Cindy Watts

Cindy Watts spent more than two decades with The Tennessean and USA Today building a career as one of country music’s most respected journalists before taking a leap in 2020 to join an artist management company.  

During her time as a journalist, she toured with artists ranging from Cam to Garth Brooks and was a go-to for homegrown icons Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers and Charlie Daniels. Watts was also a trusted source for the day’s most noted country stars, including Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton and more. She conceptualized, booked and hosted the award-winning podcast Country Mile and was a popular red carpet host for The USA Today Network’s live stream programs. 

Watts is currently the senior writer for American Songwriter in Nashville and has been published in outlets including People Magazine, Country Insider, and CMA Closeup.

She serves as a PR consultant and podcast co-host for Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, and is a staff writer for Garth Brooks.

As a day-to-day manager, Watts created and executed launch plans for new artists that led her first act, Essex County, to garner 4 million streams in its first nine months on the market. She discovered new duo Kat & Alex, which Sony Music Nashville quickly signed. And, she headed projects for Chris Young, including opening the Chris Young Cafe on campus at his alma mater MTSU in Murfreesboro.  

Watts is a passionate advocate for country music, its artists and its fans. 

She believes the genre at its best is a voice for those who often feel unseen. When an honest song finds eager ears, it becomes a life anthem that empowers the listener and creates an enduring fan for the artist.