Again, a new process. I was approached by someone who heard me sing at one of the dinner shows, and they said I should go and talk with a couple of producers. They set me up with meetings, liked me; and I ended up doing a couple of CD’s under my own name and with The Masters of Funk.
I believe one of those albums was released in the U.K., as well.
Yes, (Love) Undeniable was very successful there.
You mentioned that authenticity is an important part of what you do as an artist and manager. It seems like representing artists without gimmicks can be a hard way to go in such a fast, trend-of-the-moment culture. What is the tradeoff that makes it worthwhile for you?
Well, I’ve obviously chosen some difficult goals, given the fact that my artist, K.D. Brosia, happens to be neo-soul. First of all, that genre is very difficult to push, because hip-hop reigns right now. Then, the fact that he’s a purist in his writing, and we’re not electing to speak about sex, or have him gyrate onstage. He’s a true vocalist, very soulful, and it makes things a lot more challenging than if we just did something that was gimmicky, and used auto- tune and all that stuff right off the bat.
I will not relinquish integrity. If he’s satisfied with what level he’s achieved now; I’m satisfied with it. We don’t want to turn the tables around, so to speak, and then start offering sex. He doesn’t need to do that. So he’ll forever have his pride, at least, and his dignity, if not a gold or platinum record.
Another client of yours, Ron Clements, is a model and also an actor?
Yes, he’s a model and actor. I have actually just relinquished management of Ron. He was offered a very nice deal with a film, and I felt — and this is what I tell my artists all the time — that he’s now at a level at which he should secure management that is far more knowledgeable in that industry than I am at this point. He’s definitely about to do some fantastic things, and it feels good to me, because I know that I was instrumental in helping to get him to that place. And if ever I get a chance to manage him again; if I should acquire more knowledge, which I pray I do, I would love to. He’s a fantastic person. And representing an actor was very different from representing a singer.
Article comments
1 - trebornyc
A great and informative interview. With a lot of these "whatever happened to" artists and groups, it's amazing to discover that they continued on with their career in the industry- the general public just didn't hear about it. Well done!
2 - Justin Kantor
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, trebornyc! Robbie certainly has a unique career path behind and ahead of her -- further proof that there are many unconventional roads in this industry we call music.