In 2003, MK Productions was born by helping out one of my closest friends' (Derrick) sister's band. One of my customers at the time needed a band because of a last minute cancellation. After the show, my friends father asked me to be her booking agent. Booking shows for a cover band in multiple states. From Texas to Florida. Late in 2003, I was introduced to Lowerline from New Orleans and I wanted
to move into booking shows for original bands.
Building on the success of booking shows for Lowerline and ASB, I grew the company until there were 19 bands on my roster. In late 2004, I came across Sevenwiser out of New York. After meeting with the A&R executive in charge of a soundtrack for Jive Records at Voodoo Fest, I was given the opportunity to place Sevenwiser on a Wes Craven film and soundtrack sync. The film "Cursed" starring Christina Ricci, would go on to be released globally by Mirimax/Dimension films and the soundtrack sold 100,000 copies.
And then, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit. And it changed everything. Many of the bands that I worked with were displaced and disbanded. Including Lowerline.
In 2006, I decided to try again in the management realm. And found Absence of Concern out of Jackson, MS. Within months of signing them they had opened for Seether at the Jackson State Fair and were recording an album for Kik-It Records. After the label signing we parted ways. After leaving AOC, Drummer Adam Box became the permanent drummer for the hit country band, The Brothers Osbourne. Later that year I found The Blue Eclipse in Lafayette, LA.
TBE would gain regional attention quickly and within a year's time the band was performing every weekend in up to 12 markets. 3-4 times a week. They would fly to NYC and perform a showcase for Roadrunner Records and Rock Ridge Music executives at the famous Arlene's Grocery on 95th and Stanton. The band performed at the Famous Club LaVela twice. I secured 3 Live Television Performances for the band with LCN-TV a local cable access channel that reached 485,000 homes in South Louisiana.They were sponsored by Jagermeister's music program.
In 2007, I picked up Vysion from Tupelo, MS. Vysion would break up on it's own. And in 2009, Frontman Jon Horn (RIP) would reach out to me about managing the new band, AllyriA. After touring with Sevendust and Taproot they would go on to work with Producer Mark Wolfson and release an EP in 2010.
I also worked with LCN-TV as a producer for "The Vault" a music video series which embedded unsigned bands' music videos in between National Acts. I helped them secure a sizable rock catalog from Island/Def Jam Records at the time, as well as a strong catalog from Wind Up Records.
At the end of 2010, MK Productions was put on hold and worked strictly as music consulting firm in which it first worked with Farewell to Fear, helping them get signed to SMG Records, with the former manager of CREED. Their single "Diamonds" was aired on Howard Stern and within 24 hours hit #1 on Amazon and #8 on iTunes downloads. It's now hit 2,000,000 Spotify Streams.
In 2012, Signed to SMG Records and Managed by Mark O'Toole, Evolve Thru Scars joined the roster in booking. ETS featured Jon Horn as well as guitarist Chris Dabaldo (Saliva) , Justin Perez (former touring drummer for Goatwhore) and guitarist Brian Kirk (One Less Reason (Universal)). In 2016, Jon reached out to me again about an AllyriA reunion with new music. Powerful new tracks produced by Justin Rimer (12 Stones, Breaking Point, now a producer for Apple Music) of Crosstrax studios. Jon Horn passed away in January of 2017. In his memory, the family released the single "50 Shades of Crazy" which reached #33 on Billboard. All proceeds from the release of the EP go to a fund for his surviving children. In 2018, Farewell to Fear came back into the fold with a new record and signed to Pavement Entertainment. While helping to work the new single, I was able to land them 13 endorsement deals. With companies like Saluda Cymbals, Scorpion Percussion, GHS Strings and WB Gear. I also helped them get booked on Blue Ridge Rock Fest, as well as shows with Marcy Playground (Raliegh, NC), as direct support for Candlebox @ the House of Blues, Houston, TX and as direct support for Hinder at Rooftop Lounge in Houston, TX a month later.
"Underneath my Skin" reached #29 on Billboard MRI charts and 110,000 YouTube views.
Their current single "I won't be your tragedy" has garnered International airplay in 9 countries and is currently on the Billboard charts. As of August 11, 2020 "I Won't Be Your Tragedy" has officially peaked in the Billboard MRI charts at #21! The single also jumped 7 spots from #13 to #6 on the Foundations Secondary Market Radio charts. Over 1,400 reported spins combined on peak week!
