Interview with Hayward Thompson of the Ovations Music Group

Interview by Phil Peretz, Indie Artists Alliance/iMuzic.com

Hayward, thanks for taking some time to meet with me, I know you have a lot of things going on and a pretty busy schedule. Tell me a little about you.
I’ve been in the music industry since I was 12 years old. I started as the local host of talent shows and other venues in the Cincinnati Ohio area. I was the host/comedian who could command a crowd while entertaining them between sets. I was the first host of the talent show which formed the group “Cold Premiere”. This group spawned Shane Sparks of MTV’s America Best Dance Crew and FOX’s So you think you can dance.

That’s impressive, who else is in the Ovations Music Group?
We are a camp of independent artists who have come together to form a company.

The artists consist of, The Empersario, mainly hip-hop, Marvin Hawkins,Deannah Dukes, Mikos and Dave B. Soul all perform R&B, Robby Bright is a neo-jazz artist and Mechel Rich is both Neo-Praise and Gospel.

We normally perform in the R&B and Hip Hop genres…but we have signed a POP artist named DaniNicole, a 6 member Dane Team and a live band. We are currently interested in country artists and a rock band to round out our musical abilities at Ovations Music Group

We are mix of multiple genres, concepts and talents that give you a complete and fresh perspective on R&B! We are the new face of Soul & R&B music!

Who is your inspiration?
Jesus Christ and my mother. Musically speaking it would be Bob Marley. He actually changed the world with music! He got 2 factions of warring militias to stop fighting and love each other.

What was the name of the last song that you wrote?
“Time to shine” I was inspired by the election of Barack Obama. He is allowing black people to get rid of the excuses that were previously used when it comes to personal success and accountablity. I want other kids to know that you must reach for the stars, if you don’t you will never know what you can really do. Its’ ‘Our time to shine’

What new things do you have going on?
We have been given the sponsorship to start our own record label in August of 2009. We have 2 artist that have been signed to Protect ya Neck records (Wu Tang Clan) to be a part of the “Dirty Clanzmen”. That album comes out later this year and we will be the opening act for the Maino ‘Hi Hater’ tour. Ovations will begin to release albums from it’s artist later in 2009.

Are you working on anything new?
We are working on the media marketing aspect of the label. We are doing some national TV and Radio spots currently. We expect to launch a national media campaign through B.E.T., MTV, VH1 and Spike TV

Where are some of the places that you have been playing?
We have had artists on tour with the Legendary Zapp Band as far away as Japan and Korea. We have been in Baltimore, NYC, Atlanta and LA

Where can people learn more about you? What’s your web site? www.ovationsent.com

What words of wisdom do you have for other musicians who arejust getting started?
Please take time to learn the BUSINESS of SHOW BUSINESS! You will be amazed as to what you don’t know & how it could kill you!

Is there anything else that you’d like to share with the fans?
Believe in yourself no matter what! Don’t let the industry tell you if you are going to be successful. GOD is all you need for success! Stay positive and remember that the music industry, like life, is a marathon! The better shape you are in mentally, the better you will perform over the long haul. Good luck and God Bless!

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