Made in Memphis Entertainment offers preview of upcoming projects
Made in Memphis Entertainment is officially open for the business. The new music business venture, led by Stax Records songwriter David Porter, opened its doors on Monday morning.
Although there was talk of the glories of Memphis music past, the emphasis was squarely on the city’s creative future as Porter showcased the company’s $5 million studio complex on Union Avenue, just east of downtown.
City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Memphis Convention and Visitor’s Bureau President/CEO Kevin Kane were among those who spoke at the event, which was led by Porter, the 75 year-old Memphis Music Hall of Famer, as well Made in Memphis president Tony Alexander, and the company’s A&R head Hamilton Hardin.
Porter, striking a confident tone, spoke of the many months of preparation and work that’s gone into shaping Made in Memphis, an ambitious venture that will encompass a studio, label, production unit and publishing arm. “We are going to succeed, you can bank on that,” said Porter.
The gathering itself was largely designed to formally introduce Made in Memphis’ creative team, which includes pair of staff songwriters in Denarious Holmes and Jeremy O’Bryan, and a trio of flagship artists signed to its label imprint: Porcelan, Jessica Ray, and Matthew Michael. Several tracks from the forthcoming albums by Porcelan and Michel were played for members of the press.
Made in Memphis A&R head Hamilton Hardin noted that plans for projects by Porcelan and Michael are coming together. “We’ll definitely have music out by the third quarter of this year through our label,” said Hardin. Both Porcelan and Michael’s full-length debuts have been tracked, and are in the final mixing stages. “We’re also working on Jessica Ray’s album and focusing on signing new artists,” added Hardin.
Hardin said that they are “developing partnerships” with other companies, and expects a distribution deal for the Made in Memphis label to be finalized soon.
The two-story building at 400 Union that houses Made in Memphis was formerly the site of an insurance office. As part of its extensive renovation, its recording rooms were designed by noted British studio designer Michael Cronin. The studio — which includes three separate tracking rooms — will also function as a for-hire studio for outside projects.