Jason Davis, Author and Music Business Veteran, Talks His Company One One 7
by Tim Wenger
It could be said that author/songwriter/label man Jason Davis has been busy. An understatement, if you look at his accomplishments over the course of his 15+ years in the music business- award winning songwriter, A&R executive, executive TV Producer, entertainment consultant, and author. From the end of 2007 through 2011, Jason served as the Senior Vice President of CTK Management who represents Dolly Parton, and was also President of his own media company, Fahrenheit Media Group.
His company One One 7 is the current vision of Farenheit, with One One 7 TV creating original inspirational entertainment content, and One One 7 Productions, developing TV show pilots for major television networks. Recently, Davis wrote and released his first book, a memoir titled, “Your Love Pursues,” recounting his incredible journey in the music industry. This sparked the creation of the newest division of the company, One One 7 Publishing, which focuses on the development of Christian-faith based book titles. CMB caught up with Davis to gain some wisdom on the business, focusing on his experiences and place within it.
CMB: What was your plan when you were younger? Was wearing so many hats a goal, or was that just where the career path has taken you?
JD: I was a big dreamer when I was younger, but not much of a planner because I didn’t have a roadmap, nor did I know one existed. I have been led down an incredible path of wearing many hats in the music industry: award winning songwriter, A&R executive, executive TV Producer, entertainment consultant, author, former Senior Vice President of Dolly Parton’s Management Company, and founder of One One 7. It’s been too amazing of a journey to have been able to plan it. My passion for music and songwriting was what drove me at a young age.
CMB: What qualities in a songwriter have stood the test of time, attracting A&R and management attention then and now?
JD: There are a few qualities that successful songwriters possess. First, they have an extensive knowledge of their craft and they study the charts regularly. This quote by Mozart is one of my favorites in regards to this question: “It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied.” Hit songwriters also put a lot of heart into the music they write, and through the decades that quality is consistently recognized by A&R, management, etc.
CMB: What marketing advice do you have for someone trying to publish a book?
JD: I believe in any business the sum is greater than the parts. I spent a year with one of the hottest up and coming writers in the business, Karen Koczwara, and we worked tirelessly to write the best book we could. I had heard of her from a few publishers and seen her work in the Chicken Soup For The Soul books and I pursued her. Getting someone at her level on board was a big step. You have to reposition yourself with a team comprised of the best. Next, it comes down to dedication and work. The book went through countless re-writes and was edited by five different professional editors over the course of a year and a half. Before going to market you want to make sure you have an impactful cover design and overall the best product you and your team can produce. In regards to marketing, your book needs to be for sale in various places to reach a broad audience. My book is currently sold in multiple countries by thirteen major retailers. It comes down to having the right team, working hard, torturing details, and getting the book proper exposure. That laser beam focus on quality and the right team has caused the book to get the reactions it is getting.
CMB: Has it been tough to stick by your ideals/morals while working in the music industry?
JD: Fantastic question! For the first eight years I worked in the music industry, I had no moral compass. I tried to do right but I was often negatively influenced by others or I was not strong enough to ignore my misleading desires. Even through much success I made a lot of mistakes during my first eight years in the business from a moral standpoint. I was striving for success and stature both of which are generally never good things to strive after. Eight years ago, a friend of mine in the business who I admired introduced me to The Bible and I started reading God’s Word. I began desiring to walk the earth as Jesus would and desiring to treat and think of others as Jesus would. The beautiful thing about God’s instruction manual is that it’s the firm moral compass I was missing. There are no gray areas or “white lies” with Jesus. Often we do things in life that don’t look that bad or don’t feel that bad but they are wrong according to The Lord. I’ve also learned when it comes to moral decisions, people don’t destroy themselves in one day; it is always a series of small compromises that don’t line up with God’s Word that over time lead to a person’s fall. With Jesus I found clarity on how to treat others, how to forgive others, and how to determine what to say yes or no to. That moral compass in The Bible is what changed my life and transformed me from a fairly self centered business man focused on “the deal” into a man after God’s heart who wants to care for and fight for others.
CMB: How was One One 7 born?
JD: One One 7 was created in 1999 to bridge the gap between independent artists and major record labels which later lead us to work with many of the world’s most successful artists. I have always been passionate about two things: discovering new talent and building relationships with the hottest content creators in the music industry, most of which are relationships I’ve had for well over a decade now. As the company has evolved over the years, we have developed a successful licensing division helping artists land songs on TV shows and in movies, a booking division helping artists make income internationally, and relationships with many of the strongest publicists in the world. There was a need in the current climate of the music industry for a company that could marry these worlds together to give artists of all sizes true opportunity on a global level. From a values perspective, we at One One 7 have always known the greatest crafted music has the power to save a life and help people through very difficult times, and that has been our mission.
CMB: Anything you haven’t done in the professional world that you would like to accomplish before you retire?
JD: I have been Blessed to live a life that most people only dream of but don’t see myself retiring anytime soon as I see God’s hand in what we do and love working with our executive team daily. We have in my opinion which many of the worlds biggest stars and major executives have agreed with me on the most talented executive team in the music industry and it is a privilege of a lifetime to lead them. I don’t have any other personal goals to accomplish. Professionally, however, I believe God is not done writing our story yet and expanding into territories like Asia and seeing our growth there is very exciting. I want to give back at this point in my career and be used by God to Bless others the way He has Blessed me.
CMB: Where can we find more information about you?
JD: For more information about me, you can visit this link and purchase my book, titled “Your Love Pursues: A Memoir.” http://my.bookbaby.com/book/your-love-pursues-a-memoir
Category: National News
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