Nashville’s Academy of Country Music names Andy Schuon CEO

The Academy of Country Music has hired veteran entertainment executive Andy Schuon as its new CEO. He will officially step into the role on Sept. 1 and be based in Nashville.

Schuon brings a wealth of experience to the country music trade organization. Working in radio, TV, digital media and more for the past four decades, he previously held senior roles at MTV, VH1, Warner Bros. Records, Universal Music Group, Ticketmaster and CBS Radio. Schuon was also involved in launching platforms and networks like MTV2, Farmclub.com, Pressplay and REVOLT TV, where he reportedly focused on innovating new ways to serve music to fans.

In accepting the new role, Schuon will take his leadership expertise to one of country music’s best-known institutions just as the genre’s artists top global charts.

“The most rewarding moments of my career have come from building for the future and embracing innovation while honoring the artists and creative communities that make music so powerful,” said Schuon. “Throughout every chapter, from radio and television to streaming, digital media and the music business, the constant has been the transformative power of music to bring people together.”

The Academy of Country Music was founded in Los Angeles in 1964 by a group of industry executives and country artists. It was first conceived as a Western-focused counterpart to the Nashville-centric Country Music Association, with a similar goal of promoting country music as an exciting and legitimate commercial music format. Over the years it pioneered events like the first ever country music awards show (in 1966), and continues to spotlight country music all across globe today. The ACM moved to Nashville in 2022. Schuon, who spent much of his career in Los Angeles and will now take the helm in Music City, embodies that evolution.

“The Academy of Country Music has long set the standard for recognizing excellence while championing the evolution of Country Music,” Schuon said in a press statement. “The organization has a remarkable legacy of celebrating the artists, songwriters, and industry professionals who define country music. As the genre continues to reach new audiences around the world, I see an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the Academy’s impact, deepen engagement with our members, artists, partners and fans while ensuring the organization continues to lead the industry through its next era of growth and innovation and help shape an even brighter future for country music.”

In March, former ACM CEO Damon Whiteside announced he would step down as the organization’s top executive. Whiteside served in the role for six years, beginning in 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Widespread industry disruptions included the postponement of that year’s ACM Awards, then the show’s pivot to a series of historic venues in Nashville without fans. When Whiteside announced his departure, he was credited with overseeing a large increase in the organization’s profitability, plus spearheading the ACM Awards’ move away from traditional broadcast television to an exclusive live-streaming deal with Amazon Prime Video in 2022.

Whiteside will continue to serve as CEO Emeritus for the remainder of 2026, working to help the organization transition to new leadership. Schuon was selected by a “comprehensive, nationwide search” overseen by the ACM board of directors and conducted by independent search firm ZRG Partners.

“Andy Schuon’s remarkable career reflects a lifelong commitment to innovation, creativity, and serving artists,” Cris Lacy, chair of the ACM Board of Directors, said in a press statement. “The ACM Board of Directors are excited to partner with Andy as we continue to strengthen the Academy’s impact, expand its reach, and create even greater value for our members and the country music community.”