CMT’s Longtime Music Chief Leslie Fram Pens Farewell to Staff as Country Industry Wonders About Channel’s Future

Leslie Fram, a trailblazer in the world of country music and beyond, has penned down a heartfelt letter that serves as a testament to her extraordinary journey. Her career at CMT stands out as an ode to inclusion, diversity, and unwavering support for women in the industry.

Leslie Fram, who served as Senior Vice President of Music Strategy and Talent for approximately 13 years at CMT, recently wrote a goodbye message to her colleagues that she shared on social media. This letter came just a few days after the channel experienced significant reductions in staff due to layoffs across various departments at its parent company Paramount Global.

For many years, Fram has been a significant figure within the country music industry, managing the music programming for all aspects of the channel. This included organizing events like the CMT Music Awards and series such as CMT Storytellers, Giants, and Crossroads, in addition to other duties. However, her influence extends beyond just the channel, as demonstrated by her farewell letter, indicating a high profile within Nashville.

One of my greatest accomplishments involves our more than ten-year backing of the ‘Next Women of Country’ program, which has boosted and highlighted over a hundred female artists across all platforms. We’ve also strived to advance the format by focusing on aspects such as inclusivity and diversity,” she states. She delved deep into these initiatives during her interviews with EbMaster in 2018, and more recently on our “Strictly Business” podcast; you can read her complete letter below.

With only 10 members left on the CMT team, the network’s future remains uncertain; a representative for the company declined to comment, and Nashville industry experts contacted by EbMaster were unable to predict what this future might entail. Despite Nashville’s abundance of award shows, the impact of cable television has been dwindling for years, and like other channels under Paramount believed to be focused on music, CMT’s music content has shifted primarily to late-night slots, making way for movies and reruns of shows such as “Roseanne,” “King of Queens,” and “The Golden Girls.” However, it is clear that the significant reduction in CMT’s staff and local presence is a setback for country music and the artists who create it.

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To My Dear CMT Family, Friends, Colleagues,

About thirteen years ago this month, I was granted a remarkable chance to serve as SVP/Music & Talent at CMT, working alongside my long-standing friend and guide, Brian Philips who was then the President of CMT. This transition from rock radio to country music television proved to be a crucial milestone in my professional journey. Together with the in-house experts, we embarked on constructing the next successful chapter for CMT. We went on to expand the music brand further, continuing to elevate the format’s stars and legends while providing a platform for emerging talents.

Over the span of years, our team has achieved countless significant milestones. These include making our debut at the ‘CMT Music Awards’ on CBS, reviving classic series such as ‘CMT Giants,’ where we paid tribute to legendary artists like Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill, and Alabama, and reintroducing the timeless ‘Storytellers’ format. Furthermore, we have created new music programming and specials such as ‘CMT Campfire Sessions,’ ‘CMT Summer Camp,’ and ‘CMT Smashing Glass,’ where we honored Tanya Tucker and Patti LaBelle. These are unforgettable experiences that I will cherish forever!

Without fail, ‘CMT Crossroads’ receives a heartfelt nod in every CMT production. My initial encounter with this franchise was the collaboration between Vince Gill and Sting at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom, and I was instantly swept away by the musical grandeur these performances exuded. We then orchestrated unparalleled pairings like Stevie Nicks with Lady A, Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves, Alicia Keys and Maren Morris, Halsey and Kelsea Ballerini, Shawn Mendes and Zac Brown, Nickelback and Hardy, and countless others. I am deeply thankful for the knowledge and brilliance of my colleagues, Executive Producers Margaret Comeaux and John Hamlin, whose contributions have made ‘Crossroads’ a reality, and so much more.

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is our more than ten years of backing for ‘Next Women of Country,’ a program dedicated to women with CMT. This initiative has assisted in showcasing and uplifting over 100 female artists across various platforms, and it has played a significant role in pushing the country music format towards greater inclusivity and diversity.

For several years, our team has been dedicated to expanding such prospects. In 2015, we launched the ‘Next Women of Country’ tour, an exclusive platform for women artists. This tour provided a performance space for up-and-coming talents like Kelsea Ballerini and supported established acts such as Martina McBride, Sara Evans, and Jennifer Nettles.

All along, we would constantly ask ourselves, ‘how can we do even better?’

We swiftly established an initiative called ‘Equal Play’ within CMT, aiming for a balanced 50/50 ratio of male and female participants across all CMT video content hours. With this new energy, we actively urged the industry to promote, endorse, and champion more women, and to take courageous steps towards reinforcing a comprehensive dedication to gender equality and representation. Over time, this idea evolved into the ‘CMT Equal Play Award,’ honoring artists who stand for diverse and underrepresented perspectives within the industry. Notable recipients of this honor include Jennifer Nettles, Linda Martell, and Shania Twain.

Additionally, we teamed up with Cameo Carlson, who is the President & CEO at mtheory, in establishing ‘CMT Equal Access’ aimed at enhancing assistance for artists from underrepresented groups. I am honored to mention that this initiative aligns closely with the forward-thinking leadership of Marva Smalls, the EVP of Public Affairs/Global Inclusion at Paramount, our collaborators in ‘Equal Access.’ This project has enabled us to collaborate not only with artists but also with management experts, thereby promoting diversity within the country music industry’s talent pool.

Reflecting on my time with CMT, I am deeply appreciative of the exceptional leaders such as Van Toffler, Bob Bakish, and Bruce Gillmer, among others, who have guided me throughout my journey. My heartfelt thanks go out to each one of you for your visionary insights and unwavering support.

To my extraordinary group, which includes Donna Duncan, Stacey Cato, Jordan Walker, Katrina Cooper, Jordan Hatton, Abbi Roth, Bryana Cielo, Margaret Comeaux, John Hamlin, Heather Graffagnino, Jackie Barba, Jim Craig, Cynthia Mangrum, Jodi Carmichael, Melissa Goldberg, Ali Marszalkowski, Quinn Brown, Cody Alan, Shanna Strassberg, Andy Luther (and our dedicated IT Team) and many more, we will forever be a close-knit family and team. Your friendship and encouragement have been my compass. I will always treasure the shared struggles and triumphs that we’ve experienced together.

To my esteemed former and current colleagues at Paramount and MTV, I’ve felt nothing but immense pride and education throughout our shared journey of work.

To our cherished Original CMT’ers – including the legendary Chet Flippo, Suzanne Norman, Martin Clayton, Anthony Barton, Lisa Chader, Lucia Folk, Cindy McLean Finke, Jim Raley, Jackie Jones, Lewis Bogach, John-Miller Monzon, Shane Caldwell, Tessa Jordan, Jennifer Danielson, Jen Hoogerhyde (Morrison), Alina Thompson and many others – I want to express my enduring affection with the words of Dolly: “I will always love you!

Lastly, let me express my heartfelt gratitude to the enchanting Nashville community and its exceptional artists. Your generosity and camaraderie have left an indelible mark on me, and I’ll forever cherish our friendship and your backing. Rest assured, your collaboration with this undisputed brand will endure for years to come.

Encouraging everyone, whether still here or moving on, there are only bright prospects in store for us all. As our media world continues to evolve, let’s make sure we support one another! A heartfelt thanks from me.

Leslie Fram

2024-10-01 22:49

CMT’s Longtime Music Chief Leslie Fram Pens Farewell to Staff as Country Industry Wonders About Channel’s Future

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