Contributors
Tony Grotticelli is a driven, Florida-born Sicilian with a passion for making a lasting difference in the music industry. Although his original intent on venturing to Nashville was to become a professional saxophonist, his career path has taken quite a different turn.
While still a student at Belmont University, Tony created his own brand marketing, design and fan/artist relations company, TOGA Entertainment, where he currently serves as President. The company is only three years old, but is building significant momentum and maintains an impressive client list including Fueled by Ramen’s Fall Out Boy, RCA’s Gavin DeGraw, Epic’s Ben Folds, and many more.
Additionally, Tony has worked in conjunction with Orbison Records/Orbison Estate, Still Working Music, and Lytle Management Group, playing an integral role in the online and digital presences of recording artists Roy Orbison, Universal Music’s Gary Allan and RCA’s Chris Young, to name a few.
Highly active in Nashville’s professional community, Tony is also a member of SOLID, a music business networking group committed to improving the future success of the industry via university outreach, workshops, community service events and leadership summits.
Website | www.togaentertainment.com
Randall Foster is Licensing and Business Development Manager at Naxos, “The World’s
Leading Classical Music Label.” He oversees all music licensing and secondary exploitation of Naxos, distributed label recordings and video product for the Americas. In addition to licensing, Randall oversees Business Development, Product Management of The Naxos Music Library, a digital streaming service and is acting label head for “Naxos Wind Band Classics”, an imprint specializing in music of the international band movement.
While at Naxos, Randall has developed their licensing platform into a robust revenue stream placing music in Hollywood blockbusters, independent film, TV/Radio commercial advertising, streaming media, download, video/audio on demand services, videogames, promotional compilations and everywhere in between. Randall’s work in business development includes content acquisition and distribution deals, strategic partnerships, new media partnerships/deal structures. Randall specializes in music licensing, copyright law and business development, but his true business passions lie in new media and digital music which represent the true future of the Music business.
Randall holds a Master’s Degree in Music Business and Entertainment Industries from the University of Miami. He is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMYs), serves on the board of ALIAS, a non-profit dedicated to music education and philanthropic outreach, and serves on committees for both the Nashville Film Festival and the College Music Society’s Music Industry Committee. In addition to these activities, Randall is a member of various trade organizations including the Society of Leaders In Development (SOLID), the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association, Digital Nashville and the American Bandmasters Association. Randall keeps an active lecturing and speaking schedule making appearances at various Universities and conferences including Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, the University of Miami, Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Texas at El Paso, the College Music Society, Major Orchestra Librarian’s Association, Society for Scholarly Publishing, and the Music Library Association.
Website | www.musicalfoster.com
Janet Hagan is the ecommerce marketing manager at Naxos of America, the largest distributor of independent classical music in the world. She is directly responsible for NaxosDirect.com, the online physical retail store for the Naxos Family of Distributed Labels, which sells the best in classical, jazz, blues, ballet and other performance CDs, DVDs and AudioBooks. She also heads up all Marketplace efforts, including Amazon, and manages all relationships with NaxosDirect’s 18 Partner Program Affiliates. In a down economy and a shaky industry, Janet has managed to more than double NaxosDirect and Marketplace revenue in the last year with the company.
Janet has worked for the award-winning, London-based agency Michaelides & Bednash and has been at the helm of marketing, advertising and branding efforts at several start-ups in Texas and New York City. She is an avid writer, is the organizer of the Children’s Fiction Writing Meetup Group, is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, is a child sponsor through Children International and volunteers with Meals on Wheels. In addition, she is a professional children’s book editor, and runs the demented Social Deviants blog with partner in crime, Taylor Vick. Janet holds a BA in Journalism degree from SMU.
Website | www.thesocialdeviants.com
Taylor Vick currently works for Point 3 Media. She is an avid student of all things new media, marketing and SEO/SEM. In addition to working at Point 3 Media, she shares a joint venture with Janet Hagan as the Social Deviants. Social Deviants is an avenue for Taylor and Janet to blog, engage in conferences and speak at local and national events. Taylor was also recently awarded a research grant from the University of Miami for social media.
Taylor has also worked for Naxos of America, Universal Records, Taylor’d Productions, eHeart Records, Opening Bell, the Radio Spot, and Sands Entertainment. While she was at Naxos of America, she achieved growth in all social media avenues, and also managed the Naxos Global brand online. Somehow between all that she has a passion for wine, food, sports and travel. She is involved with SOLID, the Tri-Delta Alumni Association as well as the University of Miami Alumni Association. She graduated from the University of Miami with a BM in Music Industry and Entertainment Industries in 2007.
Website | www.thesocialdeviants.com
We’re not married. We’re siblings, not spouses. Matthew is an artist, and has been from the time he could grasp the concept of creativity. Courtenay is a planner and loves people. Matthew had the insight to start his own company in 2006 while Courtenay played it “safe” for a while before realizing her destiny was in Franklin, Tennessee. Primarily Rye was reborn in 2009 with the unity of a brother and sister.
Primarily Rye is a branding, design and creative strategy firm located in historic downtown Franklin, TN. We create brands, experiences and stories, along with the appropriate tools to promote them. The Rye is research driven and we refuse to follow popular fads or fickle trends. We harvest great ideas and partner with strategic alliances to bring them to fruition.
Matthew holds a BA in Graphic Design and minors in Intaglio and Studio Art. He’s worked with clients such as O’Charley’s, the March of Dimes, Peta, the Heritage Foundation and ADS Security, assisting them with creative concepts and solid strategies.
Courtenay graduated from the University of Mississippi with a BA in French and was commissioned as a Naval Officer after 3 years of ROTC. She served as the Undersea Warfare Officer and Public Affairs Officer onboard the USS Hopper, a guided missile destroyer out of Pearl Harbor. She joined Matthew in 2009 as the Account Executive for Primarily Rye, where she is the project manager and business developer. Courtenay is the proud mom of Clair Damon and likes to think she can cook a decent meal and pair it with a yummy wine. She’s also obsessed with finding the best cheeseburger in Nashville.
Website | www.siblingsnotspouses.com
I’m a Christ follower with an undeniable calling to empower leaders to build businesses that change the world. My faith defines and sustains me.
In the past, I’ve:
* waited tables in the restaurant industry
* worked as an emergency medical technician
* served in the United States Air Force
* built F15 weapons systems for a defense contractor
* performed music professionally
I’ve always been a natural leader and an entrepreneur. I love to master jobs, skills, and activities. Shortly after, I like to break those things and develop something new; something better.
Right now, I’m breaking the real estate industry with my team, The Silva Group. When it comes to serving clients, we don’t just think outside the box; we burn the box.
Website | www.kennysilva.net
Shad Reed grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has loved hip-hop ever since Snoop Doggy Dogg stood on top of V.I.P. Records in Long Beach, California, and had everyone in the country saying his name.
Shad first moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in the fall of 2006 when he transferred to Belmont University to pursue a career in the music business. After exploring a variety of possibilities in the field, from recording to production to publishing, he finally found his niche in music journalism. He was then given the wonderful opportunity to intern at Billboard Magazine’s Nashville offices in the spring of 2008. Once the internship ended, he continued to write hip-hop and R&B single reviews for the magazine and pursue other freelance writing opportunities. He also did A&R work for NSAI in summer 2008.
In the winter of 2010, Shad moved back to Grand Rapids. During this time he had a stint in St. Paul, Minnesota and assisted with a Hip-Hop Diploma Studies curriculum. Shad has also meet with former Shady Records recording artist Obie Trice and his manager about working with Trice’s new label, Black Market Entertainment. It was then that he decided to head to Nashville a second time.
Shad finally made the move back to Music City in April 2011. Currently, in addition to writing for Music City Interactive, he is also working on a book.
“I went through a lot, especially when I returned to Grand Rapids after leaving St. Paul,” Shad said. ”I love Nashville and I feel fortunate to get another chance. But like LL Cool J said, ‘Don’t call it a comeback. I’ve been here for years.’ [laughs] Lastly, and in all seriousness, I would like to thank my family and friends for all of their support and encouragement. I promise to do my best to make you all proud.
Shad encourages feedback and comments on his posts. He can be contacted at SReed0508@gmail.com
