Stephen Wade Steps Down As Chair
The Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC)’s inaugural and long-standing Chair, Stephen Wade (Select Music) is stepping down as Chair, effective immediately. Stephen was a key player in the formation of the ALMBC during COVID in 2020, at a time when the small to medium players in the music industry were simply being ignored. He has ensured the organisation is representing the small to medium business that make up the grass roots of the live music business whilst delivering significant outcomes for the industry as a whole.
Stephen will stay on as a board member for the foreseeable future.
Stephen Wade said: “I am extremely proud of all that we have managed to achieve since the formation of the ALMBC. During the worst times our industry has ever seen, I was lucky to work alongside so many incredible passionate people who care about the live music industry and the people who work within it.
I want to thank Stu, Phil, Smash, Sharlene, Howard for going above and beyond as well as all our board members who generously gave their time and most importantly the hundreds of people and businesses who have joined as ALMBC members.”
Co-founding board member and Deputy Chair Sharlene Harris (ALH) said; “Stephen’s tireless efforts and contribution as Chair to our organisation must be publicly acknowledged. The ALMBC would not be as strong, and so highly regarded as it is without Stephen’s leadership.”
Harris went on to say; “On behalf of the board and members, we thank Stephen for his hard work and dedication and for steering the ALMBC during the most difficult period the live music business has ever had.”
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Replacing Stephen as Chair is ALMBC Secretary Howard Adams, from Corner Soul Music (photo above).
Adams currently runs Corner Soul, a boutique entertainment law firm and talent management agency based in Sydney. His background is in corporate and tax law with over 30 years’ experience working in London, Sydney, throughout Asia and New York. He is also a musician, DJ and a lifelong music fan! He has been a board member and secretary of the ALMBC since 2021.
Howard said, “I’m looking forward to what the ALMBC can achieve in 2024. Our next ALMBC online session on February 28 invites key national players to discuss the state of the music industry. Then next month we will hold an in-person discussion on insurance with one of the key music State Bodies. Its an exciting start to ALMBC projects for the year.
These are really tough times, but together we can survive and thrive.”
Full Press Release here