Awesome Entertainment Group

Bio of CEO / Creative Director Richard Skeete

Richard holds a BA (Hons.) degree in Music Entertainment and Arts Management from Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom. After graduating in 2008 with Upper Second Class Hons. Richard returned to Barbados to take up a position within the development of the local music industry. Seeing the scope and the void in the music market Richard set about to raise the professional standard of music managers and music entrepreneurs throughout the Caribbean by establishing a regional branch of the International Music Managers’ Forum (www.immf.com). Appointed to the Board of the Association of Music Entrepreneurs Richard’s responsibility is to handle media relations and develop training programmes for local music managers. His regional involvement in the creative sector has seen him being part of the recently formed Caribbean Music Industry Network Organisation which is still being developed and structured, however CaMINO has already made its marked both at the regional and international levels of the music industry. At age 33yr he is passionate about the development of the creative sectors in Barbados where he writes a weekly column on entertainment business for the online magazine Barbados Today and has signed Shane Forrester and Jody Smith to management contacts under his company Awesome Entertainment Group. Working as Business Manager for the international renowned, Holders Season, the Caribbean's Premiere Performing Arts Festival, Richard is also looking for ways to develop and expand the cultural landscape across Barbados. Looking toward the future Richard has been recently accepted to the graduate studies programme at the University of Westminster to pursue studies in Music Business Management. Richard is destined to be one of the leaders in the development of music business in the Caribbean. “The Caribbean needs to create an infrastructure around its musical talents, music professionals and business entrepreneurs. One Caribbean, One Music, Music Our Business” – Richard M. Skeete

Our Mission for SXSW 2010

Interact, Network and do Business with persons involved in the music industry. Thereby creating a platform for local and regional entrepreneurs and music industry stakeholders to maximise their export potential in the global music industry.

• Foster Relationships with persons who can assist in fulfilling out SXSW Mission.
• Networking and building relationships with various industry stakeholders – managers, entertainment lawyers, booking agents, music publishers, license agents thereby becoming a catalyst in the development of the local and regional music industry framework
• Forming strategic partnerships with specific industry persons who are interested in doing business in Barbados.
• Promoting the AIM and Mission of the Association of Music Entrepreneurs and the Music Managers Forum (Caribbean)
• Selling the products and services of Awesome Entertainment Group and promoting artists on our roster
• Having a good time.

Who we would like to meet at SXSW

Anyone and Everyone involved in the music business, those open to forming strategic partnerships and those willing and ready to do business in Barbados.

COMPANY CONTACT INFORMATION

Kingsland Terrace, Christ Church Barbados

1 (246) 428-1413 (Barbados)

1 (246) 266-8535 (Mobile)

1 404 916 7789 – (US/Canada)

skype: Richard.Skeete

FACEBOOK – http://www.facebook.com/rychard.skeete

TWITTER – http://twitter.com/MusikManager

Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/blkmetro

OUR ROSTER

Featured Artiste At SXSW - Shane Forrester

A Musical All Rounder – are the words use to best describe the undiscovered musical talent of Shane Forrester… musician, singer, songwriter, music educator, producer and instrumentalist, are some of Shane’s endorsements as a music heavy weight.

Born into a family surrounded by music, Shane was exposed early to the music industry. Going from the days of the all male group, “Smooth Boyz”, Shane quickly realised his passion for the stage and performance and was ‘picked-up’ by the internationally renowned ground, The Troubadours International who invited him to perform on their Canadian and USA tours. His desire and commitment for the music industry landed him a spot with the band IV Play (later renamed 4D People) in 1995. 4D People became one of the most popular and successful bands of the 90's in Barbados. During his five years with 4D People, Shane was featured on all three of the bands albums and had the opportunity to tour the Caribbean and Europe performing at prestigious events like the Modem Musical Trade Fair in France and sharing the stage with top international artistes such as Boys 2 Men, Beres Hammond, and James Ingram.

Now considered one of Barbados’ best male vocal talents, Shane is about to metamorphose into a true Entertainer, with the launch of his self title album – SHANE. Spanning genres such as pop, rock, adult fusion, jazz and soul with a touch of old school classics, Shane’s career has earned him places on Barbados Jazz Festival, The Barbados Gospel Fest, The Ottawa Blues Fest among other internationally recognised music festivals and events. His single, “About You” was placed on internationally signed artist, Jaicko’s album of Capital Records.

His on stage persona, musical ability and authentic Caribbean vibe continues to develop and mature. Having an online fan base of Over 140,000 and over 2,100,000 hits on MySpace and over 20000 text comments, Shane’s presence has created a movement. His singles, “Love When You Call My Name,” and “What I’m in For” is receiving much local and regional airplay. The stage is set…ladies and gentlemen – MR. SHANE FORRESTER

Other Awesome Artiste

TEJAY

Nominated for 5 Barbados Music Awards this Diva in the making can be simplified as Fiery, Sensual, Beautiful and Fierce. Young Tonya Tejay Montague has risen to become the hottest female vocalist in Barbados music arena. Like so many others, Tejay began her singing career in the church where she performed in numerous choirs and groups. However, her smooth, alto voice and thirst for success were destined to take her to far bigger stages.

Tejay joined the award-winning gospel group 'Instruments of Praise', which allowed her to expand beyond the gospel realm into the more secular area of Caribbean Jazz, and led to her first recording project as a background vocalist on the group's debut CD 'First Steps'. Those first steps were certainly that, as appearances at Barbados Gospel Fest and later the acclaimed Barbados Jazz Festival soon followed. She also lent her voice on vocals for major artists like Danah, Jesus Army, K.D.B and Keanne with her popular track “Scream”.

Emerging from the background, Tejay finally took her talent where it belonged- center stage- when she joined Strategy in November, 2004 as the sole female vocalist. With each performance she brings sophistication and style to the stage. Her gospel background belies the ease with which she delivers on the group's calypso and R&B tracks, yet her church-honed soulful vocal delivery sets her apart from her contemporaries. With Strategy she got the opportunity to share the stage with major international stars such as Fat Joe, Dru Hill, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Terror Squaq, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest and soca royals such as Alison Hinds, Rupee and the Dot Com Band, Kevin Lyttle, Mr. Vegas, Edwin Yearwood, Krosfyah and Bunji Garlin. She not only shared the stage in Barbados, but also the Helen Of The West Indies, St. Lucia. She performed as part of the massive BK Fashion Weekend, that was attended by the who’s who of the international music, film and fashion industries, and shortly after performed in the United Kingdom.

Her debut album Summer Kisses and music video – Chimmie Papa, released locally and International has been receiving chart success in the Japan market. Tejay has worked with various producers in the Caribbean such as Danny Champaigne and Fewwture Productions. She has collaborated with artiste such as Voicemail, Tenza of the group Fyah, Kirk Brown, Italist and Rasbrando and she now accompanies one of Barbados’s most popular artiste Lil Rick on the Facebook Riddim.

It is without a doubt that she is one to watch for in the future not only as a singer and a performer but also a skilled songwriter who is destined for true success.

Jody Smith (Jo-D)

A mix vocal tone which sometimes can be mistaken for that of Maxwell, blended together with the smooth rich sound of Tevin Campbell, Jody Smith is considered a breath of fresh air on the Barbados music scene. His first time on stage was at the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest at age 14. Since then he has made appearances at the Teen Talent show sometimes as a guest artiste and at his alma mater (xxxx) during special functions. In 2007 he sang at the Barbados Hip Hop festival performing a song called ‘Back to Business and Fresh’ with Rubytech and he also sang in the 2008 wooing the crowd with his singles 'So Into You'. At 23 years old, Jody has excellent prospects of being a successful singer songwriter. This versatile artiste performs a range of styles from R & B and Soul to Hip Hop, Reggae, and Calypso. His interest in the latter music genre is perhaps a reflection of the influence of his father Derick Smith, better known as ‘Simon T’ who participated in several Crop Over Calypso contests on the island. His quest therefore to enter the musical arena should therefore be no surprise since the DNA in his gene pool is coded with musical chromosomes. Recently discovered by music manager Richard Skeete who is a member of the International Music Managers Forum and have several connections throughout the international music arena, Jo-D is destine to be one of the next international recognised acts emerging from Barbados. Presently going through a period of rebranding and development Jo-D is set to re-release several tracks under his new management.  

http://myspace.com/jodysmith246