2025 SOURCE New Member Spotlight: Phillis Stark
- Stephanie Orr-Buttrey
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Phyllis Stark is a Nashville-based entertainment journalist and content producer who has been reporting extensively on the country music business (and loving every moment of it) for more than three decades, currently as Executive Radio Editor at Country Aircheck, which she joined in 2023.
Formerly the Nashville Bureau Chief for Billboard and, later, All Access, she has also served as Contributing Editor for the Country Music Association’s CMA Close Up magazine, VP/A&R for record label Robbins Nashville, Senior Content Editor at Cox Media Group, Digital Executive Producer/National Content for The E.W. Scripps Company, and music blogger/feature writer at MSN Music.
As a freelance writer, her work was seen in The Hollywood Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Country Weekly magazine, Nashville Arts & Entertainment magazine, New Jersey Monthly magazine, ABC Radio Networks, Taste Of Country, The Boot, and Best In Texas.
Best Piece of advice you’ve been given: When I left Billboard after 17 years, someone reminded me that we get so few breaks in our professional lives, and suggested I use that little bit of unexpected downtime doing something just for me, whether it was learning a new language, taking up a hobby, or just simply cleaning out the garage. I pass that advice on all the time when someone experiences that delightful rite of passage known as being laid off.
Favorite quote: Not to name drop, but when I interviewed Lionel Richie once, he told me that whenever he wakes up feeling like it's going to be a bad day, he squares up, looks at himself in the mirror and says, "You're Lionel Richie!" That still makes me laugh.
Fun fact: Lame party trick no one ever asks for, but I can sing the U.S. states in alphabetical order.
Social handles:
Anything else you would like to share? I'm excited to be joining SOURCE. I've reported on the SOURCE Awards the last couple of years, and have been so impressed by the organization's scope, membership, professionalism and ability to throw a great party!