Songwriters Take the Lead: Be the CEO of Your Music Career

Are you a CEO? If you're a songwriter navigating both the creative and business sides of your career, then yes, you are!

In today’s evolving music industry, songwriters are more than just creators... they’re entrepreneurs. This dynamic event will feature a panel discussion with experienced professionals who’ve built careers by thinking like CEOs. They’ll share practical strategies, industry insights, and real-world advice to help you take ownership of your career and build a sustainable future in music.

You’ll also have dedicated time to network with fellow songwriters, industry leaders, and potential collaborators who are equally committed to growing their careers with the purpose and intention of CEOs.

Whether you’re a solo creator, a manager, or part of a team, this is your opportunity to be inspired, make meaningful connections, and start thinking and acting like the CEO of your music career.

Networking from 6–7 p.m. Panel from 7–8 p.m.

Light refreshments provided by The MLC.

Moderator:

Rick Marshall, General Counsel, Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)  
Rick Marshall is General Counsel at The MLC, where he leads The MLC’s in-house legal team and coordinates all of the organization's legal matters. Before joining The MLC, he was a senior member of Warner Music Group’s recorded music catalog legal affairs team and represented WMG on the recording industry’s union contract negotiating committee and in regulatory policy-related initiatives. Rick also served for several years as an Attorney-Advisor in the Office of the General Counsel at the United States Copyright Office, where he worked on music-related initiatives that paved the way for the passing of the Music Modernization Act in 2018. Before entering the Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law space, Rick served as Senior Staff Attorney to the Chief Judge at Florida’s First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee, Florida. He holds a Legal Master's degree in Intellectual Property Law from The George Washington University Law School. Rick currently serves on the board of the Copyright Society of the South.

Panelists:

Sarah DeMarco, Sr. Manager, Artist Relations, Amazon Music

Sarah DeMarco, with over 15 years in the music industry, is an Artist Relations Sr. Manager for Amazon Music in Nashville. She oversees relationships with artists and their teams across genres, leading campaigns and integration strategies for Artist to Watch, Breakthrough, Stagecoach, ACMs, and CMA Fest. Sarah has spearheaded launches for Garth Brooks, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone, and the Eric Church and John Fogerty “Up Around The Bend” Amazon Music Original, which became the Prime Video NASCAR Anthem in 2025. Prior to Amazon Music, she worked at Rostrum Records, Capitol Records, and AWAL supporting artists on the creative marketing and management side.

Marc Rucker, Associate Director, Artists & Industry Relations, SoundExchange

Marc Rucker serves as Associate Director within the Brand Marketing and Industry Relations group at SoundExchange. Marc is responsible for establishing and building key artist, management, and content owner relationships. He helps raise the profile of SoundExchange in the music industry and deepen creator engagement in Nashville and beyond.

Marc is a passionate ally to the creative community who has been embedded in the music industry for over 15 years, with experience in artist & business management, publishing, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Before joining SoundExchange, he managed the careers of multiple successful recording artists, helped co-found Young Entertainment Professionals and consulted on live entertainment in major sports venues. Marc has also participated in the charity boxing match Rumble on The Row and is an active participant and investor in the web3, AI and digital asset ecosystems.