Mike is a professional with four decades of experience in the music industry. She is a former Vice President at Andre Harrell's Uptown Records providing guidance to then fledgling music mogul Sean "P-Diddy" Combs. As a senior executive at CBS Records (Sony Music) and Mercury Records (Universal Music Group), Mike herself is a trailblazer as a member of the first group of women who had tremendous success in the boardrooms of America's major record companies. Artists such as Earth Wind & Fire, Brian McKnight, Vanessa Williams, and Lionel Richie have all benefited from her expertise as well as, some of today's reigning music executives.
Mr. Miller is the founder and publisher of Black Radio Exclusive (BRE), the first and oldest trade publication dedicated to highlighting and exploiting the world of urban music. Sidney started his career in music as a musician and as concert promoter while attending Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida. His classmates included famed musicians Nat and Cannonball Adderley. After serving his country in the U.S. Army, the former First Lieutenant eventually joined Capitol Records. While at Capitol Records, he managed the entire promotions deptartment providing promotional strategies for such diverse acts such as Helen Reddy, the Fortunes and his former classmate Cannonball Adderley. Upon forming his own management and promotions company, Sidney created marketing strategy for the landmark soundtrack to the movie "Car Wash" which became at that time MCA Records largest selling soundtrack.
In 1976 noting the lack of attention given to black music which accounted for over 60% of the $6 billion music industry, he launched BRE which has grown from its initial 1,000 copies to an internationally read publication. His annual BRE Conventions have brought together the "movers and shakers" of both the entertainment, civil rights and political worlds where vital information has been shared in an effort to further advance the cause of black music and those who create and market it. The highlight of each convention was the awards dinner where winners received the "Drummer Award," which was commissioned by the publisher to represent the African tradition of mass communication. Sidney has proven to be a visionary, which lead to his creation of the first syndicated satellite program "Hollywood Live," hosted by the late legendary radio programmer Frankie Crocker. Today satellite broadcasting is the norm but Sidney as the saying goes was "slightly ahead of his time." In addition to being on the LLC Board, Sidney is involved in the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science's (NARAS) MusicCares Foundation, the Evander Holyfield Foundation, Washington D.C. Music Commission among others. He has received numerous awards including the prestigious NAACP Image Award.
The Philadelphia-born, Detroit raised Banks began his radio career broadcasting on his high school's radio station. Local station WDRQ took notice of his talent and offered him a spot as a temporary late-night weekend disc jockey for a country station. After high school, he managed to turn his temporary trial into a permanent multi-year gig at KDAY in Los Angeles, California. He then moved on to the LA station KFI, which helped to pave the way to a morning show slot in Las Vegas at KLAV-AM. Doug's next two stops were KDIA in San Francisco and WBMX (now WVAZ) in Chicago, Illinois.
From 1986 to 1994, Banks did nights then a morning show for WGCI-FM. Next, the ABC Radio Network offered Banks the opportunity to do a nationally syndicated show. The Doug Banks Morning Show, hosted by Banks along with DeDe McGuire, rose to become one of the top-rated syndicated urban programs in America. In January 2008, the show was cancelled, but Banks relaunched the show this time in the afternoon drive under the new name The Ride with Doug and DeDe in the process.
Vinny Brown is a native New Yorker recognized and distinguished among the elite in Radio Programming. Vinny is an accomplished Radio Air Personality, Music Director, Program Director, Operations Manager and Station EVP. Brown’s unprecedented achievement in New York City Urban Radio remains unrivaled. As an NYC OM/PD he’s credited for leading two different radio stations, WRKS and WBLS respectively, to the top of the ratings more times repeatedly in America’s #1 radio market. Brown’s leadership and proven track record validates his ability to maximize performance and ascend radio stations to winning levels of competitiveness.
Vinny’s multi-format expertise specializes in Urban Mainstream, Urban AC and Smooth R&B & Classic Soul. Brown’s experience includes General Market Contemporary Hit Radio, Classic Rock, Country, News/Talk and Gospel, which offer an impressive range of versatility and diversity among his most respected credentials spanning from New York to LA.
Vinny has built a strong reputation for talent development through the years. It includes working with a number of high profile air personalities as well as training many celebrities to be on-air performers. Subsequently many have become most successful in major market radio, national syndication and satellite radio. Brown has been responsible for the creation of network programming for national radio syndication and the development of international shows for FM stations in Kobe’ and Tokyo Bay Japan. His imaging marketing background includes voicing nationally aired radio spots and producing TV commercials marketing radio stations. Vinny also has appeared as himself on TV sitcom “Martin” and was a contributing consultant to the movie “Juice.”
Brown has received numerous awards and prestigious recognition for excellence and outstanding achievement within the radio industry and community service. Brown currently serves as EVP/Consultant to KJLH Radio Los Angeles and on the Board of Directors of the Living Legends Foundation.
Irene Johnson-Ware's illustrious career in Gospel radio started in 1961 at WGOK-Mobile as the host of The Mandy Show, now known as "The Brighter Day." There she rose to the level of General Manager and enjoyed an unprecedented 38 1/2 half year tenure. Affectionately known as "Miss Ware," Irene Ware has exemplified the terms empowerment, mentoring and networking, by positively impacting the lives and careers of many people in the entertainment industry.
Mrs. Ware's stellar career is evidenced by her numerous appointments and awards including: Who's Who Among Black Americans; Gospel Music Workshop of America's Gospel Announcer of The Year Award; NBPC Gospel Announcer of The Year Award; Urban Network's Living Legend Award and many more. In 1992, Mrs. Ware was elected president of the YBPC, Young Black Programmers Coalition, later renamed the National Black Programmers Coalition. Under her direction, the NBPC has grown in industry visibility, membership and financial stability. A devoted wife and mother of two, Darryl and Ronnie Johnson, Sr. Vice President of R&B Promotion, Atlantic Records, Mrs. Ware always has words of inspiration and encouragement for everyone she encounters and continues to inspire with her unrelenting drive to improve opportunities for African Americans in the music and entertainment industry.
Publisher/CEO/Owner of the Urban Network Magazine, Mr. London served as President of the publication for 9 years before acquiring it from broadcasting's largest company, Clear Channel Communications in 2003. He served at the legendary A&M Records as Executive VP / GM of Urban Music Division at the legendary A&M Records working such major artists as Barry White, Lo-Key, Mint Condition, CeCe Peniston, also Grammy Award-winning producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Miller held various positions at RCA Records from Vice President of product development to Vice President Sales and Marketing. His 21 years at Motown Records in various capacities including Senior VP /GM, has afforded him the vantage point of seeing the music business as few have, working closely with Motown Founder Berry Gordy.
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