Making It with Chris G.

Herb Gonzalez is a photographer and content creator. He’s also a Music Business student at Full Sail University. Still early in his career, he’s already taken photos for artists such as Flaming Lips, Sleeping with Sirens, LANY, Four Years Strong, Good Charlotte, and many more. In this episode we share his story as a photographer, musician, content creator, and student. You’ll learn some tips on taking better photos, and what kind of gear you’ll want to start off with, and much more.

http://www.lionthelion.com/https://www.instagram.com/lionthelion/

Adam Taylor is the Production Manager and Tour Manager of Big Machine recording artist Delta Rae. In this episode we discuss his journey of working at and producing shows at DIY Theater in Orlando, FL to traveling and touring the world with Delta Rae to working the Democratic National Convention and meeting Michelle Obama and much more. 

Welcome to another episode of Making It with Chris G where we have Conversations with people in the world of entertainment who are making it, from behind the scenes to the spotlight. Sharing their stories and insight to help you get one step closer to Making It.

SUBSCRIBE on iTunes: http://apple.co/2fzwTCK 

http://deltarae.com/https://www.instagram.com/deltarae/  https://twitter.com/DeltaRae https://www.facebook.com/deltarae

Welcome to our Thanksgiving Special. In this episode we feature 5 lessons from previous episodes from our guests Greg Rollett, Alex Knight, Christine Cameron, Katherine Forbes, and Erick Charles. These are 5 steps to help you build a foundation of reaching mastery in the entertainment business. 

Emily Kopp is a singer-songwriter that combines catchy vocals with in your face rock and roll. She’s a touring musician, songwriter, and backpacker. Emily has opened with artists such as Matchbox 20, Brandi Carlile, Michelle Branch, Parachute, Boyce Avenue, The Gin Blossoms, Marc Cohn, Phillip Phillips, and many more. As a songwriter she has had songs placed in commercials for brands such as Jet Blue, Mini Cooper, Urban Outfitters, Mary Kay, LG Mobile, Amazon, Honey Bunches of Oats, and many more. In 2016, she backpacked the world on a sabbatical having visited many wonderful places. In this interview we discuss her adventures of booking your own tours, hitting the road, backpacking the world, success in licensing songs, and her philosophies on life.

You can learn more about Emily at the following places. http://emilykoppmusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/emilykoppmusic/ http://www.facebook.com/EMILYKOPPMUSIC https://www.facebook.com/midnightriot/

Emily Kopp is a singer-songwriter that combines catchy vocals with in your face rock and roll. She’s a touring musician, songwriter, and backpacker. Emily has opened with artists such as Matchbox 20, Brandi Carlile, Michelle Branch, Parachute, Boyce Avenue, The Gin Blossoms, Marc Cohn, Phillip Phillips, and many more. As a songwriter she has had songs placed in commercials for brands such as Jet Blue, Mini Cooper, Urban Outfitters, Mary Kay, LG Mobile, Amazon, Honey Bunches of Oats, and many more. In 2016, she backpacked the world on a sabbatical having visited many wonderful places. In this interview we discuss her adventures of booking your own tours, hitting the road, backpacking the world, success in licensing songs, and her philosophies on life.

You can learn more about Emily at the following places.

http://emilykoppmusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/emilykoppmusic/ http://www.facebook.com/EMILYKOPPMUSIC https://www.facebook.com/midnightriot/

Hello World – Welcome Back Making It Nation!

Welcome to another episode of Making It with Chris G where we have Conversations with people in the world of entertainment who are making it, from behind the scenes to the spotlight. Sharing their stories and insight to help you get one step closer to Making It.

Matt Cottingham is an entertainment attorney based out of Nashville, TN. He joined the firm Ritholz Levy in 2014 as an associate in the firm’s Entertainment Group in Nashville, specializing in entertainment, intellectual property and business law. Matt represents individuals and companies in the entertainment industry and provides experienced guidance to songwriters, recording artists, record producers, independent music publishers, new media companies and independent record labels. Before joining Ritholz Levy, Matt practiced with Chip Petree at Petree Law after starting his career practicing at a boutique corporate firm in Franklin, TN.

Matt serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit organization, Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP), a networking group whose members cover all facets of the entertainment industry.

Matt received a B.S. in Recording Industry Management from Middle Tennessee State University and received his law degree from the University of Memphis. He is a member of the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations and volunteers with Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts (VLPA). I met Matt through a mutual friend in Nashville, and from day one, he has been one of the kindest and most helpful people I’ve met in my career in the music business so far. Matt has been one of my  guest speakers at Full Sail University, trying to inspire and inform the next generation. He always makes time for his clients, he’s very passionate about his work and giving back to others. Without further ado, here is Matt Cottingham. 

Welcome to another episode of Making It with Chris G where we have Conversations with people in the world of entertainment who are making it, from behind the scenes to the spotlight. Sharing their stories and insight to help you get one step closer to Making It.

 Today’s guest. Alec Vidmar is a true hustler! He’s someone that’s patient, and always gives more to his relationships than he asks from them. From day one when he was a student at UCF he dived in head first into the music business. He started working with the UCF Concert Committee which lead to him being able to work with AEG Live as a runner and promoter rep, and also interning with Fly South Music Group, a management company based in Orlando, FL. Then he worked as a Talent Buyer for Club Firestone which is now Venue 578 in Orlando, FL. He worked in Artist Relations with me at The Plaza Live in Orlando, FL, while also managing artist for Average Joe’s Entertainment. He learned every aspect of the business as a promoter and manager, and then became a booking agent which lead him to move to Nashville. As a booking agent he continued to hustle and work hard for his artist’s which landed him a job with The Agency Group which later on got bought by United Talent Agency. One of the biggest booking agencies in the world. Alec lives by example by making the music industry not a career, but a lifestyle. And he gives so much to that career and his artist, that he recently got recognized nominated by IEBA – the International Entertainment Buyers Association for Young Professional of the Year. Alec’s work ethic is going to continue to bring him great experiences, and he’s someone that’s going to be very successful in this business. I’m very happy to share his journey up to this point with you in this interview with Alec Vidmar.

As promised in the intro of this episode. Here is my graphic on elements that make up one's story. 

Hello World – Welcome Back Making It Nation!

Welcome to another episode of Making It with Chris G where we have Conversations with people in the world of entertainment who are making it, from behind the scenes to the spotlight. Sharing their stories and insight to help you get one step closer to Making It.

About Katherine Forbes:

http://www.katherineforbes.com/ 

Before I tell you about myself I want to thank you for visiting my site! Without you all and music I’d be just another girl in Nashville trying to chase a dream. My family, friends, and clients define my purpose and I absolutely enjoy you all! 

Since coming to Nashville I've had several "it was meant to be moments." When I first got to Nashville I didn't know a single person or much at all about the music industry. Thanks to my uncle for setting me up with friends of friends of friends I started to meet people and learn a little about the various aspects of the industry and Music City. One day (just a few weeks after being in Nashville) three of my new friends of friends of friends of my uncle's all forwarded me the same email. Shelley at DS Management was on the search for an intern. What was artist management? Who did DS Management manage? What did DS stand for? I had no idea, but if three people sent it my way, I figured reaching out to Shelley was a good idea. A few days later I found myself sitting in front of Denise Stiff. (Google had told me maybe she managed Alison Krauss and Christina Aguilera!?! I still didn't know what artist management was, but I liked the sounds of it)! I remember sitting there in my new LBD and blazer dressed to impress. I quietly told her about how I play piano, love Sara Bareilles, and had interned at The Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg. I knew some terms like "rider" and "stage plot" - so I was feeling good! I walked out with three new CDs (Alison Krauss, Sarah Jarosz, and Alyssa Bonagura) and an internship that started the next day! Real life was treating me pretty well so far... new friends, new music, and a new internship. Oh, and I was house-sitting my uncle's friends' house in Belle Meade. This Nashville place was proving to be a good decision! Fast forward to today and I've turned that DS Management internship into a full time position and have been able to work with and design for some of the most talented artists out there. Make sure to check out my free resources, blog, and website designs!

Welcome to another episode of Making It with Chris G where we have Conversations with people in the world of entertainment who are making it, from behind the scenes to the spotlight. Sharing their stories and insight to help you get one step closer to Making It. 

Today’s guest is Erick Charles. Erick Charles is the Senior Director of Field Operations for Fueled By Ramen & Roadrunner Records. He got his start in the music industry while studying marketing at the University of Florida. While living in Gainesville and playing in bands himself, he became friends with employees at Fueled By Ramen which was only a few years old at that point. Helping fulfill mail-order turned into growing the street team. FBR moved to Tampa for a couple years and quickly exploded with bands like Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Panic! At The Disco, Gym Class Heroes and many more taking off. FBR entered into a partnership with Atlantic Records which would take him to New York City for seven years and now Nashville, TN for the last couple. Erick continues to oversee Field and Festival marketing for FBR and also Roadrunner Records. He develops creative marketing ideas for every artist on both labels that are executed onsite at festivals, concert tours, and special events throughout the entire year.

Glenn Robinson from the Blackzilians MMA Gym. Glenn started his journey as an entrepreneur in the early 2000’s as a Tool Manufacturer with a company called Iron Bridge Tools. Where he personally created the designs of all the products they sell. He even has some experience in the music industry, which we didn’t really get into, Maybe next time for a round two. He was friends with people in the world of MMA that would ask him for help and advice from time to time. When one of the guys and a group of fellow fighters wanted to leave the gym they were with, Glenn helped find them a home with no intention of getting into the business. Well, that changed. Glenn relocated these fighters to their new home the JACO Hybrid Training Center which is a beautiful facility in Boca Raton, that offers everything from classes for MMA Fighters to the average person who is interested in MMA, Crossfit, Nutritional Counseling, and much more. The Blackzilians includes fighters such as Rashad Evans who is fighting on the MASSIVE UFC 205 card at Madison Square Garden on November 12th, they also have Thigo Silva, the UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez, Vitor Belfort, and Anthony Rumble Johson who had a fight coming up when we did this interview against Glover Teixera, which he won and earned a fight with the Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier down the road. Glenn is very passionate about what he does, a big family man, and really looks out for the people around him.