10 Questions with ... Kaylan Moody

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Kaylan Moody joined Big Machine Label Group in Nashville in the newly created position of Start Team Lead in June of 2021. In that role, she works with developing artists in a variety of formats across the company’s roster. Moody joined BMLG from the Associate Editor/Nashville position at All Access Music Group. Prior to All Access, she was MD/morning talent for Marc Radio Group’s Alternative WHHZ (100.5 The Buzz)/Gainesville, FL. She launched her career in radio as an undergraduate at the University of Florida, where she worked on the air at university-owned stations Country WRUF-FM (103.7 The Gator) and Top 40 GHQ, where she was also a research assistant and student GM.

1. Your position at Big Machine Label Group is a recently created one. What all is involved in your role as Start Team Lead? Are there challenges that come with being the first person to fill a new role? If so, what are they?

Working in this new role has honestly felt like the opportunity of a lifetime. I work closely with so many of our talented artists, including Laci Kaye Booth, Heath Sanders, Jackson Dean, Callista Clark and so many more. We work on creating content to keep their fans engaged and drive overall consumption of their music. This includes coming up with creative ideas for their social media, shooting content with them in person and helping them edit it, keeping an eye on trends for them to jump on, running influencer campaigns, coming up with unique marketing initiatives and more.

There are challenges that come with working in a newly-created role and kind of figuring out your own path and direction for the department, but that’s also what has made it so exciting! [BMLG Chairman/CEO] Scott [Borchetta] and [EVP/Label Operations] Mike [Rittberg] have really given me the space and freedom to develop the department in a way that I think is best for both the label and artists, and I’m really grateful for their trust and support in that. 

2. You started your job still in the midst of the pandemic lockdown. What was it like trying to learn a new job and get to know new teammates, all while working remotely?

There were absolutely challenges starting a new role remotely, mainly because I would have loved to form that in-person bond with my co-workers and artists right away. However, the team did such a great job of welcoming me and making me feel connected, even while working remotely. Everyone was always available to answer any questions I had and truly make me feel part of the team. 

3. What artists have you been working with in your first almost a year on the job, and what kinds of marketing initiatives have you worked on for them? Any proudest success stories so far?

I work with artists including Abbey Cone, Callista Clark, Laci Kaye Booth, Conner Smith, Heath Sanders, Jackson Dean, Ayron Jones, Violet Saturn and so many others. We really like to focus on creating organic, engaging content for fans to run with.

A moment that made me really proud was when Heath Sanders’ cover of “Faithfully” took off on TikTok and gained over one million views. Heath has really dived head first into that platform and made it his own, and he does a great job of interacting with and, in a way, befriending his fans, which I love. He’s really found a way to make the platform his own and show off both his personality and music. His numbers have more than doubled in the past nine months, and that’s been really rewarding to watch. 

4. Which other artists on the BMLG roster are you most excited to work with in the future?

We recently signed The Struts, and I’m stoked to work with them! Not only are they super talented, but they also have such great personalities, and they already have a big online presence, so it’ll be exciting to see how we can help expand that. I’m anxious to dig into creating content with them because they’re really hilarious, and nothing is off-limits with them. 

5. A lot of your time is spent with artists, creating social media content for their profiles. Where do you get your inspiration for content? Which social media platform(s) do you use with your artists most often?

I get my inspiration from a few things. I love to constantly be online and see what catches my eye and what new trends are forming. I’m on the platform so much, I sometimes have dreams about TikToks!

But I also really love to create content super tailored to the artist I am working with. My favorite part of the job is sitting down with the artist’s music, digging into the lyrics and really trying to find a story that can be told online and that fans can relate to. Right now we are all about TikTok! The platform is ever changing, and it’s amazing to see what fans do with the content.

A really cool moment was seeing Conner Smith’s “I Hate Alabama” go viral, and then take on a second life of its own after [University of] Alabama fans remixed it with “Sweet Home Alabama.” It’s wild what takes off on the app. 

6. Any funny/bizarre things that have happened when trying to create social media content with the artists you work with?

Nothing too bizarre yet, but a few funny stories! My most recent “oh-no” moment was when I realized I had an artist record some content in front of a green screen with a green hat on. I panicked at first when his head was blending into the screen, but luckily our amazing creative team was able to edit it and make it look okay.

7. You spent almost a year and a half at All Access. Are there certain things that you learned from your experience there that you’ve implemented into your new role? Are trade publications important to your work day/new role at BMLG?

I learned so much at All Access that I still apply today. Besides the basics like skills in writing and editing, I think the most important thing I learned is how to connect with people. All Access did an amazing job of teaching me how to not only interact with colleagues in the industry, but how to really connect with an artist and ask the questions that matter. 

As far as trade publications, I do still use them in my role at BMLG, mainly to keep-up-to date with competition! I can sometimes get so engulfed with only listening to BMLG artists, so it’s nice to be able to see what other music and industry events are happening in the world of Country. 

8. Before your time at All Access, you spent four years in radio. What are some things that you learned in that industry that you carry with you into your label role? In what ways do you think your past with radio helped you prepare for your position now? And what are some major differences between working in radio and working at a label?

Working at radio gave me invaluable preparation for working at a label. I worked as a Music Director during my time in radio, so I was always on the other end of promo calls with label staff. (That’s what actually made me want to eventually transition over to a label!) During those calls I could really tell how passionate regionals would get over their artists’ music, and how they would always fight to represent their artist and their story. I loved that attitude and dedication to the music, and I carry that with me today in the work I create. I always want to make sure any content we create reflects the artist, who they are and what they want to say. 

I would say a major difference between radio and working at a label is the personalities! They are both great in their own ways, but the world of radio will always be full of some of the funniest, craziest personalities I have encountered (in the best way!).

9. You’ve had a specialized background with radio and trade publications, but not with a label before now. What is your favorite thing about having a label position? What are some things you do day-to-day on the job that you enjoy?

Being able to work closely with the artists and their music is my favorite part of working for a label. As far as the day-to-day, I love when I have time to brainstorm with my co-workers. When we get to really dig in together and get creative, that’s when the magic happens. I also really love when I get together with an artist in person, we create content and it does well. It’s so rewarding to see the excitement on their face when they see an idea we had worked! 

10. As a young adult who is just beginning their journey in the music industry, specifically Country, what are some things that you've learned along the way that you wish you knew when you started? Do you have any advice for people interested in a label gig?

My advice for anyone interested in a label gig is advice that can apply to almost any industry: network, network, network. Someone gave me that advice my first year of college, and it has honestly what stuck with me ever since and made the greatest impact on my career. This industry is tight-knit, and the more people you know the better! You never know who can open what door for you. 

As a Florida native, what are some of the reasons you chose to move to Nashville? What are your favorite parts about living here?

I chose to move to Nashville because I l fell in love with the city and how it offers so much opportunity, yet still has that small-town feel to it. I love always being surrounded by music and by people who love music just as much as I do! My favorite parts of living here are meeting great people, exploring all of the great restaurants and also going to writer’s rounds. As much as I love Nashville, I definitely miss the beaches and warm weather in Florida! 

Who have been/are your biggest mentors in the music industry thus far?

There have been so many, and I am so grateful for that! Brett Holcomb was my mentor when I first started at my college radio station, and we are still in touch to this day. He really took the time to explain the industry to me and explain the importance of connections. 

Scott Fink at Hollywood Records has been another great one. I met Scott at the NAB Radio Show back in 2017, and he has been a great mentor ever since. He always took the time to answer my calls and answer all of my questions about the industry. 

[All Access’] Phyllis Stark and Monica Rivera [now with Audacy] have also been huge influences in my world! They taught me so much about Nashville and Country music as a whole in such a short time, and they also taught me how to really own and navigate my way around as a woman in the industry. They are great examples of what strong, successful women in the industry look like.