People In The Industry Who Make A Difference
I want to take a moment to recognize people that interact with my business and that make my life a lot easier by being professional, working hard and doing it for the love of music. First and foremost, I want to thank my staff at The Lowry Agency. There is no way on this planet I could do what we do without them. I owe them everything and realize they make me look way better than I really am. I am so proud to be working with them and so very thankful for all that they do for me and for actually believing in what we do.
In a previous blog I wrote about Ray and Patti LeGrande (http://www.facebook.com/NashvilleMetalBands.) I just want to mention them again real quick because as we have gotten to know each other better, I can see I wasn’t wrong. They are not only great for the local rock/metal scene in Nashville; these are two people who truly care about everyone on a personal level. They are real, more real than most people I have ever met. I am truly blessed to call them friends first and business associates second. Thank you Ray and Patti!
One of the musicians that always steps up to the plate for me and helps is CJ Snare, the lead singer of “Firehouse” and “Rubicon Cross.” CJ has been a guest on “Live From Music City” 4 times and one of those as a co-host. A couple weeks ago, when a show was about to be cancelled, CJ stepped up to the plate with one hour and ten minutes to go, got his friend Chris Green to come on the show and knocked it out of the park again. CJ is always a great guest and such a gracious person. He truly adds a lot to every broadcast we do and it such a pleasure to have him on and we always have a blast. I have never, ever heard CJ utter a negative thing. He is as professional as they come. Thank you CJ for not being an unreachable person and looking past yourself to help others and spread your knowledge.
The one person here in Nashville that I think gets nowhere near the recognition she should is Dungeon Bonnie with Dungeon Promotions (www.dungeonpromotions.com.) This woman does so much promotion for the local scene and most definitely all for the love of music because she isn’t getting rich off of the industry here. Bonnie works harder than just about anyone I have ever scene and does it for so many bands. If one band put as much work into their career as Bonnie did in theirs, they might get somewhere. I am even more impressed because from what I see, most bands don’t appreciate her enough and really take advantage of her and yet she keeps plugging on, so here is a note to those bands. Get off your lazy butts, promote your shows that she does for you, quit ruining her reputation with your crappy online and in person behavior and work hard so that you actually get people to show up to a show she put you on so her business will grow. There is no point in her helping you if you aren’t going to take advantage of it and actually make something happen at a show she booked you on. It’s her reputation for the talent she brings in and if you don’t bring in fans, she shouldn’t be booking you anymore. And please don’t give me the its Nashville BS, Fools For Rowan kick your butts every time they play here. People, who want it, find a way to make it happen. Bonnie the Nashville rock and metal scene owe you a huge debt over the last couple years so let me thank you on behalf of them.
Bob Bender (www.bobbenderproductions.com) not only has been a guest many times on “Live From Music City,” but I have had the pleasure of listening to Bob speak at several events here in Nashville. Not only is Bob wiling to help and answer questions with people like me but also the local artist. There aren’t a whole lot people that to do that. Here’s to Bob and his willingness to help the scene grow just by being nice and always helping out the little guy!
Another person that I love working with that not only helps to get the word out with the major acts in rock and metal, but also small independent bands is Holly Jade with Metalholic Magazine (www.metalholicmagazine.com.) Holly is a great person, promoter and she also has the strength to keep pushing people in an industry where people can get burnt out real quick. Holly has also co-hosted “Live From Music City” with me once and hopefully with do it again. Thank you Holly for all you do!
Dan Shaw with Dream Row Productions (www.dreamrow.com) has come along way in his time here with the Nashville scene. Not only has he created the “Rock Over Broadway” series at the Hard Rock Cafe, he constantly is looking to work with other professionals to take the local scene to new heights at his own expense. It has been great to get to know him and work on a few things with him. Stay tuned for great things to come from Dream Row Productions in the near future! Dan, thank you for all your support and hard work!
So again I want to thank each and every one of you. You do make a huge difference in the music scene and I for one am a better person for knowing all of you. You make the job of The Lowry Agency a lot easier because you are top-notch professionals! Of course there are more to mention and I don’t want to leave anyone out but I will leave it for another blog.
Let’s make it happen!