Every performance by every act in every venue, almost without exception, starts with a deal between a seller and a buyer.
The sellers are the booking agents representing artists; the buyers are the venues, from clubs to stadiums. The annual International Entertainment Buyers Association conference will bring them all together Sept. 27-30 in Nashville.
“An act has to be on the radar of talent buyers to get offers and dates,” says Barry Jeffrey, an agent with William Morris Endeavor (WME) in Nashville and a member of the IEBA governing board.
“The buyer’s time is valuable,” adds Jeffrey, “and IEBA gives them an opportunity to see more than 50 artists perform in three-and-a-half days.”
The IEBA conference has a history of showcasing hitmakers. Those who played the event early in their careers include Anne Murray (1973), Alabama (1980), Randy Travis (1987), Garth Brooks (1989), Blake Shelton (2001), Miranda Lambert (2004), Luke Bryan (2008), The Band Perry (2011) and Florida Georgia Line (2012).
Jeffrey says he’s heading to IEBA to showcase several WME acts. They include country music remixer Dee Jay Silver, who has been a support act for the likes of Brad Paisley; Frankie Ballard, whose “Sunshine & Whiskey” has reached No. 13 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart; Brothers Osborne, whose “Rum” hit No. 34 on Hot Country Songs; and roster mates Chris Young and Trombone Shorty.
Six more agencies offered a look at how they hope to catch eyeballs — and dollars — at this year’s conference.
APA Concerts
“IEBA is a great opportunity for us to educate and promote what’s happening with our hot young acts, such as ZZ Ward and Allen Stone,” says agent Jaime Kelsall. “It allows us to be face-to-face with these folks and really hammer in the specifics. For instance, both of these artists have new albums coming out in early 2015, so we’ll be pushing hard to get them on the festivals for next summer and fall. They’ve both been touring nonstop for the last couple of years and that hard work has truly paid off in the live space.”
Paradigm
Paradigm Nashville co-head Greg Janese is high on LoCash Cowboys, who have written hits for artists like Keith Urban and Tim McGraw, and the “huge pop” songs of Andy Grammer. “Both artists are also incredibly hardworking, engaging and high-energy live performers,” says Janese. “That is really the heart of what we’re looking to build with them.” Grammer is supporting O.A.R.’s East Coast tour in November. LoCash Cowboys, who gained the support of CMT Pure for its video “Best Seat in the House,” are headlining clubs and casinos on their Livin’ Loud Tour through December.
Buddy Lee Attractions
The acts to watch, says BLA vice president David Kiswiney, include The Lacs and Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, who are gaining radio play with their single “Standard American.” He also cites Outshyne, whose “Moonlight Crush” held a top 10 spot for 18 weeks on SiriusXM’s Highway channel, and Robby Johnson, who made his TV network debut on Aug. 19 on Late Show With David Letterman. “That proved he will be a star,” says Kiswiney.
Universal Attractions Agency
Agent/co-owner Jeff Epstein says he’s “very excited” about the prospects for Oxymorrons, aka the hip-hop team of D and K.I. “They’re the real deal, both as songwriters and performers,” says Epstein. “You can’t help but be excited after seeing them perform live and win over audiences.” To date, the duo has supported Gym Class Heroes, Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, Kesha, Rihanna and Neon Hitch. Coming up are dates with Outkast, Ludacris and Juicy J. “We think the Oxymorrons have tremendous crossover potential,” says Epstein. “This is one of those rare groups where the songs speak for themselves. It’s our job to put the guys in front of audiences.”
Ground Control Touring
“Robert Ellis should be on the radar for talent buyers,” says Ground Control agent Andrew Colvin. “He can write a song like Randy Newman, sing like Paul Simon and play a guitar solo like Mark Knopfler.” Ellis and his band have created a “dynamic” show, Colvin adds, featuring everything from ballads and country rockers to free-form jazz solo jams. “He is already selling over 500 tickets in the major Texas markets, and the rest of the country is following close behind,” says Colvin. “The strategy for growth has been to get him in front of diverse crowds. He is great for festival audiences.”
Paradise Artists
The Winery Dogs made a splash with its self-titled debut album in 2013, which bowed at No. 5 on Top Rock Albums and No. 27 on the Billboard 200. The hard rock trio — guitarist Richie Kotzen, drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist Billy Sheehan — has been building on that momentum ever since. The band completed a yearlong tour in midsummer, says Paradise vice president/agent Jim Lenz, but plans are already in the works for “a major tour package” following the release next spring of the band’s second album.