Dan Pearson, Founder & CEO, Lakeside Entertainment Group
February 12, 2024
by Fred Deane
Dan Pearson
In 2016 Dan Pearson set his sights on forming his own management company that eventually evolved into a label services firm focused on seeking out Indy artists from various sources, developing their profile and base, and bringing them to the radio marketplace. It’s an ambitious concept in these conservative times of radio, but a notion that has come to fruition with very successful results.
Dan was previously involved with Indy artists throughout his career in working at labels like S-Curve Records where he was instrumental to the success of artists like Andy Grammer and We The Kings. It was a rather smooth transition and Dan has met every challenge with an industrious work ethic and stoic attitude and these admirable qualities has permitted Dan to stay on top of his game and open industry eyes with the range of success he’s enjoyed over the past few years.
What motivated you to transition from corporate and Independent labels to being a sole proprietor of your own company?
I started my career at Columbia Records in the Pop Promotion Department and then went on to work at Universal Motown, Virgin Records, and MTV Networks. I was fortunate to be a part of some incredible teams and learned a lot about how major labels roll out and break new artists. We had a tremendous amount of talent, manpower, combined experience, and resources. After about 10 years I transitioned from major corporations to my first independent label job as the Northeast Regional for TVT Records. At TVT we had a much smaller staff and I learned quickly how to do more with less. I loved feeling closer to the artist, having a bigger say in the creative and decision-making process, and feeling like I played an even bigger role in the outcome. I’m proud to say I was part of a very small team that crossed artists like Pitbull and others from indie underground artists to the mainstream. From that point forward, I knew the independent side of the industry was where I wanted to be.
I then joined the start-up label Glassnote where I was the promotion department. I went on to lead the campaign for our debut artist Secondhand Serenade and their single “Fall For You” which I broke at multiple formats and became a worldwide hit. This success launched the label and the band and was a big turning point in my career. I learned I could run a National campaign on my own with limited staff and resources, and again was very involved with the artist directly, management, the label, distributor, and many other partners along the way. I then joined S-Curve for the relaunch of that indy label and had a tremendous amount of success breaking Andy Grammer and We The Kings in addition to working with legacy artists like Duran Duran and Tom Jones. From there I realized I wanted to take a shot at signing, developing, and breaking new music for my own company. It felt like the right time and the next natural progression.
During your label career, what informed you the most regarding your growth as a label executive that ultimately led to your confidence to run your own business?
Along the way I tried to learn from everyone and take the best parts of those people and experiences with me. Working in those environments and the cultures those labels embodied and breaking a few artists went a long way in my development and others, gave me the confidence I could build my own team, create the right culture, and launch my own company.
How would best define Lakeside Entertainment Group and its core objectives?
Lakeside Entertainment Group has multiple divisions and has grown based on the needs of our clients. We offer talent management, record label, event production, and label services. We take an entrepreneurial approach to managing, developing, and breaking new artists. We also love working with established artists that share our vision, passion, and independent spirit. We provide in-house label services that include radio promotion, marketing, digital media, streaming, touring, merchandising, brand partnerships, and more. With our experienced team and devoted partners, we can compete at the highest level and provide unique opportunities that advance the careers and profiles of our clients.
As a label services company, what have been the chief sources of A&R and artist flow in your direction?
We’ve been very fortunate that at his point, a lot of our artists find us based on our reputation. We have strategic partnerships with STEM, The Jonas Group’s Red Van Records, Infinity & Recordings, other labels and creative partners. We’ve teamed up with the International label CloudKid in the past, the sync and licensing powerhouse Milk & Honey, Island Records, and many other partners through the years that have contributed to our growth and success. We also have a dedicated person on our A&R team that is always looking for artists on TikTok, Spotify, and the other streaming and social platforms.
You’re currently having success with LANY, Lawrence and Olivia Lunny. Can you detail your approach of defying the business model of strictly streaming, to developing artists using Pop radio, radio partnerships, and syncs?
We’ve been working with LANY, Lawrence and Olivia Lunny for the past few years. We currently have two of them on the Pop Chart, which we’re very proud of. Every artist we work with has a unique story, individualized goals and different paths to success.
LANY has been developing their socials and touring base for years. Their fan base is incredibly loyal and responsive. When we started approaching radio and other mainstream outlets it was about finding the right song which we now have with “XXL” approaching Top 20 at Pop. Radio and TV are still the big separators in my opinion, and we knew if we got significant exposure in these areas and poured some fuel on the fire it would excite their base even more and be a winning combination.
Lawrence also has a very loyal fan base. Their music is not straight down the middle Pop (which we love), and incorporates lots of elements of blues, funk, and rhythm thanks to their incredible horns section. The sibling duo of Clyde and Gracie are two of the most talented and driven artists I’ve ever seen with an exceptional handle on the touring side of the business. We launched their Top 30 debut hit “Don’t Lose Sight” at Pop radio last year which led to a Global Microsoft commercial, late night TV performances, and a direct support slot on a stadium tour with the Jonas Brothers.
Olivia Lunny has potential to be one of the next biggest female Pop stars in my opinion. She’s incredibly hard working and has a real handle on her branding and developing base. We recently debuted her hit “Fix This” featuring Bryce Vine at radio and have been focusing on building her touring profile as she opened last year for Ellie Goulding, Loreen, and others.
LANY is experiencing a lot of success at Pop and is selling out arenas on their current tour and radio seems to be acknowledging and responding to the demands for the band. Can you elaborate on this phenomenon (being a small player in the entire business equation)?
Our partners at radio have really stepped up and supported LANY during this campaign. I think it’s a combination of having the right song at the right time, strong relationships, and being at a crossroad with streaming and what that means for developing artists. Radio is proving they still have the power to cross a band over to the mainstream audience making them a household name. With that mainstream awareness, our team has been able to leverage better touring results, merch sales, syncs, impact streaming, and create other meaningful opportunities. It’s about all these things working together that create the best results and a platform to build a long career on.
How much impact have you seen with Lawrence being the only opening act on the Jonas Brothers tour?
It’s been an incredible opportunity for our entire team to learn from a world-class band like the Jonas Brothers. Their team and their fans have been amazing. Lawrence’s socials numbers have nearly doubled from being on the tour and their engagement is higher than ever. The pop culture awareness from our partners at radio, TV, and press have also increased significantly which has led to many other opportunities. For example, Lawrence was featured on select shows on the iHeart Jingle Ball Tour in 2023 which was an incredible milestone for them and our team.
It seems you have these blue-collar artists/groups who are willing to put in the work when it comes to shows, events and appearances to expand their brands. What are the keys to getting them to buy into this radio approach?
I’ve learned through the years both in business and in life that there are no shortcuts. You have to put in the work, and we have a proven model at this point. It’s the teams that put in the work and have the best chemistry and music that often succeed. We’ll do four or five events a day sometimes with radio, foundation partners, and others to have the maximum impact everywhere we go. Radio and all other partners respect the work ethic and will often root for you if they feel that drive, passion, and determination.
What are the core values of your company?
Loyalty, integrity, creativity, and persistence are at the very top of the list. Our reputation means everything to us. Being passionate and fighting for your shot can get heated with partners at times but if you have a foundation of respect and a history of integrity, that’s what counts. For our clients, we do our best to be honest, creative, passionate, and realize that this is their art and dream they are entrusting us with.
During your career, who were your main influences and what were your takeaways from each?
There are so many. Monte Lipman at Republic has been a role model for me from the beginning. He went above and beyond for me during a very difficult time in my life when I was at Universal and that has always stayed with me. Todd Glassman was the first person to hire me and give me a shot at Columbia Records when I was starting out for which I am forever grateful. David Massey at Island Records was our first major client when we launched the company and his friendship and guidance through the years has helped me a great deal. Erik Olesen has also been a very loyal friend and gave me valuable advice when I launched Lakeside in 2016. Tom Poleman is an executive I’ve admired for a long time. His leadership, partnership, and support of our artists and vision have played a tremendous role in our success and in my personal growth as an executive. Also, the incredibly talented Paul Loren, who is one of my dearest friends, Lakeside’s flagship management client, and who reminds me often “It’s gonna take a little time.” I truly appreciate everyone that has been a part of my journey and thank them for the role they have played!
