Open Artist Management
I had heard the name Rich Overton for a few years. He has been talked about as a manager that ‘makes things happen.’ His track record proves it. I was able to spend some time with Rich during Europride’09 where Guy B was performing in Zurich along with two of Rich Overton’s clients, Kelly King and Billie Ray Martin, and saw first hand that the rumors are true.
Rich is wonderful enough to share some of his extensive experience with us about the managing of open artists here today. Some of the in’s, but all of the out’s. Read his bio and info here.
Rich Overton for RJO Artist Relations & Management, LLC
Official Website: www.rjoartists.com
Tell us a bit about yourself, at the moment:
About me? My name is Rich Overton, middle name Joseph. I turned 30 this year. I am in the 7th year of starting RJO Artists and it has been 6 years of running the company full time. I have made the rounds at various labels, management companies and pr firms at the start of my career. I learned early on what it meant to make your own rules and getting things done independently in this wild ride of an industry. Music has been my passion since I was 5 years old and I am grateful to be doing exactly what I dreamt of as a kid. Currently, I am working with Levi Kreis, Kelly King, Brian Kent, Billie Ray Martin, Jason Antone and just signed on Billie Myers. It’s been an incredible year with our artists, new CD releases and Pride tour…more to come 4th Quarter and in 2010.
Oh, I am also from Boston originally, graduated from Emerson College for Audio/Radio Performance/ Public Relations and I believe Cyndi Lauper is an example of the ultimate artist. She has stayed true to herself in her entire career.
Tell us about RJO Artists and what it does:
RJO Artist Relations & Management, LLC is a public relations, development and management company. We work closely with many independent artists and also out artists. We are proud to work with artists who are true to themselves. Our motto is “Promote. Develop. Represent. With Passion” and our goal is to take our artists to another level (or in many cases many new levels) from where they are at when they contact us. Our main objective is to find and/or create opportunity and exposure for our artists.
What is your experience in the music business:
Oh boy, this is a lot of me talking about myself…I rather talk about my artists! J Long, work-in-progress journey in a nutshell: I started out in college radio, worked in PR in Boston, interned and did some work in Los Angeles, then moved to NYC to run the public relations & booking departments at an indie label while also working at a marketing company before starting RJO. All the details and exactly where I worked with some RJO accomplishments are at “About RJO/Services” at www.rjoartiststs.com.
Your current client list is largely openly gay. Dealing in the management and PR world, do you find that they are referred to that way in press?
It honestly depends on the press outlet. There are many angles and stories during a given campaign – some press want to focus on the music, the new or upcoming projects of an artist and some press want to discuss political views and more about the life of the artist. This all depends on what the artist is singing about and what the artist is passionate about. In many cases, the press does refer to the artist as openly gay and I don’t see anything wrong with that when done respectfully and as fact. I think openly gay artists give younger gay fans something we didn’t have when we were young – openly gay role models who don’t apologize for who are not afraid to be who they are.
If you had a choice, would you rather your gay clients be closeted or open regarding their musical career?
I do not wish nor do I recommend ‘closeted’ on anyone or in any capacity of their life. Music is truth to me. I am so proud that I have worked with many artists who have gained quite a following and careers on their own terms by singing their truth.
How do you think openly gay artists should deal with press?
Be yourself, be entertaining, know your audience and make sure you say the title of your new album and your website as much as you can.
What do you tell young recording artists that are deciding whether to be an open artist or not? What factors should they consider?
I am not one to tell anyone who to be. With that said, I stand by the fact that living in your own truth will bring not only success, but happiness. Sorry if that went too “Oprah” on you.
What is the biggest mistake you find openly gay artists making?
I find many gay artists do not truly believe in their own genuine capacity to break out universally because of what the industry or society tells them. People are people and we all feel the same things when it comes down to it. So do not believe anyone who tries to limit your success.
What sells a male artist to the gay male demographic? Does the body work or not?
I think the best way to say it is that the complete ‘body of work’ works. There is no denying that image is important, but there are many gay males and many different types of gay men in our community. If there is one thing we know, it is true talent and that is what impacts us to the core.
What is the biggest piece of advice that you wish all openly gay artists could learn regarding their professional identity and career?
Hmm…I think an important piece of advice is to surround yourself with people who are passionate about what you do and what you stand for. Don’t sacrifice working with people who are willing to do the work because they love what you do for people who may just be names in the industry who will not treat you as a priority.
Moving beyond sexuality, do you think that gay artists have a unique expression to offer? If so, what? And how might they develop that?
Of course. Gay history and culture in general has informed society on what it truly feels like to be the outcast. If developed positively, this breeds acceptance, open-mindedness, compassion and emotion. Everyone can relate to this. Our culture exceeds just sexuality. Tell your own story…it will change lives.
Where do you see your career in 10 years? And what do you see for your clients’?
I hope to be doing this or some variation of exactly what I am doing right at this moment. So, in 10 years, I hope I am doing this, just on a larger scale and maybe in a larger office. It would be great to still be working with some of the artists I am working with right now….sticking with the artists from the beginning through the explosion of the careers is a dream of mine.
Anything else?
Well, I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t take the advice I give to my artists: please check out www.rjoartists.com for all the new information on our artists…and don’t forget to pick up Levi Kreis’ new album “Where I Belong” at Best Buy! (sorry if the annoying shameless publicist just came out… my artists and I are truly so grateful for all the support. Continue to support great art, independent and OUT musicians many of whom are nurtured through OPEN ARTISTS WITH OPEN ARMS!)
