Music Business Panel

The Music Business Panel brings together powerhouse voices in the industry for an inspiring and insightful conversation about turning your music into income. The Music Business Panel, presented by PNC Bank, will be held at The Markland House at Flagler College Wednesday, Sept. 24. This event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required. To RSVP, click here.

Meet your Panelists:

Leslie Roberts:

As the Assistant Vice President of Creative at BMI in Nashville, Leslie Roberts is a catalyst for music talent and industry innovation as she wields her expertise to discover, nurture and elevate emerging affiliates across Country and Christian genres. With over 15 years of dedicated service to BMI, her responsibilities encompass supporting BMI’s extensive network of songwriters and publishers through creative and administrative guidance, while managing critical programs for the company. Roberts spearheads key networking events for BMI such as its Next Big Wave Mixer, where rising affiliates and industry leaders have a chance to build new relationships within the community, and redesigned the BMI Buzz monthly showcase that puts promising up-and-coming songwriters on the radar for a publishing deal. The Nashville native coordinates and hosts the BMI Christian Awards and BMI Country Awards and leads her team in booking exclusive BMI opportunities such as the Key West Songwriters Festival and the BMI Ryman Block Party.

As a respected member of the Nashville community, Roberts serves on the Association of Independent Music Publishers, the Gospel Music Association and Cumberland Heights board of directors. Throughout her career she has received multiple accolades including the AIMP Nashville “Song Champion of the Year” (2019) award, Music Row Magazine’s “Rising Women on the Row” (2016) and the Sheila Keeble Award from Cumberland Heights. Prior to her role at BMI, Leslie gained extensive experience during her five-year tenure at Sony BMG Nashville as Manager, Artist & Repertoire along with three years in publishing at Mighty Isis Music. Roberts balances her professional achievements with her personal life, enjoying time with her husband and two sons.

Kelly King:

Beginning her music industry career in 1994, Kelly King has created a legacy in the world of music. Throughout her journey, King has gained inspiration and found role models within her community through mentors such as Merlin Littlefield, Chuck Flood, Allen Shamblin, Don Sclitz, and many more. In those years, she worked alongside Mark Bright and played a major role in the signing of artists and hit songwriters such as Rascal Flatts and Brett James.

Within the first year with Brett James, over 40 cuts and various #1’s were accomplished and the numbers only grew through the years. After serving as creative director for various companies, she landed at Teracel Music and became a partner in the company. In addition to this new leadership, King then became a partner in Good Girl Music, which both co-venture with Sony Music.

In 2011, King branched out and began her own company, King Pen Music, and partnered with Warner Chappell Music on Brothers Osborne. With her first act signed to the company being Brothers Osborne, King Pen has grown as a company, while Kelly King has grown as a music industry leader. Since then, King Pen Music has flourished with many more songwriters and gifted creatives.

Trina Smith:

Trina Smith-Dort is the owner of Me Gusta Music, a publishing and record administration company founded in 2010. MGM supports over 600 clients – be it songwriters, publishers or labels – ensuring registrations and licensing are properly handled to maximize royalty collection. Based in Nashville, Smith-Dort started her career at Create Real Music (writers Kent Blazy, Chris Tompkins). She found her admin niche when she moved onto Words & Music, Copyright Administration and R2M Music before starting her own company. MGM current clients include Black Pumas, Big Loud Records, Blue Harbor Music, Cody Jinks, Cody Johnson, Combustion Music, Jonas Group Publishing, Old Dominion (various members), RareSpark Media Group, SMACKSongs/CTM, Welk Music. Smith-Dort was awarded AIMP Nashville’s “Song Champion of the Year” in 2022. She is a former AIMP Nashville board member and is a member of Leadership Music (Class of 2018), ACMs, CMAs