Dawn Reese Industry Interview

w/ Lynn Spillane, music publisher/consultant of. Muzik Junkie Publishing Los Angeles./.Hollywood, California * . * . * . * . *

Lynn's focus in the industry is Music Publishing. She represents the artists who are songwriters & producers. She has worked with each of the following recording artists: The Gap Band (also was the cover model for their 1st album); Donna Summer; Ricki Lee Jones; Nell Carter; Bobby Womack; Sylvia Tella (2 People's Choice Awards for Reggae in England). In terms of songwriters & producers, she worked w/ Marti Sharron & Danny Sembello (Grammy awarded); Jan Buckingham (nominated for 2 Grammy's); Brenda Russell (Grammy awarded); Damon Elliot (Dionne Warwick's son); Sylvia Tella (Reggae/England) to name just a few. Lynn's done Catalogue Brokering for Chuck Jackson (Where Do Broken Hearts Go/Whitney Houston and other songs) and Noel Williams (co-writer w/ Bob Marley & Buffalo Soldier). She's crossed paths w/ practically everyone in the industry from Jazz to Latin to R&B to Hip-Hop to Rap to Reggae artists.

DR: Hi Lynn. It's such a pleasure talking to you. I can not wait to have lunch w/ you in Palm Beach, FL this Fall. Tell me how you met Miss Vonny Hilton Sweeney, the lady I call Miss Hollywood, who produces The Pre-Grammy Event In Hollywood? You know February's event will be her 20th year doing it.

LS:  I met Vonny at least 15 years ago through a mutual friend in the industry, she was managing LACE then.

DR: How Long Have You been in the Record Business? What kind of Music do you listen to?

LS:  I've been in it longer than I care to admit - almost 25 years. I listen to all types of music but I work specifically with urban music, rap, hip-hop, R&B, Reggae.

DR: And what do you enjoy most in this Business?

LS:  What I enjoy most are the opportunities and the ever-present challenges.

DR: Are you taking new Talent at this time? What are you looking for to Help Promote Talent? And where can they send Demos to get to you?

LS:  At present, my plate is pretty full, but in terms of promoting talent, I look for tie-ins with manufacturers and products, movie soundtrack opportunities and the like.

DR: Can talent send you Demo, CD or tapes, or Video? Where do they send them, and do you take Phone calls? I have to ask that, as some do and don't. If you do,what time during the day if talent would like to talk to you?

LS:  I can't take phone calls directly. I accept professional demos at P.O. Box 69-1812, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

DR: Are you interested in judging Beauty Pageants? I book judges all over the United States. Have you ever judged at a Beauty Pageant & if so, what one?

LS: I'm definitely interested! No, I haven't judged one yet.

DR: Who do you truly Admire in this Business?

LS:  Everyone who is still standing with some money!

DR: Can you give Up Rising Stars advise from the Heart to help guide them so they do not give up on their Dream?

LS:  Do the research and find out about the industry and how it works and who the players are - it's hard to put that kind of advise in a sentence, but make sure that the manager, agent, agency, or producer is qualified and recognized in the industry before you put any faith in their judgment and above all, do not shell out money, or sign away any rights, without getting legal advise. And remember, if you don't feel comfortable, it's probably not right!

DR: What about copy right if they are singing another artist's song, and want to send it to you?

LS:  When I am listening to talent, I do not want to hear covers of other artists songs - I want to hear really new, fresh beats and lyrics.

DR: Is there anything You want to talk about?

LS:  I'd like to encourage talent to stay in touch with what is on the charts, who's producing & writing those hits, what labels are distributing those hits and the type of artists those labels are signing. Billboard is an international music publication and it is filled with information that's useful not only to those of us in the industry, but to those of you who aspire to be in the industry.

DR: How many Years have you been in the Pre Grammy event from Vonny Hilton Sweeney.

LS:  I've been invited to the party since the mid '80's & have worked with Vonny, peripherally, for a long time. I got totally involved with the party last year.

DR: Tell us. Did you ever Sing or Act?

LS:  No, I don't even sing in the shower. I am not an actress but I did model years ago & my musical instrument is the piano.

DR: When did you start in this Business, and what has been your Best Job so far?

LS:  I started in the business at UA Records in 1976.  I'd have to say that there are highlights in every position, but Windswept (a mid-sized music publishing company) was the best, it was my introduction to music publishing and a position that gave me a totally new respect for the industry and the role I would play in it. And, DreamWorks/SKG Music was definitely significant! To be part of the start-up team for the music publishing division of a major business venture that had the industry and the business world buzzing was quite exciting!

DR: Who do you enjoy working with, Lynn?

LS:  Since I work with producers and songwriters who sometimes happen to be artists, I enjoy working with the hip-hip producer/writers that I represent. They have new, fresh beats that do not duplicate anyone else and they write great songs.

DR: What are the Fun things in life you like to do?

LS:  I am an outdoors person and spend a lot of time at the beach with my 10-speed or roller blades.  I also love the theatre and the arts and of course, live shows!

DR: Can you tell me what ages you work with, as talent will know what you're truly looking for.

LS:  The talent I deal with for the US market is 18-22.

DR: I hope to see you at this year's World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood , as you will make an Awesome Judge at this October's event.

LS:  I'd like to be a part of that, so we'll see what Griff says. I hope this is useful. Sorry about not giving out my phone or e-mail address. Since I work alone, I cannot be available to people on that basis

DR: Well Lynn, I look forward to interviewing you on tape at the Pre-Grammy Party in Hollywood in the Press Room to talk more about what you are doing with talent. If anyone would like to Book you for a Pageant or Talent Event, I will pass information on to them.

DR: Until next time, this is Dawn Reese. Reporting from Dawn 'til Dusk, simply because that's me! That is why I call myself The Winning Edge. Pageant Gals really need to bring Headshots and Demos to Pageants. Not leave them at home. This is so Important. If anyone is interested in the Demo Tape of the World Championships of Performing Arts, send $5 for postage. I can send it to you, and you will see this Awesome Event In Hollywood, California. Send $5 to: Winning Edge, P.O. Box 33722, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, 33420

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