The 2013 Legacy Banquet

Young Alumnus of the Year Joshua Bailey ’04 During his years at Cedarville, Josh Bailey ’04 was involved in Student Court and Young Republicans, and served as the student organization President for DOE. In 2004, he completed his degree in public administration, and was promptly offered a position in Washington, D.C. Despite his desire to enroll in law school and work in politics, Josh followed the Lord’s leading to Nashville where he worked as a server in a restaurant before assisting world renowned live music producer Tom Jackson. It was in Nashville, that Josh met his wife, Kellyn (McCorkle) ’05, who shared his connection to Cedarville and helped introduce him to the record label side of the music industry. Josh began in an entry-level position with Fervent Records and transitioned with their staff when the company was purchased by Warner Music Group’s Christian division, Word Entertainment, in 2005. In 2009, Josh was promoted to Senior Vice President of Artist and Repertoire (A&R). Josh is responsible for recognizing and developing up-and-coming talent in today’s Christian music industry. He oversees a majority of the signings to A&R and works with mainstream parent company Warner Music Group to identify artists with crossover potential. He has been closely involved with several Grammy- and Dove-nominated projects, including Dove award-winning Artist of the Year Francesca Battistelli, and he has helped develop the careers of several acclaimed Christian artists including Big Daddy Weave, Group 1 Crew, Chris August, and Sidewalk Prophets. Josh also has direct management over A&R team members, and he strives to lead as a servant and “encourage their growth, as a team and as individuals, while pushing them in areas that will strengthen and stretch them.” Josh also serves on the leadership team at Word Entertainment to help cast and direct vision for the company. In addition to his work for A&R and Word Entertainment, Josh participates in local service projects and attends a weekly men’s Bible study. He and Kellyn are actively involved at Fellowship Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee. Josh is grateful for his experience at Cedarville, which he says “allowed me the opportunity to not only grow and develop in an important transitional time of life, but also gave me the expertise and resources to confidently enter the workplace.” He now tries to live by the words of Proverbs 3:5–7, recognizing that he is here to do whatever God wants him to do. Josh and Kellyn reside in Franklin, Tennessee, with their two daughters, Fletcher Lane and Bennett May.