ThinkSay Records is the kind of record company Brad Davidson always wanted to build. From the ground up with a team of people and artists who are dedicated to their craft. There’s no doubt the company is poised for a breakout year with a new distribution deal and new partnerships in place making it an independent record label to watch in 2014!
Brad Davidson
By Bob Burke
It’s not an easy job nowadays when you decide to build an independent record company from the ground up but if you have the right people, and the right artist it can be done. ThinkSay Records is that company and its President Brad Davidson has surrounded himself with a team of people who are passionate and driven to succeed.
Davidson’s career started as a Columbia Records College Promo Rep before ultimately being upped to VP of Pop Promotion. Then it was on to Reprise Records as VP of Pop Promotion. Next up was SVP of Promotion at TVT Records followed by EVP of Promotion duties at S-Curve Records before founding ThinkSay Records.
Having spent many years at majors and indie labels, Brad and longtime partner Dan Pearson always knew they wanted a shot at running their own company. Through the work they had done with promoting and developing artists such as Andy Grammer and We The Kings, they eventually had the opportunity to connect with other believers and backers in a venture that would become their new company, ThinkSay Records. The label’s flagship artist, Chris Wallace is back on the charts with his second Top 40 hit, “Keep Me Crazy” a follow-up to his successful debut single, “Remember When (Push Rewind)” which was buzzing and ready to breakout at this time last year. Now with a new distribution deal and new partnerships in place ThinkSay is ready to make its move and expand on its success in 2014.
As a start up company, what makes ThinkSay Records so unique?
I remember every company I worked at had their own culture created by the people that worked there. The uniqueness of ThinkSay is our culture, created by the shared vision of our group. We just want to win for our artists and for each other. When you work so closely with a small group, a real bond is created. There are no internal politics because of the mutual respect and friendships we have formed through achievement. If you create that as a foundation, then you have a massive base for success.
What has been the label’s progress since its launch a year ago?
For a small independent label we have experienced tremendous growth this past year. Chris Wallace, our flagship artist, has had two consecutive Top 40 hits, “Remember When (Push Rewind)” and “Keep Me Crazy.” We’ve partnered with Caroline Distribution, a group of talented people that share the same passion for breaking Pop acts. We are in the midst of establishing the charitable arm of our company, ThinkSay, Play! I could not be more proud of our team and everything we have accomplished so far.
ThinkSay signing a distribution deal with Caroline-UMG was an important endeavor. How will that help the company moving forward in terms of how it works and your combined vision?
The first time we sat down with Dominic Pandiscia, President, and Michael Harris, General Manager, it was quickly realized what we could do together. They believed in us and they shared the vision to bring more Pop based music to the market place together. Our primary goal together is to break developing Pop acts and add a new Pop brand to Caroline. Caroline and their staff provide a 24/7 connectedness to support our artists in all areas of distribution. Dom and Michael are also constantly looking to connect the dots with other artists and ThinkSay. We are currently in talks with two artists they brought to us.
It’s not an easy task for independent labels to break through and compete within the major label landscape. What’s been key in your recipe for success for ThinkSay?
As difficult as it is to compete, you have to start with great music, a staff of people committed to finding a way, and, honestly, some luck and timing. When we launched TS with Chris Wallace, we knew we had a Star that was willing to walk through the fire with us to get there. That established the core of who we are as a company and the types of people we wanted to build with. Almost all of the TS family has had a great amount of experience working for majors and indies. We pulled out the best ingredients we felt majors and indie labels did best, threw it in a bowl, stirred it up, and here we are.
How does ThinkSay go about building a staff and its roster of artists?
Remember the kid from Vision Quest, Louden Swain? That’s who we look for. We seek out people that have a vision beyond reality. Sounds cheesy right? To achieve and compete with majors, you have to have people that “want it like there’s no tomorrow.”
In terms of our staff, we have a firm system in place where we seek and give shots to people that believe in our shared vision. Kerry Lee is a great example. She volunteered to do some work for us and amazed us. That led to an internship, a co-op, and now she is graduating with a full time job as Promotions Director with TS. She demonstrated the passion and commitment needed, and it paid off for all.
Chris Wallace has been the centerpiece of ThinkSay since its launch and has a new video coming soon featuring actor Eric Roberts. How did that collaboration come about?
About a year ago I was introduced to Eliza and Eric Roberts through Keaton Simons. Keaton is one of the artists we are working with on a couple projects and is also featured in the video. The entire Roberts family has really become a part of the ThinkSay family. They are all talented, passionate, and want to win. Working on set with both Eric and Keaton was such an experience for us. I remember when Eric started his part, there was such an overall silence because people were so engaged in what he was going to bring. He brought it!
Tell us about your partnership with Jerry Blair, Wyclef Jean, and Global Entertainment Management.
Jerry Blair was my mentor years ago at Columbia Records. He taught me that “vision without execution is hallucination,” a quote from Thomas Edison. Over the years, we’ve stayed in touch and ThinkSay brought us the opportunity to work together again. This year we’re joining forces with Jerry’s management company, Global Entertainment Management, and Wyclef Jean’s label, All Handz on Deck. Through this joint venture, ThinkSay will be working with artists Jarina de Marco, Angelica Salem, Imposs, and the Wyclef Jean project.
ThinkSay enjoys a great partnership with radio. What’s the strategy in knowing how to build and when to really put the pedal to the metal and drive a record home?
We can’t tell our secrets! Honestly, I believe the success we have overall at radio and other areas comes down to the foundation of how we are built. Most people know Dan Pearson and I but probably have not met our third Partner, Barry Byrd. Dan and I both came from radio and promotion and have a real grasp of how it works. Barry is a music passion guy that has had a lot of success outside of the entertainment business. He brings a massive amount of business experience and helps us connect the dots from ideas to successful ideas.
How important is it to have a promo exec and partner like Dan Pearson as a integral part of the team?
Every rule has an exception. The “everyone is replaceable rule” should be thrown away here. Dan and I have been working together for about fifteen years. I saw him start as an assistant and now he is a Partner and EVP of Promotion at ThinkSay. Every relationship, business or personal, goes through a learning curve. In the early years of working with Dan I believe I taught him a lot. Now he teaches me. In terms of his relationships and willingness to get something done, there is no better choice. Dan has expanded his astounding work at radio and is now a full part of the A&R process, Sports Management, and brand building.
Tell us about the ThinkSay Foundation and its launch.
In 2014 we are launching “ThinkSay, Play!”– the charitable arm of our company. As a record label, we recognize the importance of music every single day. Our goal is to spread our passion for music to school systems across America. Our hands on approach involves traveling around the country, with the support of local radio stations, to donate instruments and teach children music lessons.
We are extremely excited for the launch of this project. Currently, we are in the studio with David Duchovny and Keaton Simons working on David’s first record. Most know him from the X-Files and Californication, but what they don’t know is what a talented writer and musician he is. The album will be released in early 2014, and the proceeds will be donated to ThinkSay, Play! David and Keaton will be joining ThinkSay on our mission to spread music to schools across the country!
When people hear the name ThinkSay what do you want them to think of first?
Possible! The name ThinkSay comes from the movie Jerry Maguire. The mission statement that Jerry wrote was called “The things we think, but do not say.” When I watched that movie a long time ago I really identified with the difference between success and victory. There are a great deal of people supporting our efforts and believe in us. We want people to think that “possible,” is the only option!
[eQB Content By Bob Burke]
