Shelia Shipley Biddy became the first female head of a major record label in Nashville. As a child, she watched her father become changed by drugs and alcohol. Her father abused her mother physically and emotionally, and repeatedly threatened to kill their family. One fateful night, the family's faith in God proved to be their salvation. Shelia grew up fast, and took on more responsibility than any twelve-year-old should bear. When her dad later abandoned the family, she witnessed her mother's struggle to feed and clothe everyone without one penny of support or a backward glance from the father she had so loved. Married at sixteen, Shelia still graduated from high school as an honors student. When her husband was offered a radio job at WSM in Nashville, she reluctantly agreed to move away from the small town she loved so much. The decision proved to be a doorway into new world and a new career. Life threatening health issues and a near death experience changed her outlook on life but through tough choices, a strong faith in God, and answered prayers, Shelia overcame and preserved. Gaining entry in to the music business at Monument Records as a receptionist, she began to learn the business of music. Five years at RCA Records gave her the opportunity to begin a job as a radio promotion rep before joining MCA in the same capacity. As the years passed she proved her leadership savvy in radio promotion successfully working one hundred thirty nine number one country singles. When Decca Records was re-launched, Shelia became the first woman to sit at the helm of a Nashville record label. There, she continued the chart-topping success of multi-platinum country singer Mark Chesnutt and signed and successfully launched careers for Gary Allan and Lee Ann Womack. Shelia is one of the most respected music executives in Nashville, and is known for her integrity and leadership. Her moving story keeps readers riveted, and her strength of character is inspiring. The Music in My Review Mirror is an autobiography that proves anyone can overcome adversity and challenge to fulfill his or her dreams.
About the Author: Shelia Shipley Biddy is one of the most respected women in the music business. Her achievements span three decades and include a bevy of ground breaking career choices and numerous awards and recognitions. Biddy was Mirabella Magazine's Reader's Choice "1000 Women For The Nineties." She was voted Gavin Magazine's Country Promotion Vice President of the Year on three occasions and Nashville Life Magazine voted her one of "Nashville's Top 25 Most Influential Women." She was selected as one of the top career women in the music industry for Billboard's book, Women at the Top, and included in the 1998 edition of the Country Music Hall of Fame's Encyclopedia of Country Music." She was presented with the CRB (Country Radio Broadcasters) President's Award in March 2009, which recognized her significant contribution to the marketing, production, growth and development of the Country Radio Seminar, and the multiple services that Country Radio Broadcasters provide to the country radio and music communities. In 2012, she was inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame, an organization she co-founded in 1991. SOURCE is a nonprofit organization that supports women executives and professionals who work in all facets of the Nashville music industry. Shelia Shipley Biddy lives with her husband Ken Biddy just off Nashville's Music Row.