Bumstead Productions Delegate: Annie MacDonald, Manager
Annie MacDonald is an East Coast-born, Toronto-based artist manager with Bumstead Productions (The Trews, The East Pointers, Tim Chaisson). Annie graduated from St.FX University with a degree in Marketing, followed by her dream of travelling the UK. Getting her start in the business as the finance assistant to Bumstead Productions and it’s artist roster in 2010, Annie moved on to become the executive assistant to president, Larry Wanagas, and most recently taking on an artist management role with clients of her own. Annie has been directly involved with multiple album releases and national and international tours for one of Canada’s most successful and beloved rock bands, The Trews.
Bumstead Productions Delegate: Jamie New Johnson, Manager
Jamie New Johnson is a Toronto-based artist manager, published author, editor, and music business mentor. Jamie is currently on the management team at Bumstead Productions (The Trews, The East Pointers, Tim Chaisson) as well as the editorial/programming team at TopCountry.ca. In 2015, Jamie was directly involved in launching solo pop/R&B artist Jocelyn Alice into national success subsequently resulting in Platinum single ‘Jackpot’ on Top 40 radio in Canada. Graduating from Brock University with a Degree in Arts & Culture, Jamie began her career in 2009.
Since then, she has helped organizations such as the Music Music Managers Forum Canada, Alberta Music, Music Calgary, RGK Entertainment increase their revenue, partnerships, memberships, social media following, as well as plan reputable events, and improve their marketing and communications strategies. In April 2016, Jamie saw the release of her first published e-book, “The Music Business for Artists Managers & Self-Managed Artists: All You Need To Know To Get Started, Get Noticed, and Get Signed”, in which she interviewed and included advice from over 30 music business experts. The book can be found on Amazon and on her educational blog, smartbandmanagement.com.
Hopeful Tragedy Records Delegate: Jeff Beaulieu, Owner
Jeff Beaulieu is Montreal’s, Hopeful Tragedy Records owner, Upper Room Church Studio co-owner and non-profit Rock’N’Rights founder. Since YFE’s creation in 2006, influenced by the likes of Ian MacKaye (Fugazi/Dischord) and Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion/Epitaph), Beaulieu based his career and social involvement on a DIY ethos and community values.
His vision led YFE to not only become an international act, a Juno nominee band and spokespeople for Amnesty International but also pioneers of online live concert broadcast, direct-to-fan merch and fan club services. His unique interpretation of today’s entertainment business makes him a most appreciated speaker, debater, and mentor.
Laughing Heart Music Delegate: Nigel Jenkins, Owner
Laughing Heart Music is an artist management and entertainment law services company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our current roster includes Hillsburn and Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers.
Owner Nigel Jenkins is a 2016 Music Nova Scotia Manager of the Year nominee, and lawyer with an extensive background in entertainment law.
Moore Music Management Delegate: Beverly Moore, Owner
A&E insider innovator Beverly Moore specializes in financial management solutions that help performance artists make their money make music. A diversified and agile business strategist, over the past two decades she has helped companies in the arts & entertainment, media and green energy sectors successfully navigate industry shifts through her niche marketing, technology and business leadership. Marketing. Vice President and co-founder in 1995 of digital advertising agency Koda Media Group, specializing in helping companies communicate with their customers online, Beverly manages business and investment strategy, long-range financial planning and fiscal oversight as it delivers creative interactive media and marketing solutions for leading brands from Air Canada, Astral Digital and BMO, to Shoppers Drug Mart and Harris Bank.
Technology. CEO and founder in 2012 of Merch App Inc./LLC, Beverly recently introduced this unique mobile merchandising management application that will transform the relationship between touring artists on stage and their audiences. The Merch App puts real-time inventory and sales tracking into the hands of their sales teams on the floor; crunches numbers into accessible, astute reports for management (in one tap!) and provides campaigns and big data insights to make a tour more profitable. Consulting. Director of More Music Management Ltd. (launched in Canada in 1997 as Rhapsody Entertainment), Beverly leads an arts management team that helps companies in the arts, entertainment and media industries develop creative products, including sound recording, touring and merchandising. Her team integrates services in artist management including career development, artist promotions and artist performances, with business advisory and consulting services in marketing and tax planning, tour administration, grant and loan proposals, and publishing administration.
ProSound Media LLC Delegate: Theo Ellies
DJRadio Theo started his entrepreneurial roots in 1987, while still in high school. While working at his high school radio station, WORW 91.9 FM, he started a DJ service. Under the stage name Dj Speed, he quickly became highly in demand as a DJ and ultimately secured a contract with Port Huron Area School District (PHASD) to DJ all PHASD dances. Theo expanded his business internationally and began playing clubs in Ontario, Canada. His success as a Dj ultimately lead to him opening up for Multi-Grammy winning Rap Duo OutKast. Upon graduating high school Mr. Ellis attended Specs Howard School of Broadcasting to purse his diploma in Radio and Television Broadcast Arts. After leaving Specs Howard, Mr. Ellis continued to pursue his goals of working in radio. He was hired at WBTI 96.9FM and simultaneously at WDTX 99.5FM serving both stations as a Board Operator and Producer for on air talent. Currently Theo is working as On-Air talent for Canada’s #1 Online radio station MaximumFM.
After several years as a successful radio producer/DJ, Mr. Ellis found his true passion; producing music. He secured an apprenticeship at the prestigious Studio-A in Dearborn Heights, MI. There he was trained by Grammy winning audio engineers. Upon completion of his apprenticeship Mr. Ellis secured a job as a paid intern at Studio A&A in Marysville, MI. Over the years he has continued to maintain his audio engineering skills by working out of his home studio and staying current on the latest techniques and technological advances. He continues to be a highly sought after music producer, recordingmixing engineer.
In 2014 Mr. Ellis founded ProSound Studios. Understanding the need for quality sound, Theo began to build a studio which would house only the best Professional quality gear. Giving independent artists access to the same gear a signed artist would have access to, thereby, leveling the playing field for independent artists, in terms of their audio. In 2016 he also received the Producer of the Year award in 2016 at the Blue Water Music Awards.
Celia Palli Delegate: Celia Palli
Celia Palli is blessed with serious songwriting skills and a unique and limber voice that carries the message. Whether in English or Spanish, Celia delivers poignant, effortless storytelling in her songs. Her zest for life completely rings through the music. Don’t even get me started on her live show-she’s a multi-instrumentalist who is completely natural on stage and captivating and exciting to watch. If you are looking for a female quadruple- threat, look no further! ” ~ Nelly Furtado. The Spanish vocalist made a name for herself in her adopted home Toronto in early 2003 playing in bands the likes of The Café Ole, Plan C and el Blanco. Bursting into the scene in 2009 as background vocal of Canadian artist, Nelly Furtado, and later opening for the Grammy winner on her Spirit Indestructible tour in 2013, Palli has toured the world and appeared in major television shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and performed at The Latin Grammy Awards, The Billboard Music Awards and MTV Latin Video Music Awards, to name a few.
“Focus on writing songs,” a judicious advice her mother left her with, and a task she has been doing avidly. In 2013, Palli made the Semi-Finals of the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) among 19,000 entries from over 100 countries –Semi-Finalists make up the top 8% of all entries. The Songwriter a short clip by Canadian film director, Garrick Ng, with special appearance by soulful South African singer-songwriter, Francois Klark, captures the essence of her knack for writing and composing in an intimate portrait.
Pallí has recorded vocals for artists the likes of Nelly Furtado, Nelly (the American rapper) and David Ruder. Her video for “I’ll Be Fine” has almost 88,000 views. She wrote the 10 songs of her first album, the first official production of her career, which she co-produced along Jason ‘METaL’ Donkersgoed and Nate Kreiswirth. She promo toured Spain during the fall of 2015 and toured the summer Festival circuit across Spain in the summer of 2016. A dutiful musician, Pallí has been compared by music critics to Lana del Rey’s subtleness and Feist’s playfulness with an ethic twist, but has carved out her own space allowing her artistry to grow and develop.
Pipe and Hat Delegate: Jane Puchniak, Director, Marketing, Communications and Digital Assets
With a professional background spanning North American, European and Asian markets, Jane Puchniak is one of Canada’s top professionals in international arts and culture communications. Jane leads marketing and communications for Canada’s Pipe & Hat Music Group following her role in local and international campaign management for Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Her experience as an artist, sound engineer, journalist and public relations professional brings a multifaceted perspective to her music industry-specific communications campaigns and brand development strategies. She is currently leading the rebrand communications campaign for Pipe & Hat Music Group launching in Winter 2016. In 2015, Jane received the prestigious Canada’s Public Relations Society Manitoba Communicator of the Year award for her management of a national media relations campaign for the World Premiere of Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation – a full-length ballet created for the company’s 75th anniversary season.
Pipe & Hat is an award-winning Canadian indie label and artist development firm. The Winnipeg-based company has launched artists into a steady path of success, including countless awards and nominations, consistent radio charting, collaboration with Grammy Award nominated producers, and performances at dozens of high-profile festivals and conferences around the world. Pipe & Hat President Tim Jones is an in-demand speaker, having been on panels and hosted workshops at conferences in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, and is a regular contributor to Canadian Musician. Pipe & Hat artists can be heard on major network television shows, online programming, and feature films. The company is a four-time Western Canadian Music Awards nominee, with Jones taking home the 2014 award for Manager of Year. In 2016, Jones was awarded the Kevin Walters Legacy Award by Music Industry Association, Manitoba Music. Pipe & Hat’s current management roster includes Winnipeg-based artists Attica Riots, Bright Righteous, Faouzia, Jess Reimer, Mise en Scene, Sc Mira, and The Noble Thiefs. In addition to their management roster, Pipe & Hat releases countless national and international artists as a Winnipeg-based record label.
Real World Artists/Really Records Delegate: Faye Perkins, Founder
As a veteran of the music industry, Faye Perkins is one of the most respected professionals around. With a music degree from The University of Western Ontario she began her career in a boutique artists’ management company, learning from the best of the best. She quickly moved to Sony Music where she enjoyed massive success, quickly rising to the ranks of Director, first of Epic Records where she worked hip-hop and rap albums well before they were cool. She then slid across the aisle to Sony Classical where she got noticed by the powers-that-be in New York.
Once in New York, Faye continued to shine and earned the title of VP, International Marketing, managing artists and staff around the globe. Earning more airmiles than she could ever spend in one lifetime, she was praised for her creativity, marketing savvy in and her ability to remain calm regardless of the chaos around her. She is admired for her direct and honest approach with artists, Faye will always tell it like it is, but with a sensitive and gentle touch. From Yo-Yo Ma to Rage Against The Machine, from John Williams to Michael Jackson, her efforts are tireless, her passion is genuine and most of all her results are undeniable.
Watson Entertainment Delegate: Mark Watson, Artist Manager
Mark Watson runs a Toronto-based artist management company – Watson Entertainment. The company has received several industry awards and has earned 2 gold records since it’s inception in 1998. They’ve been the driving force behind countless international tours, major film and TV placements. Roster includes:
- David Francey: Folk artist and three-time JUNO winner – davidfrancey.com
- Eh440: award winning Acappella/pop group – Eh440.com
- Irish Mythen: SOCAN song of the year, singer/songwriter – irishmythen.com
- Ashely Condon: PEI Award winner, singer/songwriter – ashleycondon.com
Mark also handles artistic direction for several festivals and events. Mark got his start in the industry as a touring musician, later he started producing/engineering and road managing before moving into artist management full time.