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10 Questions with ... Troy Marshall
August 25, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Music Industry Executive
1. How was it trying to get into music business?
I started my music career being a club promotor when I was at UCLA. A gentleman, by the name of Allen Carroll, was the West Coast Regional for MCA Records. I asked him for an Internship for 6 months before he let me intern for him. Once I started my internship at MCA under Allen, I moved over to the home office, where I worked for and with Dyan Golden, AD Washington, Ernie Singleton and Brian Samson. That was the beginning on my career at a Major label.
2. Is radio still important?
Yes, commercial radio will always be one of the largest mediums to expose music to the masses.
3. What are some of the things you’re working on these days?
One of my biggest projects is TMG Fre$h “Champagne Cry” feat. Tee Grizzley
4. How about sharing names of people who influenced your career?
AD Washington – Taught me to always keep my word and support Black business in the music industry.
Allen Carroll – He gave me a shot to Intern for him and taught me that this is a life style job, not a 9 to 5 job.
Brian Samson – He taught me how to build and keep GREAT relationships. Brian also taught me that to treat everyone with respect, from the mobile DJ to the Biggest Mix-show DJ in the country.
Dyan Golden – Who taught me to always put everything in writing to cover myself.
Ken Wilson – Taught me to never give up on an artist or single that you believe in.
Benny Pough – Taught me to be an earlier riser to catch the radio people before the next rep. He also allowed me to grow within the label with my own style of being a club and lifestyle person within the music industry.
Ashley Fox – Taught me how to become a marketing expert when it came to building a brand for an artist.
Marilyn Batchelor - Taught me how to work the building so I could make my deadlines especially when we were setting up great R&B acts like Chanté Moore, Keith Washington, Arron Hall, Jesse Powell, Avant and Res, to name a few.
Jeff Harleston – Taught me that having excitement in the office was great for moral and needed within the record company walls.
Jimmy Iovine – Taught me to not micro manage my staff and teammates. Jimmy also taught me to make it happen by any means, even when people do not believe in the single or the artist.
Step Johnson – Taught me to be the best executive I could be, do good business and do not come back to the office until the task is done.
Garnett March - Taught me to be loyal to my friends and staff, and with that loyalty they will always have your back. He was another leader that did not micro manage his job or department.
CJ Johnson – Taught me that you have to stay focused, but have fun doing your job.
Michelle Madison – Taught me to temper my emotions, when situations are out of my control.
I could name additional 40 to 50 people as well, so I will end it here. But to everyone that has worked for me or with me - I have learned something from each one of you.5. What advice do you have for local artists wanting to get their music noticed by a label?
Post your music or beats on SoundCloud and YouTube – Record labels now have research teams looking for hot beats and new music all day long.
6. Who should an artist have on their team coming into the music business?
- Hire a good professional Indie Record executive.
- A good Digital and Social Media Person or Vendor.
- An Investor that is a believer in your artist brand and music.
- Get a Photo and Video Person.
- A Stylist – if you can afford one.
7. How important is sound quality?
Sound Quality and Mastering a song are super important, because your artistry is what you are presenting to the world. Always put your best foot forward.
8. Has streaming become the measuring stick?
Streaming ad and streaming platforms are the future for music listening. Clubs and Strip Clubs will still be major way for exposing street records and Hip Hop artists. Streaming Platforms will form their own labels of some kind.
9. What should an artist think about when trying to decide if they should go the indie route?
Minus – Not having the budget to push your music or artist brand that a Major label can provide.
Major Label Plus – A. Budget to support project B. Label machine of employees focusing on your artist and artist music and brand.
Indie’s Label are amazing today because they budget like Major labels now to work and build artist singles and brand.
Because of distribution companies like Empire, NGrooves, Priority, Tune Core, CD Baby – you can be a very successful independent label.
10. Is there any one thing you like to do when you’re not working?
Being a Grill Master on the Bar B Que Pit and cooking my favorite food – GUMBO, that my mother taught me to make.
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