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Walk A Mile In Our Shoes: Women In The Concert Industry
A welcoming vibe was set as guests walked into the panel room and were greeted with chocolates and wine, and one panel-goer was overheard saying, “This is where the single guys should be!”
But “Walk A Mile In Our Shoes: Women in the Concert Industry” quickly got down to the serious business of discussing the challenges and rewards for women in a male-dominated industry, and the ways women can support and mentor each other.
Coming from a broad cross’s Sally Williams marveled at the idea.
“It’s amazing there is an organized group,” she said. “You didn’t talk about being a woman and calling attention to something that we all know should be irrelevant.”
Live Nation’s Maureen Ford started with a company with six employees and found she was observing a lot, but not talking about work. “You didn’t talk about differences, because it was like talking about weakness. It wasn’t acceptable until the mid-’90s to have women mentors.” Natalie Stovall brought her experience as an artist to the table. “The issue is to be taken seriously,” she said. “The biggest discussion now is about women not being played on country radio,” she explained. “As we’ve already heard from different record companies in town, ‘we just signed a female.’ That fosters a competitive energy with fellow women and peers who you should be supporting. You want to see them have success, yet you’re competing.”
Rounder Records’ Tracy Gershon added that there’s a generational difference. “There’s been a cultural change. Now, there’s more support from other women than when we came up and there was that one token slot. I do feel that. It wasn’t you and I together, then. But we need men’s support, too. It’s about changing the conversation.”
Williams talked about the pre-panel planning calls, and during one such conference, dropped the F bomb. “Are we feminists? And what is feminism now?”
Smythe drew the loudest applause of the session with her answer.
“I think the word and meaning has changed over the years. For me, what it means is not setting women apart or elevating women from anyone else. It’s not a bad thing. My answer is, ‘Fuck yeah, I’m a feminist!”
Gardenhire pointed out that while there’s a dictionary meaning of “feminism,” there’s also been a negative connotation. “I’m absolutely a feminist,” she said. “But there’s a perception. You have to be out there to encourage and support your community.” Gershon echoed Smythe with another emphatic “Fuck yeah. How that word has changed. Years ago, it was ‘I’m gonna burn my bra!’ Now, it’s “Hey! I need that bra!’”
The panel also acknowledged that women face a double-edged sword as they age. Gershon said it’s an endemic problem particularly in the entertainment field. “My sister is an actress,” she explained. “She says, ‘I feel like a 25-year-old, and they think I’m an old lady.’”
Pollstar’s Shari Rice took the opportunity to invoke Barbara “Mother” Hubbard. “She is 87. If you don’t know her, you should. Google her.”
Insight Management’s Maria Brunner asked the panel how each member stays sane.
The answers came fast and furious: “Create your village in your personal life. Network and create a support group. Never be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be a martyr. Learn to delegate,” said Butcher.
“Shut down your tech sometimes. Know your limits and take vacations,” Smythe added.
“Saying ‘no.’ We don’t have to do it all. We don’t always have to say ‘yes,’” Williams said.
“Don’t apologize for taking time and saying ‘no,’” Rice said.
“Have a sense of humor when you call bullshit. For instance, ‘If he’s allowed to yell, why am I not allowed to cry?’” Butcher added to laughter.
Glasses of wine were distributed and the women toasted each other before breaking to a reception.