Ree was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated in 1981 from St. Mary’s University with a BS in Child Psychology and Studio Arts. Shortly after graduating from college, she held two jobs – a production potter for Sansei Pottery in St. Paul and a sales position for Wrensong Publishing, a newly formed division of her father’s, Reyn Guyer’s, development company Winsor Concepts (this company owns the patent on Nerf and Twister). The initial concept of Wrensong was to help professional jingle writers, like Billy Barber, in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area get their commercial songs recorded by major recording artists. Ree and her father initially signed single song contracts with these writers and began with just twenty songs.

In 1985, Ree landed her first cut with the help of her friend, Bob Doyle. “Little Things,” recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys, became a #1 single. Ree moved to Nashville in November 1985 to open the music row office where the company remains today. Wrensong signed their first staff writer in 1986, Jon Vezner. Within eighteen months, he had his first two singles: “Just Can’t Sit Down Music,” recorded by Mel McDaniel, and “Trainwreck of Emotion,” recorded by Lorrie Morgan, as well as cuts with Ronnie Milsap, Reba, and the award-winning song, “Where’ve You Been,” recorded by his wife, Kathy Mattea.

In the last few years, Ree has focused on developing singer/songwriters. She was pivotal in launching the artist/writer careers of Ashley Monroe, Jon Randall and Trevor Rosen, member of Old Dominion.

INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS

ASCAP Board of Directors - Nashville Board Member 2023 ACM  - Member & Awards Show Committee AIMP (Nashville) – President Chicks With Hits – Member CMA – Member Leadership Music – Alumnus Class of 1995 NMPA – Member NARAS/Leadership Music Mentoring Program – Founding committee NARAS – Member Young Turks - Founding member

Abbe is a 27-year veteran of the Nashville music business who has developed a well-rounded perspective of the industry from a variety of responsibilities.

In 1989, she began working for Capitol Records in the Sales and Marketing Department just as Garth Brooks was rocketing to superstardom. During the four years she worked for the label, she also had the opportunity to assist legendary producer and music industry icon, Jimmy Bowen. Before her departure in 1993, she was manager of Marketing and Catalog Development.

Nameche left Capitol to work with another industry legend, musician/producer James Stroud, who was president of Giant Records Nashville. In this capacity, she assisted Stroud in song searches for the giant artist roster, as well as for his individual production efforts. Abbe coordinated the production of the 1994 CMA album of the year, Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, a compilation of Nashville-based artists from various labels performing their versions of Eagles’ hits.

Joining Stroud at his next post as head of Dreamworks Records Nashville, she coordinated the development of Dreamworks principal executive, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s Prince of Egypt Nashville ‘inspired by’ CD. This project represented the efforts of 18 recording artists, 10 producers and 50 songwriters.

Realizing that her true love of the business was derived from the creators of the music, Abbe became Dreamworks Music Publishing Nashville’s creative director in 1997.  In this capacity, she was involved in all aspects of the music publishing business, which included pitching songs, scouting new talent, developing songwriters and managing an in-house administrative staff. During several acquisitions of the Dreamworks catalog, she was elevated to VP, Creative at Dimensional Music Publishing and continued to represent copyrights and composers purchased by S1 Songs America, Chrysalis Music Publishing and BMG/Chrysalis. She has worked with writers including Brett James, Hillary Lindsey, Chris Lindsey, James Slater and with the songs recorded by artists including; Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Martina McBride and Lady A.

After two years as general manager of independent music publisher Anchor Down Entertainment, she is currently the creative director at Wrensong working closely with owner/president, Ree Guyer, while representing the current artist/writer roster.

Prior to locating to Nashville, Nameche was a passenger and revenue forecasting analyst and advertising manager for New York Air, a regional jet carrier based out of New York’s LaGuardia offering commercial airline service to major North and Southeastern markets.

Abbe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina and is the proud mother of Harvey Haddix, a terrier mix named after the famed Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher.

INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS

ACM - Member AIMP - Member & Awards Show Committee CMA - Member Chicks With Hits - Co-Founder NARAS - Member / District Advocate

Maurna joined Wrensong in 2018 as the Director of Artist Management and Label Services for the ReeHits Label division. Although she calls St. Paul, Minnesota her home, she was originally born in Nashville and often refers to moving back to be, “…a little bit like coming home”. Maurna graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications & Advertising and upon graduation, she realized the profound impact that music played on her life; a passion that could not be overlooked. Inspired by the inner workings of the industry and ready to turn a passion into a career, she packed up and moved back to Nashville.

Maurna’s first job in Nashville was at Wrensong Publishing in 2012. She started in an administrative position and, in time, gained experience in writer relations, catalog management, song plugging and even glimpses of artist management. This is where she discovered her love for management and label services.

After a short leave working in hospitality management, she joined the Wrensong team once again in 2018 - this time as Director of Artist Management and Label Services. It is here where she serves as the collaborative partner in the ongoing career development of signed artists.

She works closely with Canadian Pop/Country duo, MTL - Music Travel Love, ensuring and securing the best possible business endeavors for the band, as well as elevating them to an impactful platform that generates the most success for both the band and Wrensong as a whole.

INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS

AIMP - Member & Awards Show Committee

AIMP Young Professional Committee / Nashville Chapter - Co-Chair