Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, alongside industry partner ASCAP, recently honored alumna Cyndi Forman as the latest recipient of the Music City Milestone Award (MCMA). Forman currently serves as the vice president for creative for Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville. The MCMA celebrates Belmont’s connection with Music Row while recognizing a Belmont graduate who has achieved truly superlative success in the entertainment and music industries early in their career. In addition to attendance from publishing executives and friends, Atlantic Records recording artist Hunter Hayes surprised Forman at the event in her honor–Forman is credited with signing and developing Hayes.
Curb College Instructor of Music Business Dan Keen noted, “”At the ceremony honoring Cyndi Forman our dean, Doug Howard, and I noticed that everyone who spoke in tribute to her not only commented on her success but how she did it. Every speaker praised her for the love and grace that she showers on the songwriters and colleagues with whom she works. As Doug Howard said, ‘Cyndi is a perfect example of what we strive for at Belmont University.’”
Forman said, “I am so grateful to have been honored by my alma mater, Belmont University, and ASCAP with the Music City Milestone Award. In 20 years of being part of the Music Row community, I’ve never felt so much love and support from my peers as I have this week. This recognition means so much, and I’m proud to be in the company of past recipients who I admire and respect.”
After obtaining her Music Business degree from Belmont, Forman became creative director at Balmur Entertainment. During her time at Balmur, she landed many cuts and was quickly recognized as a great “song person.” In 2002, she joined Almo Irving Music which became part of Universal Music Publishing Group in 2003 where she assumed the role of creative director.
After continued success, Forman was promoted to senior creative director and has been credited for securing many significant cuts. Along with Hunter Hayes, she currently works with great names such as Ryan Hurd, Sam Ellis and duo Striking Matches. Her current role focuses on furthering artist and writer development, leading the creative staff and finding key opportunities for UMPG writers and the UMPG Nashville catalog of songs.
In 2013, she was recognized as one of Music Row’s Rising Women on The Row by Music Row Magazine. The Nashville Business Journal also recently recognized Forman at their annual Women in Music City Awards.
Previous Music City Milestone Award recipients include Beka Tischker, Ben Vaughn, Ashley Gorley, Connie Harrington, Rusty Gaston, LeAnn Phelan and Carla Wallace.
