SOLID aims to improve the future of the music industry by strengthening its professional relationships and educating a diverse group of future executives while serving the community.

In the summer of 1996, a small group of young music industry professionals recognized the need for an organization that would directly address the issues they faced on Music Row. After a year’s worth of backyard brainstorming sessions, this original group of friends gradually and deliberately defined the parameters for the Society Of Leaders In Development (SOLID). Their vision? To develop a community for its membership that combined the social networking of the Slugs or the Young Turks with the community service of Hands on Nashville and the educational opportunities of Leadership Music, The Recording Academy or the CMA. Above all, it needed to be accessible to entry and mid-level industry professionals who may not have the resources or opportunities to belong to other organizations.

On February 15, 2000, SOLID hosted its ‘Intro To The Row’ Party in the lobby of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Chris Neese, co-founder and first SOLID President, gave an inspired speech to a crowd of industry executives, announcing the arrival of “Generation Next” to Music Row. This declaration was not a challenge to the establishment as much as an appeal to recognize and embrace the leaders of tomorrow. Support from the individuals present that day has affirmed the need for our Society and has subsequently confirmed that SOLID has a definite role in shaping the future of Music Row.

Today, SOLID has evolved into a collection of dynamic personalities representing all facets and levels of the music industry. SOLID continually faces the changing needs and expectations of each new class and repeatedly rises to each of these challenges. Our educational events continue to examine the critical issues facing our industry, earning critical acclaim for our willingness to honestly examine the challenges. Our outreach to universities has been recognized as a vital resource for students hoping to one day work in the music business, providing panels, lectures, shadow days and in depth introductions to the industry for interested students. Our commitment to providing opportunities for community service has helped us develop a connection to the community where we live, and through SOLID Shares, we are able to raise money for a variety of charitable organizations. Our desire to encourage communication and social networking for our members is evident in our social events that help anchor and build our relationships.

SOLID is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture and molding future music industry executives into leaders of change by investing in philanthropic, educational, and community partnerships.