Steele Management (Mar-Jun '11)

Steele Management is expanding their client roster and offering multiple services to artists. Steele Management was originally formed as a boutique personal management company to represent the band Roxx Gang, a band that exploded on the music scene in 1988 and was the first hard rock band signed by Virgin America. Their Virgin release, "Things You've Never Done Before," sold 250,000 copies and yielded a Top 50 single in the UK./n/nSteele Management is expanding their client roster and offering multiple services to artists.

"In some ways, the music business is completely different than it was when I founded Steele Management in 1987. But when it comes to navigating today’s industry, the fundamental principles are still the same. More than ever, an artist must be focused and driven to succeed. Too often, management is the missing key in today’s do-it-yourself music business."

“I always tell my artists when shopping for record deals, Just because someone says no today, that doesn’t mean they’ll say no tomorrow.’ I’m professionally persistent, I don’t give up and I get results.” - Brett Steele President, Steele Management

Steele Management was originally formed as a boutique personal management company to represent the band Roxx Gang, a band that exploded on the music scene in 1988 and was the first hard rock band signed by Virgin America. Their Virgin release, "Things You've Never Done Before," sold 250,000 copies and yielded a Top 50 single in the UK. The band also released two videos "No Easy Way Out" directed by Nigel Dick (Guns-N-Roses) and "Scratch My Back" directed by Ralph Ziman (L.A. Guns). Both got extensive airplay on MTV. They also secured recording deals with Epic Records and Perris Records, a publishing deal with Virgin Music/EMI and licensing deals with Playboy Entertainment, MTV Networks and XBox 360. Thanks to a recent resurgence of interest in the now defunct band, a merchandising contract and digital distribution deal have recently been secured.

Steele Management continued its success story with the Mojo Gurus who’s last CD, “Shakin’ In The Barn,” was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, New York Dolls) after he saw the band at NYC showcase booked by Steele
Management. Steele Management then secured a recording deal for the band with Empire Musicwerks and a national distribution deal with Universal Records. Steele Management’s radio promotion helped “Shakin’ In The Barn” spend six months on the national Americana and Alt-Country Charts.

They also represent the Royal Gents (recent winners of Best Rock Artist at the Los Angeles Music Awards), Van Preston (Nashville songstress nominated for Album of the Year by the European CMA's), Blind Buddy Moody (Best Discovery - Creative Loafings Best of the Bay Awards) and Chris Volpe (winner Folk Album of the Year - Independent Music Awards), Darrin James (Brooklyn based singer-songwriter, The Ditchflowers (Best CD of 2007-Creative Loafing) Ronny Elliott (Cult-icon) and are working with Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers and many others.

Steele Management is now expanding its roster and taking on new clients. With over twenty years experience in the music business, the company has secured recording deals for their clients with Virgin Records, Epic Records, Perris Records, Empire Musicwerks, Universal Records, Bloodshot Records and True North Records.



Steele Management has negotiated publishing deals with Virgin Music Publishing/EMI and has recently been focusing on music licensing, securing deals with Breaking Records and licensing music to Playboy Entertainment, XBox 360, MTV Networks and the new Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) film It Might Get Loud staring Jimmy Page, Jack White and The Edge. Steele also has an extensive background in doing tour press, publicity and radio promotion.

SERVICES OFFERED

Steele Management is interested in reviewing artists in all styles of music for representation. They're looking for clients for personal management, shopping record & licensing deals, tour booking, radio and press promotion. They also offer career consulting, including image recommendations, multi-media package preparation and merchandising consulting.

Record deals: The track record of finding and negotiating deals for my clients includes Virgin Records, Epic Records, Perris Records, Empire Musicwerks, Universal Records,True North Records and Bloodshot Records. They also work closely with a NYC-based entertainment lawyer who has represented everyone from Blondie to David Lee Roth.



Publishing & licensing: Steele is shopping for publishing & licensing deals. They've done business with Virgin Music Publishing/EMI and have recently been focusing on music licensing. So far, they've secured deals with Breaking Records and licensed music to Playboy Entertainment, XBox 360, MTV Networks and the Davis Guggenheim (“An Inconvenient Truth”) film called “It Might Get Loud,” staring Jimmy Page, Jack White and The Edge which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in September. The film was recently bought by Sony and will be released in the Summer of 2009.

Booking: They book and promote about 50 shows a year in Tampa Bay. They also book regional and national tours for my clients and supplement bookings with intensive promotional campaigns targeting press and fans. Steele hires all tour personnel and manage the accounting, payroll, accounts receivable/payable, bookkeeping and travel details.

Public Relations: Steele works on every aspect of an artist’s image, from stage appearance to media work to photography & video. I help artists learn how to conduct interviews so they’re invited back on radio shows and covered when they come back to town. I work with labels to develop marketing & advertising plans that target the right media for the artist’s market. I write bios reporters can work with, oversee photo shoots that yield the best library of images, create functional press/promo packages – print & electronic, send accurate & organized press releases, and organize in-stores and other events.

A&R Report: Their newsletter, “Steele Management’s A&R Report,” goes out monthly to over 1,800 A&R reps, putting band news and website links directly into the hands of the labels who are looking for deals. They are currently accepting applications from bands who want to see what this kind of industry exposure can do for their careers.

Representing:
The Dex Romweber Duo, Mojo Gurus, Royal Gents, Van Preston, The Ditchflowers, Blind Buddy Moody, Chris Volpe, Darrin James, Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, Ronny Ellliott, Wil Seabrook