Free A&R Contacts – October 2009After years in the music industry, I’ve figured out what the A&R can do for your music career… nothing. A&Rs are glorified road managers and bullshit peddlers to radio stations, whose sole purpose at a label is to act as a chaperone to the label’s Artists.
Hard to believe?
Think about it in terms of salary. The highest salary in the company is the CEO/President’s. It bottoms out at the lowliest bellboy in the parking garage. The CEO of SONY/BMG likely makes several million, but the average A&R salary is around $40,000. Ask yourself why you’re putting the weight of your career in the hands of an individual who makes less than an assistant manager at CVS?! The average A&R turnover yearly is around 90%, meaning that 90% of A&R’s in any given year lose their jobs, switch companies, or just leave the music industry altogether. A&R’s are literally a dime a dozen. Most enter the music industry because they’re the son, daughter or friend of a friend of a music executive. Not because of talent. So try to forget about any foolish notions of getting your “sound” discovered.
Still, for those of you who believe that A&R’s are the gatekeepers to your future, here is list of contacts, free of charge. I will update this list as often as I can, so keep checking back.
Sony Music (NYC)
Clive Davis
212-833-4700
clive.davis@sonymusic.com
So-So Def
Jermaine Dupri
404-888-9900
Sony Music (Nashville)
Jim Catino
615-301-4386
jim.catino@sonymusic.com
Star Trak Entertainment (The Neptunes)
Yaneley Arty
212-603-7840
yanley@startrackmusic.com
Virgin (UK)
Harry Lloyd-Jones
44-207-752-5203
harry.lloyd-jones@virginmusic.com
Want more contacts? Check out my latest A&R article HERE
October 8th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Nice writing style. I look forward to reading more in the future.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
So… These are the major ones… What about those “who really care” ???
October 9th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Karner, what are you talking about? Who are you quoting?
October 10th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I just called CLIVE DAVIS!! Left a message with his secretary – she gave me the okay to send over my stuff. I just called FREAKIN CLIVE DAVIS!!
October 30th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Hey how u doing my name is Alex
am an unsigned artist from England uk looking for a major record label
and manager,producer, i would like to promote my talents and I would be
grateful if you could please check my music on
http://www.myspace.com/1star1net1place
October 31st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Alex,
Some of your production could have potential. Did you produce any of it? I noticed from your bio that you seem bent on the whole major label thing…I would advise not to go down that route. It’s not where the industry’s at today. The majors even just inked a deal with Google to distribute music through Google search. It’s called “One Box”. The music world is marching towards indie niche and that’s where I think everyone’s head should be…
November 5th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Hi I am unsigned I have a group called Nova we are the hotest in Va check my music page at Folk76st@myspace.com we just tryn to get out foot in the door so we can go straight to da top
November 6th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD MANAGER AND POSSIABLY SENDING OUR r&B ARTISTS SONGS OUT TO THESE RECORD LABELS U HAVE PROVIDED…CHECK OUT OUR MYSPACE PAGE WE HAVE TEN SONGS UP THERE
November 6th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
we are not looking for a miracle over nite but jus a chance to doors open…
November 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
We tried the major label thing back a few years ago. We tried to get a few artists signed with Sony, Universal, J Records, etc. It was tough back then(circa 2005) and I imagine it’s even tougher now because the industry is in shambles. I wouldn’t discourage anybody from trying to get a record deal if they want to, but there are other options.
December 15th, 2009 at 4:27 am
HI, MY NAME IS DJDREAMWEEVA IM LOOKING TO SUBMIT MY BEATS TOLABELSAND ARTITS.PLEASECHECK OUT MY BEATS AT MYSPACE.COM/DJDREAMWEEVA
December 30th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Hello all,
My name is Peter Andrew Danzig and I am hoping to find a producer or recording label who may be interested in signing me or assisting me with getting my music out there. My website can be found at http://www.peterandrewdanzig.com and I hope that I can gain some valuable advice from others about how to break through the door. Currently, I have a stable small fan base and play many single shows but need some avice on next steps. Any ideas?
Peter
January 29th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Hello, how are you?! My group is called Da StreeTeam (due to the fact that we go out and promote ourselves). Like many others, we are persuing our career very seriously. We have started our own studio and producing our own music. We have an extensive following, but would to get your feedback. If you would not mind stopping by our page and taking a listen, we would appreciate it. Myspace.com/wearedastreeteam. Thank you in advance