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Robert Deaton
Born
North Carolina
Occupations
Years active1985–present
Notable workCMA Awards
CMA Music Fest
Billboard Music Awards

Robert Deaton is an American film and television producer and director. Since 2007, he has been the executive producer of the Country Music Association Awards on ABC and was the executive producer of the Billboard Music Awards on NBC from 2018 to 2022. He first came to prominence producing and directing predominately country music videos as creator and founder of the production company, Deaton-Flanigen Productions (DFP). The firm's clientele included acts like Martina McBride, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, and numerous others. Through DFP, Deaton also worked on the opening title sequence for Monday Night Football and has directed or produced various commercials and television specials. In recent years, Deaton has worked as a producer on several albums for acts like Michael W. Smith, King Calaway, and Stone Cold Country, A 60th Anniversary Tribute to the Rolling Stones.

Early life

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Robert Deaton grew up largely in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His father worked in radio and television. Growing up, Deaton learned to play various instruments, including guitar and trumpet, and he played in several garage bands as a teenager.[1]

Career

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After high school, Deaton moved to Nashville. He first earned work shooting news for the ABC affiliate WKRN and then transitioned to the marketing department shooting promos and other marketing content. In the mid-1980s, Deaton met George Flanigen, and the two founded the production company, Deaton-Flanigen Productions (DFP).[1] The duo's early work included directing and producing regional commercials[2] and music videos.[3] By 1991, the firm had begun working with country music stars, creating music videos and other promotional material for Vern Gosdin,[4] Dolly Parton, Clint Black, Willie Nelson, and others. That year, Deaton also began directing and producing commercials for various companies and organizations, including the Los Angeles Lakers, through DFP.[5]

In 1992, Deaton began directing the opening sequence of ABC's Monday Night Football (MNF). The sequence featured Hank Williams Jr. performing a reworked version of his song, "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight," cut with clips of that night's competing teams.[6] Deaton won two Sports Emmy Awards in the first five years of working with MNF.[7] In 1994, the duo won its first Country Music Association (CMA) Award for directing the music video for Martina McBride's "Independence Day".[8] In 1995, Deaton was appointed to the CMA's board of directors.[9]

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Deaton continued directing music videos for acts like Diamond Rio, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn,[8][10][11] and Rascal Flatts.[12] The music video for Brooks & Dunn's "Believe" earned him his second CMA Award,[8] and he also earned four Grammy nominations for directing other music videos.[11] In 2003, Deaton pitched the idea of a television special to CBS that would showcase performances from the CMA Music Festival. The resultant two-hour special first aired in 2004 on CBS,[13] but would later move to ABC where it would become known as the CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock.[14] Deaton continues to serve as executive producer of the annual show.[15]

In 2005, Deaton directed the ABC television special Kenny Chesney: Somewhere in the Sun.[16] In 2006, he was named the consulting producer for the ABC broadcast of the CMA Awards.[17] In 2007, he was named producer where he worked alongside executive producer Walter C. Miller.[18] Deaton became the show's executive producer in 2008,[19] a title he continues to hold. In 2010, he became the executive producer of the CMA Country Christmas special that broadcasts annually on ABC.[15] In the ensuing years, he worked as executive producer on a variety of projects including a Rascal Flatts TV special on ABC in 2011,[20] an ABC reality singing competition series called Duets in 2012,[21] a Tim McGraw and Faith Hill residency (Soul 2 Soul) at The Venetian Las Vegas in 2012,[22] and the Michael W. Smith Christmas album, The Spirit of Christmas, in 2014.[23]

In 2015, Deaton served as executive producer for the feature film, American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry, which featured live performances and backstage interviews with artists like Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Blake Shelton.[24] The film was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Film in 2017.[11] In 2016, he produced the Fox musical television special, The Passion: New Orleans presented by Tyler Perry.[25] In 2017, he was signed by the United Talent Agency. That year, he also executive produced the Nashville segments of the Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief special[26] and was announced as the executive producer for the Billboard Music Awards ceremony on NBC.[27]

In 2018, Deaton made his feature film directorial debut (alongside George Flanigen) with Benched.[28] In 2021, Deaton extended his contract with the CMA for five years to remain the head of the association's television properties.[15] That year, he also became the executive producer of New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash, an annual New Year's Eve special on CBS.[29][30] In 2022, he served as executive producer of the documentary film, Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon.[31] In 2023, Deaton is producing Stone Cold Country, a Rolling Stones tribute album featuring various country artists including Brooks & Dunn, Elle King, Maren Morris, Eric Church, and others. The album is due to be released in March 2023.[32]

Credits

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Film

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List of feature film credits
Year Title Role Notes
2015 American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry[24] Executive producer
2018 Benched[28] Director Co-directed with George Flanigen
2022 Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon[31] Producer Documentary

Television

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List of television credits
Year Title Role Notes
2004–present CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock[33] Executive producer ABC annual TV special
(known as CMA: Best of Fest in 2020[34] and CMA Summer Jam in 2021)[35]
2005 Kenny Chesney: Somewhere in the Sun Producer ABC TV special
2006–present Country Music Association Awards Consulting producer (2006)
Producer (2007)
Executive producer (2008–present) 		ABC annual awards ceremony
2010–present CMA Country Christmas Executive producer ABC annual TV special
2011 Rascal Flatts: Nothing Like This Executive producer ABC TV special
2012 Duets Executive producer ABC reality competition series
2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: 50 Years of Beautiful Executive producer NBC TV special
2015 The Passion: New Orleans Executive producer Fox music TV special
2017 Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief Executive producer (Nashville segments)[26] Benefit concert TV special simulcast on multiple networks
2018–2022 Billboard Music Awards Executive producer NBC annual awards ceremony
2021–present New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash Executive producer CBS annual TV special

Music

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List of album credits
Year Album Artist Role Notes
2014 The Spirit of Christmas Michael W. Smith Executive producer US #16[36]
2019 Rivers King Calaway Executive producer[37]
2023 Stone Cold Country Various Executive producer The Rolling Stones tribute album

Nominations and awards

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Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
1994 Country Music Association Awards Music Video of the Year "Independence Day" by Martina McBride
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Won [8]
Academy of Country Music Awards Video of the Year Nominated [10]
1998 "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [10]
Country Music Association Awards Music Video of the Year Nominated [8]
Academy of Country Music Awards Video of the Year "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" by Diamond Rio
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [10]
2000 Country Music Association Awards Music Video of the Year "He Didn't Have to Be" by Brad Paisley
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [8]
Academy of Country Music Awards Video of the Year Nominated [10]
"Single White Female" by Chely Wright
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [10]
2001 Grammy Awards Best Short Form Music Video "What Do You Say" by Reba McEntire
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [11]
2003 Country Music Association Awards Music Video of the Year "Concrete Angel" by Martina McBride
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [8]
2004 Academy of Country Music Awards Video of the Year Nominated [10]
Grammy Awards Best Short Form Music Video Nominated [11]
2005 Country Music Association Awards Music Video of the Year "When I Think About Cheatin'" by Gretchen Wilson
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [8]
Academy of Country Music Awards Video of the Year "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big & Rich
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [10]
2006 Country Music Association Awards Music Video of the Year "8th of November" by Big & Rich
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [8]
"Believe" by Brooks & Dunn
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Won [8]
Academy of Country Music Awards Video of the Year Nominated [10]
Grammy Awards Best Short Form Music Video "God's Will" by Martina McBride
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [11]
2007 Country Music Association Awards Music Video of the Year "Anyway" by Martina McBride
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [8]
Academy of Country Music Awards Video of the Year "8th of November" by Big & Rich
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [10]
Grammy Awards Best Short Form Music Video Nominated [11]
2008 Academy of Country Music Awards Video of the Year "Lost in This Moment" by Big & Rich
(Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, co-directors) 		Nominated [10]
2017 Grammy Awards Best Music Film American Saturday Night: Live from the Grand Ole Opry
(Robert Deaton, co-producer) 		Nominated [11]

References

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  1. ^ a b Cantrell, LB (November 3, 2022). "My Music Row Story: Robert Deaton". Music Row. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "Wendy's ad may go nationwide". The Tennessean. May 26, 1987. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "Music Row gets some gold paving". The Tennessean. May 18, 1988. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  4. ^ Price, Mark (February 19, 1990). "FAYETTEVILLE'S ROBERT DEATON STIKES GOLD IN VIDEO BUSINESS". The Fayetteville Observer. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Sayao, Filomena (September 30, 1991). "Boom continues in video business". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Kerr, Robert (August 1, 1992). "Tennesseans kick off Monday night games". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  7. ^ Roland, Tom (August 29, 1997). "Bring in da football". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Past Winners and Nominees". Country Music Association. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  9. ^ Flippo, Chet (October 28, 1995). "CMA Elects Directors and Officers Aplenty for Board". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Nominees Search Results". Academy of Country Music. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "Robert Deaton". Grammy Awards. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Lee, Lisa (July 14, 2003). "RASCAL FLATTS DISCUSS THEIR RACY VIDEO". CMT. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  13. ^ Evans Price, Deborah (July 17, 2004). "CMA Fest Ready for TV Close-Up". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  14. ^ Keel, Beverly (November 8, 2008). "Fans are a big part of CMA Music Fest show on ABC". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Nicholson, Jessica (October 19, 2021). "Country Music Association Extends Contract With Executive Producer Robert Deaton". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  16. ^ "Kenny Chesney Takes ABC "Somewhere in the Sun"". The Futon Critic. May 26, 2005. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  17. ^ Beck, Ken (November 2, 2006). "High-def sound only one show highlight". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Tucker, Ken (November 10, 2007). "Big Country". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  19. ^ "Taylor Swift Wins Four, Including Entertainer of the Year, At 'The 43rd Annual CMA Awards". Country Music Online. November 12, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  20. ^ "RASCAL FLATTS CONFIRM ABC SPECIAL". CMT. January 18, 2011. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 8, 2012). "ABC Greenlights Music Competition Series 'Duets' Starring Kelly Clarkson For Summer". Deadline. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  22. ^ Katsilometes, John (December 7, 2012). "VENETIAN THEATER AND 'SOUL2SOUL' IS ROBERT DEATON'S NEW ARTISTIC 'CASA'". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  23. ^ Ailers, Hannahlee (August 20, 2014). "Michael W. Smith Announces Christmas Album With Country Artists". The Boot. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Watts, Cindy (October 2, 2015). "10 things to know about the 'Grand Ole Opry'". USA Today. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  25. ^ Stanhope, Kate (February 11, 2016). "Fox's Biblical Musical 'The Passion' Adds Singers Yolanda Adams and Michael W. Smith". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  26. ^ a b N'Duka, Amanda (October 6, 2017). "UTA Signs TV Producer-Director Robert Deaton". Deadline. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  27. ^ Otterson, Joe (November 28, 2017). "Billboard Music Awards Move From ABC to NBC in Multi-Year Deal". Variety. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Gardner, Kurt (August 14, 2018). "San Antonio Film Festival Review: The Baseball Comedy 'Benched'". Blog Critics. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  29. ^ Pederson, Erik (November 17, 2021). "'New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash': Hosts Set For CBS' Five-Hour Holiday Special". Deadline. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  30. ^ Iahn, Buddy (August 31, 2022). "CBS announces 2022 'New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash'". The Music Universe. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  31. ^ a b Bernstein, Jonathan (December 1, 2022). "Crisis of Faith: New Johnny Cash Movie Doesn't Know If It's a Documentary or a Sermon". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  32. ^ Iahn, Buddy (February 17, 2023). "Rolling Stones 'Stone Cold Country' tribute album gets release date". The Music Universe. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  33. ^ Bierly, Mandi (August 4, 2019). "Behind the Scenes of CMA Fest 2019's Must-See Collaborations". TV Insider. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  34. ^ Lelmkuehler, Matthew (July 8, 2020). "'CMA Best of Fest': 5 must-see performances from upcoming ABC special". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  35. ^ Spencer, Samuel (August 3, 2022). "'CMA Fest' Lineup: All the Performers on the ABC Special". Newsweek. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  36. ^ "Michael W. Smith - Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  37. ^ "The Bandmembers Of King Calaway Describe Their First Album, "Rivers"". AOL Build. October 7, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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