I have been in the music business for 40 years, starting with my first band while I was in elementary school, The Pretzels. I was the singer, guitar player and organized all the rehearsals at my house in Columbus, Ohio. In Junior High and High School I was always in bands and I typed up all the one page contracts for local school hops, Bar Mitzva’s and private parties.
In college I continued to perform non stop and I bought a pretty substantial sound system and started a sound company called Blackjack Sound. I also started promoting Jazz, Blues & Folk Concerts which I was the opening act, sound man for the headliner, publicist and promoter. In 1978 my “California Dreaming” dream came true and I moved to Los Angeles to manage Big Ed Productions, a rehearsal studio in Los Angeles, Ca. Some of the acts I worked with was Chaka Khan & Rufus, The Knack, Three Dog Night, Andrea Crouch and Air Supply. At that time my dream was to have a gold record on my wall.
From 1980-1983 I went on the road as production manager, merchandising manager and occasional opening act for Air Supply, which at the time had 8 top ten songs in a row on the Billboard Pop Charts. After that stint I toured the U.S as a road manager/sound man for various acts including Jeff Lorber Fusion, Lita Ford & Richard Clayderman. Getting tired of the road, I became a Personal Manager for a heavy metal band in L.A called Hurricane. I secured them a record deal, publishing deal and international talent agent. The group toured extensively across the United States and performed in Hawaii & Japan.
As the Heavy Metal popularity was slowing down, the Rap & Hip Hop culture was just beginning. My cousin, Jerry Heller,was managing Eazy E & NWA at the time and asked me to go on the road as Production Manager for the group. I spent the next 5 years working with Jerry & Eazy E at Ruthless Records, doing whatever needed to be done. Booking studio time, coordinating TV appearances, working with lawyers, agents, publicists, business managers, you name it, I did it.
After Eazy E died I started managing Flesh n Bone from Multi Platinum act Bone Thugs n Harmony and secured him a record deal and publishing deal. I also started managing a music producer named Damon Elliott, he was Dionne Warwick’s son. With damon we worked with Destiny’s Child, Pink, Mya, Jessica Simpson, Ole Dirty Bastard, and we had 12 songs in various feature films. I was involved with all the negotiations and contracts that Damon was involved in.
I’ve also produced a Beatles tribute band in Las Vegas called Fab Forever and toured the country with Erica Jayne, who has had 8 number one singles on the Billboard Dance Charts. I know every facet of the music business it’s in my blood.