FLYERPROMONOW presents
Flyer PromoN ow & TalkofOrlando. com present this week’s Talk of Orlando,
Society Entertainment.
Since the rise and fall of Lou Pearlman and Johnny Wright no longer on the Orlando scene, Society Entertainment is working on being the next label to be a major player in the music industry.
I sat down with CEO and Casanova Williams for an inside look to Society. founder
When I graduated from college I moved to Orlando, I had a great job, brand new car and a real nice apartment. I was really feeling myself being the first in my family to graduate from high school then college. Casanova Williams CEO Of Society Entertainment But then one day I’m looking at TV and seeing all these rappers and artist with chains that where worth more than my life. I was paying for my car, my apartment was rented and I worked for someone else. I was in debt from college, the American dream was a lie and I decided I would rather work for myself in something that I truly enjoy. I saw on twitter that you had an opportunity with J records what was the deal about and the outcome? I decided not to take that opportunity. For me, Society means a lot to me and I would have had to either reduce the amount of time I spent on my company or give up my company completely. I felt it would not be fair to my artist that has the potential of being major artist. So if it means a little more time, that’s OK, when I get to the next level it will be with Society and nothing else. Your first project was helping put out one of the biggest songs in Orlando called "I’m not locked down" by TREAL. What was your part in that? When I first got into the music scene here in Orlando, I wanted to work with a group who was already doing something so at the time TREAL was the biggest thing in Orlando. I approached their label Rekega Records and talked to the owner on how I think we could get TREAL to the next level. He was really feeling what I had to say and we did a joint venture together for the TREAL project. Their first song was "So Right” but "I’m not locked down" took off when Elisc played it for DJ D Dstrong at Club Icon. After that night we switched the single to "I’m not locked down" and the rest is history. That song led to the group getting a deal with Universal Republic and was a great look for Society with prospective clients and future artist. What label can say their first project was a hit? I thank god, Rekega Records and TREAL for the opportunity. Your break through artist on your label was 3AM why aren't they with Society anymore and are you willing to work with them again? Well after working with TREAL I was looking for the next big thing and found 3AM. I signed them and after a
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year of working with them we were at JIVE Records and meeting with other labels at the same time. Unfortunately we got into a major situation and soon after that the group broke up. It’s really a lot of pressure, a lot more responsibility and a lot more people in your ear. You have to be mentally ready when it happens if you’re not people will get into your head and that’s what happened with 3AM. As far as working with them again I would not. Everything has its time and what 3AM was able to do I don’t think could it be done again. They were a teen band and all of them are older now, so the scene has changed. Nothing personal they are all talented guys but Society is about moving forward and we don’t look back.
Photos courtesy of Rita Ri Photography.
By: Oleika
What made you leave the traditional workforce to start a label?
What business advice can you give artist who are trying to make it? Get with a good team. Don’t look for money or connections, instead look for people who will support you and will work with you through the good and the bad. Be loyal to your team, so many artist are quick to jump ship. I know many artists that have been with so many different management, labels, and situations, that it puts your loyalty in question. So who would want to invest time, money and effort in someone who won’t stay around. I happened to catch your rock group “The Shoreline" at their Release party, what made you decide to get into the rock scene? I’ve always been interested in going into the rock world but never found the right group. Rock music, from what I saw and currently seeing, are more about the music and the band working together for the love of the music. I was invited to a House of Blues show which featured the best bands in Orlando. I was actually there to see another band that was suggested, but when I saw The Shoreline I knew they were the one. We negotiated for about 3 months to get them. After all the paperwork was done we planned to drop their EP "Fake it til you make it" we had a sold out release party now they are on tour all summer. They have been a great success to the label and we are happy with their progress. You can see all their show dates on www.Societyentertainment.com or on www.myspace.com/theshoreline . Let’s talk about your last project, Status Black after their appearance on BET and a couple of shows locally they have disappeared. What has become of them? After the BET appearance which didn’t go so well, the group went through a time where they had personal issues that came up. As an artist if your personal isn’t in order it will mess up your business. As an independent label, there are certain things an artist has to have right. If not, we as a label must move on to the next artist. They are very talented guys and we wish them the best. I happend to see a transcript that you did regarding the Casey Anthony case, how did that affect your company at that time?
That was crazy. My old address was where the mother told the police she dropped off that little girl. So when people were Googling that address my company came up. People were trying to make connection between me and her since I was in the entertainment industry they were thinking I knew the mother and had something to do with it. I had to go give a statement to the cops and everything. I didn’t realize what was going on until a friend called me and told me there were blogs about me. I was shocked, but it was all cleared up, so I’m glad for that. If you think that you are the Talk of Orlando, you can submit your information to talkoforlando@gmail.com subject line “I am the Talk of Orlando” www.flyerpromonow.com
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