By Karina Timmel | Photo courtesy of Buckhead Theatre
Michele Rhea Caplinger
Job: Senior Executive Director, The Recording Academy, Atlanta
Born in: Hartford, Connecticut
Lives in: Vinings
Michele Rhea Caplinger exudes positive energy and a go-getter spirit. With music-theater roots under her belt, Caplinger arrived in Atlanta in the early ’80s, where she held music-business jobs by day (including talent booker, publicity director and party promoter) and recorded and performed in pop-rock bands by night. “I later was hired by national concert promoter/artist manager Charlie Brusco, who allowed me the fortunate experience of learning ‘the real music business.’ So, a lot of hard work, no sleep—literally—and ‘growing up’ prepared me for the position I currently hold, 14 years later, with The Recording Academy,” she says.
As senior executive director, she is involved in booking annual GRAMMY professional-development events for members, running the board and identifying those who qualify for membership (aka voting members of the GRAMMY Awards). Caplinger serves on many local boards and committees as well, including Friends of Georgia Music, the governing body that produces the annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show; No Losing Inc., founded by CCM hip-hop artist Sam Collier, an organization that empowers young people to have a winning mindset in life to achieve their goals; and Georgia Music Partners, an advocacy group that promotes the music business in the state of Georgia.
If there was more time in the day, what would she do? “I still love to dance and wish I had more time to do just that!”
Her Biggest Life Lesson
“Don’t take yourself so seriously …”
Michele is one of the best people I know, and am proud to call her a longtime friend. Over the years she has been continuously raising the bar that I strive toward in my own personal achievements by being not only a friend, but a strong and steadfast role model.