It Takes a Village to Break an Artist
One of the biggest myths in the music business is that one big break or power player makes an artist's career. In reality, breaking an artist is a team effort with a whole lot of moving parts. We'll unpack and dissect the process, the players, and pitfalls of taking an act from obscure and unknown to trending topic.
Presenters
DEZ DICKERSON’s 42 year career as an artist, musician, producer, songwriter, executive, author, and entrepreneur includes five years as the original guitarist with Prince and The Revolution and five years as VP/A&R with StarSong Communications (now part of EMI). During his time as a member of the Revolution, Dez toured the U.S. and Europe extensively, as well as appearing on numerous network television programs and in nine music videos broadcast on MTV, VH-1 and numerous other outlets. He also appeared in the Warner Bros. motion picture "Purple Rain".
Dez has worked with and written for Grammy Award- winning producers Jimmy "Jam" Harris and Terry Lewis, as well as producer Narada Michael Walden (producer of Whitney Houston,
Aretha Franklin, Sheena Easton, and others). He has also written for Warner Bros. recording artists The Time, and Vanity 6. His music has appeared in the soundtracks of two films, "Purple Rain" and "National Lampoon's Summer Vacation".
Dez has worked as producer/executive producer on over 90 albums. These albums have garnered a total of 19 Dove award
nominations (winning 5) and one Grammy nomination. He currently serves as President/CEO of The Pavilion Group, comprised of Pavilion Entertainment and Pavilion Synergies (a strategic social marketing agency). He has released an autobiography entitled “My Time With Prince”, in which he chronicles his involvement in the meteoric rise of the pop icon, and is currently writing the follow up, entitled “Parties Weren’t Meant To Last”.
Sarah Baer works with 4Fini, the tour production company responsible for the Vans Warped Tour, Rockstar Taste of Chaos (North American & International), Rockstar Mayhem Festival and Country Throwdown. 4Fini produces more than 200 shows annually in more than 20 countries. Sarah’s role within the company is to oversee all Tour Marketing & Sponsorship, including branding, media partnerships, sponsorship and business development. The effective integration of corporate sponsors into the festival experience is at the center of 4Fini’s model, allowing ticket prices to always remain affordable. In addition, she is the primary artist booker & co-producer of the Country Throwdown Tour.
Additionally, she continues to support bands directly, by connecting artists with brands, lending credibility to sponsors. Sarah works with media partners like FUSE, MTV, FUEL, Alternative Press, Revolver and others to generate programming and content.
Before working for 4Fini, Sarah worked on the agency side. In 2009, the Sarah & team relocated to Nashville, TN to produce 4Fini’s newest touring adventure, Country Throwdown.
Jonathan Daniel began his music business career in a hair band on the sunset strip. Ten years ago, Jonathan founded Crush Management. Crush represents more than a dozen artists including Train, Sia, Matt Nathanson, Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, Travie Mc Coy and Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, Shaggy, Courtney Love, Chiddy Bang, Wavves and Butch Walker. In addition, Crush are partners in Angels & Kings bars in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Barcelona
Friday, March 16
