Ron Sakamoto expanding his horizons
ENTERTAINMENT AGENCY MOVING INTO EUROPE
Ron Sakamoto has come a long way since he booked shows as a teenager in his hometown of Medicine Hat. Now the city-based music promoter and artist manager is going even further — to Europe.
“It seems nowadays you have to think out of the box; you’ve gotta go for it,” said Sakamoto this week.
His company, Sakamoto Agency, has hired Franck Boucheraud of Tours, France to represent the company in Europe where he is a veteran talent agent and buyer. Since 2008, he’s worked to promote Canadian country musicians internationally.
“He’s a tremendous asset to music in Europe and helps run some larger festivals there,” said Sakamoto.
Sakamoto Agency is just one business venture run by Ron, who also operates Gold and Gold Productions and is owner of Paradise Canyon golf course.
Sakamoto Agency was started in 2013 by the company’s namesake along with Paul Biro, who acts as operating partner and vice-president. Biro is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company as well as artist development and touring.
“Paul thinks it’s a good thing to do so we discussed it and, yeah, it’s a great thing,” added Sakamoto, noting country music is not just a North American fan favourite but a genre that has a huge following elsewhere.
“Country is huge in Europe, bigger than here,” he said.
With cities of big populations being relatively close together, artists can reach huge audiences by travelling relatively short distances.
“Here, you can’t play in Lethbridge one night and Vancouver the next, but there when you travel two or three hours you’re in a different country and there are no borders anywhere so it’s great whether you’re a concert-goer or an artist.
“You can play a lot more venues because they’re close together.”
Among Sakamoto artists heading across the Atlantic are The Washboard Union and Aaron Goodvin, who just had his first No. 1 Canadian country single. On Wednesday, he released a new song “Bars & Churches” to American radio.
“He’s touted in the U.S. as one of seven artists to watch,” said Sakamoto, whose lineup also now includes musical impressionist Andre Philippe Gagnon, a Quebec singer who is launching a new touring show called “The History of Rock and Roll.”
Also on the agency roster are Jason Benoit, Nice Horse, The Abrams, The Washboard Union, Tristan Horncastle, Hey Romeo, the Chris Buck Band, Blackie Jackett Jr. and Becca Hess.
The agency also works with The Legend of George Jones featuring Duane Steel and The Story of Hag featuring Jess Lee.
“The Abrams just signed with Warner and Chris Buck is ready to release a new album,” said Sakamoto whose agency has staff in Vancouver, Calgary and Saskatoon, in addition to Kelowna and Lethbridge.
“Washboard Union is going to Spain, Nice Horse is going to Spain, Switzerland and France and Aaron Goodvin is going to Germany.”
Sakamoto used to represent country superstar Johnny Reid but now just promotes his concerts.
“He’s such a smart businessman; he makes his own decisions,” said Sakamoto of his friend who has embarked in a new direction with a musical production about his grandmother which is being produced by the team behind the Broadway smash “Far And Away.”
Biro, said Sakamoto, “is the mastermind” of the agency.
“I’ve got my other campany Gold and Gold; he’s the head of the agency in Kelowna. Paul is the guy who does most of the work and he’s a tremendous worker. It’s about the people you surround yourself with if you’re going to be successful. I can’t do it all — my wife won’t let me!”
While Sakamoto loves the business world, he gets great joy seeing his artists grow and become successful.
“You can’t help everyone because it’s too much but it makes you feel good when you see artists evolve into stars. All my life I’ve made a good living loving what I do. I just enjoy the business world and the opportunities. It’s pretty satisfying.”
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