Tammy Hurt’s entire life has been about music – creating it, working in the industry, and helping others understand the role it plays not only in our hearts and our community but also in our economy. The daughter of a musician, Tammy learned firsthand about the art and business of music, and in the years since has built an undeniable reputation not only as a talented drummer, recording artist, and Emmy-nominated television and music producer but also as a fierce advocate for those who create the sounds we love to hear.
She began playing drums at age four and has been playing professionally since the age of 14. She has recorded with the GRAMMY-winning Indigo Girls, GRAMMY-winning producer Brendan O’Brien and GRAMMY-winning producer/mixer/engineer Nick DiDia. She has tracked for and performed live with numerous artists including Van Hunt, Michelle Malone and Wendy Bucklew at several Atlanta recording studios including her all-time favorite, Southern Tracks. Her past musical projects include Paper Dolls, She Said, Minority Rules, Superchick, duvasounds. Her current project is Sonic Rebel.
Tammy serves as Chair of the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees, and oversees the organization’s functions and policies, including the GRAMMY Awards. Serving her second term, she is only the third female, second Atlantan, and first openly LBGTQ+ person to hold the position in the Academy’s 66-year history. In this role, she also serves on the boards of GRAMMY Global Ventures, the Latin Recording Academy/Latin GRAMMY Awards, the GRAMMY Museum, and MusiCares, a non-profit that provides financial grants and a wide range of support resources to members of the industry.
She led the campaign that successfully passed the state of Georgia’s first standalone music tax incentive, the Georgia Music Investment Act, and was commended by Governor Brian Kemp for her impact on the music industry throughout the United States. She continues her advocacy efforts today as a member of the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Commission.
A musician, entrepreneur and music industry advocate, Tammy brings her passion, experience and insight to her role as Managing Partner of Placement Music.
