FBMM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Member of the Recording Academy
With nearly two decades of experience at FBMM, Betsy Lee is known for her sharp attention to detail and expertise in tour management. She oversees all aspects of her award-winning clients' financial well-being and strategically advises and enables them to make sound financial decisions. Betsy has extensive worldwide touring experience and, while working at FBMM, has served as interim European tour accountant for her clients. She takes a vested interest in each of her clients and considers them family. From the artist who is just getting started to the artist selling out tours worldwide, Betsy loves each client for their unique talents and accomplishments.
Betsy is a member of the Recording Academy, the 2020 Grammy Next class, the Society of Leaders in Development, the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. She also volunteers with many organizations, including Pet Community Center, Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, Snooty Giggles Dog Rescue, Thistle Farms, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and Gideon's Army. She is also the Philanthropy chair for FBMM.
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
Betty Sanders wears many hats at FBMM as the director of human resources, Board officer and chief culture officer and is regarded by top executives to be the firms "heart and soul." She has been with FBMM since the very beginning. Betty worked with Chuck Flood & Associates in 1986, then transitioned to FBMM when it was founded in 1990. She's risen through the ranks over the years, playing multiple roles from receptionist and office manager to account manager, before stepping into her current position.
She is a 2022 inductee to the SOURCE Hall of Fame, cementing her rockstar status for all of Nashville. Prior to joining FBMM, she worked as a production assistant at Warner Bros. Music as well as Pride Music Group. Betty holds a B.S. degree in mass communications and recording industry management from MTSU.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Business Manager
- Member of the Academy of Country Music
A former artist manager, Brad Akin helps his clients make sound financial decisions and empowers them to become confident, financially minded CEOs of their businesses. As an associate business manager and a member of the firm since 2008, Brad spends much of his day-to-day listening and finding ways to help his team grow and better serve their clients. Brad's specialty is managing international client touring and revenue, and he serves as a valuable adviser to his clients.
Brad is a member of the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association and Women in Music. Brad has a successful second job as a parent, and when time allows, he enjoys volunteering with New York Cares.
• Brad's hidden talent? Woodworking. He and his wife enjoy taking old furniture and turning it into something new.
Chris Hughes is a business manager at FBMM, where he prioritizes cultivating a safe team environment where people feel protected and free to think. For Chris, it is vital to listen to the experience of his clients and hear what their needs may be in order to curate a holistic financial path, specific to that individual. He focuses on educating and guiding his clients on saving money and building wealth, along with being able to spend money wisely and free of anxiety.
Before his business management career began in 2005, Chris was a member of The Island Def Jam Music group Autopilot Off and a songwriter at Warner Music Publishing. His background as a performing musician provided him with invaluable insight into the world his clients live in and the needs that come along with that. Chris has a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in accounting, which also add to the areas he can pull knowledge from.
Job Titles:
- Founding Owner & Business Manager
Chuck Flood has 40 years of expertise in entertainment business and financial management. He is a founding owner and business manager at FBMM.
Dan Killian acts as the financial and operational "quarterback" for his clients' business activities. He manages a team of business management professionals and oversees strategy and planning to help his clients achieve their business and personal financial goals. Using a holistic approach, he caters to every client's individual needs through budgeting, financial planning, managing their accounting process and overall financial education. This approach allows clients to confidently make decisions that keep their businesses running with the best possible insight and information, ensuring their financial well-being for years to come.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Owner
- Vice President
- Member of the Academy of Country Music
David Boyer is owner and vice president of FBMM, where he has been a business manager for 17 years. As a former recording artist himself, David has a unique understanding of the financial challenges of being on tour, and is a trusted adviser to some of the industry's top touring and recording artists. David is skilled at helping clients understand the financial dynamics of the industry in order to make well-informed decisions.
David serves as a member of the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association, and as a voting member of the Recording Academy. He is currently treasurer of Leadership Music and serves on the executive committee. He was previously treasurer of the International Entertainment Buyers Association.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Owner
- Vice Chairman
Duane Clark is an owner, business manager and vice chairman at FBMM, where he has provided service to clients for more than a decade, and is a trusted adviser for his roster of top recording and touring artists. As vice chairman, he is also responsible for leading FBMM's strategic plan implementation that ensures the continuity of its clients' financial management and security for years to come.
Duane is a two-time winner of the Country Music Association's Business Manager of the Year award in 2014 and 2017 and was a nominee for 2019. He has been recognized as one of the top business managers and a powerhouse in country music by Billboard Magazine, Variety and MusicRow.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Business Manager
- Member of the Academy of Country Music
Emily Walker is an associate business manager with more than 15 years of experience in the music industry. In this role, she oversees all areas of her clients' financial world. Whatever her clients need - from cash flow, royalties and budgets to risk management, estate planning oversight, personal finances and everything in between - Emily and her team ensure her clients will be financially secure for years to come.
Emily holds a bachelor's degree in recording industry management with a focus in music business and a minor in journalism from Middle Tennessee State University.
Emily is a member of the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. She currently serves as treasurer of the Nashville Film Festival.
Job Titles:
- SOURCE Nashville Board Secretary
- Vice President of Royalties and Contract Compliance
Erica Rosa joined FBMM in 2009 and currently serves as the vice president of royalties and contract compliance. She is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations and royalty work for FBMM's roster of internationally known recording artists, producers and songwriters. During her career, Erica has conducted successful recording and publishing royalty audits, profit participation audits, and merchandise and brand audits worldwide. She also specializes in providing advisory and analytical services for music catalog sales and contract negotiations. In 2015, Erica created and implemented FBMM's record label administration division, providing royalty accounting services to independent record label and self-releasing artists.
In addition to handling all royalty matters related to FBMM's clients, Erica is responsible for continued staff education by creating and implementing educational workshops on royalty-related topics.
Erica is the SOURCE Nashville board secretary and Hall of Fame Awards chair. She is a former advisory committee member for the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum's Troubadour Society. She also serves as an area operations and finance director for Phi Mu Fraternity, Inc.
Erica is a member of several professional organizations, including the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, the Recording Academy and the Association of Independent Music Publishers, and an alumna of the Women's Music Business Association and the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID).
Job Titles:
- Board Member for Nashville Wish Products
- Founding Owner and Business Manager
Frank Bumstead is a founding owner and business manager at FBMM with over 40 years' experience as a professional financial adviser and business manager. He is a leading expert in franchising, financial analysis and management.
Frank was recognized as the Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award recipient in 2018, has been named to the Nashville Business Journal's Power Leaders in Finance list and the Nashville Post InCharge list, and is one of Billboard's Top Business Managers.
Frank is a board member for Nashville Wish Products, Fishbowl Spirits, LLC, and Blue Chair Bay® Rum, and is vice chairman for Overwatch Alliance. He served on the boards of the Memorial Foundation, where he was chairman in 2015 and president in 2014, and Country Music Association for many years.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Business Manager
- Member of the Academy of Country Music
Fred Ford is an associate business manager and has been with the firm for 25 years. The first decade of his career was spent working in FBMM's accounting department. In 2009, Fred transitioned to business management in pursuit of a more collaborative and team-oriented work style.
As an associate business manager, Fred is responsible for every aspect of his clients' financial well-being and oversees a team of six. On any given day, Fred communicates directly with his arena-headlining artists and their teams, coordinates with his FBMM team, approves production, and manages a wide array of budgeting and planning tools.
Fred is a member of the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. He serves on the finance committee for the W.O. Smith Music School board of directors. Fred is also an instructor at W.O. Smith Music School and teaches a weekly class. He is an elder at his church.
• A career highlight for Fred was helping his clients navigate through the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Jamie Cheek is CEO and owner at FBMM, responsible for overseeing the firm's staff and setting the vision for the company's continued growth and excellence. He has been a co-owner of FBMM since 2006, but has worked as a manager at the firm since 1997, becoming a well-respected presence in the music industry. With more than two decades of experience, Jamie is both a trusted adviser and financial manager to top recording artists and one of the most highly regarded business managers in the industry.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Business Manager
- Associate Business Manager With FBMM and Has Been
Jason Leiss is an associate business manager with FBMM and has been with the firm since 2010. He first started as an office administrative team member directly out of college and has worked his way up over the years. Jason has held his current position since 2020 and manages a team that provides business and personal financial management to clients. His team often collaborates with clients' other professional advisors and utilizes the broad range of FBMM's resources and knowledge to give clients fully comprehensive service. Jason is passionate about helping his clients realize their career aspirations.
Jason holds a bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University in business with a focus in entrepreneurship. He also recently completed a certificate in financial planning from Boston University.
Jason recently served as the treasurer of the Nashville Film Festival and is also a board member of Big Hearts for Big Kids.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Business Manager
- Member of the Academy of Country Music
Jeff Jones, an associate business manager, has worked at FBMM for more than 15 years. Jeff takes a holistic approach to his clients' financial well-being, looking at every aspect of his clients' careers, from touring to publishing, to estate planning. Jeff does more than just manage money and ensures his clients will be financially secure for years to come. While there is no "typical day" for Jeff and his team of four, they often review contracts, develop royalty analyses, process payables and handle tax preparation.
Jeff has a Bachelor of Arts degree and master's degree in psychology from Pittsburg State University in Kansas, where he graduated summa cum laude. Jeff also holds a bachelor's degree in music business from Middle Tennessee State University.
Jeff is a member of the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. He also serves on the board of directors for a nonprofit in Nashville.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Member of the Academy of Country Music
Jen Conger has been a powerhouse business manager at FBMM throughout her two-decade career. She is directly responsible for the day-to-day management of her clients' finances and serves as the primary contact for her extensive roster of high-profile artists and producers. Jen is known for her expertise in domestic and international touring, sponsorship and endorsement deal negotiations, commercial insurance, estate planning, and overall royalty analysis.
Jen is a member of the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, SOURCE, and the Country Music Hall of Fame's Troubadour Society. She is also an alumna of the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) and a member of the Leadership Music Class of 2020.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Chairman
- Owner
Julie Boos is a business manager, owner and chairwoman at FBMM. Julie is at the forefront of the music industry and a trusted adviser to her clients, who are some of the top recording and touring artists in the industry. She works diligently behind the scenes to ensure that her clients are able to reach their financial goals.
Julie has been recognized not only as a national powerhouse but as an integral part of the Nashville community.
Job Titles:
- Director of Staff Development
Kristin Braaksma serves as FBMM's director of staff development and has been with the firm since 1992. She is responsible for procedure development and staff training, as well as the software administration of the firm's accounting program and online banking program access. In her 30 years on the job, she has developed multiple training programs for staff, and coordinated the transition through multiple accounting software changes. She also helped develop FBMM's inaugural royalty desk audit program early in her career.
Kristin joined FBMM as an executive assistant and climbed the ranks to senior account manager. Some of her current duties began while she was in that position, before it became a full-time role 10 years ago. She graduated from Belmont University in 1991 as part of the first graduating class with accreditation. Her bachelor's degree is in music with concentrations in voice and music business.
Job Titles:
- Director of Internal Compliance and Support
Job Titles:
- First Business Manager
- Founding Owner & Business Manager
- National Leader
Founding owner Mary Ann McCready is a national leader in entertainment business management and a force in the music industry. Mary Ann has contributed to the success of some of the industry's greatest stars and mentored countless young professionals.
Mary Ann is the first business manager outside of New York or Los Angeles and the first woman to win the Variety Business Managers Elite Award in 2018, and the first female recipient of the CMA President's Award. She was named the CMA Touring Awards Business Manager of the Year in 2012, 2015 and 2019 and has been named an industry power player and top business manager by nearly every entertainment publication. Prior to the founding of FBMM, Mary Ann was the first woman to be vice president of national sales at a major record label (CBS Records).
Job Titles:
- Director of West Coast Operations
Paul Barnabee joined FBMM in spring of 2018 as a senior staffer and was tapped to lead the Los Angeles office when it opened in 2020. He has 30 years of music industry experience with a diverse background, having worked in many divisions of Polygram Records, Sony Music and now FBMM. He is known for his fierce dedication to his team and his clients and is driven to help artists achieve their career and financial goals.
Paul earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University at Albany - SUNY, where he also earned his CPA license.
Paul was chairman of the board for the Academy of Country Music's Lifting Lives for the 2020-2022 term. He was also the chairman of the board for the Academy of Country Music in 2015-2016. He served on the board of directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee for five years. In 2020, Paul was included in Variety's Business Managers Elite issue.
Job Titles:
- Tax Partner and Practice Leader of Withum 's Theatre
- Tax Partner, Withum
Scott is a tax partner and practice leader of Withum's Theatre and Entertainment Group. Scott has more than 15 years of diversified public accounting experience with a focus on partnership, S corporation and individual taxation. He has served the tax needs of closely held businesses and their owners, including all aspects of tax compliance and representation, researching advanced tax issues, and providing business structuring advice. As a leader of the firm's Theatre and Entertainment Group, Scott advises Broadway, off-Broadway, touring productions and artists on a variety of domestic and international tax issues. He works with production companies to design tax-efficient ownership structures, analyzes and provides guidance on partnership agreements, and consults with producers and general managers on a multitude of issues affecting the industry.
Job Titles:
- Chief Economist and Director of Investment Analysis
Job Titles:
- CCO
- Owner
- in 2005 As Director of Taxes
- Owner and Chief Compliance
Trey Dunaway is an owner and chief compliance offer at FBMM. Trey joined FBMM in 2005 as director of taxes, royalties and investments, was promoted to vice president of taxes and royalties in 2009, and became a co-owner of the firm in 2011. He has more than two decades of experience working in finance and accounting within the entertainment industry.
As CCO of an entertainment business management firm, Trey brings valuable perspective not only to FBMM's roster of award-winning clients, but also to our team members. He is exceptionally skilled at helping the firm and its clients make sound decisions regarding their tax strategy to ensure that they're set up for success.