Quantcast
Kudos go to the management combo led by Jeff Rabhan’s Three Ring Projects with Josh Abraham’s Pulse Recording & Management for their non-traditional approach.

WHEELS & DEALS SPECIAL: YAMIN'S HICKORY DICKORY HIT

Rabhan's Three Ring Projects and Abraham's Pulse Team Up on Ex-Idol's Success Story
by Rodel Delfin

Pulsating Three-Ring Hickory... No, we’re not talking about the latest toy available at the Pleasure Chest. We know you like to shop there. We’re referring to just some of the companies involved with the recent success of American Idol runner-up Elliott Yamin, who could very well be following in the footsteps of fellow Idol mate Chris Daughtry.

Yamin’s self-titled debut clocked over 90k this week—impressive numbers indeed. Yes, there is the Idol factor, but what’s significant is that this album was setup mainly outside of a major-label structure. And it may serve as the blueprint of how future emerging acts are worked in the evolving major label world. Since we received numerous questions about how this all transpired, the following is a breakdown of the project.

First, kudos go to the management combo led by Jeff Rabhan’s Three Ring Projects with Josh Abraham’s Pulse Recording & Management for their non-traditional approach. Elliott first signed a publishing deal with Danny Strick at Sony/ATV, which led to a record deal with Sony/ATV’s newly formed Hickory Records, thus releasing the album through RED. No surprise to the pub and label arrangement with Sony Music considering Rabhan’s longtime relationship with Strick—he signed Rabhan’s client Michelle Branch while at Maverick.

Once inked, Jeff and Danny began the process of assembling the marketing, sales and radio components for the album. And it didn't hurt that Rabhan worked with first season Idol winner Kelly Clarkson in the past. Meanwhile, Abraham and partner Jason Bernard brought in Pulse writer/producer DJ Lethal, among others, to contribute to Elliott’s album. Furthermore, Abraham, with numerous multi-platinum rock albums on his discography, produced half of the tracks on the LP, adding pop/R&B credentials to his resume.

In addition to Three Ring, Pulse and Hickory, three other companies came into play that were integral to the setup: Fred Croshal’s Croshal Entertainment Group handled marketing/online/label duties, Kevin Day’s Rocket Science handled sales and Danny Buch & company at RED worked radio. It was five to six people making prompt decisions and keeping schedules on time (i.e. no holding meetings to talk about setting up meetings, etc...).

This was pure execution on everyone's part—from TV appearances, marketing plans to in-store performances—all parties involved set this up timely and smoothly and it reflects in the first week numbers as well as establishing the right momentum for the album. With the biz contracting daily, we can expect the roles of consultants to increase even more, from sales, marketing, promotions and even A&R. It’s the Wild West right now and anything goes.

ON TO SOME WEASEL NEWS: As expected, lots of activity going on in the publishing world lately. Tongues are flapping on who’s making the play to buy Windswept Publishing… Meanwhile, is investment firm JDS Capitol selling their Dimensional Music Publishing unit? Word on the street is that a buyer is already in place. You may recall that Dimensional purchased the DreamWorks Publishing catalog a few years ago that contained works by the Byrds, John Denver, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Rickie Lee Jones, to name a few. As we pointed out previously, the hunger to own publishing catalog by boutique pub firms as well as private equity companies make it a ripe time to make a short-term sale… Famous Music, who is reportedly on the sale block as well, has been aggressively signing acts. Geffen act Sound the Alarm signs with Carol Spencer at the pubco. The Steve Sessa-repped/Patrick McDowell-managed act just completed their debut album with producer Howard Benson, prompting several pubcos to be in pursuit… Activity around twenty-three year old Warner/Chappell singer/songwriter Audra Mae picks up some steam, as film & TV music types and label noses keep sniffing around her works in progress. See Buzz/Gigs for her next show… Official news from across the pond is that UK punk outfit and SXSW buzz act the Gallows have signed with Warner Bros. UK with Epitaph serving as the band’s stateside label… BUZZIN’: Ben Goldman, Winterman & Goldstein, Charles Koppelman and Robert Shields (he’s an artist)… Hit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ/GIGS:

AUDRA MAE: Sat. (4/7), Genghis Cohen (L.A. ) 8:30 p.m.

FOREIGN ISLANDS: Mon. (4/9), Gramercy Theatre (N.Y.) 8 p.m.

VINCE
ESQUIRE: Tues. (4/10), Cutting Room (N.Y.) 10:45 p.m.

NEAR TRUTHS: KINGDOMS
File under: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. (3/26a)
ONE SHINING HITS LIST
She shoots, she scores! (3/26a)
YTD MARKET SHARE
Zeroing in on the elite teams (3/27a)
BEST IN THE WEST:
STEVE BERMAN
High time for another Eminem skit (3/26a)
MUSIC REVENUE TOPPED $17B IN 2023: RIAA
Streaming subscriptions lead the charge. (3/27a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)