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Pollstar Honors Award: Barbara ‘Mother’ Hubbard, A.C.T.S.
Pollstar was proud to debut the inaugural Pollstar Honors Award for lifetime achievement to Barbara “Mother” Hubbard, whose work over several decades to educate aspiring concert professionals is evident in an industry now populated with her New Mexico State University graduates and others she has inspired.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen
introduced by CAA's John Huie
She may be retired from the NMSU program, but Hubbard’s work continues as executive director of NMSU’S A.C.T.S – American Collegiate Talent Showcase – scholarships she established and continues to support. Hubbard has received plenty of accolades in her life, but she was clearly moved at the Feb. 20 presentation in the one of the Omni Nashville ballrooms, where a SRO crowd greeted her with a standing ovation.
CAA’s John Huie introduced her after a video montage of her life and work that included testimonials from 4FINI’s Kevin Lyman, CAA’s Rod Essig and APA’s Troy Blakely. Huie was a little emotional too, as he said, “You are an amazing example; your leadership, your heart and your love exemplifies what faith and honor are.”
Hubbard’s voice cracked ever so slightly when she took the stage and looked into the front two rows, filled with students and interns.
“There’s nothing more rewarding that to have these young people that I have had the honor of being associated with being successful in this business,” she said. “When [I was told I would receive this award], I think I started crying because there’s something you believe in, because you love something and it’s really a part of you; to get an award for doing it.
“I can’t think of any reason to be here other than the success story of these young people that you see here in this first and second row. … I also would not be standing here right now if it were not for the friendships I’ve made here and the opportunities I’ve had in this business.
“I wouldn’t take a paycheck of any kind from anybody or trade it for what all I’ve gotten to learn and all the love I’ve received.”
Prior to the presentation, Hubbard was given a $25,000 donation to the A.C.T.S. scholarship fund by WME’s Kevin Neal, representing the International Entertainment Buyers Association.