- mTheory's Equal Access program, now in its fourth year, aims to support underrepresented voices in country music.
- The program offers funding, training, and access to industry leaders for artists and managers from marginalized backgrounds.
- Alumni of the program have achieved success, demonstrating the potential for increasing diversity in the country music industry.
- This year's participants emphasize the importance of representation and the opportunities that arise from a more inclusive industry.
Artist managers Kohl Almire and Tanner Davenport and artists MŌRIAH and Michael Warren represent this year's fourth class of artist development and management services company mTheory's Equal Access program.
The initiative aims to foster pathways for diverse performers and professionals to entrench themselves more deeply in Nashville's mainstream country industry.
For the next year, the quartet will participate in what a press statement describes as an "intensive artist and management training initiative designed to support underrepresented voices in country music," offering "funding and training and unprecedented access to industry leaders" to its recipients.
This marks the first year CMT, its long-time partner, will not be directly affiliated with the program.
However, successful alums highlight the sustainable renown that could be mirrored in the program's future. They include Universal Music Group Senior Vice President of Business Development & Strategy Charlene Bryant and artists such as Madeline Edwards, Chris Housman, Angie K, Miko Marks, Camille Parker and Julie Williams.
mTheory's leadership and its class of 2025 Equal Access grant recipients highlight what the unprecedented potential of country music's expansion offers to the local-to-global reach of marginalized creatives in Nashville.
From outsiders turned influencers to creators of country's social progression
"It's been two decades since I moved from being very familiar with Lil Wayne's 'Carter III' album to getting comfortable in Keith Urban's world," jokes veteran music industry executive and mTheory CEO Cameo Carlson.
Carlson is aformer executive vice president ofUniversal MotownandRepublic Records who relocated to Nashville in 2017 as part of her work with mTheory.
Four years ago, the artist development and management services company with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, and New York at which Carlson sits at the helm paired with CMT to create a programaimed at Black, Native, Indigenous, Latino, LGBTQ+ and female country music advocacy.
"Despite some marginal progress, country continues to struggle to support (marginalized) artists across all aspects of the business. The best way to help (them) is through a long-term commitment," Carlson said, regarding her desire for the program's continued evolution.
Frustration leads to opportunity
A half-decade ago, Tanner Davenport sold iPhones at a Nashville Apple store. Now, he's routing national and global touring for the indie-beloved Black Opry Revue, plus aiding Americana-beloved singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun's management team.
A decade ago, the idea that a Black, openly gay and musically curious lover of country's mainstream industry would be championed by a corner of it would be stunning. However, he's become commonplace in ABC television documentaries, at Billboard Magazine award dinners, on CMT Awards red carpets and enshrined behind glass at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
"Now that I've started to see the space for those who look and think as I do widen, I'm hungrier about evolving the country music industry. It's like Frankie Staton says, 'when you see me, you see many,'" he said, offering a quote from the singer, songwriter and co-founder of the '90s-era Black Opry progenitor, the Black Country Music Association.
"Though it's still challenging, the community created — especially Black artists — have benefitted from tools including everything from Equal Access to social media to develop the (most elevated) purpose yet. Moments that used to end in frustration are turning into opportunity much more quickly," he added.
'A sea of different people getting the opportunity to win'
As a newly independent and formerly Red Light Management affiliated artist manager, Kohl Almire bundles his humanity, emotion and potential into a stunning force of nature.
Nearly three years ago, via social media, he self-described himself as a "trans-masculine person who feels ever so validated when I'm perceived as a feminine boy."
Over the past decade, his day-to-day management work was with Grammy-winner Brittany Howard, singer-songwriter Brent Cobb and rock breakouts Rainbow Kitten Surprise. He's now aiding emerging acts like Maddie Medley to grow critical-to-mainstream acclaim.
"I want to be a light for trans kids who want to be more visible and amplify raw, diverse art that reflects (the best of what happens) when the little guy gets their chance. In Nashville or elsewhere, those chances allow a sea of different people — many of whom, hopefully, look like you — getting the opportunity to win," Almire said.
'Blue-collar work, romance, breakups, and God'
Michael Warren is a trucker hat, ostrich-skin boots and lifted pickup truck guy who answers questions immediately and confidently.
Something beyond the Birmingham, Alabama native's experience in Los Angeles writing for the likes of Akon and Jennifer Lopez informs his toothy grin when asked what unifies pop and R&B to country's mainstream moment.
"I'm writing songs about blue-collar work, romance, breakups, and God," he said. "Rascal Flatts, man. 'What Hurts The Most.' That's the standard."
Being a member of the Equal Access cohort ultimately plugs him deeper into angling for mainstream opportunities alongside his white male counterparts.
"Finding more eyes and ears, man. Spaces like these keep me inspired," he said.
MŌRIAH highlights the potential of radical diversity in the future of country's mainstream
MŌRIAH — aka Moriah Smallbone — likely represents the best future for where roots-driven authenticity and country music's mainstream growth intersect.
The God-fearing middle child of three born of Mexican-French heritage was raised in the Los Angeles suburbs. A singer-songwriter for two decades, she graduated high school with a 4.1 GPA, has appeared on American Idol and has a decade of Billboard charting Nashville Christian music industry releases.
For a dozen years, she's also been married to For King & Country's Joel Smallbone. Plus, at present, she's also working with Fletcher Foster, a veteran music executive whose resume counts the early guidance of Kelsea Ballerini, plus work nationally with Sony and Arista Records.
"I've been blessed to understand the magical beauty of everywhere, from border towns to big cities. My music blends the best concentration of that," she said.
"Because there's no road map to success for someone like me in (country's mainstream), I planned an academically-minded strategy that showcases how much I authentically love the art of making my type of music," MŌRIAH said.
Her goals — and their inspirations — most broadly mirror and amplify those set by both mTheory and her cohort in full.
"I have no idea if there's room for me or my plans. But because I've run out of energy to do anything other than what feels effortless, I feel like I've discovered a sound and style that people didn't realize they were looking and waiting for."
