Country Music Association Names Brittany Schaffer as New CEO to Succeed Sarah Trahern

The Country Music Association (CMA) has officially named Brittany Schaffer as its next chief executive officer, a decision announced on Wednesday. Currently serving as a dean at Belmont University, Schaffer also previously led the country music division at Spotify. She is set to assume her new role on January 1, 2027, succeeding Sarah Trahern, who has helmed the organization for thirteen years and disclosed her retirement plans on January 14 of this year. This early announcement provided the CMA's executive search committee with extensive time to undertake a thorough and deliberate search for the ideal candidate.

Under what the CMA terms a "strategic transition plan" designed to maintain stability among staff, board members, and the broader membership, Schaffer will formally join the organization on September 8. However, she will not officially take over until Trahern departs at the end of 2026. Schaffer will resign from her position as Dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University, a prominent Nashville institution that has become a crucial training ground for future music industry leaders. The CMA highlighted her "over 15 years of experience in the music industry spanning entertainment law, partnership strategy and academic leadership in entertainment education." Before her three-year tenure at Belmont, Schaffer spent five years as Head of Artist & Label Partnerships for Nashville at Spotify, where she was instrumental in shaping strategy for the company's country, Christian/gospel, and Americana operations. Her earlier career included work as an entertainment attorney at Loeb & Loeb LLP. At Belmont, she is credited with "bringing energy, clarity, and momentum to the college," enhancing industry connections, and launching major initiatives such as the 90,000-square-foot Curb College on Music Row expansion and the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment. These projects underscore her emphasis on hands-on learning and the well-being of artists, songwriters, and behind-the-scenes professionals. Belmont University, founded in 1890, has become a vital source of talent for the music business, with its Curb College frequently ranked as a top program for entertainment management. According to industry analyst Mark R. Johnson, "Schaffer's blend of legal expertise, digital platform experience, and academic leadership makes her uniquely positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of country music in a streaming-dominated era." This expertise could be especially valuable as the CMA seeks to address challenges like declining radio play and the rise of algorithm-driven playlists, which increasingly shape listener habits. Johnson further noted that her time at Spotify likely gave her firsthand insight into how data analytics can identify emerging trends, a skill that might help the CMA support both established stars and up-and-coming artists in a competitive market.

Jay Williams, CMA board chairman and partner and co-head at WME Nashville, praised the selection process. "Our search committee set out to find a leader who understands the responsibility of representing this industry, not just the opportunity of it," he stated. "We met with an exceptional group of candidates, and we believe Brittany is exactly the leader to carry this organization into its next era, and to make sure country music's influence continues to expand well beyond Nashville." In her own statement, Schaffer emphasized the genre's personal impact. "Country music meets people where they are, and it changes lives every day. That starts with songwriters and artists and everyone who carries this music to fans around the world. Serving them is the honor of a lifetime," she said. She acknowledged Trahern's legacy, adding, "Sarah Trahern will leave CMA and this community stronger than she found it. I'm grateful for her mentorship and friendship, and for a transition marked by the same professionalism and intentionality that defined her tenure. Together with CMA's talented staff and members, we'll build on that foundation. We'll reinforce the connectivity within this community, bring renewed energy to our signature events, and find new ways to connect country music with fans around the world. And if we get that right, somewhere a song will find somebody who needs to hear it. That's the heart of this work, and I can't wait to get started."

Trahern, reflecting on her long tenure, expressed gratitude and confidence in her successor. "Leading this organization for 13 years has been the honor of my life, and I have this community to thank for that," she said. "I'm grateful to our search committee for the time, care and integrity they brought to this process, and I trust the thoughtfulness they poured into it. I wish Brittany every success as she steps into this role, and I look forward to cheering this entire industry on for many years to come." The CMA, founded in 1958, has long been the primary trade organization for country music, overseeing major events like the CMA Awards and CMA Fest. Schaffer's appointment signals a continued focus on bridging academic training and industry practice, as well as leveraging digital platforms to reach global audiences. The CMA Awards, first held in 1967, have become a cornerstone of the genre's calendar, drawing millions of viewers annually. As streaming reshapes how music is consumed, Schaffer's background at Spotify could prove crucial in helping the CMA adapt to these changes while maintaining the genre's traditional roots. For context, the CMA Fest, which began as a one-day event in 1972, now attracts over 80,000 fans annually to Nashville and generates significant economic impact for the city. Schaffer's experience in digital partnerships might also open new avenues for virtual fan engagement, potentially expanding the reach of such events beyond physical attendees.