NASHVILLE, TN (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — CMA has tapped industry veteran Steve Moore to serve as their new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Moore, who will now step down from his post as Chairman of the Board, has been the interim leader of the Association since January.
As CEO, Moore will work closely with the CMA Board to develop strategies and long-range plans for the continued growth of the organization as well as manage external business relationships including the Association's numerous corporate sponsors and network television partner ABC.
"We conducted a coast-to-coast search to find the best possible candidates and there were many. But, I think it should come as no surprise that the best person was right here in Nashville," said Steve Buchanan, who steps up from President to Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. "Steve developed a tremendous affinity and acumen for the position while serving on an interim basis. We are thrilled that he was ultimately interested in making that a permanent role."
A native of Pasadena, Texas, Moore got his start in the industry after attending a Blood, Sweat & Tears concert while attending Lamar University, where he was studying to be a band director.
"I was working construction in the refineries at night most of the time, because I put myself through college. About halfway through that, I wanted to go and see Blood, Sweat & Tears coming to the college, but I didn't have the money – it was $6.75," Moore recalled. "I went to the back of the stage to see if I could get a job to see the concert, which I did. That's how I got introduced to the concert business."
After graduating, Moore launched a ticketing business, delivering tickets from his VW Beetle to a handful of venues in the Beaumont Texas area. He then moved to Houston, where he signed on with Lone Wolf Productions, which managed ZZ Top and other high-profile acts. Then, after launching his own booking agency, IBM, Independent Booking Management, he signed Stevie Ray Vaughan.
In 1984, Moore joined Pace Concerts, where he was booking theme parks including AstroWorld in Houston and Six Flags in Dallas. He then moved to Nashville, where he launched the Starwood Amphitheater. In 1992, he launched Moore Entertainment and continued for nine years, worked with numerous country artists and blues festivals. Eventually, he sold Moore Entertainment to TBA Presents and in 2005, joined AEG Live where he was named Senior Vice President.
"I approached this with a great deal of enthusiasm and passion for what this organization represents and what it could achieve on behalf of the industry," Moore said in regards to his new position. "The experience has been personally rewarding, professionally challenging, and I am very optimistic and eager to see what the future holds." – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
