iHipHop Admin They say that hard work breeds success. If that is true, then, BMI’s – Catherine Brewton – is a thoroughbred. Her current status as Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations for BMI Atlanta was earned through drive, passion, and a love of the creative arts. The woman whose career plans began with financial services sits down Crackspace to talk about how she got into the music industry, what it takes to remain in the game and has an interesting story to tell.
HHC: Before we dig deep – how did you get your start in the music industry?
CB: I started out in financial services and I had no real career plans to be in the industry. It was pre-destined. I started a PR firm that basically did PR and Marketing for athletes and some individuals in the entertainment business. I later met Mike Green and I got my start there in 1992-1993 working for NARAS. I then heard that BMI was opening up an office in
HHC: Was being apart of the industry something that you needed to be associated with?
CB: No. I’m from
HHC: What was it about the industry that appealed to you?
CB: Early on, it was just an opportunity to do something. The PR gig was a very good entrepreneurial start. Working for NARAS and the Grammy’s was a beautiful foundation for what would become the next part of my career. I don’t know if I was so much as enticed by the glamorous side of the music business. I think it was more so the creative side. I was a singer, but I never wanted to be apart of that limelight. I was interested in the engineers, producers, songwriters, etc. That creative aspect of the industry is what appealed to me.
HHC: Before working with BMI, you were with NARAS – why’d you leave?
CB: It was just an opportunity for me to be closer to that creative process. It was definitely closer to the action. This was more in line with what my career path should be.
HHC: How was it working with BMI in your first few years before you had your first promotion in 1999?
CB: It was very hard because I think coming in, BMI – not intentionally – had taken for granted the growth of urban music. People thought that rap would be gone. I mean, little did anyone know that it would become so mainstream. For me, I believe that it was going to become what it is now and I bought into the trends and became proactive in exposing the genre.
HHC: What are your daily responsibilities?
CB: Managing our existing writers. I did a big Gospel event. I deal with a lot of events. One in particular was in conjunction with MTV [held in
HHC: Looking back – how hard do you think you’ve worked to get to where you are now?
CB: I’ve been extremely blessed and I don’t take anything for granted. When people say how “hard” I’ve worked, it’s more in the fact that I’m an overachiever and that I pride myself on that. My phone is always on. The job hasn’t been without its setbacks, though. But I have no regrets in anything that I do. I believe that God pre-destines our lives. I’ve worked extremely hard and have been patient, as well, but been aware that I am committed to my journey that is far from over. As long as I feel that way, I’ll continue to be where I’m needed.
HHC: What have been – if any – the perks to having such a position as Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations for BMI
CB: Perks to me are what you make it. I don’t really see it as “perks”. I do run the office efficiently. I try to live by the same rules that I set for my people. The perks are that I can create my own schedule, but I don’t cut corners or slack in the least. That is not me, at all. I love having a small office. It’s been really nice to have a staff that understands and gets things done the way that you like.
HHC: What do you think it takes to be successful, not only, within the music industry – but, specifically in your position?
CB: I think that a commitment to being the best at what you do and to understand your position is key. What I’ve found in most situations is that people do not want to step outside the box. They want things laid out from A-Z and do not think that there may be something just as good only for A-M. The people I tend to gravitate towards are forward thinkers and they have passion. If you are not passionate about the things that you do – what good are you to me? A person who doesn’t need confirmation, who just consistently does their work, and steps up to the plate is the one that I am looking for. I am very committed to using interns, because when they come in to work and learn the routine – sitting in the staff meetings and such – they grow and mature into a well-rounded person.
HHC: You’ve worked alongside some pretty phenomenal songwriters. What was your most memorable experience?
CB: Probably my most memorable experience was at my second or third award event. [At the BMI Awards] we did a tribute to James Brown, and the house band was
HHC: Has any experience since you’ve been in the “business” inspired you to work harder? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
CB: Francis Preston. She was the hardest working woman in show business. I have never seen a woman do so much for the business in the course of a day. She was a major inspiration for how classy and elegant she was. She could hang with Isaac Hayes and then go hang with Vince Gill and they all love her no differently. That to me is what inspired me to be better and to embrace all music everyday. I continue to be driven everyday that I walk through that door.
HHC: What are the drawbacks to working within the music industry?
CB: You do not have a life. You give up so much personally. I was looking at my schedule and I see that I am here way too much. It is a personal commitment that you have to make to the industry.
HHC: For the aspiring songwriters or anyone for that matter whom wises to be a part of the business – what are some words of advice that you have for them?
CB: Stay true to your craft. If you believe in your heart of hearts that that is what you’re supposed to do, practice and sharpen your skills. For instance, Pharrell was questioning his first single and I was thinking to myself, ‘Pharrell has had so much success across the board and is still questioning himself!’ You’re only good as your last hit, so you need to get out there and showcase your skills. You need to have faith in what you’re trying to do. This is certainly not a game and not an easy process. A lot of people get deals, but spend years on the shelf. You must use the vehicles that are out there and present yourself accordingly.
HHC: With people such as R. Kelly and more recently, Fantasia, coming out and saying that they cannot read or write – what affect does this have on the songwriting community?
CB: You know I am so troubled by that comment. I know of the problem that R. Kelly was facing. I think that God heightens your gift when you lose something, somewhere. I think that with R. Kelly and Fantasia, that case is true. I keep the both of them in my prayers. I hope that they are in works to do something to curb those problems and create solutions out of them. They both have children, and I would hope that they are trying to do something… if they haven’t already because that is sad to not be able to read a book to your children. The fault can also be laid down to the public school that are not teaching our children the fundamentals required to compete in this world.
HHC: Continuing with songwriting – within the R&B and Hip-Hop genres people tend to think that there is a lack of originality within the music. First, do you think that this is true? If not, why? If so, what do you think can be done within the songwriting process to change the nature of the music?
CB: I disagree. I think that [the music] is original. You have someone like Anthony Hamilton and I think that he’s a certifiable genius. I think that Trey Songz is a bright star. People are inspired everyday. So when they say that there is no originality, I think that they don’t know what they’re talking about. Kanye West is a genius as well. R. Kelly is a phenomenal songwriter who continues to push the limits of creativity. I don’t find that a lack of originality in the music to even be the case. Inspiration comes from so many different forms, but does that make them not original? I do lay blame on the record labels. If there is a song that R. Kelly came out with that was popular, then everyone wants a song that is like that. Charlie Wilson has a classic R&B album. He stayed in his lane, even with the song that R. Kelly wrote. It was done tastefully. People want to do the same trends that everyone else does. It’s a breath of fresh air to hear someone that is doing something different. Radio isn’t trying to jump at the bit for Anthony Hamilton.
HHC: You’ve accomplished so much seemingly so quickly in your career. Do you think that you’ve had too much too soon? Or do you believe that your work ethic is a direct result of your success?
CB: Oh, no.. no… NEVER! I believe that divine intervention played a part in making me prepared for what I’m doing now. I was just on the cover of an
HHC: Last question – what do you think it takes to have longevity in a business known for its short-term memory? What words of caution can you give to those aspirants before they take the plunge into those shark-infested waters?
CB: I would say – know that you know, that you know, that you know, that you know that this is what you want to do. It is not a game. It is entertainment, but it is a business. Be prepared. Read everything. Find mentors. Separate yourself when the occasion calls for it and make sure to seek God in every decision that you do.
