BMI has promoted Shannon Sanders to Assistant Vice President (AVP), Creative, Nashville.
In the role, Sanders will continue to sign and develop new talent across Nashville’s songwriting community.
He will support emerging and established writers through BMI‘s educational programs, showcases, and networking events.
Sanders will report to BMI Vice President, Creative, Nashville, Clay Bradley, according to an announcement on Thursday (November 12).
Sanders joined BMI in 2020 as Executive Director, Creative, Nashville.
“Shannon’s extensive industry experience and unwavering commitment to songwriters make him an invaluable member of BMI’s Creative team,” said Bradley. “He’s been a constant champion of Nashville’s diverse music community, honoring its rich heritage while creating new opportunities for writers across all genres.
“Shannon has also helped to expand and strengthen BMI’s programs and relationships, and I look forward to working with him to build on that success.”
“Shannon’s extensive industry experience and unwavering commitment to songwriters make him an invaluable member of BMI’s Creative team.”
Clay Bradley
At BMI, Sanders helped launch the Annapolis Songwriters Festival in 2022 and produces the interview series BMI Presents: A Conversation With, which has featured Sting, Sheryl Crow, Bootsy Collins, Clipse, Ella Mai, and Addison Rae.
He also hosts BMI‘s monthly Acoustic Lounge at the Bluebird Café. The series has showcased Lauren Daigle, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, K. Michelle, and The War & Treaty.
Sanders oversees BMI Nashville’s No. 1 parties outside of country music, which have celebrated Kevin Ross‘ Love in the Middle and Sleep Theory‘s Stuck in My Head, Static, and Words Are Worthless.
Sanders has more than 30 years‘ experience as a songwriter, producer, and musical director.
He co-founded Nashville radio station 102.1 The Ville, dedicated to classic soul, R&B, and local artists.
He has also served as co-musical director for the Fisk Jubilee Singers and India.Arie.
His honors include three Grammy Awards, three Emmys, a Dove Award, and the Academy of Country Music‘s Lift Every Voice Award in 2024.
The National Museum of African American Music recognized him as a “Living Legend” in 2025, and Black Enterprise named him one of its 100 Modern Men of Distinction in 2016.
Sanders, a Tennessee State University alumnus, was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame for Distinguished Alumni.
He sits on the boards of the Academy of Country Music, the Americana Music Association, the Country Music Association, the International Bluegrass Music Association, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, and the National Museum of African American Music.
Sanders remains active in the Recording Academy and Leadership Music.
Sanders‘ promotion follows a round of promotions across BMI‘s Creative team in November 2025, when eight executives were elevated, including three in Nashville.
That round was announced by BMI with comment from its EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, Mike Steinberg. The company said at the time that its recent signings included ATL Jacob, NLE Choppa, and Jessica Pratt.
BMI was acquired by a New Mountain Capital-led group in a deal that closed in February 2024.
The company had announced a shift to a for-profit business model in 2022, having previously operated on a not-for-profit basis.
BMI describes itself as a global leader in music rights management, celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers, and businesses.
Founded in 1939, BMI says it represents the public performance rights in over 25 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.5 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers.Music Business Worldwide