Artists are adjusting to the sad reality of no concerts, probably for the rest of 2020. We are NOT going to curl up into a ball and cry in the corner, we are going to keep the music going.

We are proud to announce our contest, EP Originals.

We are calling it that because we are looking to highlight El Paso's amazing musicians by showcasing their original music. We are also going to share this music with some big names in the music industry.

Record and Music Industry Professionals:

PAUL GEARY: A Senior Manager at “Shelter Music Group” (home to Fleetwood Mac, Godsmack, ZZ TOP, Joe Perry, A Perfect Circle and many others...) Paul began his career as founder and drummer of the multi-platinum rock group Extreme (best known for their #1 smash hit “More Than Words”). 4 albums and 10 Million copies later, he left the group to begin a career in artist management in 1994. Paul signed a then little known club band from Boston called “Godsmack” in 1997. After the enormous success of the band with several multi-platinum albums under their belts, Geary formed a company called AGP (Azoff, Geary, Paul Mgmt) with legendary music mogul Irving Azoff. During the next 8 years he personally managed the careers of Smashing Pumpkins, Creed, The Scorpions, Fuel, Steel Panther, Jason Bonham, Hoobastank, Joe Perry ("The Joe Perry Project") and many more.

RICK SALES, President of Rick Sales Entertainment Group. Rick and his Management teams are the guiding force behind Rock bands Slayer, Ghost, and Mastodon. His roster of talent also includes up and coming Alternative/Hot AC format artist IDKHOW. Rick as also responsible for discovering and building the careers of many 80’s and 90’s Rock bands, most notably Dokken.

ANDY SERRAO, President/Head of A&R of Fearless Records. Responsible for bringing the world The Pretty Reckless, I Prevail, and Ice Nine Kills.

ADAN ARMANDARIZ, National Director of Promotion Q Prime Management. Q Prime Manages the following acts Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric Church, Disturbed, Three Days Grace, Volbeat, and Cage the Elephant, within their roster. Adan is also a former National Record Label Executive overseeing Rock and Pop formats for over 20 years for Epic Records.

MARK NIEDERHAUSER just started his 43rd Year in the music business, having spent the last 10 with Warner Music Nashville. Mark has worked radio promotion in Rock, Pop, and Urban, as well as his current long-running stint in Country Music. Mark’s resume reflects his vast experience having worked for Record Labels RCA, Geffen, Motown, Mercury, Epic, Virgin, and Wind-Up. Mark has had the pleasure of representing a vast array of superstars over the years such as Guns N’ Roses, Whitesnake, Tesla, Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates, Aerosmith, Rick Springfield, Elton John, Smokey Robinson, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, KISS, Incubus, Fuel, Lenny Kravitz, Seether, and Janet Jackson! Over the past decade since Mark took his artists' development skills to the Country music capital he has become a major contributor to the careers of Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, and Cody Johnson.

CRYSTAL GANS: Mind Out Music Artist Management: Crystal recently started a full-service artist management company/boutique label called Mind Our Music, based in South Florida. The company is devoted to handling the overall strategy, social media, marketing, touring, audio/video production, for emerging artists. The company is founded upon a passion for music and integrity, believing in an artist-first, hands-on approach to developing and managing talent.

Crystal
loading...

This comes after 13+ years working in the radio business in the production of Events and developing digital marketing strategies, as well as heading promotional efforts of The Elysia Skye Breast Cancer Organization, a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit to raise awareness for women under 40 with breast cancer.

GREG THOMPSON, President of Maverick Music. Greg is a music executive with over 25 years of experience and is an industry leader known for getting artists to the top of the charts and keeping them their album after album. Thompson came to Maverick Music after a long tenure with Capitol Music Group/EMI. Working from their offices in New York, and later Los Angeles, he played a critical role in developing artists Katy Perry, Sam Smith, and Coldplay. His resumé includes earlier stints in executive roles at Island Def Jam, Elektra Records and Chrysalis Records. In 2016 Greg departed his position at Capitol to become President of Maverick Music, a Beverly Hills-based management conglomerate that touts one of the most impressive talent rosters in the world. His new role helps synergize talent and managers while expanding the Maverick roster. Thompson has worked closely with U2, Miley Cyrus, 5th Harmony, Shania Twain, The Weeknd, and more while at the company.

Greg
loading...

Musicians:

DOC COYLE, lead guitarist for the band Bad Wolves!

SHANNON LARKIN, drummer for Godsmack.

MICKEY RAPHAEL, harmonica player in the Willie Nelson Band, also a music producer. He has performed or recorded with Chris Stapleton, Tom Morello, Paul Simon, Snoop Dogg, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Young, Norah, Jones Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Duane Eddy, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Leon Russell, Lionel Richie, Elton John, Mötley Crüe, Zac Brown Band, Dave Matthews, Blue Öyster Cult, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Chesney, U2, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Waylon Jennings, Aaron Lewis, and Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys).

GEOFF TATE, Multi-platinum selling, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter GEOFF TATE is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with GEOFF at the helm, the band sold over 25 million albums worldwide and performed in over fifty different countries. GEOFF is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence.

Geoff_Tate_001
loading...

THE PRETTY RECKLESS, superstar rock band fronted by Taylor Momsen. Formed in 2009 in New York City, TPR has had an impressive string of #1 hits at the Active Rock format, and have just released their 4th album “Death By Rock And Roll.” Prior to dedicating herself to her music career Momsen was a successful actress. She was best known for staring in Gossip Girls, and her charming debut role as Cindy Lou Who in How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Local Entertainment Industry Professionals:

ERIC BOSEMAN, Star City Studio

VERONICA HERNANDEZ Live Event Manager for a multitude of lifestyle events targeting all ages and every aspect of society. An experienced Sun City concert promoter responsible for coordinating talent and producing shows featuring every genre of music.

Send us a video link of you performing your original song – no cover versions – through klaq.com!

Five finalists will be selected by our star-studded panel of Music Industry judges – ONE will win TWENTY FOUR HOURS of studio time at Star City Recordings, PLUS a music video by Axess Media which will include:
Production for music video produced by Axess Multimedia
One day of shooting at Axess Multimedia Soundstage
5 hours of pre-production time for planning purposes
16 hours of post production time
One day rental of Red Epic-W 8k cinema digital camera
Use of Prime Zeiss cinema lenses
Professional Lighting
Crew DP and Director
Valued at $8500.00

Hero Music will also award the winner:
2 - shure pg58 microphones
2 - strukture 20' mic cables
2 - microphone/boom stands
4 - ernie ball electric guitar sets
4 - ernie ball acoustic guitar sets
1 - ernie ball bass sets
4 - strukture guitar cables
2 - reunion blues guitar hangers
2 - dunlop 12pc. variety pick pack
1 - dunlop guitar tool kit
1 - ipad/cell phone mic. holders
2 - dunlop guitar/bass clip-on tuners
4 - vic firth (pair) drumstics
1 - zildjian cymbal polish
1 - evans 3-pc. tom pack
Enter your E-P Original September NOW through September 14th. Judging based on originality, memorability of song, musical craftsmanship, songwriting structure/lyrics, stage presence; limit two entries per artist.

More From 600 ESPN El Paso