Jim Mazza's impact on the Music Industry cannot be understated. Through innovations in Sales, Marketing and Distribution, and an innate ability to find artists and help them progress, Jim created a new era in music sales, with the numbers to prove it.
As the founding President of EMI America Records, Jim Mazza was responsible for one of the most dramatic label startups in the history of the music business, building annual sales revenue from zero to $75 million in less than four years between 1977 and 1981. The label held the number one position on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart for a remarkable 16 weeks during the calendar year of 1981, being nominated for eleven Grammy awards in five different categories: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist of the Year, and in a foreshadowing of Jim's future in Nashville's music industry, 3 big Grammy wins in Country Music categories.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements with EMI America, Jim was appointed President of Capitol Records in December 1982, concurrently holding the position of Chairman of EMI America Records, a title created for him specifically. Jim was appointed to EMI Music's main Board of Directors in London, serving on several executive commities internationally. He was also appointed to the Board of Directors of Capitol Records, The Recording Association of America (RIAA), The Country Music Association (CMA) and The National Association of Record Merchandisers (NARM) Advisory Committee. As President of Capitol, Jim was responsible for revitalizing a sleeping giant, achieving enormous worldwide success with a broad range of artists: the reborn Tina Turner, Duran Duran, R&B artist Freddie Jackson, a comeback for rockband Heart, and the breakthrough of hard rock act Iron Maiden.
Left to Right: Jim and Tonny Bennett, 1962; Paul and Linda Mccartney, 1973; George Harrison, 1966; Freddy Mercury, 1986; Duran Duran, 1986; Kenny Rogers, Lionel Ritchie, and Ken Kragen, 1981; Tina Turner, Don Zimmermann, Los Angeles Deputy Mayor, and Bhaskar Menon, 1985.
Jim Mazza's experience spans 50 years in all areas of the music business. in 1965, while working as the store manager at legendary Wallach's Music City Record Store in Hollywood, 23-year old Jim was talent-spotted by Capitol Records and hired as a local Promotion/Sales Representative. In 1968, Jim was appointed District Manager for Capitol's San Francisco branch. Returning to Los Angeles in 1970, he became head of the company's largest branch operation.
It was during this period that Jim's marketing skills were identified, through his design and implementation of numerous innovative marketing campaigns. His work spanned some of the greatest acts of the era: The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Buck Owens, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dean Martin, Lou Rawls, Sonny James, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt, The Band, and Grand Funk Railroad. He achieved notoriety with his immensely successful campaign for the Beach Boys' "Endless Summer" compilation, followed by another groundbreaking campaign for Pink Floyd's multiplatinum “Dark Side of the Moon."
In 1973, Capitol recognized Jim's No. 1 branch performance by appointing him to the position of Director of International Marketing Worldwide, beginning a string of successful campaigns, transforming what had been an old-line licensing operation into an aggressive worldwide marketing and promotion unit. Within eighteen months he was promoted to the position of Vice President of International and Domestic Marketing, with responsibility for domestic sales and promotion as well as the worldwide marketing of Capitol's music.
Capitol's North American music operation would then enjoy its highest degree of performance to date. Under Jim's leadership, the company's sales and profits rose continuously during the calendar years 1975 and 1976. Mazza and his team of talented executives brought new meaning to the concept of music marketing, striking gold and platinum regularly, while launching the careers of major superstars Bob Seger, Steve Miller, Natalie Cole, the solo Paul McCartney, and The Little River Band.
Under Jim's leadership, EMI America Records was formed in 1977 and quickly attracted both established and new artists to its roster. In 1979, Capitol acquired United Artists Records, which was consolidated into EMI America Records with Jim as President of the combined label group.
This is where Jim first began working with Kenny Rogers, who with Jim's help became the highest-grossing artist in the music business from 1979-81, selling over 30-million albums, and earning accolades across the entertainment industry. When Kenny came to EMI America via the United Artists acquisition, Jim and Kenny began working together on the creative direction of Kenny's career, drawing up marketing plans, directing promotional activities, and motivating sister EMI companies around the world. He created duet opportunities with other EMI America artists Dottie West, Kim Carnes, and Sheena Easton, and he approached Lionel Richie, songwriter and lead singer for the R&B group, The Commodores, to write for Kenny. The outcome was historic, giving Kenny one of the biggest hits of his career ("Lady"), and Lionel Richie the confidence to step out from The Commodores to launch his enormously successful solo career.
Perhaps Jim's most widely respected achievement at EMI America was the signing and marketing of David Bowie, one of the most prestigious artists in the music world. Bowie signed with Jim at EMI America in 1982. David's first album for EMI America, "Let's Dance," sold 7 million copies worldwide, transforming Bowie from an admired cult artist into a multi-platinum superstar overnight.
Other examples of Jim's ability to help established artists break through into multi-platinum success: The Stray Cats, Tina Turner, and the J. Geils Band.
And then theres his work breaking new artists, a long list that stretches throughout his carreer. He steered the way for Duran Duran's album Rio, George Thorogood's album Bad to the Bone, and Sheena Easton's Take My Time. Originally signed to EMI in England, Sheena's first single for EMI America "Morning Train" went to number one in the U.S., followed by two more hit singles and a Grammy for Best New Artist. Knowing that EMI America held the rights to the forthcoming James Bond soundtrack album, Jim approached Producer Cubby Broccoli with the idea of Sheena recording the title song for the film. The result, "For Your Eyes Only," became an enormous worldwide hit, boosting box-office performance and Sheena Easton's popularity worldwide. Jim then made arrangements for superstar artist Prince to write and produce Sheena's next two album projects.
The list goes on. Jim's leadership at EMI America saw top 10 hits in droves: "Missing You" by John Waite, "Sad Eyes" by Robert John, "West End Girls" by the Pet Shop Boys," "Always Something There To Remind Me" by Naked Eyes, "Sunglasses At Night," by Corey Hart, "We Don't Talk Anymore," by Cliff Richard, “Turning Japanese," by the Vapors, "Hearts" by Marty Balin, and Michael Johnson's "Bluer Than Blue.” Jim played a pivotal role in the development of Ziggy Marley, Queensryche, and Kate Bush. He secured recording rights for Robert Palmer and The Neville Brothers. He gave the Red Hot Chili Peppers their first record deal.
After EMI America's consolidation in July of 1987, Jim moved on to form Morgan Creek Records with Grammy award-winning producer David Kershenbaum. They scored immediately with one of the highest selling records in history, "Everything I Do, I Do For You,” by Bryan Adams, the theme from the Motion Picture Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Jim conceived the idea to extract elements of the instrumental classical score and have lyrics written by a contemporary artist, the results of which are legendary. The song won many industry accolades including a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award nomination. The combined sales of Bryan's single, solo album, soundtrack album and the greatest hits now exceed 34 million units worldwide. Jim also secured the rights to "The Last of the Mohicans" soundtrack and executive produced all soundtracks released on the Morgan Creek label.
In the Spring of 1998, Jim was re-united with legendary recording artist and long-time friend Kenny Rogers when they co-founded Dreamcatcher Entertainment. The entertainment venture, based in Nashville, is comprised of three separate operating divisions all under the Dreamcatcher moniker; records, artist management and film and television production. On the eve of its first year anniversary, Dreamcatcher Entertainment celebrated its first gold album with Kenny Rogers "She Rides Wild Horses." Just one year later in May of 2000 the album was propelled to platinum with the chart topping second single, "Buy Me A Rose," Kenny Rogers' 22nd #1 country hit. This marked the first time in the history of the music industry that an independent country record label achieved platinum status, and the first time in more than 15 years that an independent was able to reach the number one slot. During this period, Dreamcatcher Artists Management also represented the super group Diamond Rio, platinum seller Sara Evans, and hitmaker Jodi Messina.
Jim's company Dreamcatcher Management, a partnership with music executive T Powell Hedley, is currently a full fledged management company, operating in Nashville, TN.