Nashville Intern Emily Frech Highlights ACMs Country on the Green Fundraiser

Emily Frech, a senior marketing major from Erie, Colorado, spent the spring of 2026 interning with the Academy of Country Music (ACM) in Nashville, Tennessee. During her semester‑long placement, she helped organize Country on the Green, ACM’s flagship fundraising tournament held at Top Golf in Las Vegas. The experience confirmed for Frech that a career in music‑industry event production is the right path.

Frech’s journey began in college when her manager at the University of Nebraska‑Lincoln’s Huskers internship program urged her to apply for a position with ACM’s philanthropic arm. Although she was not selected for the first round, her manager encouraged her to try again. Frech followed the advice, submitted a new application, and was accepted. The internship placed her in a three‑person team responsible for all aspects of Country on the Green, a high‑profile event that raises money for the ACM’s Lifting Lives program.

Country on the Green combines a golf tournament with a live country‑music concert featuring major artists. The event is hosted at a Top Golf venue, a company that operates golf‑based entertainment centers worldwide. In 2026, the tournament was held in Las Vegas, where ACM partnered with Top Golf to provide a venue that could accommodate both the sporting and musical components.

Frech’s role involved coordinating logistics, managing behind‑the‑scenes details, and ensuring that the event ran smoothly. She described the process as “touching every tiny detail of putting together a massive event.” When the tournament concluded and the stage was constructed for the concert, Frech said she was moved to tears, noting that the moment she saw months of planning come together was a turning point in her career.

The Academy of Country Music, founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, has long promoted country music across the western United States. Its philanthropic efforts, including the Lifting Lives program, aim to support community initiatives and music education. Frech’s internship offered her a front‑row view of how a nonprofit organization integrates fundraising with live entertainment.

Nashville, known as Music City, is a global hub for the country‑music industry. The city hosts major record labels, publishing houses, and studios, and is home to the ACM headquarters. Interns like Frech gain exposure to the city’s vibrant music scene, which is reflected in the high‑profile artists that perform at events such as Country on the Green.

Frech’s experience illustrates the value of hands‑on internships for students pursuing careers in music‑industry event production. By working on a large‑scale fundraiser, she gained practical skills in logistics, vendor coordination, and stage management—skills that are in demand across the industry.

The ACM’s partnership with Top Golf also highlights a broader trend of cross‑industry collaboration. Top Golf’s venues provide a unique setting that blends sport, technology, and entertainment, making them attractive locations for music‑industry events.

After completing her internship, Frech returned to Nebraska with a clearer sense of her professional direction. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the experience “was so surreal” and that it confirmed her desire to work in events.

The ACM continues to offer internships to college students each spring, providing them with exposure to the music industry’s philanthropic and event‑production side. Frech’s story is one of many that demonstrate how internships can shape career paths in the music business.

In summary, Emily Frech’s internship with the Academy of Country Music in Nashville allowed her to play a key role in the planning and execution of the Country on the Green fundraiser at Top Golf in Las Vegas. The experience reinforced her commitment to a career in music‑industry event production and highlighted the importance of hands‑on learning opportunities for aspiring professionals.