The Glove… - Strange Arrange

CONTENTS
EVENT
Strange Arrange History
Meet The Creator
Demographic
Who’s Involved & Our Judges
Venue: Anthem Nashville
MEET OUR TOP 5
B. On. It Productions
Elite Creations
Nurdy Tunes
Smash Brothers
The Glove
PRESS & SOCIAL MEDIA
STRANGE ARRANGE HISTORY | WHO WE ARE
Founded in 2012, the Strange Arrange Live
Each finalist received critiques on their different
The 2012 judges for the Strange Arrange were:
Arrangement Competition is Nashville’s first live
levels of the following:
Professional Bass Players & Music Directors:
arrangement competition where bands from all
•Creativity
Adam Blackstone and Ethan Farmer,
over the country perform a live remix of today’s
•
Professional Drummer & Music
hottest Hip Hop and R&B songs.
•Transitions
Director: Nisan Stewart and Grammy
•Showmanship
Nominated Recording Artist, Musiq
arrangement competition did not exist in the
•
Dynamics
Soulchild.
music industry. With extensive research, planning
•
Plus more
and strategy, the Strange Arrange guaranteed
The winner’s of this competition received a one of
amongst the bands, but Nurdy Tunes of
musicians an opportunity to change the face of
kind prize package which included:
Miami, FL won the title as the 1st Annual
musicianship and fulfilled its promise.
Winning Title, Trophy, Cash,
Grand Prize Winners of the Strange
Magazine Features and a Recording
Arrange.
incredibly skillful musicians in Hip Hop, Gospel,
Session and Video Shoot with a
This year, STRANGE ARRANGE challenges
Jazz, Rhythm & Blues and Soul genres to create
major celebrity .
musicians to generate a new standard of
chords, drum patterns, bass licks and guitar riffs
Also, the winner has a chance to play in front of
musicianship and musical creativity that encourages
that set a high standard of professionalism and
major music directors provides the opportunity to
showmanship, musical durability and interest in
creativity for aspiring musicians all over the nation.
play amongst high profiled artists and musicians.
diverse styles of music to today’s music scene.
Upon its debut, the concept of a live
The Strange Arrange caters to the most
Difficulty
The competition was extremely stiff
*As of today, the STRANGE ARRANGE® is the First Live Arrangement Competition in the music industry.
MEET THE CREATOR | THE CEO
Courtney “Coko”
acclaimed Soundtrack Beat Battle and the Strange
recipient for her esteemed efforts in leadership and
Eason, Founder and
Arrange Live Arrangement Competition, which
entrepreneurship in Nashville. On June 12,2014
CEO of Soundtrack
gives undiscovered musicians and producers an
Nashville’s Stay On The Go Magazine will honor her
Entertainment, LLC, is
opportunity to showcase their talents amongst very
amongst her peers as their inaugural 2014 Black Top
a woman whose passion
influential industry executives. Due to the success
40 Under 40 winner.
for musical success is
of these musical platforms, she landed a notable
as incomparable and
mention as the 2011 Billboard Magazine ”Top 30
Science degree in Recording Industry with a minor
pioneering as the journey she’s traveled.
Under 30 Award” recipient.
in Music Percussion from Middle Tennessee State
Courtney is an accomplished professional
In 2013, she received the REDI
The Memphis native earned a Bachelor’s of
University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She is also
with over ten years’ experience in front of
Foundation’s Award of Distinction for her
a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
the camera and behind-the-scenes, in the
outstanding business plan for the advancement of
Incorporated.
entertainment industry.
real estate and business development in Nashville.
Also, she was appointed to the Advance Nashville
knowledge of the inner-workings of event
wealth of knowledge from both the creative and
board for her cutting edge top-tier developments
production, hosting, songwriting, and music
business arenas, to help empower artists, musicians,
and entrepreneurial efforts to expand leadership,
placement is vast and can be attributed to her
producers, songwriters, and other creative
groundbreaking business, and innovative initiatives
experience working for music network, Sony ATV,
professionals by integrating their dreams through
in Nashville through her company, Soundtrack
where she works as an US Administrator.
major opportunities to reach maximum musical
Entertainment.
and professional potential.
Nashville Business Journal 2014 Top 40 Under 40
For more information about Courtney, please
visit www.soundtrackent.com or contact press@
soundtrackent.com
Follow Courtney on
@COKOKORINNE
As CEO and Founder, she combines her
Courtney is the brainchild of the nationally
This year, Courtney was honored as a
Through her company, Courtney’s
DEMOGRAPHIC | OUR AUDIENCE
In existence for only 2 years, Strange Arrange is Nashville’s premier music competition for
60%
MALES
FEMALES
Ethnic Groups
African American: 65%
Caucausian: 30%
Other: 5%
AU D I E N C E
PROFILE
in areas of community diversity, celebrities, musical style, trendsetters, and more.
40%
AGES 18- 29 ... 61%
AGES 30- 44 ... 31%
AGES 45+ ... 8%
TA R G E T
musicians. Celebrating its 2nd year and growing music platform, Strange Arrange is the resource
Years in Existence: 2
MEDIAN AGE
GROUP
35
90%
Over
of our
target audience are
active music lovers,
musicians and college
students.
20,000+
· Highly Sociable
OVER
· Actively Mobile
Website Hits Per Day
· Music Lovers
since January 2014
· Consistent Community
Supporters
·Community Leaders
· College Students
·Music Industry Professionals
Type of Event: Live Arrangement Music Competition
Key Attributes of Event & Activity: Casual, Celebrity Appearances, Music
Industry Professional Networking, and Only Live Arrangement Competition
in Music Industry, Good Food & Drinks, Community Oriented, Live Music/
Entertainment, Dancing, Competition, General Public Admission, Media
Coverage, Multi-Ethnic and Multi Cultural Driven
Frequency of Event: Once a year. (with the exception of 2013)
Size of Onsite Audience: Ranges from 500-1,000+
Top City Views: London, Tokyo, Japan, Kingston,Jamaica, Dublin, New York
City, Los Angeles, Boston,MA, Nashville, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and etc.
Who We Target Most: Undiscovered and Professional Musicians, Producers,
DJ’s, Engineers, Artists and Songwriters, College Students, Graphic
Designers, Videographers, Photographers, Gamers, Music Executives and
more
WHO’S INVOLVED| MEET OUR SUPPORTERS
BRANDS WE’VE WORKED WITH...
• Adam Blackstone
• New Bay Media
• Big Fish Audio
• Pre Sonus
• Electronic Musician Magazine • SAE Professional Recording Studio
• Ethan Farmer
• SCION
• Gerald Hayward
• Sony/ATV Music Publishing
• Limelight Entertainment Venue • Sony Creative Software
• Musiq Soulchild
• and many others
For More Information About Sponsorship Opportunities, please
contact us via email at [email protected]
MEET OUR JUDGES | 2014 STRANGE ARRANGE
PJ MORTON
Tommy Sims is a bassist, songwriter, record producer
and bandleader. From 1987 to 1989 he was the bassist of
the popular Christian rock band White Heart which he
left to become a studio musician and producer. During
1992-1993, he played bass on the Bruce Springsteen and
the “Other Band” Tour.
NISAN STEWART
He is also a songwriter, who wrote Eric Clapton’s
“Change the World” which won the Grammy Award for
Song of the Year in 1997. Other songs of his have been
recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Garth Brooks,
Cher, BlackStreet, Toni Braxton and BabyFace among
others. Tommy has also worked with Michael Bolton,
Amy Grant, Kelly Clarkson, CeCe Winans, Israel, The
Neville Brothers, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child,
and others.
For More Tommy Sims, visit www.soulwalking.co.uk/
Tommy%20Sims.html
PJ Morton is a Young Money solo artist, Maroon 5
keyboardist and a Grammy Award-winning producer/
songwriter. A New Orleans native, his musically inspired
upbringing included soul, pop and gospel influences,
nurturing PJ’s incredible ability to cross musical genres.
Having worked with Timbaland and Missy Elliott on
Missy Elliott’s earlier work (This Is Not a Test!), he
co-produced Karen Clark Sheard’s 2002 album 2nd
Chance, and co-produced and co-wrote the Nelly
Furtado single “No Hay Igual” (from her 2006 album
Loose) with Timbaland. Stewart and Timbaland also cowrote and produced a song on rapper Busta Rhymes’s
In May 2013, his acclaimed major label debut New
Orleans (which features Stevie Wonder, Adam Levine and
Busta Rhymes) hit #1 on iTunes R&B Albums Chart and
Top 5 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
For More PJ Morton, visit www.pjmortononline.com
Nisan Stewart is a noted drummer/producer/
songwriter, musical director for Jamie Foxx, Jessie J,
50 Cent, Nicole Sherzinger, P. Diddy, ect. He is the
founding member of the recording group Soul Seekers.
TOMMY SIMS
2006 album The Big Bang. He is a well known musical
director for Diddy, Jamie Foxx, Tamar Braxton, BET’s
Comedy Series: One Mic Stand, and 50 Cent.
For More Nisan Stewart, visit www.twitter.com/
nisanstewart
THE VENUE | ANTHEM NASHVILLE
125 12th Avenue North Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Located directly across from 12th and Porter,
Anthem includes a live music space for performers
to entertain 1,000 of their closest friends from an
expansive stage, a sprawling, new mezzanine level
complete with a plush, new, 400-capacity VIP room
that runs the entire length of the building and
overlooks the main floor and finally, a boutique dive
bar known as ‘Revelry’ that opens at 5pm nightly and
offer a more intimate, entertaining experience. Behind the scenes, a full kitchen and a 3,000
square-foot staging/green room for artists and their
entourages will compliment the amenities. And
while guests can expect an upscale experience and
a Vegas-style dress code that prohibits the obvious,
the experience will be anything but fussy. Artists and
musicians thrive on the Anthem experience because
it is one of the best live music venue in Nashville with
amazing sound and lighting features.
Parking
Guests can also expect smooth access to the venue with
the implementation of a shared parking plan between
all neighbors on the block of 12th Avenue North
including free valet services as well as free self-parking.
2014 STRANGE ARRANGE
We are thrilled to have the 2014 Strange Arrange Live
Arrangement Competition at Anthem in Nashville.
We strive to uphold a major standard by providing our
audience, staff and affiliates with the absolute best. By creating
a dynamic musicial atmosphere beyond experience, the
Strange Arrange is a rising movement in the Nashville music
scene.
The 2014 Strange Arrange plans to leave our audience
with a true Anthem experience through great music, great
atmosphere, great food, and much more.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday July 12, 2014
@ANTHEM NASHVILLE at 8 p.m.
FOLLOW ANTHEM ON
SOCIAL MEDIA
WWW. ANTHEMNASHVILLE.COM
125 12th Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Phone: (888) 495-6660
Email: [email protected]
MEET OUR 2014
TOP 5 FINALISTS
THE RETURN OF THE
CHAMPIONS
THE CHAMPS ARE BACK! The Strange Arrange fans are
ready for more “Nurdy Tunes”. This group took the crowd
by storm in 2012 when they lit up the ears and hearts of
music fans at the Strange Arrange competition.
Nurdy Tunes sparked the attention of the judges
and reigned as champions of the 1st Annual Strange
Arrange. This year, the fans voted them back potentially
seek another victory. It all started two years ago when
the group found out about the Strange Arrange through
its Founder and Creator, Courtney “Coko” Eason. After
receiving the information, the group met through the
Internet and through mutual encounters at the Boston’s
largely renowned Contemporary music schools, Berklee
College Of Music. For those who encounter the Nurdy Tunes
YouTube videos, may assume the group played together
before the 2012 Strange Arrange. However, they reveal
they spontaneously played together separately at different
times, but only played together as “Nurdy Tunes” at the
first annual Strange Arrange Competition.
This group is comprised of five members: Sean
Wright, the Lead Arranger on Drums, Jamahl Smith on
Bass, Tadarius McCombs on Keys, Rod Bonner on Keys
and Prashant Murthy on Guitar.
Many fans wanted to know what these guys
felt about the Strange Arrange since their big 2012
win. Nurdy Tunes Lead Arranger and Drummer, Sean
Wright expresses his views on the Strange Arrange by
saying “the general idea of a working musician consists
of complimenting and supporting artists.” This is a great
platform for musicians being that it focuses strictly on the
music and what musicians have to offer to the table with
their creative mindsets. Nurdy Tunes believe it is an honor,
privilege to be in the Top 5 and says they are blessed by this
opportunity again.
When asked to describe the group in three words,
they describe themselves as: Spontaneous, Professional,
Geeky because their sound consists of these 3 words for 3
different reasons, says Wright.
3 WORDS
3 REASONS
The Glove…We fits!
We
are
Spontaneous
because we come up with
catchy, wacky ideas from the
past present and future that
you wouldn’t expect to be
thrown into the song that is
being arranged.
We
are
Professional
because Although we tend
to open up a lot more than
we normally would when
it comes to arranging and
playing to please the crowd
and judges, you’ll still hear
quality and clarity in our
sound similar to what you
would hear at a live concert.
We are Geeky because our
sound is very geeky because
we often use popular theme
songs, but we also use not so
popular theme songs being
that there are themes that
attracts our ears whether it’s
a popular tune or not.
With a mantra so jovial, fun, trendsetting, THE GLOVE
readies for the Strange Arrange with ease. This group
began playing together one year ago while attending
Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. The Glove
members found out about the competition, through
Berklee students and personal Nashville associations.
Like their competitors, they cannot get enough
of the Strange Arrange. When asked to describe the
competition, they eloquently sum it up in one word...
Revolutionary. “Musicians always want to hear their
favorite songs with live arrangement. Creating a platform
where this can occur is brilliant,” say The Glove members.
Natives of Nashville and other rural
communities, the band believes this caliber of event
gives [us] musicians another opportunity to make an
underground movement recognizable. The Glove band
members are Jscott Martin, Jaleel Faulk, Will Gittens,
O’Neil Palmer, Adrian Forbes, Arnetta Johnson and
Utril Rhaburn.
As the band reflects on their journey to the
Top 5, they describe it as a humbling experience to
be recognized by successful industry musicians. “The
international recognition and support has been mindblowing,” says the band. This experience is proof that
music and its reach/impact is truly universal.
The Glove describe themselves as relevant
because they take both old and new music and create an
arrangements that new generations can appreciate. They
are mature because they are fully developed. Although,
they have been playing together for one-year, their sound
and collaboration efforts prove otherwise and they are
eclectic because they never want to be predictable with
our music; never put into a box. “We appreciate all genres
of music and embrace different approaches to sound and
creation.”
The Glove’s desire for the audience is to have
a deeper appreciation for their creativity, along with an
open door for new career opportunities. They hope to
help increase awareness and recognition of R&B artist
hailing from Nashville and become a stepping-stone for
future recognition of Berklee College of Music.
Their expectations for the 2014 Strange Arrange allows
music fans to know the Strange Arrange is a serious
competition. “The 2014 Strange Arrange is going to be
crazier than it was 2 years ago, being that all the bands
know what it’s going to take to win. Everyone will be at
their very best.”
What’s Next for Nurdy Tunes? According to the
guys, they plan on focusing more on using their musical
gifts strictly for the music industry and leaving a legacy
that will be timeless.
The band wants fans to know “Nurdy Tunes
isn’t a clique, it’s a family.” If you feel you approach music
differently when it comes to playing/listening, noticing
sounds and ideas most people do not, then you can
represent Nurdy Tunes too!
#LETZ MOVE
Representing Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.
This crowd pleaser is bound to move the audience
with their eclectic grooves and flare.
B.ON.IT Productions started their
musical journey, almost five years ago by connecting
through mutual friends, shed/music sessions. These
guys found out the Strange Arrange through 2012
semifinalist, Koolz Bazaar.
The B.ON.IT Band Members are Brandon
Bufford, Music Director, on Keys, Joe Elliott III on
Drums, Jesse Thompson on Bass, Shawn Davis and
CJ Warfield , both on Keys/Aux.
Excited and overjoyed, this band is
ready to show the Music City why their mantra
is #LETZMOVE. When asked about the Strange
Arrange, Drummer Joe Elliott III says, “I think the
platform is a great learning experience. You can learn
how to engage your sound on great opportunities.
This event impacts the music scene by allowing other
bands to be heard. Even if they don’t win, they’ll have
other opportunities come to them, from another
source, probably.”
Team B.ON.IT is extremely humbled by this
experience. Making it as a Top 10 finalist was great,
but TOP 5 feels much better, the group says.
To describe B.ON.IT in 3 words, Elliott says, “We are
consistent: Because we refuse to slack and drop the ball.
We are timeless: Because we deliver freshness every
time and we are versatile: Because we work and study
music of all kind. We are not a closed-minded band.”
When asked about the band’s expectations
for this year’s competition, they kept it short and
sweet by stating, “We expect to win, we expect a
clean competition, and we expect blessings and
opportunity.” B.ON.IT’s future plans are to travel
the world, release our sound for artists, and create
freshness to music like never before. What makes this
group TOP 5 worthy? B.ON.IT. believes in hard work,
staying focused, boldness, faith, open-minded…
All entitled into one word/trend that they use a lot:
#LetzMove!
WE SMASH THE TRACK
Humility, strength, rooted in faith and complemented
with a dynamic sound, Charlotte, NC has a group of
musical gems named the SMASH BROTHERS.
Like most musicians, this group heard about
the Strange Arrange through the highly acclaimed visual
social media platform, YouTube. From there, they
auditioned and assembled an “All-Star” group especially
for the Strange Arrange Competition. Interestingly, the
group has yet played together in the same room. However,
group members Taylor Lee and Mike Seal tour together in
the Jeff Sipe trio.
The Smash Brothers consists of five band
members: Taylor Lee on Bass, Chesley “Cheese” Allen
on Drums , Frank Walton Jr. “Champion” the Lead
Arranger on Keys, Mike Seal on Guitar, and Otto Gross
on Aux Keys.
When asked about their thoughts on the Strange
Arrange, Taylor Lee says: “I think it is an excellent platform
for discovering talent that otherwise might go unnoticed.
I feel it impacts the scene positively because the younger
upcoming generation has a chance to be heard!”
This group expresses their deepest humility as a
Top 5 Finalist by saying: “It is such a blessing to be selected.
We are so thankful to God for answering our prayers and
giving us the gift of music.”
The group coined a three-word slogan to define
their group sound, “Anointed Fusion Grooves”, which
simply describes their sound. “This is a culmination of
where we came from and who we are stylistically”, says Lee.
The Smash Brothers expectations for the 2014
Strange Arrange are to be given a chance to be heard
and recognized for their originality. Also, they hope to
befriend their fellow competitors and to be mentored by
the judges!
Excellence.. Limitless.. Integrative.. Thriving..
Enlightening..
Sky is the limit for Elite Creations. Hailing from
Indianapolis, Indiana, this fearless music ensemble graced
their talents and captivated the votes of many music fans
across the world.
Elite met at different times in their music career.
They have all been working together for quite sometime
on many different projects. Like their competitors, they
group has officially met one another. The only members
that have officially met are Eric Catron and John Souki.
Upon Catron and Souki’s official meeting, the group knew
one another and played individually for five years. The
band attests Catron and Souki penned the idea for the
guys to join together as Elite Creations.
The Elite Creations band members are Aaron
Stix Smith, Lead Arranger on Drums, Deron Bell CoBand Leader on Bass, Eric Catron on Aux/Keys, Terrance
Dennie on Keys, and John Souki.
Elite instantly took interest in the Strange
Arrange during its inaugural season in 2012. When
asked how they felt about the Strange Arrange platform,
Aaron “Stix” Smith says, “The Strange Arrange is a
great platform for talented musicians to be noticed for
great talents in music!” It’s deeper than just playing an
instrument. It could also open doors for programming,
studio mixing/mastering as well as being a studio or
touring musician. The possibilities are limitless.
To describe Elite in three words, Unpredictable,
Driving, and Clean. “People do not know what to expect
when they hear us. We keep things as a surprise musically
and will take you on a journey. Driving and aggressive
making sure you feel the groove, and making sure every
section musically is clean and sounding great,” says Smith.
Elite Creations expectations are to connect and
network with musicians, staff, judges, to leave an impact
musically to hopefully open up to playing on a new level
professionally and win STRANGE ARRANGE 2014.
What’s can we expect from Elite in the future?
Possibly, more live arrangements, tours and feature on
some upcoming albums because excellence is ELITE!
CONTACT:
Leighandriah Oden, Soundtrack Entertainment
615-995-1537
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUNDTRACK ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS BACK THE WORLD’S MOST UNIQUE LIVE BAND
COMPETITION!
Nashville hosts Music Competition for Musicians on Saturday July 12, 2014 at Anthem
May 1, 2014 – (Nashville, TN) LIVE ARRANGEMENTS, LIVE MASHUPS AND LIVE REMIXES will be rumbling the
streets of Nashville during Summer NAMM weekend for the 2 nd annual Strange Arrange™ Battle of the Bands Competition.
This is not the ordinary rock battle that Music City is used to. The STRANGE ARRANGE™ Live Arrangement Competition
challenges musicians to generate a new standard of musicianship by turning the usual software and beat machine produced radio
hits into LIVE MASTERPIECES. From Beyoncé to Britney—From Drake to Daft Punk---From Pharrell to Pink…the audience
will hear their favorite songs like never before.
“I hope that the people of Nashville realize how huge this is. We are hosting an event that has never been done before in any
other place in the world! It’s changing lives, it’s making dreams come true, it’s making history…and it’s all going down in Music
City”, says creator and founder Courtney “Coko” Eason.
The STRANGE ARRANGE™ live arrangement competition is where the Top 5 bands in the nation take the acapella [voice
track] from any song and perform a totally new composition in front of a celebrity judges panel (this year’s judges: Nisan
Stewart, Tommy Sims & PJ Morton). Soundtrack Entertainment and its affiliates believe the contest will result in ideas that will
ignite a new generation of great musicians and Nashville will become the birthplace of a new style of music. Coko explains, “I
think the Strange Arrange can be so much bigger than a competition. I want to make Strange Arrange a genre of its own. I plan
to get more celebrities involved to help create a movement where live bands and live arrangements take over the music industry
and become the definition of real music.”
The Top 5 Bands are:
Smash Brothers (Charlotte, NC)
Nurdy Tunes (Miami, Florida)
Elite Creations (Indianapolis, IN)
The Glove (Boston, MA)
B. On. It Productions (Indianapolis, IN)
These bands are incredibly skillful in Gospel, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Fusion, Pop, Soul and Hip-Hop which gives them the ability to
play chords, drum patterns, bass licks and guitar riffs that will leave an audience speechless. The Top 5 Finalists will be required
to prepare an 8 minute set, where they will perform a medley of 3 different “strange” arrangements (1 Hip Hop Song, 1 R&B
Song and 1 Pop Song). The finalists will be scored on creativity, difficulty, transitions, showmanship, dynamics, unity, solos
and their arrangement styles.
The winning band will receive cash, gear, a leading role in a Sony Creative Music Commercial and a Recording Session and
video shoot with Maroon 5′s PJ Morton!
For more information on the competition, visit www.strangearrange.com
###
About Strange Arrange™
Founded in 2012 by Courtney “Coko Korinne” Eason, the Strange Arrange™ is a Live Arrangement Competition where bands
from all over the country perform a live remix of today's hottest Hip Hop and R&B songs. Based in Nashville, Tennessee,
Strange Arrange™ is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds the title as First Live
Arrangement Competition in the music industry. Follow the competition on Twitter @1StrangeArrange and “Like” Strange
Arrange™ on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/StrangeArrange. For additional information about Strange Arrange™,
please visit www.strangearrange.com.
Address: 9 Music Square South #398, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615-768-9504 * Email: [email protected]
www.facebook.com/StrangeArrange
www.twitter.com/1strangearrange
www.pinterest.com/StrangeArrange
www.strangearrange.com
[email protected]