INDUSTRY Q&A: Kat Davis, Founder of The Brown Book Agency
By Jess Chambers WHAT’S INSIDE: Kat Davis
Q&A with Industry veteran Kat Davis has gleaned Kat Davis, Founder of experience from a two-decade career The Brown Book Agency spanning various aspects of the music business including music retail, on- News air radio, concert promotion, radio promotion, grass-roots marketing, Radio Movement online and relationship marketing, artist development, booking and artist management. She founded The Brown Celebrations Book Agency, Inc. in 2009 with a desire to and Milestones focus all of those skills towards an elite roster of clients which includes Grammy- Obituaries nominated artists and songwriters, Matt Maher, Leigh Nash (of Sixpence None the Appearances Richer) and Margaret Becker, worship in Film/TV artist Meredith Andrews and critically acclaimed independent artist John Tibbs. Top Artists on Social Media (Continued on page 4)
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NEWS Crowd Surf hired Michael Fogarty as a Redjett Management Marketing Account Manager. Fogarty recently signed Gotee previously worked for Capitol Christian Records recording Curb | Word Music Group where he served as Digital artist Hollyn to Entertainment Content Coordinator. their roster of artists appointed John Clore which includes – to the position of Vice Lauren Daigle, Sadie President of Marketing Robertson, Chris where he will oversee Sam Fisher joined McClarney, and Cody Carnes. the execution of the Deep South marketing strategies for the full roster Entertainment artist of artists across all genres including management team. Fisher previously Karen Peck and New River recently country, pop, rock, hip-hop, and served as an Artist Manager at announced the addition of Grant Christian. Maximum Artist Management. Gibson to the group.
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NEWS OBITUARIES April 24 – Danny Gokey Paul Cardall Musician, composer Richard Sterban and arranger Ronn Huff (The Oak Ridge Boys) died March 18th. Huff was the producer and April 25 – Matthew West principal conductor Caitie Hurst Isaac Peabody for the Nashville Symphony from 1994 until 2002. In FILM & TV Centricity Music added Caitie Hurst 2005, he was inducted into the Gospel and Isaac Peabody, whose stage Music Association Hall of Fame. Huff is the father of musicians/songwriters/ name is Peabod, to their artist roster. producers Dann Huff and David Huff, Additionally, Centricity Publishing and their brother Ronn Huff II. signed two staff writers - Jeff Owen and Kyle Williams. Owen is a member of the Dove-Award winning band Tenth CELEBRATIONS The 33rd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Avenue North and Awards took place in Las Vegas on Williams, formerly Hillsong UNITED’s March 24-25th. A telecast of the event a member of Taya Smith married premiered on TV One on March 30th. Christian pop- Ben Gaukrodger on It will air in broadcast syndication on Jeff Owen rock group Stars March 23rd in Sydney, 130 stations in more than 110 markets Go Dim, currently Australia. around the country March 31st – May 6th. plays guitar and The show was hosted by Kirk Franklin. keys for We Are Gospel duo Mary Mary (sisters Erica and Messengers. Reach Records’ EDM Tina Campbell) reunited for the first Kyle Williams artist/producer GAWVI time in more than six years. The Stellar and his wife are Awards also included performances celebrating the birth of from Tori Kelly, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, RADIO their son Camilo, their Kierra Sheard, JJ Hairston, and Travis second child. Greene. Caleb Williams is now Assistant Program Laura Story welcomed Carrollton’s song Director at WEMI/ son, Timothy William, “Made For This” was Appleton (The Family). born March 20th. recently placed in Jeep commercials. KLJY/St. Louis (99.1 Joy FM) APD/MD Midday Host Kelly Corday, is leaving the station and headed to the record side at The Lionsgate / Integrity Music as Radio Promotions, Sr. Roadside Attractions Manager in June. BIRTHDAYS release, I Can Only Imagine, has topped April 1 – Gerald Wolfe $71 million in revenue Moody Radio Vice (Greater Vision Music Ministries) at press time. The film released on President Collin Melodie Malone March 16th. Lambert will be exiting (Passion Band) the ministry after Pure Flix released the third installment serving for 15 years at Moody. April 6 – Kari Jobe of the God’s Not Dead series on March 30th titled, God’s Not Dead: A Light In WPOZ/Orlando (Z88.3) April 21 – Monica Lissa Stevenson Darkness. has hired Therese (Puretonez Productions) Romano. Craig Morgan To see your sync placements featured in our upcoming newsletter, send us Radio Movement Provided by April 23 – Michalea Brown HisAir.net (The Browns) an email: [email protected].
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TOP 20 ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK TOP 20 ARTISTS ON TWITTER TOP 20 ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM
Tercer Cielo 18,395,321 Ricardo Montaner 9,053,498 Hillsong United 1,622,200
Jesus Adrian Romero 11,053,061 Juan Luis Guerra 7,935,397 Erica Campbell 1,554,710
Thalles Roberto 8,817,065 Kirk Franklin 1,731,457 Tamela Mann 1,287,211
Alex Campos 7,642,240 Lecrae 1,673,614 Lecrae 1,251,227
Juan Luis Guerra 7,551,431 Thalles Roberto 1,298,684 Tercer Cielo 1,218,991
Marcos Witt 6,285,075 Marcos Witt 1,201,699 Kari Jobe 1,125,586
Lilly Goodman 6,073,860 Hillsong United 1,194,126 Lilly Goodman 1,042,241
Hillsong United 5,756,432 Jesus Adrian Romero 1,155,542 Jesus Culture 1,038,221
Ricardo Montaner 5,609,336 Alex Campos 1,126,548 Christine D’Clario 1,022,506
Don Moen 5,387,940 Chris Tomlin 1,030,730 Hillsong Worship 1,007,034
Skillet 5,209,404 Tercer Cielo 936,175 Marcela Gandara 988,807
Marcela Gandara 4,755,174 Marcela Gandara 748,493 Marcos Witt 986,836
Casting Crowns 4,652,389 Lilly Goodman 724,371 Bethel Music 954,100
Hillsong Worship 4,438,745 Kari Jobe 712,099 Alex Campos 938,347
Danilo Montero 4,189,683 Marco Barrientos 698,424 Kirk Franklin 926,348
TobyMac 4,140,944 Danilo Montero 673,271 Tasha Cobbs 852,526
Mary Mary 3,759,263 Jesus Culture 630,238 Hillsong Y&F 783,536
Chris Tomlin 3,549,076 TobyMac 622,496 Marco Barrientos 782,274
Marco Barrientos 3,515,729 Mary Mary 584,717 Redimi2 749,343
Daniel Calveti 2,919,726 Michael W. Smith 581,280 Miel San Marcos 746,269
Carman Karen Peck Greg Nelson The Staples Singers GMA HONORS & HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Chonda Pierce Bishop Marvin Sapp Ryan Lampa
3 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG APRIL 2018 In 2016 Davis launched Apricity Music and Apricity into developing relationships at retail, festivals, digital Music Publishing. Kat has authored TheDailyVerse.Com, partners, other artists, booking agents, managers and a free, online daily devotional since 1999, and self- so on. Once the management part of my career began to published the first printed volume of The Daily Verse in unfold, having those already established relationships 2010. gave me great inroads to procuring opportunities for my clients. She is passionate about people and seeing human potential realized. A highly regarded leader within the What characteristics do you think cause an artist Christian Music Industry, she’s known for cultivating manager to succeed and what causes them to fail? relationships while also carrying the ability to be direct and have tough conversations when needed. In this In my opinion, objectivity is the most important thing interview, she speaks candidly about being a female a manager can bring to an artist. When I present a leader, how failure has been her teacher, what intrinsic problem, solution or opportunity in such a way that the qualities have driven her work with artists, and how she client has the information they need to make a decision helps foster each of her clients’ individual visions. that best suits their life and career, without attaching personal bias or emotional context, that really gives the client the best opportunity to make a solid decision. Yes, I share my opinions and make recommendations based on the information, but being able to present something Looking back on your journey up to this point, objectively is tantamount. Of course, characteristics what moments prepared you for owning your like integrity, honesty, authenticity, altruism, and own company and managing artists? discernment are all important as well. The recurrent theme to my own failure or that of others in my position The easy answer is ‘failure’! As much as I hate it, I think is typically a lack of boundaries and balance. I’ve heard we learn the most from making mistakes, failing and it said that being a manager is a 24/7 job, and in some suffering. Once you make a mistake, you make every ways it is. At the same time, if it’s always 24/7 with little effort to never do it again, especially if it’s one that lets balance or parameters, it can lead to an unhealthy set other people down or is a detriment to yourself or those of expectations and behaviors on behalf of the client you work with. On the positive side, my background and the manager. Additionally, being a “yes person” is a in radio promotion prepared me a lot for the privilege slippery slope. It’s important to encourage one another of managing artists. Having relationships with radio and ensure your clients feels supported and believed in, personnel all over the country easily parlayed itself but if that gets out of balance and you find yourself just
4 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG APRIL 2018 saying whatever you and honest, with kindness. One client said to me think the other person recently, “You just let me have it, and I feel like wants to hear, that you gave me a big bear hug!” can definitely spiral toward unrealistic The mission of your company is “To beckon expectations. Saying artists’ dreams to existence. Operatio Dei.” “no” is really hard, Yet the roster of artists you serve runs but sometimes there’s the gamut from worship to pop. How do more power in “no” you distinguish the differences between than in “yes.” each artist and their callings while coming alongside them and fostering their What are the types individual visions? of intrinsic qualities in an artist that Distinguishing the differences between each draw you to work with them? artist is the easy part! They are each Similarly, what qualities cause so uniquely, wonderfully made, you to choose not to work with and each have such individual someone regardless of their talent qualities - so much so that I’m or success? constantly amazed at the wealth Saying “no” is of talent, intelligence, intuition, The first things I look for are and personality they each have. authenticity and vision. Secondly, really“ hard, It’s quite inspiring. While they are character and work ethic. Thirdly, each so unique and different, there talent. If those three things are intrinsic, but sometimes is a common thread throughout the rest can be taught or coached. – all of the things I mentioned there’s more earlier that I look for: authenticity, You’re known for being a leader vision, character, and talent. Each and an encourager in our industry power in “no” of their individual gifts serve as a … these two words are not always natural compass for us as a team, so synonymous … how do you cultivate than in “yes.” where the hard work comes in isn’t positive, healthy relationships that differentiating them, it’s pointing in also allow for tough conversations a direction, sticking to the course, and negotiations on behalf of your artists and and absolutely owning it. those you serve?
I’ve been told that I’m blunt, honest, and am often thanked for my candor. At the same time, my love language is words of encouragement, and I’m a 2 on the Enneagram, so it’s inherent for me to encourage and help. It’s part of my hardwiring. I’m quite a geek when it comes to business and leadership materials – and I really enjoy studying and observing people. So I watch and listen a lot. I ask a lot of questions. I think those are some of the best ways to gain insight and wisdom. I truly believe I’ve been hand-crafted by God to be someone who helps bring dreams to life. So much so that it’s part of my mission statement. The bluntness, honesty, and candor come from too many years of tip-toeing around hard conversations – you can be so much more efficient if you’re direct
5 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG APRIL 2018 There is much discussion around 3 TOP 3 being a female in the WITH KAT DAVIS entertainment industry today. In what ways has your career been THREE BOOKS YOU’D challenged by being a RECOMMEND?: female in our industry?
1. All You Need to Know Among many other About the Music qualities, women are Business, by Donald known for their intuition, Passman. I use this ability to multi-task, compassion and ability to see long-term. Those are great as my professional qualities for my job, specifically, and I think my clients and their constituents encyclopedia. benefit from those. One male colleague recently called me, “the velvet hammer.” I took that as quite a compliment, and a metaphor for how women can demand 2. Good to Great, by Jim respect and equality, while also representing feminine characteristics. There Collins. An older book, is no question that our industry is largely male-dominated and at times, but one that taught me a lot of the principles encountering men who don’t share a common appreciation and respect for I use in business and the qualities women bring to the table can certainly present challenges. In my professional relationships. experience, there are more excellent, respectful men in our industry who have Greg Ham and Bill Hearn shown honor and respect to me in my career, than not. I believe that respect has introduced it to me, and I not come to me simply because I am a woman, but rather because they respect regularly re-read it. me as a person with good work ethic and high standards across the board.
3. The Road Back to You, What advice do you have for young females hoping to work on the by Ian Cron & Suzanne business side of our industry? Stabile. A wise man is closest to himself. The advice I would offer young females in our industry is quite the same that I’d Knowing yourself and offer anyone. Be awesome at what you do. Work hard, work smart, be relational, how you’re wired is be a team player and learn as much as you possibly can, and honor those invaluable. working alongside you. And stand up for yourself, respectfully.
THREE THINGS STILL LEFT How does continuing the practice of creating the Daily Verse ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?: encompass how you approach each day?
1. Flying with Blue Angel The reason I started TheDailyVerse.Com was to encourage myself and two of jet #7 my colleagues during our internships, back in 1999. By word of mouth, people 2. Being in a mix session asked to be added to my list. I’m dating myself here to say that when websites with Enya and her became a ‘thing’ and we used email instead of CC Mail, I moved TheDailyVerse. producers Com to a website and a free, subscription-based email. Now, almost 20 years 3. Seeing the Northern later, I find my motivation behind it is mostly to keep myself rooted in God’s Lights in person Word. I love if others are encouraged by it, but I haven’t really made marketing it or ‘selling it’ part of my agenda. To start each day by reading God’s Word and THREE FAVORITE reflecting on it, it forces me to slow down, contemplate what is most important, RECORDS OF ALL TIME? and to practice the discipline of regularly sharing it. I find on days when I’m traveling at odd hours, or find myself so busy that I skip that discipline, I’m 1. Roxette: Joyride more harried and scattered and less settled and centered. 2. Wilson Phillips: self-titled 3. Fleetwood Mac - Finally, would you be willing to share your enneagram type? Greatest Hits Type two with a very tight race for wing type 3 & 1! Depends on the situation which wing type I resemble!
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