Mission Statement:
“We are a multi-faceted Christian entertainment and artist development company whose purpose is to uniquely teach Biblical principles through the artists we serve.”
Hello.? My name is Mike Smith, and I?m president of Michael Smith & Associates and a thirty year veteran artist manager.? I?ve had the privilege of shaping the careers of numerous artists in the Christian music industry.? My management agency is just one facet of a company that includes two record labels, a booking agency, a men?s ministry and even a conference company.
My experience in the music business is as broad as it is deep.? After starting out as the owner of an established music store I relocated to Nashville in 1980 and purchased a recording studio from Porter Wagoner to launch an independent label.? There I learned the management process from the beginning.
During that time, I developed management theories and strategies I later used with several well-known country music acts.? I then discovered an emerging genre that would forever change the focus of my company:? Positive Country.? I built a roster of talent that would come to define the format.? When I transitioned from Country to Christian acts, I knew it was going to take more than just a different Rolodex!? I found that this market not only cared about the art but also the motivation and character of the artists?ones that not only excited me with their music but who also shared my faith values.
Today I continue to identify, nurture and develop exciting new talent while maintaining relationships with artists who have been with me for years. Additionally I head a conference company representing various ministries and businesses including GodMen and The Conference on Artist Management.? I also founded Pure Blue Records and Right Minded Records which are under my umbrella.
My company is a family business, working side by side with my wife of over forty years, Jan, and also my son Scott.? LaDonne Basham handles all our finances. Kyle Johnson has become a part of my family, too, while Nipper our Jack Russell terrier is the true focal point of all of us.? I wouldn?t have it any other way!
Mike
Hey. My name is Kyle Johnson, and I?m one of the associates here at Michael Smith and Associates. Matter of fact, I?m the only non-family member of the full time team. I started with MSA in August 2008. My primary duties here are the day-to-day management of all our artists as well as sales and marketing for Right Minded Records and Pure Blue Records.
I grew up working in a Christian bookstore in Jonesboro, AR. My parents started the store when I was a baby. When I was in the 8th grade, I became the manager of the music section purchasing and meeting with sales reps. I moved to Nashville in January 1998 and started at Word Entertainment. My dream was to move to the big city and play drums for Michael W. Smith or Steven Curtis Chapman. Even though that didn?t happen, I did get to play some for Rick Altizer, eventually starting a band with him (Dum Dog Run) and making the best music of my life! God always has better plans for us!
On a personal side, I?m married to the wonderful Caron, and we have a beautiful daughter named Molly Cate. I?m also a Mac Fan Boy and love any kind of gadgets. We are members of ClearView Baptist in Franklin, TN where I play drums with the worship team.
We have a great time here at MSA, and I look forward to writing more for the blog talking about different music news, social media tidbits and other things that I think are interesting.
Thanks for stopping by and write to say hi! God bless!
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