The 7th Vienna Music Business Research Days from Sep. 27-29, 2016 are devoted to “Self-Management in the Digital Music Business”. International music business experts, therefore, discuss the challenges and chances of artist self-management as well as the future development. Find the program here.
In the afternoon of Sep. 29th, a top-class panel discusses “Self-Management in the Digital Music Business” in Joseph-Haydn-Hall from 15:30-17:00. Keith Harris, manager of Stevie Wonder, is one of the panelists. Keith started in the music industry in 1974 working for Transatlantic, a small independent UK label. In 1976 Keith joined EMI Records where he initially worked for several in-house EMI labels in the promotions department. These included Rocket where he worked on the Elton John album ‘Blue Moves’, Fantasy, Ariola and EMI International. He then joined Motown becoming General Manager working with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. He left in 1978 to work with Stevie Wonder and became Operations Manager for his companies.
In 1982 he formed his own management company and was involved in the management of various UK based artists, while also continuing to represent Stevie Wonder. He is a Senior Fellow of the University of Westminster School of Music, Film and Fashion where he has lectured since 1993. He is a former Chairman of the MMF, the managers’ trade body, and he is the Chairman of Musictank. Keith joined PPL in 2006 and was made an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Westminster in November 2007.
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