On July 31, the Recording Academy’s Atlanta Chapter hosted its first-ever Creators Summit at the historic Candler Hotel. In partnership with the Songwriters & Composers Wing and Producers & Engineers Wing, the event gathered music creators, executives, and industry leaders to explore how artists can build—and sustain—long-term careers in an ever-changing music business.
The day was packed with thought-provoking conversations: GRAMMY-winning songwriter Theron Thomas opened up about his journey, the Mechanical Licensing Collective shared resources on collecting royalties, and a panel titled “Chasing the Money” shed light on the balance between financial gains and career longevity. Topics like education, financial literacy, teamwork, radio relevance, AI in music, and metadata management were central themes throughout the summit.
But it was the closing keynote from Tami LaTrell, GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and Founder & CEO of The Mezzo Agency, that left a lasting impression. Recently elected as a Recording Academy Trustee, LaTrell discussed the importance of having a strong grasp on the administrative needs of a creator—from managing metadata to protecting intellectual property. She encouraged attendees to embrace these responsibilities as part of their artistry, making it clear that administration is not optional but essential to a thriving career. She also urged attendees to continue having the “hard conversations” around ownership and rights, reminding them that proper administration is the key to getting paid and recognized for their work.
The inaugural Atlanta Creators Summit made it clear—thriving as a music creator requires not only talent, but also strategy, community, and a solid foundation in the business of music.
👉 Want to explore the biggest lessons and takeaways from the Summit? Read here.