Women in Music Networking Night: Honoring Bettye Crutcher

Celebrate the closing of Stax Museum's Bettye Crutcher Exhibit with a networking night for women in Memphis music

Join us to celebrate the closing of the Bettye Crutcher exhibit, “Bettye’s Bin,” by honoring her legacy and strengthening the network of women building careers in Memphis music. Bettye Crutcher was Stax Records’ only female staff songwriter, and her story is a powerful reminder of why community and access matter in the music business.

This special evening is designed to build relationships and expand opportunities for women working in music. Expect guided icebreakers, speed networking, community conversation, and time to connect with Memphis-based professionals—from artists and songwriters to producers, engineers, managers, and more. Bring your contacts and socials, and come ready to grow your network!

Why Attend:

• Learn from real-world perspectives on challenges and best practices.
• Build mentorship connections—Berklee College of Music research shows 92% of women who were mentored report higher satisfaction with career growth.
• Celebrate and honor the legacy of a trailblazing woman in music.

Featured Panelists

Amanda Davis – Memphis-born audio engineer, educator, and musician uses her skills to empower others globally. As a Roosevelt University and SAE Institute graduate, she became SAE's first female Lab Supervisor and Music Theory instructor. In 2013, Davis’ touring career began when Janelle Monáe chose her as her Front of House Engineer. Davis has mixed artists such as Prince, Stevie Wonder, Jon Batiste, Olivia Rodrigo, Tank and the Bangas, and Ella Mai. She has mixed in renowned venues like The White House, Radio City Music Hall, Hollywood Bowl, The Grammys, Glastonbury Fest, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Sydney Opera House. Davis created "Linecheck, Women in Live Production," a mentoring program, and currently teaches a Live Mixing course at Berklee Online.

McKenzii Webster – The newly named Manager of the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy. McKenzii is a Memphis native who has spent her career as a creative strategist and music advocate, serving independent artists and building community within the Memphis music ecosystem. She has been a member of the Recording Academy since 2022 and was recently elected to a governor position on the Memphis Chapter Board. At Crosstown Arts, McKenzii led the Musician & Artist Services department, overseeing publishing administration, sync, and healthcare access programs that supported hundreds of local music creatives. McKenzii also produced educational programming, writing camps, and sync licensing initiatives through Crosstown Sync, helping land placements for Memphis music creatives. Beyond her role at Crosstown, she has worked as an artist manager and consultant – supporting artists with marketing, publishing, and career development strategies. Her background also includes programming work with Overton Park Shell and creative production for the documentary AMERI’KANA TV. McKenzii is a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, and Harris Institute in Toronto, ON, where she studied music business. McKenzii served as a contributing writer for EARMILK from 2016-2020. She served on the Music Export Memphis Artist Advisory Council from 2020-2024 and was named to the Memphis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 for 2025.

Susan Marshall – Recording artist, songwriter, producer Susan Marshall began her career Off-Broadway as a leading soprano in the Rep-Company Light Opera of Manhattan. She moved back to Memphis where she fronted rock-soul band The Mother Station (EastWest / Atlantic Records) after which she released five critically acclaimed solo albums and has contributed backing vocals on hundreds of others (Lenny Kravitz, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lucinda Williams, Al Green to name a few) which have garnered multiple gold and platinum record awards, as well as the distinction of having sung on six GRAMMY nominated records. She’s performed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Jazz Orchestra and is known for her 16 year residency at Itta Bena (above BB Kings). Susan’s appeared on Austin City Limits, The Late Show w/David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and the BBC’s "Later...with Jools Holland." She’s also been featured on PBS Sun Studio Sessions and Return to Sin City: A Tribute To Gram Parsons singing alongside Keith Richards and Norah Jones. Susan’s served as President and National Trustee of the Memphis’ Chapter of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY’S). She’s been voted Best Local Singer by Memphis Flyer’s “Best of Memphis”, named “Emissary of Memphis Music” and had her name read into the official Congressional record of the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Cohen and was recently honored with a brass star placed in front of the Orpheum’s Halloran Center along side other notable entertainers.

Keia Johnson (Moderator) – Memphis-based vocalist, educator, and creative entrepreneur with over a decade of professional experience in the arts and entertainment industry. She is the founder of KJ Management, an entertainment agency focused on artist development, brand marketing, and curating memorable live events. Keia has served as a Teaching Artist with the Orpheum Theatre Group and previously led the Vocal Department at Stax Music Academy, where she directed ensembles, developed curriculum, and mentored dozens of young artists. She holds a B.Sc. in Communications from Arkansas State University and an M.A. in Musical Theatre at Goldsmiths, University of London.