Damon Whiteside is stepping down as CEO of The Academy of Nation Music (ACM) in June, after six-and-a-half years within the position.
Whiteside will stay CEO by means of June 30, 2026, after which will proceed serving because the CEO Emeritus for the rest of 2026.
ACM’s Board of Administrators has fashioned a search committee to establish his successor.
In line with the group, Whiteside has elevated ACM membership to the “largest and most various in its historical past” throughout his tenure, whereas strengthening its profitability.
ACM reviews that its earnings in 2025 elevated 150%, with 2026 earnings projected to develop one other 140%.
“I’m pleased with the whole lot we’ve got achieved collectively in my time on the Academy of Nation Music.”
Damon Whiteside, ACM
“I’m pleased with the whole lot we’ve got achieved collectively in my time on the Academy of Nation Music,” stated Whiteside.
“I’m grateful for the wonderful group that I’ve mentored and discovered from, our many strategic companions which have helped us proceed to innovate, in addition to the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives Boards for his or her management that can information the Academy into its vivid future.”
Based as a regional commerce group in Southern California in 1964, Whiteside led ACM by means of its relocation to Nashville in 2022.
He additionally expanded ACM franchises, together with ACM Our Nation, ACM sixtieth Gala, ACM Occasion for a Trigger Nashville, ACM Wine & Nation at Hearst Fort, and the annual Charley Satisfaction Inclusion Brunch.
[inline_mpu id=”2″
In addition, Whiteside executive produced ACM Honors, ACM Our Country, and ACM Awards, which he repositioned into a streaming-first event with Amazon Prime Video.
ACM stated the unique international streaming partnership, which is now in place by means of 2028, “considerably expanded” nation music’s attain to over 235 territories worldwide.
As Govt Producer, Whiteside broadened the present’s attain with cross-genre performances from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and the Backstreet Boys, in addition to the co-hosting pairing of Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks.
Most not too long ago, he produced the sold-out sixtieth Anniversary ACM Awards hosted by Reba McEntire, which the group says delivered greater than 70% year-over-year stay viewership development for Amazon Prime Video.
“Damon’s forward-thinking imaginative and prescient and management not solely strengthened ACM’s connection to the Nation Music group and trade, but additionally allowed us to draw new audiences world wide.”
Cris Lacy, ACM
In the meantime, ACM Lifting Lives, the group’s philanthropic accomplice, raised and distributed over $4 million through a Covid Response Fund, and has generated greater than $1.3 million in annual fundraising over the previous 12 months by means of new occasions and partnerships.
Beforehand, Whiteside spent greater than 15 years at The Walt Disney Firm, the place he helped launch Disney’s tween music enterprise and touring division.
He later joined the Nation Music Affiliation, initially as CMO, the place he oversaw advertising and marketing, content material manufacturing, and media technique throughout CMA’s portfolio of main franchises.
“Damon’s forward-thinking imaginative and prescient and management not solely strengthened ACM’s connection to the Nation Music group and trade, but additionally allowed us to draw new audiences world wide,” stated Cris Lacy, Chair, ACM Board of Administrators.
“The ACM Board is past grateful for his partnership, dedication, and fervour which have set the group up for continued success and influence effectively into the longer term.”
(Lacy was appointed Chair and President of the rebranded Warner Data Nashville (previously Warner Music Nashville) in November 2025.)Music Enterprise Worldwide
