Presented by Mastercard, the 2025 GRAMMY U Fall Summit in Nashville brought members together for two days of panels, performances, and conversations on self-advocacy and connection - headlined by Maren Morris in conversation with King Princess, and featuring standout voices like Rico Nasty, Tanner Adell, Tayla Parx, Mickey Guyton, and more.
The Summit kicked off at the National Museum of African American Music for an artist-on-artist panel produced in collaboration with the Black Music Collective. Disruptors by Design: Creating New Sounds, where Rico Nasty, Tanner Adell, and Tayla Parx explored what it means to create without limits and advocate for themselves in every space.
A two-part networking experience encouraged attendees to put what they learned from the panelists into action. A Perfect Pitch networking panel shared how to develop long-lasting relationships in the industry, featuring a panel of accomplished professionals across music, business, and creative fields - Latoya Bennett-Johnson, Serena Lloyd, and Ryan Madora, moderated by Jessica Omokheyeke. Afterward, the lobby of the museum buzzed with excitement and inspiration as members connected with industry mentors during a networking mixer, explored photo opps and enjoyed specialty drinks provided by Mastercard. The evening concluded with an intimate performance by Mickey Guyton, preceded by a Q&A moderated by Brittney Spencer.
The next day, attendees gathered at Riverside Revival for the keynote conversation, Finding Your Voice, with Maren Morris, moderated by King Princess. Livestreamed on the GRAMMYs YouTube, the candid conversation explored artistry, identity, and finding your voice. Morris concluded the Summit with a special live performance.
Filled with laughter and honesty, the Fall Summit offered GRAMMY U members more than advice, feeling more like a living room conversation among friends that were deeply real and inspiring. Sony Pro Audio was a participating sponsor at this year’s Fall Summit.
The Summit "felt like food for my soul," said San Francisco Chapter Member Jaiel Mitchell. "It was so wonderful to be able to not only connect with my peers, and meet other folks who are growing and building the next iteration of the industry, but also to get to hear from so many dope women artists and leaders, who have blazed new trails in the industry. As an developing artist, getting to hear their stories and advice first hand was invaluable. I left with so many practical tools and the fire to continue to blaze trails in my own right!"
Read on for five takeaways from this year’s GRAMMY U Fall Summit in Nashville.
Be Your Own Biggest Advocate
In her keynote discussion, GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Maren Morris reflected on how self-belief shaped her journey, from her family serving as her first team to GRAMMY Camp, and eventually carving her own path in Nashville. That throughline of independence throughout her career led to the creation of some of her biggest hits.
Reflecting on early career advice, she shared, "Someone once told me making a record and promoting it is basically like playing a million lottery tickets," she shared, reflecting on advice from early in her career. "you say yes to everything… and see what sticks."
Maren Morris and artist-actor King Princess reflected on the importance of determination, especially when showing up fully as queer artists. They spoke about how visibility can inspire young fans seeking connection through music. Morris noted that listeners often revisit her lyrics for meaning, echoing King Princess’ experience of finding belonging in queer art during their own adolescence.
Mickey Guyton and moderator Brittney Spencer similarly reflected on identity and representation. "Don ’t be afraid to open your mouth," she told the audience during her Q&A, reflecting on finding her voice as a Black woman in country music. Guyton closed out the night with performances of "Black Like Me," "Remember Her Name," and more, a set that honored Breonna Taylor and celebrated the power of storytelling in country music.
Belonging Isn’t Given, It’s Created
Tanner Adell, Tayla Parx & Rico Nasty┃Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
Throughout the Summit, conversations about identity were filled with camaraderie among artists and industry leaders who walk many different paths. Rico Nasty, Tayla Parx and Tanner Adell embodied that energy during the panel Disruptors by Design: Creating New Sounds. .
Rapper and songwriter Rico Nasty said she often stands alone in her style, and compared her music journey to "creating [her] own island." Rico also shared the importance of being okay with isolation on her "island" — and is content to make it the coolest place for when her audience is ready to receive it.
Singer/songwriter Tanner Adell added that she feels "fatigue" over constant talk of genre because "people come from all different backgrounds and write all different kinds of music." Their message was clear: belonging isn’t given, it’s created. As Nasty encouraged, "Push. You’re going to hit a lot of walls… it’s going to feel alienating… push."
The conversation naturally turned to equity and empowerment. GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Tayla Parx emphasized knowing your worth and demanding fairness in every space.
"BMI and the splits need to be equal… do not do work for free [because] Black women and women hurt the most in the industry," Parx emphasized. Her point resonated alongside recent milestones for Black women in country music - including fellow artists like Beyoncé, who became the first Black woman to win a GRAMMY Award for Best Country Album. (Tanner Adell and Brittney Spencer also contributed to the GRAMMY-winning Cowboy Carter.) Parx also recently became one of the few Black women with a No. 1 song on the country charts.
"Being Nervous Means You Care"
Brittney Spencer and Mickey Guyton ┃Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Mickey Guyton and singer/songwriter Brittney Spencer’s conversation brought magic and joy to the stage. Through inside jokes and giggles, the longtime friends and country music trailblazers spoke about nerves, resilience, and the courage it takes to keep showing up. Guyton shared that even after years of performing, she still gets nervous before shows, reminding the audience that "being nervous means you care."
She spoke about facing cyberbullying in 2020 and how returning to the stage afterward felt daunting but necessary. The two reflected on their CMA Awards performance back in 2021of "Love My Hair," recalling how Guyton fought to ensure that Spencer and Madeline Edwards — two emerging Black artists in country music — received full support behind the scenes.
"'You’re not about to put these women on a red carpet without wardrobe, hair, and makeup,'" she recalled telling the show's organizers. The result was a collaborative effort that turned Spencer and Guyton's performance into a statement of empowerment for Black women. Their conversation brought the night full circle: Truth and connection can build community through music.
Turn Small Moments Into Lasting Connections
Latoya Bennett-Johnson┃Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
The Perfect Pitch panel reminded members that real relationships often start with small, genuine interactions. Rather than focusing on networking for its own sake, panelists encouraged GRAMMY U members to lead with intention and self-awareness.
"When you’re young, it can be hard to articulate your strengths, but being approachable can open doors," said Serena Lloyd, Vice President of Human Resources at entertainment company Big Loud. She recalled putting her phone down and starting a conversation at an airport bar that led to a five-year professional relationship.
The panel was moderated by Jess Omokheyeke, Executive Assistant and Project Manager of DEI at the Recording Academy, who added, "Know yourself and be proud of what you do," emphasizing that confidence and clarity build connections. Latoya Bennett-Johnson, Vice President of Global Sponsorship at Mastercard, encouraged members to be intentional in every room, asking, "What do you want people to think, feel, and do?"
Bassist, author and content creator Ryan Madora reminded attendees that connection doesn’t have to be formal. "Everybody’s standing there awkwardly," she said. "Sometimes you just want to talk to somebody so you’re not awkward." She shared that finding small points of common ground, like a shared city or favorite record, can turn a quick conversation into something lasting.
The panel left members with one takeaway: meaningful connections come from being present, prepared, and genuine in every interaction. Members then headed to the lobby of the museum for part two of the networking experience, where they were able to try out their learnings in a speed-networking style mixer.
Success Looks Different For Everyone
GRAMMY U Members, Eric Foster White┃Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
Members carried their energy from the Perfect Pitch panel into the official networking mixer, hosted by the GRAMMY U Mentorship Program Presented by Amazon Music. The room was filled with lively conversations as GRAMMY U members connected with mentors from across the industry, including Cameo Carlson, CEO at MTHEORY; Eric Foster White, CEO at Music Club Enterprises, LLC; Tracy Gershon, Founder of Shero Entertainment and Consulting; Jen Hubbard, Director of A&R Sync at Concord Music Publishing; Leah Larocco and Kenyon Glenn from the Recording Academy. The curated mixer offered a speed-networking style flow, with rotations every 20 minutes so members felt encouraged to meet new mentors and members.
Throughout the two-hour experience, members had the chance to put their networking advice into practice while learning from professionals and creatives from nearly a dozen areas of the industry. Surrounding the mixer area, Mastercard hosted an interactive photo activation and offered specialty drinks as attendees continued mingling and building new connections.
Across the two days, the 2025 GRAMMY U Fall Summit echoed a resounding theme across panels and experiences - highlighting community, creativity, and a shared belief that success looks different for everyone, but connection is what keeps the music going.
Couldn't make it to Nashville? Catch every panel from the 2025 GRAMMY U Fall Summit on-demand here: https://events.recordingacademy.com/watch2025grammyufallsummit
To attend next year’s GRAMMY U Fall Summit and join the GRAMMY U community, apply to become a member at www.grammyu.com.