UTA and the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) joined forces for a Grammy-week celebration in Beverly Hills that encompassed all definitions of the word “agency.” The private reception offered a VIP sneak preview of a fascinating new exhibit at the UTA Artist Space, Ernie Barnes’ Where Music & Soul Live. Also in attendance were UTA Global Co-Head of Music Samantha Kirby Yoh, music-biz legend Steve Rifkind and multimedia star Jessica Alba, to name but a few luminaries. We were firmly instructed to be elsewhere. The exhibit will open to the public on 2/15.

UTA chief Jeremy Zimmer recalls to BBR’s Jimmie Allen that he was once an aspiring country songwriter as well, having crafted such down-home tunes as “Pellegrino Won’t Drink You off My Mind” and “My Truck Is Fuel-Efficient and Top-Rated for Safety.”

BMAC co-founders Willie “Prophet” Stiggers and Shawn Holiday flank Lamont Brown as all three tried to remember which of their 97 Grammy-week events was up next.

Femme It Forward boss Heather Lowery and UTA Co-Head of Global Music David Zedeck jointly decide to reject our proposal for an art exhibit of things we’ve doodled during editorial meetings.

Photos: Benjamin Shmikler/ABImages