Workshops

About

Breaking out of your home town and into other parts of the province is hard enough, but what about nationally? With the help of a talented and dedicated team, that is exactly what Kelowna BC’s Chad Brownlee is doing. In this session, you’ll learn the techniques and strategies for how a team works together to set goals and makes decisions that ensure success. Whether you are an aspiring artist or band writing and performing country, blues, pop, rock, or roots, the tools and techniques remain the same. MDM Recordings Mike Denney, Mitch Merrett, Carmen Choney and recording artist Chad Brownlee will be on hand to discuss these issues and more.

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About Mike Denney
An accomplished Sales and Marketing professional Mike Denney has had an amazing career in the Canadian Music industry. MDM Recordings, is a Canadian Independent Record / Distribution, Management and Consulting Company, catering to Artists primarily in the Canadian Country Music Industry.

At present, Mike’s country artist roster consists of Bryce Pallister, Alex J Robinson, Jo Hikk, Julian Austin, Chad Brownlee, Hayley McLean, Melanie Doane, Jerry Sereda, and Jason Kirkness. Jeffery Straker, Ash Richards and Michael Cuifo round out the roster from the Pop and Classical Crossover genres. The company recently announced a brand new imprint joint venture label deal with EMI Music Canada.

Mike has held National Sales and Marketing Positions with Sony Music Canada, Universal Music Canada and was the Director of National Sales and Marketing for Fusion3 Distribution prior to starting MDM Recordings in 2008. His tenure at Fusion3 was crucial to giving him the tools and contacts necessary tools start his own company. MDM Recordings is a full service company that works with artists to build their team, give direction and management support, but also provide sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure.

About Chad Brownlee
This past year has been a whirlwind for country music singer/songwriter Chad Brownlee, the recent honoree of the 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) Rising Star! His place on the country music scene is on the rise, with a new album ‘Love Me or Leave Me’ set to hit the racks. Brownlee’s self-titled debut album was released in August 2010 to great response, followed by a 2010 Best New Artist Showcase Award from the Canadian Country Music conference, as well as the aforementioned Rising Star nomination. Many singles achieved impressive success, including the song ‘Day After You’ which cracked both the top 10 on CMT’s Chevy Cross Canada Countdown and peaked at #9 on the BDS Canadian Country radio chart. 4 additional singles were released throughout the life of the record, collectively defining Brownlee as one of the hottest up and coming talents in Canada today.

About Mitch Merrett
Based in BC and known for years as the guitar behind the much awarded Canadian country artist Aaron Pritchett, what most don’t know is how much Mitch Merrett has been the stealth manager behind the Pritchett success story. He helped navigate Pritchett out of the bars and into the concert circuit, took care of all the road details, co-produced albums and co-wrote hits including the much lauded ‘Hold My Beer’, the Canadian Country Music Association SOCAN song of the year winner for 2007 and Juno nominee from the same year. Mitch has picked up invaluable knowledge along the way dealing with major labels, negotiating distribution deals, touring, writing, recording, and producing.

About Carmen Choney
Carmen’s events career has spanned more than a decade as a Tour Manager, Publicist and Management professional, to name a few. Her knowledge, work ethic and industry contacts have proved invaluable in representing some of Canada's top talent including The Poverty Plainsmen, Duane Steele, Beverley Mahood, Gil Grand, Aaron Pritchett and Chad Brownlee. As Tour Manager, Carmen is a reliable “go-to” in building the show and acting as liaison between artist, buyer and fans.
Holding a diploma in Management Studies from Grant Mac Ewan College and a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge, Carmen has worked on some of North America’s largest events and music festivals. Most recently, Carmen leant her skills to NBC at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact:
Roland Deschambault, Training Coordinator Manitoba Music
P: 204.975.5188
E: roland@manitobamusic.com

Attendence:22