Charlotte is stepping into its identity as a true music city—and few people have been more instrumental in that journey than Rick Thurmond, CMO of Charlotte Center City Partners and founder of Music Everywhere CLT and Confluence Carolinas.
In this episode, host Terry Hudson, The DreamMaker, sits down with Rick to unpack the vision behind Confluence, the Carolinas’ premier music industry conference. Together they explore how the event brings artists, fans, and industry leaders together, why Charlotte’s music scene is gaining national recognition, and what opportunities await for creatives who show up.
From pandemic pivots that helped save local venues to curating a powerhouse lineup of 2025 speakers, Rick shares how strategic partnerships, community building, and bold ideas are transforming the region’s cultural future.
Whether you’re an artist looking for growth, an industry pro hungry for connections, or a fan of Charlotte’s creative rise—this conversation will give you a front-row seat to the movement.
About Me – Rick Thurmond
Rick Thurmond is Chief Marketing Officer at Charlotte Center City Partners, a nonprofit focused on economic, community, and cultural development in the urban core of Charlotte, NC. He also leads Music Everywhere CLT, a nonprofit initiative to develop Charlotte’s music ecosystem, and produces Confluence, the Carolinas #1 music industry conference and showcase fest. Prior to joining Charlotte Center City Partners, Rick was editor and publisher of Charlotte magazine.Rick Thurmond | Confluence & Charlotte’s Rise as a Music City
Confluence Carolinas: Building Charlotte’s Music Future
In this episode of Local Music Somewhere, host Terry Hudson (aka Dream Maker) dives deep into the music heartbeat of Charlotte with Rick Thurmond, Chief Marketing Officer for Center City Partners and the visionary behind Confluence Carolinas — a groundbreaking music conference designed to grow the region’s creative ecosystem.
This conversation isn’t just about an event — it’s about a movement. Together, Terry and Rick explore how Confluence has become a launchpad for independent artists, managers, and entrepreneurs ready to shape the future of music in the Carolinas.
A Vision for the Charlotte Music Ecosystem
Rick explains that Confluence was born from research, collaboration, and one big realization: Charlotte has all the right pieces to be a regional hub for music.
“It became clear that Charlotte, a great opportunity for Charlotte, was to position ourselves as a regional hub for music.”
He shares how Music Everywhere CLT and Center City Partners teamed up to connect the dots — linking artists, venues, and industry pros from across the Carolinas. With Charlotte’s growth, accessibility, and business infrastructure, it’s now a natural meeting point for creative minds from D.C. to Atlanta.
Confluence Carolinas: Where Artists and Industry Meet
Set for October 8–11, 2025, Confluence is not your typical music conference. It’s a hybrid of fan experience and industry networking, blending panels, performances, and mentorship into one high-energy weekend.
Terry highlights how the event is structured for accessibility — intimate sessions, real conversations, and networking that actually sticks. As Rick puts it, this is about building relationships, not collecting business cards.
Featured Topics at Confluence
- Artist Management Power Moves – Guidance for new and experienced managers alike.
- Turning Fans into Movements – Exploring superfan platforms that redefine fan engagement.
- Cracking the A&R Code – Understanding modern artist discovery.
- Finding the Cash in Sync & Licensing – Unlocking new revenue paths for independent artists.
Rick reveals that this year’s lineup will feature forward-thinking founders from EVEN, Single, and Volcano, sharing how artists can connect directly with fans and create sustainable income streams.
Highlights: Big Names, Real Access
This year’s Confluence brings in heavy hitters like:
- Panos Panay, President of the Recording Academy (Grammys)
- Roger Brown, former President of Berklee College of Music
- Shri Hu, leading music technologist and keynote speaker for the Music Tech Summit
These conversations promise rare insight into how the modern music industry operates — from the Grammy nomination process to the evolution of music tech and fan monetization.
“We wanted to build a conference for where the industry is going, not where it’s been.”
Concerts, Venues, and Community
Beyond panels and talks, Confluence comes alive with live music across seven venues in Charlotte’s NoDa and Plaza Midwood neighborhoods. Fans can grab an all-access pass and discover fresh acts from across genres in walkable, intimate settings.
The conference celebrates independent venues and gives audiences a chance to experience Charlotte’s real music pulse — where talent and community collide.
Why Artists Can’t Miss Confluence Carolinas
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Artists:
- Build authentic relationships — not just contacts.
- Learn how to monetize through superfan platforms and sync licensing.
- Get inspired by leaders from the Recording Academy, Berklee, and top tech startups.
- Experience Charlotte’s indie scene up close across multiple venues.
- Network in an environment built for accessibility and collaboration.
Final Thoughts
Terry and Rick’s conversation is more than an interview — it’s a roadmap for the future of music in Charlotte and beyond. Confluence Carolinas is positioning the Queen City as a music capital of the Southeast, connecting creative minds who believe in innovation, authenticity, and collaboration.
Confluence Carolinas 2025 takes place October 8–11 at The Union in Wesley Heights, Charlotte, NC.
Artists, fans, and industry pros alike — this is the one conference you don’t want to miss.
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