The Country Music Association has appointed Brittany Schaffer as its next chief executive officer, marking a pivotal leadership transition for the genre’s primary trade organization with direct implications for rights holders, publishers, and radio programmers across the industry. Schaffer will officially assume the role on January 1, 2027, succeeding Sarah Trahern, who announced her retirement in January after leading the CMA since 2014. This strategic handover ensures continuity for the CMA’s staff, board, and members while reinforcing the organization’s influence in streaming, publishing, and live event markets.
From Streaming Strategy to Trade Leadership
Schaffer brings a unique blend of legal expertise and digital platform experience to the CMA helm. Prior to her current role as Dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University, she spent over a decade as an entertainment attorney at Loeb & Loeb. She later served as Head of Artist and Label Partnerships in Nashville at Spotify, where she shaped strategic initiatives for Country, Christian/Gospel, and Americana genres. Her background in digital rights and label partnerships positions her to navigate the evolving landscape of streaming revenue and content licensing that defines modern music business operations.
A Strategic Transition for Industry Continuity
The appointment follows a national search led by the CMA Board of Directors and executive search firm WME Nashville. Schaffer will join the CMA on September 8, 2026, as part of a transition plan designed to maintain operational stability. She currently serves on the CMA Board of Directors and the CMA Foundation Board, where she is Vice Chairman. Her deep ties to Nashville, dating back to her undergraduate years at Vanderbilt University, and her existing governance roles within the organization provide a foundation for immediate impact.
The CMA, which describes itself as the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre, oversees core initiatives including the CMA Awards, CMA Fest, and CMA Country Christmas. These events recently expanded their television and international reach, with the CMA Awards set to stream live on Netflix for the first time alongside its broadcast on ABC. Under Schaffer’s future leadership, the organization will continue to reinforce connectivity within the country music community and expand the genre’s influence beyond Nashville.
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