Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty Thursday announced four new appointments to the Tennessee Film, Entertainment & Music Commission. Joining the commission are Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville President and CEO Troy Tomlinson, who will also serve as chairman, Songwriter John Bettis, Jupiter Entertainment CEO Stephen Land, and Director/Producer, Owner of TackleBox Films and FORWARD Post Production Shaun Silva. The TFEMC represents entertainment industries across the state in music, film and television.
“I want to thank these talented industry professionals for their service and the invaluable insights they bring to the TFEMC,” Governor Haslam said. “Tennessee has a rich musical heritage and unique entertainment assets, and I look forward to working with the new commission members as we continue to cultivate a business environment that helps the industry thrive.”
“Promoting and assisting Tennessee’s dynamic entertainment industry is one of our foremost goals in economic development,” Commissioner Hagerty said. “The TFEMC is instrumental in helping us grow this business sector that is filled with a depth and breadth of industry talent and infrastructure unlike any other. I congratulate the newest members of the commission on their appointment and thank our current members for their continued leadership and service.”
New commission members include the following:
Troy Tomlinson
Chairman of the TFEMC
President and CEO Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville
Mr. Tomlinson has overseen the songwriting careers of artists such as Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, Alabama and many more. He guides the careers of hit songwriters Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Casey Beathard and Tony Martin to name a few. Tomlinson is also responsible for stewarding the massive song catalogs of Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, Hank Cochran, Roy Acuff and the Everly Brothers.
John Bettis
Award-Winning Songwriter
Mr. Bettis has written songs recorded by some of the most well-known and celebrated artists in the music industry including Michael Jackson, George Strait, Celine Dion, Madonna, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, The Carpenters, Conway Twitty, Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Dionne Warwick, America, Jennifer Warnes and scores of others. He has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, three Grammys and three Emmys. Bettis received Emmys for “One Moment in Time,” the theme for the 1988 Olympics, and for “Where There Is Hope” in 2003.
Stephen Land
CEO of Jupiter Entertainment
Mr. Land is among America’s most prolific television creators/producers with a career spanning over two decades. He has developed and executive produced series and specials for virtually every major media company. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Knoxville, Tenn., Jupiter Entertainment is actively engaged in developing and producing a broad mix of award-winning programs for a host of cable television groups. Among their highly rated series are “Sons of Guns” (Discovery), “Snapped” (Oxygen), “Wild West Alaska” (Animal Planet), “Homicide Hunter” (ID), Biography (A&E), “Welcome to Myrtle Manor” (TLC) and “Modern Marvels” (History).
Shaun Silva
Director/Producer, Owner of TackleBox Films and FORWARD Post Production
With a portfolio ranging from documentary films, TV, national spots and award winning music videos, Mr. Silva is consistently recognized for his artistic vision, creative branding and most of all, his story-telling sensibilities. His credits include national commercials for Doritos, GEICO and Weber Grills along with videos for artists such as Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts and 3 Doors Down to name a few. Silva is also responsible for the critically acclaimed documentary “Boys of Fall,” which enjoyed two years of regular programming on ESPN and ABC networks and led to more sports documentaries including “The Color Orange” and “The Irrelevant Giant.”
The new commission members will serve alongside current members Craig Brewer, director and screenwriter; Rod Essig, agent and partner, Creative Artists Agency; Jay Frank, owner and CEO, DigSin; Susan Packard, co-founder of Scripps Networks Interactive and former chief operating officer of HGTV; and David Porter, songwriter and producer. Mike Curb, founder of Curb Records, will step down from chairing the commission and serve as Chairman Emeritus.