Jason Davis: Music Industry’s Passionate Mentor
"FOR EVERYONE WHO DREAMS OF WRITING, PLAYING OR SINGING MUSIC ON THE WORLD STAGE we interview below THE PASSION OF NASHVILLE LEGEND, JASON DAVIS" Paul CodyP.S. JASON DAVIS, A LETTER TO YOUNG MUSIC ARTISTS This is A Passion Mentors Interview by Paul Cody with Co-HostsMike McKinnon ( The Captain ) Retired Submarine & Naval Base Commander. Fiona Ross , Royalty of Jazz , Journalist who mentored the first push to Ed Sheeran. Alyssa Marie Coon, 13 year old singer, songwriter and musician. Plays multiple Instruments. Faith & Harry 11 and 13 year old Music Sensations with a Facebook Following of over 130,000. Jennifer Mllott Award Winning Recording Artist, Singer, Songwriter, Choreographer. John Dorhauer; Composer, Arranger, Trumpeter, Creator/ Director of Heisenberg Uncertainty Players
Jason Davis is a Record Executive and Artist Manager at First Company Management, which manages multi-Grammy nominated and Dove Award winning CCM artists Newsboys, Ryan Stevenson, 7eventh Time Down, Audio Adrenaline, John Waller, Austin French and is also a founder/partner of Radar Label Group run by Loren Israel which has launched mega-selling, chart topping artists Jimmy Eat World, Neon Trees and Plain White T’s. Jason is also the President of Awaken Records, Care For Kids, and the Co-President of booking agency Higher Level Agency and founder of One One 7.
Davis had a passion for music since he could hold a guitar in his hands. He began as a singer / songwriter himself and wrote an ASCAP award winning song for most radio airplayed song of the year. Although he has launched and runs several companies his company One One 7 represents some of the most successful songwriters and record producers of our time and is named after the scripture 1 John 1:7 as a reminder to him on how to operate personally and professionally.
The Captain; It’s clear your success is based on a passion to help others be successful. What fuels the why behind that passion so you stay engaged, connected and committed to those you work with?
Jason Davis; While there are many reasons that fuel my passion for music, the most important for me is the endless passion that God gives me every day. Watching the artist’s life bloom while seeing how God is allowing their music to change and save lives is something that I’m very passionate about.
Paul Cody; How has letting your faith drive not only your personal life, but also your business decisions helped you succeed in the music business?
Jason Davis; Letting my faith be my driver has sustained both my personal and professional life. My faith helps me maintain relationships while putting a desire in my heart to handle things the way God conducts them with love, peace and service. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”. God’s word gives me a clear vision for the next step in my business and its directly related to my faith.
Jennifer Mllott; Jason, you have worked with so many fascinating people in your career. I'm sure you have taught them plenty, but what are a couple things they have taught you? If there was only one piece of advice that you could give to rising artists pursuing a career in music, what would it be?
Jason Davis; Throughout my career I’ve worked with a large variety of people. I have learned something from each individual that I have worked with. Various artists along the way have taught me how to love people well and to put the relationship above the business deal. Some important advice that I learned was from Jimmy Iovine, who now works for Apple, but also founded Interscope Records. He told me that he tortured songs. He taught me to really dig in and bring the song to the highest level.
Always pursue excellence and keep your bar extremely high. Since the right song is the key, surround yourself with established songwriters and producers who are unusually talented at what they do in the business. Talk with others who are not afraid to give an honest opinion and get their thoughts in an effort to better their craft and songs.
Alysa Marie Coon; Hi Jason, My name is Alyssa Marie Coon. I’m a 13 year old singer, songwriter and musician. I play multiple instruments like yourself. I’m working towards a career in music. I’ve recently been approached by several Nashville songwriters,recording studios and record labels who would are interested in taking my music to the “next level”.
I realize these people are in business to make money. My question is how do I decide who to write with, what publicist to hire, who to record with and what record label to sign with? How would I know who has my best interest at heart? Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise with me.
Jason Davis; Combine research with prayer. Look at the established reputation and concentrate on those who can get you with the right producers and songwriters. Surround yourself with a multitude of wise council who not only make good business decisions but also truly know your heart. Fine-tune your relationship with God. Ask God for clarity and God will open the doors that should be opened and close the doors that will lead you down the wrong path.
Faith & Harry; Hi Jason we are Faith & Harry thanks for the opportunity to ask you a question. After studying your Bio we read what a widely diversified work record and interests you have. From song writer, manager, to philanthropist. Our Bio looks very similar from multi-instrumentalists, songwriters, recording artists, models, music journalists, and advocates for an international charity; and we are only 13 & 11. Well our question to you is how do you decide which opportunities to take on, and which ones are not beneficial to your career so you replace them. We are offered so many projects it's often hard to decide which we should move forward with?
Jason Davis; After working for over 20 years in the music industry, how I select projects and or decide which people to work with has completely changed. For me, I pray about it. Select the projects that you know fit your personality, goals and those that you are most passionate about. Personally, I try to look at the projects that will help and have the most impact on others. Passion and compassion are usually a winning combination.
Fiona Ross; You are the president for the Care For Kids organization, which works tirelessly to raise awareness and to support vulnerable children across the world. How do you work with your artists to encourage them to explore the social responsibility of being a role model?
Jason Davis; Artists and speakers that I look to work with already come to the table with a heart of service. Together plans are made to continue how we can best continue to serve others. I’ve been blessed with the opportunities I have had and I believe in living by example and paying it forward.
The Captain; In creating a mutually beneficial relationship with an artist, what in your mind is the most important in maintaining and building a stronger connection? Why is it the most important trait?
Jason Davis; A lot of dialogue and communication help come up with ideas and shows the artist that they are cared about.
John Dorhauer; How has your experience as a songwriter informed decisions you have made as an executive/manager? Do you still write, and if so, is it for personal enjoyment or professional?
Jason Davis; Having a great song is the most important thing an artist needs to have a successful career. Being a songwriter has helped me understand and have compassion for how much work it takes to write a radio worthy song. I don’t write very often anymore but I still tinker.
Alyssa Marie Coon; I have another about YouTube videos. I’m wanting to know if I should be doing studio recordings of covers or live covers with good sound quality with sound coming directly from sound board? Should I be doing live YouTube videos as well using my phone? What do you think would be better as you mentioned artists are found on YouTube. I’ve heard mixed answers which is why I’m asking. I would like to represent myself in the best way possible and I’m aware that in studio recording, people are autotuned. This can make anyone sound good. I really appreciate your input on this.
Jason Davis; One of the most important things an artist need’s to be working on is their live voice for both recording and performance quality. Having a good live voice that does not need auto-tune is important for an artist’s career. Covers are a good way of drawing people in who don’t know you but having your own songs is even more important. Live videos are a good tool to draw people in as well. However, live videos on Facebook and Instagram would be more beneficial rather than on YouTube.
Paul Cody; Beyond talent, what are the most important aspects an artist needs to be successful?
Jason Davis; Passion, listening skills, intelligence, and being a good communicator.
The Captain; What advice would you give others who have a passion of service towards others to prevent burnout, especially if it’s a tough road to travel?
Jason Davis; An important thing to remember is to not take too much on at one time. Surround yourself with a good team that has the same heart and passion of service. Most importantly, let God lead you and inspire your service towards others.
Paul Cody; With all of the changes in social media do you feel that it is easier for an artist to be discovered or do you feel the market has been flooded; thereby actually making it harder for artists to be found?
Jason Davis; It's easier to be found because of social media. I think it puts a higher level of demand on an artist. However, social media makes it harder for an artist to have a laser beam like focus on their craft causing there to be less amazing artists than we have seen in the past.
The Captain; What separates you from others in your line of work?
Jason Davis; Through the years I have found that a lot of people in the music industry put the business deal before the person. What separates me is that I care for the people that I work with a tremendous amount and I never settle for anything but the best that I can do.
Paul Cody; With the growing number of independent artists, how important is it to have a record label? Jason Davis; It’s still vital to have a record label if you’re going to have a sustained career. The greatest driver for people hearing your music is radio and to get onto radio stations around the world, you will need the backing of a label. Chance the Rapper didn’t have a traditional label but he’s amazing. If you don’t have a major label, you need to be one of the best artists people have heard in a long time.
Paul Cody; What qualities do you look for in an artist when deciding if you will work with them?
Jason Davis; In the beginning stages passion, does an artist understand why they are doing what they do, being willing to work and get a bit uncomfortable. In life we often grow the most when we are out of our comfort zone.
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Thank You from Jason Davis, Paul Cody, The Captain, Fionna Ross, Alyssa Marie Coon, Faith & Harry, Jennifer Mllott, John Dorhauer. |
