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10 Questions with ... Dan Michaels
January 10, 2006
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NAME:Dan MichaelsTITLE:VP Promotions/MarketingCOMPANY:INO RecordsFORMATS:AllLOCATIONS:Brentwood, TNBORN:Akron, OHRAISED:Los Angeles, CA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started my journey into Christian music at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa in 1980. I joined a band on Broken Records (then Calvary Chapel's rock/alternative/punk label) called Youth Choir and recorded two CDs before signing with Myrrh/Word Records and changing the band's name to simply The Choir. We toured the US, Canada and Europe and recorded four more albums though the rest of the 80s and early 90s. While still recording and touring with The Choir, my partners in the band and I started a production company and label called Glasshouse Records with Word Label Group. Reverend Dan Smith (blues) and At The Foot Of the Cross Vol. 1 (a (modern worship album created about 7 years too soon) are proud accomplishments from that time in my life. Lower cost of living, nature, meat and threes, humid summers and better opportunities lured me and my band to Nashville to start a recording studio, continue with production and tour. In 1995 I joined Benson Records to help head up a rock imprint called Tattoo Records. I remained with Benson/Provident for about 6 years in various roles ranging from A&R to Marketing. In 2001 I started working for Jeff Moseley with INO Records helping to launch MercyMe and Sara Groves and I continue with INO to this day as VP of Promotions/Marketing. I oversee the day to day of the radio department and the new media department. I'm a member of NARAS, The GMA, a Dove Award winner and received a Grammy Nomination for my work with The Choir.
1) How did you make the transition from artist to label executive? Early mentors? First job?
After about 10 years of touring, I found myself gravitating towards the business side of the music industry. While the others in the band where getting more into writing and producing, I started connecting with merchandising, booking and promotions and watching what our record label was doing for marketing their artists. I was the guy in the band that actually liked radio station visits and retail instores. Eventually we started a production company and I jumped in to run the label and started figuring out how to promote, market and advertise our releases. After several years of independent label work, a fine man named Mike Porter from Benson Music Publishing gave me my first shot at a major Christian label. Benson/Tattoo Records was my first real job that wasn't my own business. I did marketing and A&R in some form there for about 6 years. Mentors…I have had many influential and brilliant people contribute to my life over the years such as Steve Hindalong, Jeff Moseley, Mike Porter and Tom Willett among others. I try to absorb all that I can from any kind soul that is willing to let me learn.
2) What do you think is the most important topic facing the Music Business and Radio right now? Why?
Being better. The music business and radio has made monumental strides in improving over the past twenty years by my observation. But we need to be even better. More compelling content - that means artists that have great talent and offer real passion and purpose in their art and ministry. It also means more big hit songs, better albums, production and tours. For radio it means more compelling air talent, programming and genuine passion for connecting with their community. It seems to me that when you have compelling content to offer a culture there will be true interest that will have the potential to inspire growth, sales, ratings, ministry and expand the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.
3) In our highly competitive music field, where it seems more and more that every artist needs something special to get paid attention too, how do you position your self, and your label, to get YOUR artists the shot they need?
Keep it simple and stick to the main point. Stay out of the way of radio and the artist and/or song. No clutter! Connect radio to the heart and art of the artist in the most direct means possible. Focus everything on the passion/purpose of the song and artist and provide as many helpful tools on or about the artist and song to radio.
4) What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of the your formats growth and daily changes? How do you stay on top of the game?
The trades, magazines, Internet, consultants, staff, conversations with peers and our partners at radio and of course...All Access!
5) Some people have pets, but isn't your dog more of serious hobby for you?
I've attached a collage of awards and pix for my American Eskimo dog Smokey. My wife and I are into Dogs Sports Agility training and competitions. We got into this about 5 years ago and are a bit obsessed. It's not the same as the Westminster Dog Show - this is agility and sport where you run with your dog around an advanced obstacle course. Anyone see that movie Best In Show? We're the "Busy Bee" couple, but we don't argue.
6) Who has had the biggest impact on these facets of your life: Personal, Professional and Spiritual? Why?
Lisa - my wife. She loves me.
7) If you could have any job outside the music business, what would it be?
Actor. I grew up in Los Angeles and secretly always wanted to get into acting since a very young age but never had the confidence or support at the time.
8) How does the artist's perspective you have in your own background color how you interact with the artists on your label?
I feel that I have the ability to empathize and sympathize with artists that I work for. Whether its understanding the mundane like how tedious and hard touring and the studio can be to making sure the artist is communicated to clearly on their/our expectations with a record. I can respect certain feelings, events or insecurities that others might not catch as I remember what it felt like to be dependent on the people at our record label. Getting into the music business can be intimidating and be a very vulnerable position for an emerging artist. Perhaps artists can trust me when I ask of their time and commitment to areas of promotions because they know that I had to do most everything they did.
9) Could you share a funny story from the road, either from the tour days or today as an exec?
Only if you're in my "circle of trust."
10) What is your favorite passage of Scripture?
Revelations 21:1-7
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new. "And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." And He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. "He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.Bonus Questions
1) What is the most precious memory of your life so far?
The moment I knew that I was in love with my wife.
2) What's in your CD player right now?
The Choir - O How The Mighty Have Fallen
3) Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
Oh, it's not a guilty feeling - Rock/Jazz fusion band Kittyhawk and British alternative band The Psychedelic Furs.
4) What is your dream vacation?
Being home - I call them "staycations."
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