BUZZpreneur of the Month: Kevin Shipley, MusicMunch Management
by Angela Kerr and Leah Parker.
Kevin Shipley has been strumming a guitar since he was 6 years old. He grew up in San Francisco and was surrounded by the hard rock and blues scene of the late ’60s, at such historic venues as the Fillmore West and Winterland. He was drawn to playing bass in high school and enjoyed an active band life in the Bay Area and nearby mountain resorts. He has toured in South America and the United States, where he became a networker and “collector of relationships,” which he still calls upon as the current President of MusicMunch Management.
He had a 28 year stint in the Semiconductor industry in Santa Clara, California and moved to Denver in 1986. Kevin’s focus in the tech sector was branding, marketing, sales, and promotion. His experience also includes high level sales, marketing and strategic development. His life experiences include race team owner/driver, entrepreneur, talent buyer, promoter, and festival director. Kevin’s experience in the non-profit sector includes a current position as Executive Director of the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR) as well as prior non-profit experience focusing on his passion for young people and helping them succeed. Currently on his plate is a large June Gala event and a GRRR/RiNo Art District Silent Auction slated for September 2014 at the ArtHaus.
Kevin met Harrison Welshimer, former President of MusicMunch, in September 2013, and began collaborating and developing the company. As Harrison made a decision to focus on other interests, he handed over the reins to Kevin in January 2014. One of Kevin’s first accomplishments as President of MusicMunch Management was to sign Lost Caravan, who recently returned from headlining a gig at the Sundance Film Festival, drawing upon his former touring connections in Los Angeles.
According to Kevin, indie artist’s risk getting overexposed by not expanding their reach to new areas and new audiences, they’re getting stuck. He feels most bands don’t need a manager; rather, they need help developing a long-term vision, a strategic plan to get there and a venue strategy (booking agent). Lost Caravan exemplifies Kevin’s branding-focused techniques with female lead, Lindsay Meredith, and her uniquely identifiable gypsy rock. As a new management representative for the band, MusicMunch acts as booking agent and helps the band execute to the three-year business plan. Kevin says a band should be “so well prepared that you feel sorry for the next band up.”
Kevin is also a strong advocate of social media to attract and mobilize fans. “Facebook Likes do little for you if you can’t engage them and get them to shows.” “Likewise, use website management to drive traffic, increase reach and marketing potential.” MusicMunch Management offers a menu of fee-based services from helping an artist develop a plan and direction to booking agent to full artist management.
In addition to Lost Caravan, the company works with Vignette, Matt Human Trio, Flip and Fly, Mark Nussmeier, Cheza String Ensembles, Kenny Lee Young, Mezzo Mestizo, and AdrienneO. This month Shipley will share his expertise as lead panelist for the May 13th Own It Mastermind on “Talent Buying, Branding, Imaging, and Marketing.”
Visit MusicMunch Management at musicmunch.com.
Category: Buzzworthy
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