We are pleased to announce the expert panelists who will judge talent at our second Rock Music Contest on July 7 at 8:00 p.m. at Skinny’s Lounge in the NoHo Arts District (Los Angeles). These experts include:
Craig Streaman, Manager of A&R, Taxi
Bernard Baur, A&R Report / Review Editor / Features, Music Connection
Brendan Bourke, Artist Manager / A&R, Kurfirst-Blackwell Entertainment
Photo (L-R): Brendan Bourke, Bernard Baur
LAMN Jam Panelist Profiles
June 9, 2008
Craig Streaman, Manager of A&R
TAXI
Craig Streaman is Manager A&R at TAXI, the world’s leading independent A&R company. During his formative years, he played drums for several successful local bands in Connecticut before moving to Boston to study Music Business and Management at Berklee College of Music. After a short period of managing local artists and regional tours, Craig moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in A&R, and quickly moved up the ranks at TAXI to become Manager of A&R.
Bernard Baur, A&R Report/ Review Editor/ Features
Music Connection
Bernard Baur is an artist crusader and award-winning journalist. For many artists he’s been the connection between the streets and the suites, with almost thirty signings over the past ten years. He’s credited with over 1200 articles in local and national publications, and can be read on a variety of entertainment websites. With over twenty years in music, media, and business affairs, Bernard has worked with established and emerging talent, as well as record labels and entertainment companies, including Warner Bros. where he handled marketing for all WB products, from music and television to animation and films. A former A&R executive, he’s currently a Contributing Editor, A&R Reporter and Features Writer for Music Connection Magazine; and, the Director of Media & Marketing for The Composers Corner, as well as several indie labels. Named one of the “Top Music Business Journalists” in the country by the National Association of Record Industry Professionals, Bernard is also an instructor for the Music Business Program at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood.
Brendan Bourke, Manager of A&R
Kurfirst-Blackwell Entertainment
Brendan Bourke is experienced in all facets of the inner workings of record companies, has managed multi-platinum recording artists, and has lived and worked in major music hubs of the world including London, New York and Los Angeles. His excellent knowledge of both the North American and international markets, along with many great contacts and relationships worldwide, has endowed his career with depth and longevity.
Bourke began his music industry career at Island Records in London, England. He was honored to work with such luminaries as Bob Marley & The Wailers, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Eno / Fripp, Bad Company, Cat Stevens, Traffic, Thin Lizzy, Nico, John Cale, Robert Palmer & Sparks. It was an exciting time to be in London as the birth of “Punk Rock” screamed out of the womb of rock n’ roll. Brendan witnessed this explosion first hand at the gigs of the Sex Pistols, Siouxie & the Banshees, The Damned, Generation X in 1976 before any had record deals.
Bourke then moved to Los Angeles to work for the English based label Chrysalis Records before moving to NY to head up their office and become East Coast A&R Director. Early successes were the signings of Icehouse, A&R-ing Billy Idol’s solo career, Chris Stein’s (Blondie) Animal Records which included Iggy Pop, Gun Club and rap’s first ever Soundtrack “Wildstyle.” Bourke worked with many artists on the Chrysalis roster including Blondie, Pat Benatar, Ultravox, Spandau Ballet, Nick Gilder, Specials / 2 Tone, Huey Lewis, UFO and Robin Trower.
In 1983 Bourke left Chrysalis to manage Billy Idol with Bill Aucoin. By 1986 Billy Idol was an international recording and touring superstar worldwide with platinum and gold Albums everywhere.
In 1987 Bourke teamed up with Gary Kurfirst at Overland Productions where he worked with Jane’s Addiction, the Ramones, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Dee-Lite, Big Audio Dynamite, Debbie Harry and the Thompson Twins. In 1990, Bourke moved to Los Angeles to help found the label Radioactive Records.
With Kurfirst as Owner and Bourke as General Manager, Radioactive became a great story in artist development. Not many people get an opportunity to plant a flag where one did not exist before: LIVE sold 25M units, Shirley Manson fronted multi-platinum Superstars “Garbage,” Black Grape & LondonBeat both had #1 LPs internationally.
In 2000, when Radioactive’s doors closed Bourke joined Andy Gould’s (AGM) / DV8 Records. In mid 2001, The Firm acquired AGM. In late 2001, Bourke found, nurtured, developed and demo’d teenagers Rooney which resulted in their signing to Interscope Records. He managed the band at The Firm through mid 2005. Prior to departing The Firm, Bourke also spearheaded the Company’s Film / TV Music Placement Department.
In 2005, Bourke returned to work with Gary Kurfirst at Kurfirst-Blackwell Entertainment where he currently manages Juno Reactor, The Sights and Monsters Are Waiting.
