, accomplishments, reputation, the number of years each individual has worked within the entertainment industry, and level of community involvement, the release states.

Founded in 1991 by Shelia Shipley Biddy, Judy Harris and Pat Rolfe, Source is the longest running organization for females in the music industry in Nashville and is dedicated to fostering relationships and opportunities for its members through continuous education, networking, and community service initiatives.

The Source Hall of Fame Awards were founded in 2003 by long-time member Kay Smith. For more information, please visit SourceNashville.org.