We recently had the chance to interview Jason Neufeldt, a locally-based music manager and consultant.  After working with some of the biggest superstars in the music industry, he recently opened up his own business here in South Florida.  Read on to find out more about him, his accomplishments, what he’s up to now, and some insight into the music business!

Q.  Tell us about your business.

 A.  In January of 2013 I opened the management company JN Entertainment Group which is based in Boca Raton, FL. Our goal is to develop young singers and songwriters and help them reach their full potential as musicians and singers as well as to help them achieve commercial success in the music industry.

Q.  How did you first get into the music business?

A.  When I was in my freshman year of college I went to a concert and saw a great band. I remember looking around the room at the 40 or so people that were there and thinking to myself “wow, why is it so empty in here?” I knew I can help them so I started assisting with their marketing which eventually led to a management type role and in less than a year they were selling out 1,500 seat theatres across the state and playing major festivals. When the phone started ringing with record label execs on the other end I knew that this business was for me.

Q.  What companies have you worked for before you decided to move back to South Florida to start your own artist management/consulting company?

A.  I’ve actually been back in South Florida for a while now but was pursuing areas outside of music. Eventually I just missed the business too much and had to come back. Earlier in my career I was with Atlantic Records, Cellar Door, and SFX Touring (now Live Nation) as well as having my own consulting company which catered to managers, record executives, and publicists.

Q.  Just to let folks know we’re not messing around here, what are some of the biggest artists you have directly worked with?

A.  It’s always funny to me when people ask me to name drop and I think that’s because in one way shape or form I’ve probably had at least something to do with the careers of at least 25 or 30 artists that have all gone multi-platinum. What you have to realize that every single person that works for an artist has a role and regardless of how big or small that role is it’s important that the job get done. You’re “directly” working for the artist. It could have been as difficult as planning a world tour or as simple as scoring them an interview in a magazine. I might have picked them up at a hotel and driven them to a show or I may have been a part of the team selecting their first single. Maybe I covered their rear end with the press when they screwed up or I could have chosen the artwork for their CD.  It’s all important!

 But since you asked, for the younger generation reading this, I’ll throw out the names Britney Spears and NSync. For people a little older; Sting and Bruce Springsteen.

Q.  Speaking of big names, you have some interesting mementos hanging on your office wall.  Tell us about some of them…

 A.  I think you’re referring to the RIAA awards that were given to me for Jewel, Kid Rock, and Matchbox 20, each whom sold more than 10 million copies of their respective albums. I’m extremely proud of those accomplishments because in today’s world no one sells anywhere close to those kinds of numbers and may never again. On my side wall is a collection of my backstage passes from tours I’ve done work on. And since I know you like the name dropping for your readers; Madonna, Kiss, Christina Aguilera, the Backstreet Boys, etc. There’s also a bunch of autographed pictures floating around the room.

Q.  What is the biggest “Wow” moment of your career?

A.  My second day working for SFX I brought a date to a Backstreet Boys show that my boss had asked me to attend. After the show we were backstage and Nick Carter walked over and asked my date if she enjoyed the show. She said “eh, it was alright.” And I thought “WOW, I’m fired!” Does that count as a “wow” moment?

If not, I guess my “wow moment” was probably meeting with Clive Davis. The man is simply a legend and the single most respected man in our industry. I learned so much in that meeting that I still carry with me every day.

Q.  What prompted you to start your own business after all of the success you’ve had?

A.  I truly felt that I would love being a manager and I was definitely right about that. I wanted the challenge of starting with an artist who is in their infant stages and then helping them grow to give them a career. When you’re challenged by something you love it’s not work, it’s fun. I want every artist on my roster to sell out the desert. Twice.

Q.  You’ve worked mostly in the pop industry, why the change to country music?

A.  I would say that if you can define the word “pop” you’ll have the answer to your question. “Pop” to me is really just short for “popular” and right now to a lot of people that’s country music. The Carrie Underwoods, Taylor Swifts, and Luke Bryans of the world are reaching the same audiences and playing the same stages as Katy Perry or Justin Timberlake.  Did you see Sean Combs (P. Diddy) at the CMA’s? Did you see Nelly singing with Florida Georgia Line at the AMA’s? Taylor Swift brings guests like Ellie Goulding, Jennifer Lopez, and Cher Lloyd out on stage with her.

I remember when I saw Jewel at sound check one day. She picked up her guitar, played a few chords, and sang. There were no computers to help her and no effects petals to change her sound. It was so basic but she sang and played a great song flawlessly and that’s really what country music is all about; a great song and someone who can sing it. It’s really music in its purest form. I love that.

Q.  What’s the biggest myth in the music business?

A.  Wow, that’s a tough one. I think the biggest myth in this business is that if you have talent you’ll be successful. That’s completely false. I know plenty of talented people who, for a variety of reasons, will never be stars. Just ask any artist who’s been dropped by their label due to budget cuts. Or to an artist that drove 300 miles to play a show for 12 people. Or to an artist that signed a piece of paper that ruined any chance they ever had of making money. This business is exactly that, a business. If you want to succeed in this business it takes more than just talent.

Q.  If you could give aspiring artists one piece of free advice, what would it be?

A.  I’ve noticed a lot of artists affiliated with your website are younger so I’ll say this to both the artists and their parents; if you want it and I mean really want it, then you have to work for it. You have to work longer, harder, and smarter than the tens of thousands of people trying to do exactly what you want to do. You have to be dedicated. If you want to play guitar for your friends and family in a restaurant that’s fantastic but if you want to find yourself on stage picking up a Grammy Award you really have to work for it. Take vocal lessons, learn to play the guitar or piano, take a music theory class, learn how to write songs and be creative, learn how to captivate an audience. In short, better yourself as a musician or as a singer.

Q.  Any last thoughts that you’d like to share with our readers?

A.  I’ve never seen anyone in this business become a superstar without some form of professional help. Don’t be afraid to ask someone for it.

 Jason Neufeldt can be reached at jnentertain@gmail.com

Check out his website at www.jnentertainmentgroup.com