The former head of promotions for Motown UK, he has chaired leading industry bodies including the Manager's Forum, and is on first name terms with the key players from the industry and government. For the last 10 years he has taught on the commercial music degree at the University of Westminster. He's offering the chance of some personal coaching to anyone who comes onto a short course for people wanting to launch a business in the music industry.
The Music Business Course is run in association with local enterprise agency, Harrow in Business. Keith is one of the tutors on the course, along with studio owner, producer, university lecturer and commissioned author on music production, Steven Gurevitz. Over eight Saturdays, they will show delegates how to create a successful music 'business', whether as a singer-songwriter, A&R person or label owner. Content includes how to make the right management and publishing deals, choose the right business structure, create a proper 'act' and deal with contracts and copyright. Delegates will also spend a day at a professional studio learning how to make best use of recording time.
Keith says: "Music may be a 'creative' industry, but creatives still need business skills like negotiation, networking and financial planning. So we cover those too, as well as expert insider information about the music industry and how it works. Once the course is complete, any of our students has the opportunity to arrange personal ongoing business mentoring with either Steven or myself as an extra. We don't normally offer this sort of support, but we hope some people will find it useful."
The Music Business Course runs over eight Saturdays from 7 May at local enterprise agency, Harrow in Business in West London.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
