Kerry Gordy

Infobox Musical artist


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Name = Kerry Ashby Gordy


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Background = non_performing_personnel
Born = birth date and age|1959|06|25
Origin = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Instrument = Piano/keyboard
Genre = Nu Vintage, R&B, soul, pop
Occupation = Record executive, Intellectual property Manager, Personal Manager, songwriter, record producer
Years_active = 1973 to PRESENT
Label = Nu Vintage, LLC, Kerry Gordy Enterprises, LLC

Kerry Ashby Gordy (born June 25, 1959) is a career music executive who is now the CEO of Kerry Gordy Enterprises, LLC and Nu Vintage, LLC. (intellectual property and branding companies focused in entertainment).

Early Years

Born in Detroit, Michigan the same year that his father, music business legend Berry Gordy Jr., founded Motown Records, Kerry was brought home from the hospital to live in the historic home that housed the famous Hitsville Motown Recording Studios that resided on West Grand Blvd. (which has recently been renamed Berry Gordy Jr. Blvd.) in the heart of Detroit. Kerry and his seven brothers and sisters grew up surrounded in the magic of Motown. Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, Rick James, The Temptations, Diana Ross, Teena Marie, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye among others were like family to him. Kerry’s mother, Raynoma, was a child prodigy in music and played eleven instruments. She orchestrated the first arrangements for Motown. Kerry lived with his mother until the age of 13. Kerry followed in his mother’s footsteps and plays several instruments as well. Kerry then moved to Los Angeles with his father Berry and became one of his father’s many protégés. Benny Medina (currently a well known artist manager to stars such as Will Smith, P. Diddy, JLO, Mariah Carey, and Usher) attended Beverly Hills High School with Kerry. Years later Benny created the TV show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air a semi-autobiographical TV sit com loosely based on Kerry letting Benny move into the Gordy Estate in Bel Air while they were still teenagers. Benny was Kerry's first business partner and was also Kerry's best man at his wedding. They wrote and produced records together for Motown and founded a teen idol band called Apollo on Motown Records. Teena Marie was originally in the group as the female lead but dropped out right before the band released their first single for Motown entitled Astro Disco [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiDX4tlsuRY] . The group graced the covers of teen magazines, performed on national television shows and performed over 200 concerts in Asia alone according to executives in Motown. In the early 80's Kerry acted in various commercials, T.V. shows and movies.

Professional Career

Kerry Gordy has been totally involved in the recording industry. His career began in 1973 working in the Motown Records mailroom. The early years of his career were spent in various administrative and creative capacities. In order for Kerry to separate himself at Motown from his father Berry, he changed his professional name to Kerry Ashby. During the 80's decade, any professional work done by Kerry was under the name "Kerry Ashby".

In 1984, as Motown’s A & R (Artist and Repertoire) representative, Kerry was instrumental in signing Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me,” [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD21JDMp86c] which became a huge hit for Motown. He was then promoted to the coveted position of Director of A&R, where he worked on projects with Gold and Platinum artists such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, Rick James and Billy Preston among others. He also worked on compilation albums for Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. He became a Senior Executive for the Gordy Company (his father’s company after selling Motown) in 1988 where he was responsible for supervising Business Affairs, A&R, Product Development, Administration and Personnel. Between 1991 and 1993 Kerry consulted Al Bell’s independently distributed label, Bellmark Records. This union culminated with $26 million in sales and yielded the year’s biggest international smash hit, “Whoomp! (There It Is)" by the group "Tag Team" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnrLloO7nFQ] . Between 1991 and 1993 Kerry consulted and invested in Al Bell's distribution label. In 1993, Kerry became the Vice President of two divisions for Paisley Park Records, A&R and Artist Development, (a joint venture between Time-Warner and the superstar “Prince”). He produced and co-wrote George Clinton’s comeback hit “Paint the White House Black” utilizing icons of the rap and rock community such as Platinum artists Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The following year, he orchestrated a joint venture between Prince’s N.P.G. label and Bellmark Records. This union again yielded a world wide # 1 smash single, “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World.” Kerry served as Vice President of A&R for Warner Bros. Records Black Music Division, where in 1995 the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America) awarded him with Gold records on Zapp and Roger's "All the Greatest Hits" and Prince's "Come" Album. His production of “I’m Looking Out For You,” was the theme song for “Real Stories of the Highway Patrol.” [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Eglnvwd6PI] It was broadcasted six nights a week in over 190 markets, including CBS in Los Angeles and is still running today on the REAL TV Network. He managed Rick James, who sold in excess of 25 million records and grossed over $40 million in concert revenue, from 1996 until Rick died in 2004. In 1997 Kerry negotiated and obtained a three-act production deal with Interscope Records joint venture partner B-Rite Records. The first release from that venture (Gospel Gangstaz [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-4KnMi0axI&feature=related] ) enjoyed incredible success, reaching number three on Billboards Gospel album chart. It was also nominated for a year 2000 Grammy Award as well. Between 1998 and 2001 Kerry was awarded Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum, and Triple Platinum sales awards by the R.I.A.A. in commemoration of licensing Rick James' controlled compositions to Salt n Pepa's "Brand New" Project, Erykah Badu's "Live" Project and Mary J. Blige's "Share my World" and "My Life" projects respectively. In 2003 Kerry signed a deal with Clear Channel Entertainment to produce his company’s first theatrical. He also signed a worldwide deal with the William Morris Agency to be represented in that arena. In 2004 Kerry co-founded Siebers Style with exercise guru Debbie Siebers who earlier that year struck a deal with BEACHBODY to sell the “ Debbie Siebers Slim in 6” rapid weight loss program which grossed in excess of $105,000,000 (one hundred and five million dollars). Debbie also became the fitness expert on the top rated prime time reality show “The Swan” on Fox. Kerry negotiated two book deals for Debbie with Silverback Publishing entitled “Energy Boost” and “Nutritional Makeover”. Kerry also started a fifty item clothing line for Debbie in conjunction with the Romar Group. Kerry consults the “Writers Collective”, and has also consulted Stevie Wonder. In 2007, Kerry founded Kerry Gordy Enterprises, LLC (an intellectual property and branding company focused in entertainment). He has signed Debbie Siebers, Clark Anderson, and Reggie Benjamin to this company. He also closed a seven figure publishing deal for his long-time client, partner, and friend, Bruce Fisher (Writer of several number one hits including the standard "You Are So Beautiful") with Evergreen Publishing. In 2008, Kerry teamed up with John Davis, whose movies have grossed over $800 million to date, to produce two urban genre movies. He also made a worldwide 360 production deal with the Peak/Concord Music Group distributed through Universal Music Group for the services of Leigh Jones where his company serves as producer, manager, executive producer, and publisher.

Personal Life

Kerry has been married to Karen Longley Gordy for over 20 years. They have one daughter by the name of Juliet. In a recent keynote address, Kerry was adamant about his personal philosphies which were that health and happiness are the only two things that really matter in life and that the definition of intelligence should not be measured by how quickly one can calculate complex mathematical equations but by how happily one lives each and every present moment. He went on to say that he's privileged and blessed to have been able to witness the evolution of some of the biggest stars in the world from germination to fruition and that, in his opinion, fame can be either a blessing or a curse. Some of those who were fortunate enough to gain world popularity end up living glorious lives and others end up living in depths of despair because when one is famous, they can never undo it!

References

Kerry Gordy Joins Top Music Industry Executives who Launch a Clothing Line, for Client Debbie Siebers [http://www.netweed.com/hiphoppress/2005/07/branching-out-in-business-guide-to.html]

Kerry Gordy's Client, Debbie Siebers, One of America's Top 12 Fitness Experts of All Time [http://www.fitness-stars.com/]

Debbie Siebers and Kerry Gordy Sign Deal with Romar Group [http://www.xeal.com/articles/At-it-Again-Music-and.htm]

Kerry Gordy Produces George Clinton's Comeback Hit, "Paint the White House Black" on the "Smell My Finger" Album [http://www.duke.edu/~tmc/motherpage/albums_gcpfas/alb-smellmyfinger.html]

Paisley Park Recruits Kerry Gordy to Oversee its Roster [http://www.beastiemuseum.de/gr/1996/Magazine/Issue1/Features/Clinton/default.htm]

George Clinton Music Video "Paint the White House Black", Produced by Kerry Gordy Starring Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Yo Yo, MC Breed and Kam Among Others [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxl4lQ8tmdM]

Kerry Gordy Signs Indian "King of Pop", Reggie Benjamin [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb272391.htm]

Chemical Engineer Turned Indian Pop Star, Reggie Benjmain Signs with Kerry Gordy Enterprises [http://www.tlca.com/adults/reggie.html]

Manager Kerry Gordy Talks About Rick James Album Plans in 2000 [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5923181/really_randoms_dmx_insane_clown_posse]

Rick James' Long Time Manager, Kerry Gordy, Talks About the Super Freak After His Death [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/friends%20of%20late%20james.s%20blow%20cocaine%20at%20portrait]

Top Warner Bros. Records Executives in 1995 [http://www.exploding.biz/vps.asp]

Kerry Gordy Writes Two Songs for The Temptations "Reunion" Album that Reaches #2 on Billboards R&B Album Chart [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,173655,00.html]

Four Tops "Magic" Album Produced by Kerry Ashby and Benny Medina [http://www.soulandfunkmusic.com/producer/kerry_ashby]

Berry Gordy [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_Gordy]

Kerry Gordy Produces Hit TV Show Theme "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol" [http://www.geocities.com/musicvideoscans/realstories.html]

Kerry Gordy, Leader and Founder of Teen Idol Group "Apollo" [http://music.yahoo.com/ar-18900543-bio--Apollo]

Kerry Gordy and Benny Medina, Teen Idol Group "Apollo", National Television Debut on the Dinah Shore Show in 1978 (Video) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiDX4tlsuRY]

Kerry Ashby on NBC's Diff'rent Strokes [http://www.tv.com/kerry-ashby/person/43976/summary.html]