One Step Closer Announces An A&R Music Industry Showcase in Dallas, Texas

One Step Closer, a transformative program with the mission to help shape music careers through interactive guidance, education, and inspirational A&R-driven events has announced a showcase in Dallas, Texas at The Creatives Factory on July 22-24, 2022. In this two-day event, 16 bands and music artists will showcase their talents to a panel of judges; award-winning A&R, multi-platinum producer, publisher, manager, and author, Jeff Blue, Grammy Award-winning A&R music executive, Amir Windom, and renowned music life coach, author, and CEO of Around the Way Publishing, Samantha Bennington. The grand-prize winner of the showcase will receive a songwriting session with Jeff Blue and a studio session and two additional winners will receive a studio session.

One Step Closer was founded by Jeff Blue. Blue is an A&R executive currently with Lava-Universal Republic, He has signed and developed a roster of artists winning over 10 GRAMMYs, he's a BMI Award-Winning Songwriter, multi-platinum producer, manager, music attorney, best-selling author, and music docuseries executive producer. Blue's artists include Linkin Park, Macy Gray, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Hoobastank, Daniel Powter, Aaliyah (Queen of the Damned Soundtrack), DJ Ashba of Guns N Roses, Jeff Gutt of Stone Temple Pilots, Better Than Ezra, The Last Goodnight, and more. Blue has been SVP A&R for 7 major record labels including Warner Bros., Interscope Records, RCA, Virgin/Capitol, Atlantic Records, Jive, Sony/BMG Music, & Universal Music Publishing. Currently with Lava/Universal Republic. Blue has appeared in dozens of TV shows and publications discussing music, and has a new venture with Mark Wahlberg's production company focusing on how artists get signed.

I have spent over 18 years between Dallas and Los Angeles, says Blue. I discovered two artists here which I got major label deals for. I always felt that Dallas was underappreciated as a hotbed for great talent. When people think of music they tend to think of other cities in Texas, and I think we should change that! I would love to work with the city in expanding Dallas' place on the map for the go-to place for new music! In addition to discovering music, I have teamed with MusiCares charity to bring awareness and education on how artists get signed, what A&R people look for and more importantly, how artists can keep their vision, authenticity, and how to deal with the inevitable rejection and roadblocks they will encounter on their way to fulfilling their destiny. I discuss the mental and emotional pitfalls that come with putting your creativity in the world for others to judge. Thus, the lecture is not just educational, and emotional, but it brings back the humanity to music.

The programming for the One Step Closer showcase will include the following:

Day 1 | July 22, 2022 | Pop/Alt/Rock

8 bands
15 minute performance
20 minute consultation
ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNER
VIP Mixer

Day 2 | July 23, 2022 | Hip Hop / RnB

8 bands
15 min performance
20 min Consultation
ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNER
VIP Mixer

Day 3 | July 24, 2022 | Lecture & Book Highlights

How to break into the music industry
Music publishing, music supervision: film & TV placements, social media, radio
Promo, Management, Attorneys
What A&R people look for in an artist: star power, identity, authenticity, hit songs, music
Production, songwriting, communicating your message
Mental health & how to overcome roadblocks & deal with rejection
Book discussion: What factors allowed a band that was rejected 44 times over 3.5 years to become the biggest selling debut artist of the 21st century.
Q & A
Book signing by Jeff Blue and Samantha Bennington authors of One Step Closer and Falling Love Notes: Memories of a Rockstar Wife respectively.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF GRAND PRIZE WINNER
VIP Mixer