Cyndi Forman

VICE PRESIDENT OF CREATIVE, UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP

When Cyndi Forman packed her bags in 1996 to attend Belmont University, the road from Louisiana to Nashville was a familiar one. Her parents instilled a love of country music into their daughter at a tender age. Wayne and Peggy Forman have had cuts by legends such as Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn and George Strait. Forman credits them with her passion for country music. Being surrounded by songwriters as a child, she learned the art of recognizing and appreciating great songs.

After obtaining her Music Business degree from Belmont University, 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. She is also credited for signing and developing Hunter Hayes, to UMPG’s roster. Along with Hayes, she currently works with great names such as Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Chris Young, Sam Ellis, Striking Matches and newcomer, Caylee Hammack. Her current title is Vice President, Creative where her focus is 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 recognized Forman at their annual Women in Music City Awards in 2015. Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, alongside ASCAP, also honored Forman as the 2018 recipient of the Music City Milestone Award (MCMA). The MCMA recognizes a Belmont graduate who has achieved truly superlative success in the entertainment and music industries early in their career.