Networking in Nashville in the name of advancing women’s audio careers

This Saturday, Women’s Audio Mission is putting on a conference in Nashville, and it does, indeed, have a very pointed mission.

Alisha Ballard is one of the organizers. She runs a nonprofit called EqualizeHer with writer-producer Linda Perry, and Ballard says their organization exists for the same reason as their kindred nonprofit, Women’s Audio Mission:

“Too often, recording studios and boardrooms can be uncomfortable spaces for women, especially young women that are just getting started, and that’s something that absolutely must change. Women have to give each other a hand up.”

That’s exactly what Ballard’s trying to do by partnering to help put on WAMCon Nashville and hosting the one day event in her Berry Hill recording studio, Gold Pacific Studios.

On the schedule workshops led by artists Joy Oladokun, SistaStrings and Cam, and accomplished studio pros including Gena Johnson, Leslie Richter and Piper Payne, the vinyl record manufacturer who is the subject of episode 2 of WNXP’s Music Citizens series.

“The goal of WAMCon Nashville,” says Ballard, “will be to create opportunities for women and gender expansive people in the music industry, just to help advance their careers, give them knowledge and [enable them to] soak in the experience of these women who’ve gone before them and have paved the way.”

The first editions of WAMCon were held in Los Angeles in 2018 and Nashville in 2019, and I was lucky enough to attend the latter.

It’s not too late to buy a ticket and be part of it this time.