This interview in particular is from a while back and was originally intended to be released as a written interview. However, after listening to it I realized that it should be available as a podcast. Chris is an engaging person to listen to and does a great job at conveying his answers. I really enjoyed interviewing Chris as he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the world of songplugging and how to work a catalog of songs. Many people wonder what it takes to get your song performed by a top selling, top charting artist. This interview discusses just how that is done!
Aaron Bethune.
Interview with Chris Keaton
Thanks to the great writers Chris represents, his company has placed more than fifty cuts in the last eight years including songs recorded by major stars such as George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Brooks and Dunn ( ACM Award winner, CMA and Grammy nominated single "BUILDING BRIDGES"), Lonestar, international recording artist Haydain Neale and many other independent artists. He was formerly vice-president of publishing for Barbara Orbison Productions / Still Working Music Group. He represented the Roy Orbison catalog as well as fifteen contemporary songwriters to the global music market. Under my leadership, the company had songs recorded by Pam Tillis (Top Ten), George Strait (#1), Reba McEntire (#1), Brooks & Dunn (#1), George Jones, and international recording star, Cliff Richard. As a former partner in KMA Management, along with Bill Aucoin (Kiss, Billy Idol) and Kent Martin (Owner, SRO Productions) he managed Mike Younger (Beyond/BMG). Mr. Younger's critically acclaimed debut album, which was produced by Rodney Crowell, was released in October 1999. Among others, he represents or has represented the catalogs of Criterion Music (Maribeth Derry, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, and Rosanne Cash), The Roys, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Jim Reilley, Ronna Reeves, and many other talented writers. Additionally, he's am proud to announce that he now represents renowned producer and former Disney Music VP of A&R, Fred Mollin (www.fredmollin.com).
Weekly, Chris volunteers as a music teacher and a member of the Advisory Council at the W.O. Smith Music School, a school for children who typically cannot afford music lessons. He is a member in good standing of the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, The Recording Academy, and Toastmasters International. As well as sitting on several charity boards, he is also a judge with the Miss America Scholarship Program and have served on judging panels at Miss Virginia, Miss North Carolina, Miss New Mexico, Miss Florida and Miss Oklahoma. For over twenty-five years Chris has been involved in the music industry as a performer, producer, and publisher. He studied music at Virginia Commonwealth University and have toured and performed (as an artist) throughout the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe and the Middle East. He has produced numerous award winning television and radio commercials as well as regional and national record albums. He's been a guest on David Hooper's nationally syndicated radio show Music Business Radio (http://blog.musicbusinessradio.com/2007/05/index.html, Episode #32). He has been a featured panelist at the Midwest Regional Music Festival (St. Louis) and Atlantis Music Conference (Atlanta). He's been a speaker at the New York, Tampa, Detroit and Roanoke, VA Chapters of Nashville Songwriter's Association International and has also been the featured publisher on several occasions at the Songwriter's Guild of America and Tennessee Songwriter's Association monthly song critique in Nashville. http://www.chriskeaton.com/