Behind the music: Is the A&R era over?

Is A&R dead? Consider what happened at a recent meeting between an artist manager and a major label A&R. The A&R commented that he liked the artist's demo; she looked great, had a great voice and he definitely saw potential for success. When he was told that the artist would need some flexibility as she was dealing with a serious illness in the family, the A&R exclaimed: "Put her up for The X Factor – she's guaranteed to be in the final 12!" He implied that he would sign her, eventually, if she did just that (contestants are not allowed to have a record deal before entering the competition). The artist declined.


Though it's never been easy to get a record deal, this particular meeting depressed the manager more than usual. Digital Music News recently reported that there's been a big cull in A&Rs at record labels in recent years, and if the aforementioned meeting is a sign of the lack of imagination among them, it's understandable. It used to be that the A&R's role was to spend their evenings in smoke-filled clubs discovering bands, and helping them to develop before releasing their first record (the Wikipedia entry says: "Artists and repertoire (A&R) is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists"). These days, however, major labels increasingly demand that artists already have a "momentum" going before they get involved.

According to Hartwig Masuch, the CEO of music publisher BMG Rights, the days of A&R are numbered as artists are now able to make and market their own music via the internet. I think his view is simplistic. It's true that the internet has taken away the middleman, allowing artists to get their music out there without record company promotional power. Yet artists often encounter difficulties getting heard above millions of others fighting for the listener's attention. A&R acts as a filter. To most artists, their songs are their babies, which makes it pretty difficult to discard them or look at them objectively. Good A&Rs can, so they push artists further.

Major labels may be reinventing the role, but A&R is still alive and kicking at – and even essential to – independent labels. I wasn't in the room when Adele first met Richard Russell, CEO of XL Recordings, but I have a feeling The X Factor wasn't included in the conversation. Russell later said: "To me, signing is instinctive. The more I think, the worse it gets. I'm not signing people for who they are, but for their potential. I have to believe in the person." It appears to be a recipe that works – Adele's first album had great success all over the world and her second is currently outselling the rest of the top 10 combined in the UK (it's currently No 1 on the iTunes charts in 16 countries). Compare that to the vast majority of X Factor contenders.

Independent labels aren't the only ones investing in the development of new artists. Music publishers have provided vital support for numerous unsigned artists for a long time. A&R Caroline Elleray signed both Coldplay and Keane to BMG Music Publishing years before they got record deals, paying for recordings and shopping them relentlessly to labels. This kind of loyalty and belief is also characteristic of Chrysalis Music. When Nerina Pallot was dropped by Polydor after her first album, Chrysalis supported her for years, invested in her follow-up and released it through their "incubator" record label, Echo.

The future role of major labels may be more of a multiple service provider, offering investment and marketing for artists that have gained modest to medium success on their own but want to make a greater impact. Meanwhile, for budding artists who don't want to take part in televised talent shows, there are still some labels, publishers and managers out there who believe that talent will out and are willing to invest time and money – even if their funds are, unfortunately, more limited.

DJ: his role in promoting your music

Dj as a pool member and his role in promoting your music

Nightclub djs must report their club responses to your music to the pool director, generally, between 2-4 weeks. Each dj compiles his own club response report, which he then turns in to the pool director.

The pool director then compiles a final report from each djs report, and provides you with a copy. This report generally includes each club`s listing, address, the response rating to your music, along with an overall average score. You can then use your report as influence to obtain more radio airplay, press coverage, distribution deals, and more.

Now, in addition to having a completely different version of your song(s), you also have another version of the song(s) that you can sell at retail if you wish and, as the saying goes, ‘getting two bangs for your buck’ as a certain number of people will also be interested in your enhanced club version.

An added and peripheral benefit of having a club version of your music is that a number of record pool djs also have specialty or mix shows on stations in their area or, they may even be a part of the main staff on their area stations.

Thus, should a nightclub dj really like your music, and is not simply fulfilling the obligation to play your music in his club, it is very likely that you will begin receiving airplay on his area station as well.

One final note is that radio and retail work very closely within their own local and regional areas, with each apprising each other of what is getting response from listeners, and what is being asked for at retail, respectively. This is why it is vitally important that you are set up with offline retail distribution services.

Now, when you begin the radio promotion and press publicity aspects of your marketing campaign, they can merely serve as ‘icing on the cake’ as opposed to being the only driving factors you have to make the public aware of your music.

In fact, with now including record pools within your marketing, and being able to provide proof to both radio and press of your music`s club response, you are likely to experience much easier access to the media which is a very beneficial and important thing to do.

The way record pools work

The way record pools work

The pools win by getting music from labels and artists, which attracts djs as members. Accordingly, djs win by eliminating the need to purchase music for their nightclubs. But how do labels and artists win? What`s in it for them? What is in the deal for labels and artists are: ‘quick exposure directly to music listeners’ and ‘quick exposure directly to music buyers’. How does the process really work? Let us examine a step-by-step approach. First, you need to have a very strong single (or singles) if you desire to release more than one single release. Keep in mind that regardless of your genre, if your music falls within a ‘commercial’ aspect, i.e., Pop, Rock, Dance, Urban, Country, or any hybrid or sub genre thereof, your preference, first and foremost, should be either ‘a hot dance single’ or ‘a very strong tear-and-heart-wrenching ballad’. Anything in between will simply not suffice because club goers are in clubs primarily for dancing. Secondly, take your selected single or singles and enhance it or them to some degree that will make the song(s) slightly different from your radio version. Ways to do that include extending the song(s) from the radio versions' 3-4 minutes in length to 5-6 minutes in length for the nightclub versions', since people prefer longer versions in clubs; adding or modifying sound effects; dropping out or fading certain instruments, or incorporating new instruments not heard in the radio version, and simply be more creative.

Then place your club version on vinyl, as most nightclub djs still prefer vinyl (wax), although there are now a number of djs that will also accept your enhanced version on CD records. To cover all bases, consider placing your club versions on both vinyl and CD, if it is affordable to do so. And now it is about time to contact record pools to learn if they have member djs who play your genre of music in their nightclubs and, if so, the number of such djs they have. This number from each pool will allow you to determine the number of pieces you will need for the pool(s).

Once you have the number of pieces for the pool(s), and after the pool receives them, it will usually take 1-2 weeks before your music begins getting club play. Then, the response is almost instantaneous. It is wise for commercial purpose, prior to sending out to pools, ensure that you have your offline retail distribution covered so that you can get sales as a result of the club play.

There was a time that, when an independent artist was fortunate enough to get airplay outside of his local or regional area a couple of thousand miles away, equally unfortunate was that there was not a thing he could do about it, in terms of sales. He could only weep at his potential sales losses. But now with appearance of special retail companies dealing with those pools you are not likely to have that sort of problem. The point of making sure that your music is set up with these particular organizations is that, when club goers hear a ‘hot’ record that they like, naturally, they enjoy it. And, while these distributors do not take hundreds of your CD at a time (which is a great thing for you, as it does not tie up your product and make it difficult to get back, as with traditional distributors), these particular distributors make your music available through a national retail database so that stores can place orders instantly for their customers. They operate much like online music sales sites do, again, with accepting only a few copies at any given time, but they are the offline versions, reaching music retailers while giving you the best of both online and offline sales worlds.

Now, you have already seen the wide distribution area of the record pool. And, again, there are quite a number of additional record pools that, in general, serve as specialty pools to particular genres, or serve virtually all commercially viable music releases, regardless of genre.

Record Pools

RECORD POOLS

Alabama

C & M RECORD POOL ESTB 1996
951 Government St. Suite 200 Mobile, AL 36604
Phone: (251) 438-1599 Fax: (251) 433-0667
Director: Michael “DJ Bull” Witherspoon
Assistant Directors: Jovan White & Pheadra Liddell
Email: djbull1@bellsouth.net or
gottaluvher143@aol.com
Members: 30 DJ Members
Music Formats: URBAN Music & Dance
Allotment Req: 60 on 12″ Vinyl for URBAN; 30 CDs
Allotment Req: 60 on 12″ Vinyl for Dance; 30 CDs

RW RECORD POOL
Ron White, Director
799 Baltimore Hill Road Huntsville, AL 35810
Cell: (205) 308-3650 Office: (256) 859-1851
Email: rwrecordpool2@aol.com
Members: 120 Format: Rap & Hip-Hop / R&B / NeoSoul Service: 150 CD’s

Arizona

DESERT WEST RECORDPOOL – PROMOTIONS
17 Years Serving Arizona & Southwest
3936 West Grant Phonenix, AZ 85009
Phone: (602) 484-0242 Fax: (602) 595-7516
Email: dwpromotion@cox.net
Website: www.dwpromotion.com
Directors: Bobby Jaime & Ernie Gomez Members: 35 Members
Formats Of Music: Urban (35 on Vinyl) – Dance (35 on Vinyl) – Latin (25 on CD)
California

AMERICAN RECORD POOL
3540 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1044 Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: (310) 659-7852 Pool Director: Michael Love
Members: 60 Members Urban & Dance Formats
Website: www.americanrecordpool.com

B.A.D.D.A. RECORD POOL & PROMOTIONS ESTB 1975
Pier 29 1/2 – 31 San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 882-9700 Fax: (415) 882-9862 Director: Sulai Wong-Lygizos
Servicing The Northern California Area Member of The Urban Coalition
Reporter for DJ Times, FMQB, RecordPoolCharts.com and UrbanTip.com
Email: baddadjs@aol.com

BAY AREA HIP HOP COALITION RECORD POOL
Director: Malachi Padron
630 20th St. Suite 200 Oakland , CA 94612-1604
Phone: (510) 419-0396 Fax: (510) 419-0398
Members: 50 Members Format: Urban
Email: mpadron75@hotmail.com

CHANNELZ – RECORD &DIGITAL POOL
2371 Arden Way Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 641-8808
Email: ChannelzRecordz@yahoo.com
Website: www.ChannelzRecordz.com
Director: Gabriel Mora Assistant Directors: Bruce Lam & Jimmy Thai
Music Type: Top 40, Hip-Hop & R&B, Dance & Electronic, Dancehall
Music Format & Allotment: MP3 / 30 Vinyl / 20 CD

CMBE MUSIC POOL (SERVING SAN DIEGO SINCE 1979)
(Formerly Known As: Solid Productions Record Pool)
Monroe Greer: Pool Director Jeff Marcone: Assistant Pool Director
6532 Garber Avenue San Diego, CA 92139
Record Pool Phone Number: (619) 470-3111
Radio Station Direct Line: (619) 336-7109 Members: 50 Members
Email: CMBEMUSICPOOL@YAHOO.COM
Email: CMBEMUSICPOOL@COX.NET
Format: Hybrid Members: 50 Members
Specialize in Top 40/Dance, Rap/Hip-Hop, R&B & Alternative

HEAVYWEIGHTS RECORD POOL
14706 Aranza Dr. La Mirada, CA 90638
Phone: (888) 998-2041 Website: www.heavyweights.org
Members: 50 Servicing Allotment: 50-60 pieces (Vinyl Only)
Description: Underground HipHop pool based in LOS ANGELES.
Also cater to Rap, Reggae and R&B. Serving DJs throughout southern California.

GLOBAL RECORDS ESTB 1995
11685 Declaration Dr. Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (626) 257-4209
Director: Lucky Lou Service: 80 Records
Email: LuckyLou01@aol.com
LuckyLou@globalrecordpool.com
Website: www.globalrecordpool.com

ILL TRENDZ RECORD POOL
Phone: (510) 435-2198 Members: 60 Members
Oakland , California 94605
Hip Hop, R&B, Rap, Dancehall
Charts: Ill Trendz Prod., Record Pool Reports To Happs Magazine and Urbantip.com
Ill Trendz Record Pool Serves Hip Hop / Rap and R&B To San Francisco
Bay Area’s Club & Radio DJs. Director: Sean Kennedy
Assistant Director: DJ Backside

INLand EMPIRE RECORD POOL 18 Years Serving Southern California
114 Oaktree Drive Perris, CA 92571
Bill “Jet” Proctor – Director Phone: (909) 657-3277 Fax: (909) 657-8225
Email: BillsPool@aol.com
Website: www.InlandEmpirePool.com
Members: 60 Members 5 Radio DJs 60 Vinyl DJs & 5 CDs

INTERNATIONAL RECORD SOURCE- RECORD POOL ESTB 1986
Arthur Tellez – Pool Director
665 H. Street Suite C Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 619-476-1288 ext. 303
Email:
irspool@oneworldent.com
Website: www.IRSPOOL.com
Members: 40 Members Music Formats: URBAN Music, DANCE Music
Allotment Req: 40 on 12″ Record for URBAN
Allotment Req: 40 on 12″ Record For DANCE

IN THE MIX RECORD POOL
2215 Beechwood Street Lancaster, California 93535
Phone: (661) 952-0720 Or (661) 860-5997 Email:
inthemixrecordpool2004@yahoo.com
Pool Director: Michael “DJ Scratchman” Smith Members: 65
Service Allotments Req: 70 On 12″ Vinyl For Urban, Reggae, Gospel, Latin and Dance.
Service Allotments Req: 70 On CD For Urban, Reggae, Gospel, Latin and Dance.
MP3′S Are Accepted In Urban, Reggae, Gospel, Latin and Dance
Please Include Clean-Dirty Vocals, Acapella and Instrumentals
We Accept All Unsigned Underground Artists Submissions With Bios

MIXX-N-COMPANY RECORD POOL
Director: Mixxula
1731 Howe Avenue # 474 Sacramento, CA 95825-2209
Phone: (800) 971-MIXX Fax: (916) 927-3499 faxx 50 Vinyl / 12 CD Members
Website: www.mixxula.com

RESOURCE RECORD POOL Uniting The World Of Music
8350 Melrose Avenue Suite 10 Los Angeles, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 651-2085 Fax: (323) 655-5223
Email: ResourcePromo@aol.com
Director: Ken Alan Service: 40 Vinyl / CD
Website: www.hometown.aol.com/resourcepromo

RITMO INTERNATIONAL RECORD POOL SINCE 1995
3105 Filbert St. Antioch, CA 94509 Members: 32
Genre: Latin In General Director: Tony Orellana
Phone: (415) 821-3563 Cell: 415-724-6940

SOBAD RECORD POOL SINCE 1989 SOBAD is Effective!
65 Post Street San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 277-0111 Fax: (408) 277-0123
Email: sobad@sobad-djs.com
Pool Director & Dance Director: Rick Mayes
Urban / Hip Hop Director: DJ Classic
Office Manager: Joel Wyrick Members: 30 Members
Website: www.sobad-djs.com Req: 30 Pieces
We report to: DJ Times, FMQB, RecordPoolCharts.com, Urban Coalition & UrbanTip.com

SOUL DISCO RECORD POOL SINCE 1982
Urban Coalition Top 30 Core Member Gordon ‘G – Director
1368 Bush Street San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 776-2462 Fax: (415) PRO-FAXX
Email: SoulDiscoRecordPool@gmail.com
Email: SoulDiscoRecordPool@yahoo.com
Members: 60 DJ Members Over 21 Years In Music Promotion

SOUNDWORKS ESTB 1993
(Previously Known As WARD est. 1981)
228 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94103-2318
Phone: (415) 487-3980 Fax: (415) 487-1972
Email: info@soundworks-sf.com
Website: www.soundworks-sf.com
Director / Head Buyer: Sam LaBelle Sam Labelle Writes “THE UNDERGROUND” Column
Assitant: Tom Seymour Members: 50 Members (4 Mix Show / 2 Billboard / 4-5 Remixer
Service Req: Dance / Club / House: 50 Crossover: 50
Rock / Alternative / Techno: 25 NRG: 25 Rap / Urban / R&B: 15
Salsa / Merengue / Latin: 15 Reggae / Dancehall: 15 Nondance: 15
Pool Charts Are Generated Bi-Weekly Service Is Requested On Vinyl

THE PROS RECORD POOL SINCE 1979
440 Grand Avenue Oakland , CA 94610
Founding Director: Rico Casanova Phone: (510) 839-3000
Members: 100 Members Top 30 Urban Coalition Member
Email: info@THEPROS.com
Website: www.THEPROS.com

XTREME RECORD POOL
2425 Channing Wy # 223 Berkeley, CA 94704
Directors: DJ Icewater and Josh And riano Fax: (309) 408-0897
Website: www.djicewater.com
Email: icewater@icewater.com
OR joshuaand rriano@msn.com
Canada

FLAVOR POOL Canada’s Biggest and Best Urban Pool
Pool Director: Mike Zafiris Vancouver Rep: Jay Swing
Service: Hip-Hop, Reggae and R&B Toronto: 30 DJs Vancouver: 30 DJs
Montreal & Ottawa: 30 DJs Edmonton & Calgary: 30 DJs
Website: www.flavorpool.com
Email: flavorpool@hotmail.com

PROMOMUSIC POOL
363 Amiens Street Ottawa Ontario Canada K1E 1P1
Director: Frank Branker Co Director: Ranjan Kelly
Website: www.Promomusic.org
Phone: (613) 297-8362
Email: promomusic@rogers.com
Email: webmaster@downtownrecords.com

SOUL CHOICE RECORD POOL
Canada’s Most Recognized Record Pool & Entertainment Source
Members: 50 Members Nationwide
Format: Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, House, Reggae and Soca
Servicing Allotment: 50 Pieces – Preferably Vinyl
Pool Director: Dexter Langley Phone: (416) 439-5959
Email: dexter@soulchoice.ca
Website: www.soulchoice.ca
We Also Do Canadian Publicity & Promotions

Colorado

RADIO BUMS RECORD POOL
1950 W. 32nd Ave. Denver, CO 80211
Phone: (303) 412-9909 Fax: (303) 412-9919
Website: www.radiobums.com
Email: radiobumsrecpool@comcast.net
or chonz@radiobums.com
Pool Director: DJ Jay (Jason Fresquez) Members: 30 Members
Description: Hip Hop, R & B, Reggae, Top 40
Servicing The Mile High City and Rocky Mountain Surroundings

Connecticut

CONNECTICUT’S MUSIC POOL
1440 Whalley Ave. #172 New Haven, CT 06515
Phone: (203) 789-0038 Fax: (203) 789-1166
Email: CTMUZIC@aol.com
Website: www.CTBEATS.com
Director: Stephen M. Richardson Assistant Director: Dennis H. Norris
Florida

904 and 904 TAMPA RECORD POOL
9 Years of Servicing Florida & The Southeast
15915 Old Stone Pl. Tampa, FL 33624
Director: DJ Shizm and Sharon Colter
5th Element DJs Future Star DJs
Phone: (813) 977-6909 or (813) 416-4668
Email: djshizm@hotmail.com or
nine04tampa@yahoo.com
Websites: www.904tampa.com
www.djshizm.com

CRAZY SOUNDS RECORD POOL
Website: www.crazyhood.com
12302 S. W. 117th Ct. Miami, FL 33186
Phone: (305) 971-9921

DSM PRODUCTIONS CEO RAUL ADAMES AKA (DJ JEER) Orig. Brooklyn, NY
Email: rauladames@bellsouth.net
Orlando, Florida
Old School Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, Dance, House, Club, Techno, Disco & Top 40

FLAMINGO RECORD POOL
1450 NE 123 Street # 113 Miami, FL 33161
Phone: (305) 895-1246 Fax: (305) 895-0913
Email: flamingorecpool@aol.com
Website: www.flamingorp.com
Richard McVay – Director Waggy Tee – Urban Director

FLORIDA SUNCOAST RECORD POOL
7747 63rd St. N. Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Phone: (727) 544-7609 Fax: (727) 545-5371
Email: flasuncoastrp@aol.com
Members: 40 Members We Promote Both Urban & Dance Music

FT. LAUDERDALE / MIAMI RECORD POOL ESTB 1985
3450 NE 12th Terrace Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334
Phone: (954) 563-3888 Fax: (954) 563-6889
Email: FortLaudRP@aol.com
Pool Director: Guy Haubrich President: Louis Possenti Total Members: 50
Member According To Format: Dance: 30 Alternative: 5 Rock: 5
R&B/HipHop: 20 Number Of Mixshow Jocks: 3 Radio Stations

FULL FLEDGE RECORD POOLPROMO CLIENTELL RADIO 91.7fm
HITTMENN DJS
8594 Tansy Drive Orland o, FL 32819
Office: (407) 694-5063 Fax: (407) 523-7234 Cell: (407) 694-5063
Email: dapa999@aol.com
Email mp3s to: fullfledgemp3@gmail.com
30 Pieces Of Vinyl and 10 CDs Genre of Music: Urban (Hip Hop / Reggae / R&B / Dirt South)
We don’t play records…. We break records. DJs run the stations.

JAMLAND O RECORD POOL
Hittin the streets with New Music 1st
Director: Ray ” DJ Infinite ” Rivera Phone: (407) 855-2554
4270 Aloma Ave. # 124 Suite 45-A Winter Park, FL 32792
Phone: (407) 382-5850 Fax: (509) 472-3972
Email: Jamland o@bellsouth.net or
Jamland oRecPool@aol.com or
RayRivera@jamlandorecordpool.com
Urban, Reggae 45 Vinyl 5 CDs to service the pool…….

MAJESTIC LATIN CD POOL
4114 S. W. 154 Path Miami, FL 33185
Phone: (305) 229-5150
Website: www.latincdpool.com
Email: cdpool@majesticsounds.com
Description: Servicing The Professional Latin Music DJ Since 1991
Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Vallenato, Latin House, Merenhouse, Remixes & More
The Latest In Tropical Latin Music Monthly For DJ’s Only

MIAMI PIPELINE
Website: www.miamipipeline.com
Phone: (786) 586-8197 Fax: (305) 769-1272
Email: info@miamipipeline.com

RHYTHM CITY RECORD & CD POOL
5021 State Road 7 #211
Davie, FL 33314
Phone: (305) 931-5695 or (954) 962-8554 Fax: (954) 318-1411
Email: darron@rhythmcityweb.com
Website: www.rhythmcityweb.com
Directors: Darron “Slimfamas” Faison & Felix Sama
Music Formats: URBAN Music, DANCE Music, LATIN Music
Allotment Req:60 on 12″ Record For URBAN and 30 on CD For URBAN, DANCE, LATIN

TJ’s DJ’s RECORD & CD POOL ESTB 1994
1424 Capital Circle NW Tallahassee, FL 32303
Phone: (850) 877-6090 Fax: (850) 877-3110
Email: info@tjsdjs.com AIM: TJsDJs
Website: www.TJsDJs.com
Founder/CEO: TJ Chapman Pool Director: Keith Kennedy
Music Director: Malik Darby Members: 105 DJ Members (35 CD & 70 Vinyl DJs)
Music Format: Urban (Rap, Reggae, R&B)
Servicing: 90 12′s & 50 cds

UPSTART ENTERTAINMENT & RECORD POOL ESTB 1995
4446 Hendricks Avenue Suite 313 Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: (904) 448-9211 Office Fax: (904) 739-9494
Email: info@Upstart-Entertainment.com
Website: www.upstart-entertainment.com
Derek “D – Wash” Washington – Director / Owner
Members: 50 DJ’s Strong Format: Urban & Dance

France

PROMOSOUND RECORDS
France, Paris
Phone & Fax: 00 33 609378831 Responsible: Cicana
Email: RECORDSPROMOSOUND@yahoo.fr
Music: R&B, Hip Hop, Funk, Garage, Neo Soul, Gospel, Jazz
40 x 12″ (Promo Sticker) / 30 x CD Major & Independent Label.
Members: 10 MembersGeorgia

BIG CITY DJ’S CD POOL
4660 Cedar Keys Lane Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Phone: (404) 501-0220 Office Fax: (404) 501-9366
Email: pooldirector@bigcitydjs.com
Website: www.bigcitydjs.com

DIXIE DANCE KINGS
Dan Miller Chart Editor / DJ Times
Website: www.djtimes.com
Director / Dixie Dance Kings
Website: www.dancekings.com
(IDMA Record Pool Of The Year 2001 / 2002)
42 Milton Ave. Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: 770-740-9067

JUMPIN JACK CD and RECORD POOL OF ATLANTA GA
Serving The Streets For Over 21 Years
Directed By Jamal “Jumpin Jack Jr” Whited
Phone: (404) 663-1130 Or (404) 437-1287
Email: nworcs@hotmail.com or
wali_56@yahoo.com
We Enlist Black Night Club, Radio, And Mobile DJs
4050 Morgan Rd. #287 Union City, Georgia 30291
We Currently Service DJs Wax, CDs, and DVDs
We Have 50+ Jocks Around The Metro Atlanta Area and The State Of Georgia

LEGION OF DOOM DJs RECORD POOL ATLANTA
5319 Old National Highway Atlanta, GA 30349Phone: (404) 684-5999
Pool Director: Ray Hamilton (404) 396-9512
Assistant Director of Marketing & DJ Management: DJ Dre
Email: djdremp3@yahoo.com

“THE CREAM OF THE CRUNKEST” – DJ Dre
L.O.D. RecordBreakers, L.O.D. AllStarz, L.O.D. DJs
Office: (404) 684-5898 Cell: (678) 362-7511
Website: www.lodrecordpool.com
Email: Info@lodrecordpool.com
Members: 37 DJ’s Service: Vinyl and CDs Region: Southeast
The Southeast Region’s Largest Collaboration of 37 of the Hottest
DJs From Atlanta and The Surrounding Markets Connected To Georgia

ODYSSEY ENTERTAINMENT. INC
Mr. Bishop Perry, CEO / President
2870 Peachtree Road Suite 608 Atlanta. GA 30305
Toll Free: 1-888-866-6299 Fax: (404) 869-1399
Phone: (404) 869-6299 Website: www.omgonline.net
Email: bishopperry@hotmail.com

NEW WORLD MUSIC POOL
3315 Moravia Drive Lithonia, GA 30038
DJLace Phone: 1-888-571-3949
Email: neworldmusic@comcast.net
Website: www.DJLace2003.com

Germany

MUZIK-PATNAZ
Promoting Record And CD Pool Germany
Loetzener Street 5 51373 Leverkusen Germany
Muzik-Patnaz Urban Down South Music, DJ Mixtapes & More
Muzik-Patnaz Services: Vinyl, CD, Artist & DJ Promotion, Music Submission
Independent Top 10 Charts, Mix-Tape & Mix-DVDs Distribution
Members: 42 Members Service Req: Vinyl, CD or mp3
Phone (Fon): +492143105097 Fax: +492143105097
Mobile: +49-173-6191115
Email: info@muzik-patnaz.net &
info@recordpool.de
Websites: www.Muzik-Patnaz.net &
www.recordpool.de

Illinois

ILLINOIS RECORD POOL ESTB 1989 (Our 18th Year!!)
Attn: David “Chicago” Casto
12404 South Trumbull Avenue Chicago, IL 60803
Phone: (708) 732-6731 Fax: (708) 389-9628 AIM: ILRECPOOL
Email: ILRECPOOL@aol.com
Website: www.RECORDPOOLCHARTS.com
120 DJ Members Grammy Awards US Reg TM Voter – The Recording Academy US Reg TM

KEEP IT ON WAX RECORD POOL
8912 Woestboul East St. Louis, IL 62203
Pool Director: Johnnie Golliday
Email: jag5681@hotmail.com
Phone: (618) 531-8522 Fax: (618) 257-8336
Members: 25 Members 5 Radio DJs
Format: Rap, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae
Service Allotment: 40 pieces on 12″ Hip Hop, Rap, Reggae

LATIN BEAT CHICAGO
5158 West Pensacola Chicago, IL 60641 Members: 60
Director: Edgar Marroquin Phone: (773-481-0066Fax: (773) 481-0055 Cel: (773) 991-0108
Email: LATINBEATCHICAGO@aol.com
Website: www.latinbeatchicago.com

V.I.P. CHICAGO
Staff Members & Service Information
H. Vargas / Office Director / Latin Promotions Dept.
DJ “B” / Hip Hop Promotions Department
R&B and Hip Hop: 40 Pieces Vinyl / 20 Pieces CD
Dance: 30 Pieces Vinyl Or CD
Latin: 40 Pieces Vinyl Or CD
Video: 15 Pieces VHS Or DVD
Service Also Accepts mp3 Format
3505 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60647
Email: djmember@vipchicago.com
Website: www.vipchicago.com

Kansas

KANSAS CITY RECORD POOL
2320 Ranch Way Lawrence, KS 66047
Director: Ken Soap (785) 218-9684 IM:kcrecordpool
Email: ken@kcrecordpool.com
Website: www.kcrecordpool.com
Members: 30 DJ Members Music Formats: Urban
Allotment Req: 30 on 12″ VINYL for URBAN; 10 CDs
2320 Ranch Way Lawrence, KS 66047
Kentucky

FIVE STAR RECORD POOL ESTB 1983
504 Garrard St. Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 261-6972
Email: FiveStarRP@aol.com
Total Members: 25 PD: Mark Burney

Maryland

DIRECT DRIVE RECORD POOL EST 1995
Unruly Productions, Inc.
7455 New Ridge Rd. Suite N Hanover, MD 21076
Operations Manager: DJ Wil Roc
Phone: (410) 691-0010 Ext. 104 Fax: (410) 691-0095
Email: wrock@unrulyonline.com
Website: www.unrulyonline.com
IM: djwroc2075 Members: 90 Members
Music Formats: Hip-Hop / R&B / Reggae / House
Service Allotment: 90 Vinyl & CD
Massachusetts

MASSPOOL DJ ASSOCIATION
30 Revere Beach Parkway Revere, MA 02151
( 90 ) Members – Vinyl 90 % Dance & Crossover – 100 % play reggae
100 % play Urban, R&B & RAP …… 80% all others
Latin Crossover / Reggeton / Meringue / Salsa / Bachata / Latin Pop
Phone: (781) 485-1901 Fax: (781) 485-1902
Email: masspool.dj@verizon.net
Website: http://www.masspool.com
Feedback: http://www.masspool.com/feedback
Gary Cannavo, Director
James Macdonald, & Jason Booth, CD / Latin / Reggae Directors
Justin Testa, Promotion Coordinator, Crossover Chart Coordinator.
Co-Director Todd Reeves, Website Administrator
Johnny C, Mix Show WKXS 107.9 Boston and Top 40 Crossover Chart
Co-Coordinator Danny Dellato, Urban Chart Co-Coordinator
Reporting To: F.M.Q.B. / Behind The Scenes / DJ Times / DMA / BRE Magazine

NEW ENGLand DJ ASSOCIATION RECORD POOL
Director: DJ Addition
418 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116

NEW ENGLand LATIN DJs
418 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 695-9941 Fax: (617) 695-9943
Director: Ray Torres Members: 40 Members
Email: NELatinDJs@aol.com
Website: www.NELatinDJs.com

ORO PRODUCTIONS LATIN RECORD POOL
DJ Willie D (Director)
Email: oropro@verizon.net
Website: www.oroproductions.com
252 Maverick Street Suite #1 East Boston, MA 02128
Phone: (617) 569-5053 Cell Phone: (617) 970-4594
Members: 20 Members and Growing 3 Members Mix DVDs

DJ LATINO SERVING 75 DJS WORLDWIDE
DJ’s Latinos Record Pool & Entertainment Group
Antonio Ortiz Jr. CEO/Director
If You Are A: Record Label, Promoter, Artist, Producer, Manager, Booking Agent, DJ, Equipment
Put YOUR MESSAGE in front of the RIGHT Audience.
P. O. Box 363 Medford, MA 02155
Tel: (781) 396-0015 Fax: (781) 396-2062
Email: promo.dept@djlatino.com
Website: www.djlatino.com
Members: 75
Michigan

UNITED DANCE MUSIC ASSOCIATION
4816 Seminole Detroit, MI 48214
Phone: (313) 923-2724 Fax: (313) 923-2623
Email: tyrone@udma.com
Website: www.udma.com
Members: 60 Members Call Day: Thursday

Minnesota

VINYL KINGZ RECORD POOL
PD: Brother Jules Members: 50 Members
311 West Lake Street Minneapolis, MN
Phone: (612) 824-0505 Fax: (612) 824-4537
Email: Vinylkingz@aol.com
All Members Play: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, House
Lots and Lots of radio and club DJs in this pool…..

New Hampshire

INFAMOUSDJS RECORD POOL ESTB 1999
104 Flag Road Gonic, NH 03839
Email: Mcayer@infamousdjs.com
AIM: Infamousdjbiggie
Website: www.Infamousdjs.com
Members: 60 DJ Members
Music Formats: URBAN Music, DANCE Music
Allotment Req: 60 on 12″ Record w/ Both URBAN & DANCE

New Jersey

LATINOS UNIDOS RECORD POOL ESTB 1993
136 Locust Avenue North Arlington, NJ 07031
Phone: (201) 998-2377 Fax: (201) 998-2677 Attn: William Otero
Website: www.latinosunidosonline.com
Email: kmokato@aol.com
Members: 120 Members (cds only) (50 dvd/vhs only)
We Report To Radio y Musica, www.NLRPDA.com
We Publish Our Own Magazine (50,000 printed 150,000 pass along readership)
Our DJ’s Cover New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Florida,
California, Texas, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Italy & Sweden
We Have 3 Offices (NJ – Headquarters, CA – West Coast & Italy) World Wide

RICKETT’S RECORD POOL
Bill Rickett
52 Graham Terrace Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
Phone: (201) 796-3336 Members: 65 Members
New York

8TH WONDER DIGITAL POOL Since 2004
Bronx, NY
Paul Cerbone Phone: (914) 482-1379
Email: paul@djspinit.com Or
paul@8thwondercdpool.com
Website: www.8thwondercdpool.com
Hip Hop. Reggaeton, House, Pop, Reggae, R&B. All The Hard To Find White Labels
www.djspinit.com

BLAZIN VINYL
PMB-369 266 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14222
Email: chrisnice@ica.net

BUFFALO NY DJ ASSOCIATION SINCE 1977
73 Strasbourg Drive Buffalo, NY 14227
President: Dave “DG” Gillen Director: Mike Setlock
Phone: (716) 668-1136 Fax: (716) 683-4930
Cell: (716) 998-3325
Email: BfloDJs@aol.com
Service Req: 25 Members – Dance 15 Vinyl, 10 CD
25 Members – Urban All Vinyl + 5 CD

HIPHOPFRIENDS, Inc. (ESTB 1998)
Business Manager: Bobby Saint-Joy Music Coordinator: Richard Garcia
471 Elmont Road Temple Bldg. 2nd Floor New York, NY 11003
Phone: (631) 236-9023 Fax: (631) 236-9041
Email: info@hiphopfriends.com
Websites: www.hiphopfriends.com
www.hiphopfriendsonline.com
Formats: HipHop, R&B, Dance, Rock, Pop, All Music (CD’s & Vinyl’s)
Members: 15 Members Professional DJs Wanted
For The Edge In Hip Hop, You’ve Come To The Right Source
#1 Webcast Radio #1 Music Distribution Company

INTERNATIONAL LATIN DJs UNLIMITED SINCE 1990
Director: Johnny “Speedy” Gonzales Phone/Fax: (718) 279-2822
61-07 218th Street 2nd Floor Bayside, NY 11364
Pool’s Email: IntLatDjUn@aol.com
Members: 30 Members Service Req: 30 CD’s – only / 10 DVD’s & VHS
Music Format: All Latin Type Music & English Dance Music
Report To: Radio Y Musica / Antenna / Mercado Del Disco

LONG ISLand RECORD POOL
3601 Hempstead Turnpike Levittown, NY 11756
Phone: (516) 796-6596 Fax: (516) 623-4660
Email: LIRecordPool@aol.com
Jackie McCloy – Director 25 DJ’s (using either vinyl or CD’s)
Specializing In Hi-NRG, House, Crossover, Mainstream, Top40

S.U.R.E. NYC’S FOREMOST RECORD POOL
2128 Westchester Ave. 2nd Floor Bronx, NY 10462
Attn: Bobby E. Davis – President Attn: Misty – General Manager
Phone: (718) 904-0500
Email: SURENYRECORDPOOL@aol.com
Website: www.SURERECORDPOOL.com
Members: 100 Members
Music Programmed: R&B, Rap, Dancehall, Ballards, House and Latin

VIP RECORD POOL
2271 West Chester Ave. Bronx, NY 10462
Phone: (718) 918-0847 (OVIP) Fax: (718) 918-0837
Email: vip1@verizon.net
Director: Al Pizarro Members: 90 Members
30 Dance 30 CDs Format 70% Urban

VIP LATINO RECORD POOL
2271 Westchester Ave. Bronx, NY 10462
Phone: (718) 918-0847 Fax: (718) 918-0837
Email: viplatino@verizon.net
Email: viplatino@earthlink.net
Assist Director: Pedro Liz & Jacqueline Director: Al Pizarro
North Carolina

HMI / HIT BOUND RECORD POOL & PROMOTIONS SINCE 1986
Director: John Hollywood Members: 85 Members 85 Beats Plus New Adds
411 Millhouse Road Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Email: recpool@aol.com
Phone: (910) 675-0858 Fax: (910) 675-8487

STARFLEET MUSIC POOL & ENTERPRISES
3521 Mallard Cove Ct. Charlotte, NC 28269
Ronnie Matthews Phone: (704) 599-6645 Fax: (704) 599-1863
Email: rmatthews@starfleetmusic.com
Website: www.starfleetmusic.com
Format: All Members: 65 Members

Ohio

3rd FINGER / HOLLA AT YOUR BOY RECORD POOL ESTB 1996
2408 Walden Glen Cr. Cincinnati, OH 45231
Phone: (513) 851-8260 Fax: (513) 851-1484
Email: gfresh@orbitalhiphop.com
Email: justin@missioncontrolrecords.com
Website: www.orbitalhiphop.com
Pool Director: G-Fresh (513) 851-8260 Co Director: Justin Hue (513) 885-5732
Total Members: 50 Members Format: Urban Music
Service Req: 45 Vinyl, 7 CDs (2 Clean CDs for Radio)

NORTHWEST OHIO MUSIC CONNECTION RECORD POOL
840 Stillman St. Toledo, Ohio 43605
Phone: (419) 320-0009
Email: SONI-D@TOAST.NET
Allotment (60) On Wax (5) On CDs Since 1992
A Proud Member Of The Urban Coalition
Pool Director: Ron Cooley Specializing In Hip-Hop and Blazing R&B
Reporting Stations: WJZE, Hot 97.3, WJUC The Juice 107.3, WIMX The Mix 95.7
We Report To Urbantip.com, Urban Coalition

SHACKLED DOWN PRODUCTIONS, LLC
Mr. Quinn CEO
P. O. Box 582 Circleville, Ohio
Website: www.myspace.com/qgsdp
Email: sdpmusic75@yahoo.com

Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA RECORD POOL-OKRP
Zachary Miller – Pool / Program Director
2008 N. W. 19th Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Phone: (405) 528-0550
Email: okrecpool@aol.com
Members: 30 Members on 12 inch vinyl
Website: www.okrp.com
Website: www.live365.com/stations/okrp_radio
Pennsylvania

1 DIGITAL MUSIC POOL
Your Number 1 Source For Pre-Released Music
DJ Rich (CEO)
Email: support@1digitalrecordpool.com
Website: www.1digitalmusicpool.com

ISMAEL VARGAS & SHARON VARGAS
3062 Weikel St. Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: (215) 634-6130
Email: phillylatinsoundrecordpool@yahoo.com
Members: 40 DJ Members Music Format: Tropical
We Report To: Radio Musica
Serving Philadelphia, Delaware and Surrounding Counties

NEEDLE WRECK RECORD POOL
7856 Provident Street Philadelphia, PA 19150
Phone: (215) 753-1907 Fax: (215) 753-9095 Full Service: 50 Units
Email: info@nedlwrekpool.org
Website: www.nedlwrekpool.org

PHILLY’S LATIN SOUND RECORD & CD POOL
Contact Information: Ismael Vargas & Sharon Vargas
3062 Weikel St. Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: (215) 634-6130
Email: phillylatinsoundrecordpool@yahoo.com
Members: 40 DJ Members Music Format: Tropical
We Report To: Radio Musica Serving Philadelphia, Delaware, and Surrounding Counties

PITTSBURGH’S BPM RECORD POOL
134 Watkins Ave. Wilmerding, PA 15148-1319
Pool Director: Terry Kicks Phone / Fax: (412) 829-8059
Email: tkbpmrp@juno.com
Website: www.Dzinez.com/BPM
Members: 25 Members All Formats

TOP 15 RECORD POOL
2960 Wilson School Lane Reading, PA 19608
Phone & Fax: (610) 670-0552
Email: BOBBYGTHANG@msn.com
Members: 30 Members Format: Urban Including Reggae, Reggaeton & Latin Music.
Service Req: 12″ Vinyl 30, CD 30, Video 2 (DVD)
Reports to: Sin, Hits, CMJ, Gavin, Epro, Recpcharts, Urbantip
Radio Mix Shows: WUSL (BDS), WMGH (Media Base),
WXAC/WLVR (College) & Reports To: WPHI (BDS) & Wired (BDS)

South Carolina

BSP MUZIK POOL ESTB 2003
213 Autumn Run Circle Columbia, SC 29229
Email: bspmuzikpool@gmail.com
Founder/CEO: Marlon Pool Director: Keisha
Music Members: 88 DJ Members CD/Mp3s/Vinyl
Music Format: Urban (Gangter/Rap, Reggae/Dance Hall Riddims, R&B,
Hip Hop, Miami Bass, Local Talent & More)
“We Promote Urban Music”

Texas

AUSTIN DJ & MUSIC POOL
2408 S. Third Street #F Austin, Texas 78704
Phone: (512) 440-7965
Email: AUSTINDJPOOL@AOL.COM
Website: http://hometown.aol.com/austindjpool/
Director: Nick Matthews Members: 25 Members
Services: Promo CD’s & Videos, New Music News, Top 50 Charts, Monthly Meetings, Events

CENTRAL TEXAS RECORD POOL
Pool Director: DJ Poncho
4006 Ambrose Drive, Killeen, TX 76549
Phone: (254) 458-2696
Email: djponcho@hot.rr.com
Format: Urban

NORTH TEXAS DANCE ASSOCIATION / Record Pool & Street Team
6162 E. Mockingbird LN # 114 Dallas, TX 75214 40 Members
Owner: Bryan Coonrod Phone: (214) 826-6832 Fax: (214) 821-6832
Website: www.ntxda.com

SALSAMANIA LATIN RECORD POOL SINCE 1992
Alex Carmenates
14922 Nuttall Oak Drive Houston, Texas
Phone: (281) 679-9600 Members: 100 Members
Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, Bachata, Cumbias – 100 copies
DVDs, VHS – 20 copies Hip Hop – 1 copy Dance remixes – 50 copies
Email: salsamania@earthlink.net
Website: www.salsamania.net

TEXAS STAR RECORD & CD POOL
The Dallas / Ft. Worth DJ Connection
712 N. Watson Rd. Suite 224 Arlington, TX 76011
Phone: (817) 652-9400 Fax: (817) 652-9401
Email: txstarpool@yahoo.com or
texasstarrecordpool@yahoo.com
Director: DJ Cap Asst. Director: Rand y “DJ Phade” Barrett
60 Vinyl DJs 15 CDs
We Manufacture Our Own Customized CDs Formatted Especially For DJs
Virginia

VA LATIN PROMOTIONS RECORD POOL
Alex Barrios ( Director) Members: 25 DJs
Va Latin Promotions 21681 Hazelnut Sq. Sterling, VA 20164
Phone: (571) 345-5514 and (703) 444-9270
Email: alex@valatinpromotions.com
Website: www.valatinpromotions.com
Formats: All Latin & Dance, Urban
Service Allotments: 25 CDs Latin “Regaetton, Salsa, Bachatas, Merengue
(Vinyl Accepted & MP3s)
15 Dance Vinyl Or CDs 15 Urban Vinyl or CDs

Washington

NORTHWEST DANCE MUSIC ASSOCIATION
10522 Lake City Way N. E. # C-B Seattle, WA 98125-7767
Phone: (206) 440-9780 Members: 40 Members
Website: www.nwdma.orgWisconsin

ANOTHER LEVEL RECORD POOL (URBAN)
3241 N. 45th St. Milwaukee, WI 53216
Phone: (414) 406-9836 Fax: (414) 875-6910
Pool Director – Tony Neal
Email: djtonyneal@yahoo.com
Members: 40 Members LP’s / CD’sZimbabwe

BAKOSPRINGS SOUND SYSTEMS
47059-1 Mpopoma, Bulawayo, ZIMBABWE
President: Joseph “DJ JOSE” Gumbo
Email: bakosprings@yahoo.ca
Phone: 00263226494 & 0026391808404
Formats: Urban, House, Dancehall & Tribal
Members: 6 Members
Req: 12 Vinyl’s & 12 CDs

Music Submission Guidelines for Mood Media's Background Music Services

Music Submission Guidelines for Mood Media's Background Music Services

**Please read these directions in its entirety as it contains extremely important submission guidelines.** If you do not follow these steps your email will not be processed**

Thank you for your interest in submitting your music to Mood Media. Please complete the following steps regarding the submission of your music content:

Submission Guidelines:

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Example:

3. If the music designers are interested in the music they hear they will contact you to discuss further.

**Please allow time for our music designer(s) to review your content. Keep in mind when discussing music ingestion with the designers, Mood Media encodes at a minimum bit rate of 320kps or .WAV or .AIFF files so please furnish accordingly.**

Thank you for taking the time to submit your music for consideration in our Mood Media music programming. We look forward to hearing your music.

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Music Choice - Music Submissions

Music Choice - Music Submissions (Audio & Video)

http://corporate.musicchoice.com/about-us/faq/

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Q. How do I submit audio tracks to be played on Music Choice?

A. Please mail your CD, along with an artist profile to:

Music Choice Programming

Attn: Unsigned Material (include music genre – such as Rock, Rap, Country)

328 W. 34th Street

New York, NY 10001

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A. Please mail your VIDEO, along with an artist profile to:

Music Choice Video Programming

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BETA sp or Digi BETA format

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Must include Lyric Sheet

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