Variety Power of Women: Inaugural Nashville Event

The inaugural Variety Power of Women: Nashville, was created to honor and celebrate the extraordinary women of the music industry whose influence extends far beyond the stage. This event recognized Reba McEntire, Sheryl Crow, Mickey Guyton, and Kelsea Ballerini—iconic artists who not only shape culture through their artistry but also dedicate their platforms to philanthropy, advocacy, and community impact.
One of the most innovative and memorable elements of the first-ever Variety Power of Women: Nashville event was the creation of a custom house band composed entirely of musicians with direct ties to each honoree—Reba McEntire, Sheryl Crow, Mickey Guyton, and Kelsea Ballerini.
For the past 16 years, Variety’s Power of Women events in Los Angeles and New York have followed a celebrated format but have never featured live music as a central connective thread. Nashville’s inaugural edition provided a unique opportunity to reinvent the experience by integrating the city’s renowned music culture into the DNA of the event.
Rather than hiring a generic band or headline act, our team curated a lineup of top Nashville players who had personally performed with or shared deep professional ties to the honorees. This transformed the band from background entertainment into a living tribute, resonating with both the audience and honorees on a profoundly personal level.
The “surprise and delight” moment came when the band performed a medley of the honorees’ own songs—a powerful, heartfelt gesture that honored each woman’s artistry and philanthropic impact. It not only energized the ballroom but also created a once-in-a-lifetime moment that tied the honorees, their music, and their charitable work together in a way no previous Power of Women event had attempted.
This concept was unusual, bold, and distinctly Nashville: blending the city’s legendary collaborative spirit with Variety’s iconic brand identity. By marrying personal connections, artistry, and storytelling through music, the event redefined what a philanthropic celebration could feel like—transforming a hotel ballroom into a high-fashion, multi-sensory awards show experience that was both exclusive and unforgettable.