OUR TEAM

SHERIDAN GATES

CO-FOUNDER Sheridan is a multi-faceted songwriter, performer, mentor and manager. Her passion for helping female artists find their worth and feel fulfilled in the music business is what fuels her business and everyday life. In addition to co-founding New Roots, she manages the careers of Rock/Country artist Jenny Teator, Americana artist Mary Bragg, and hit songwriter/artist H. Jack Williams (The Oak Ridge Boys, Gregg Allman, Montgomery Gentry, and Kevin Costner & Modern West). She recently began co-managing Historic RCA Studio A, currently occupied by Grammy-winning producer-in-residence Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Anderson East, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Greta Van Fleet).

She spent three years working with multi #1 hit songwriters Clay Mills & Marty Dodson on their business, SongTown, as well as helping launch their publishing company, VibeCity Music. Her artist career has taken her around the country touring with The Nashville Trio, opening for an ACM/CMA Award winning artist, and working with Grammy-winning producer Matt Leigh.

Sheridan also serves on the board of Women in Music Nashville as the co-chair of events and is an active member of CMA. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Colin, and their fur baby, Deacon.

MARK THRESS

CO-FOUNDER Mark Thress, MM, MA, is an accomplished classical and commercial musician, with a wide range of experiences that have shaped his development as a well-rounded artist, performer, and scholar. His background includes 15+ years of experience on stage and in the studio, and approximately 100 hours in voice therapy clinics and operating room observation. Mark’s clients have had noteworthy success both nationally and internationally on National Tours, Broadway, Television, and Cruise Ships, with 3+ Billion digital streams, collaborations w/ Grammy-winning producers, opened for acts such as Taylor Swift, Paramore, Lady A, and Amy Grant, received sync deals for Amazon Prime Originals, and performed nationally and internationally at nearly every major stadium and commercial venue. He received recognition as the 1st Place Male Vocalist in the NATS National competition and produced the nation’s "Best Male Collegiate A Cappella Album" (CARA). Mark was also hired as surprise guest — by the VP of A&R from one of the "Big 3" major Record Label conglomerates — to perform at the famous Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Mark previously taught several courses at Belmont and Lipscomb University in Nashville, and is recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Ohio State University for his work as a mentor of young professionals in the music Industry.  He is both a CMA and SOLID member, and serves on the SOLID board as co-chair of the Music Market Committee.

DRACHEL WILSON

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Drachel is a singer-songwriter, model, vocal coach, and the content creator behind New Roots Empower’s social media networks! She moved to Nashville when she was 18 to further her music education at Belmont University, where she had the pleasure of connecting with Mark and Sheridan! From music to fashion, Drachel is passionate about all things feminine and beautiful, which sparked a strong connection with the mission of New Roots back in 2021. She feel’s so lucky to be a part of an organization that empowers female artists to follow their dreams! Outside of work, her greatest loves include travel, holistic wellness, frolicking in the sunshine, and my sweet husband Ryley!

My experience with New Roots was incredible. I love being able to help the next generation of artists find themselves through personal style.

—PAYTON DALE, CELEBRITY STYLIST, THE PAYTON PROJECT