Jason Flom
Encyclopedia
Jason Flom is an American music industry executive. He has served as the Chairman and CEO of music labels including Atlantic Records
, Virgin Records
, and the Capitol Music Group
. In 1995, he founded Lava Records
. He is also a philanthropist who has supported and championed various political and social causes.
A 2003 feature in The New Yorker
called Flom "one of the most successful record men of the past 20 years," known for his "specialty [in] delivering 'monsters'."
Flom is the son of the late legendary corporate attorney Joseph Flom.
as a field merchandiser, and moved into the A&R department under Atlantic founder Ahmet Ertegun
. After signing rock artists including Twisted Sister
, Skid Row, White Lion
, Stone Temple Pilots
and Tori Amos
, Flom soon became Atlantic's head of A&R, where he was mentored by Doug Morris
.
Flom's leadership in A&R included breaking new artists such as Jewel
, Hootie & the Blowfish
and Collective Soul
. In 1995 he founded his own label, Lava Records
, in partnership with Atlantic Records.
At Lava, Flom discovered and championed artists who went on to sell in excess of 100 million records around the world in the label's first nine years of existence. Lava artists have included Matchbox 20, Kid Rock
, The Corrs
, Uncle Kracker
, Simple Plan
, The Blue Man Group, Edwin McCain
, Sugar Ray
and Trans Siberian Orchestra.
In 2003 Flom signed the then 14-year-old Hayley Williams
and her hugely successful pop-rock band Paramore
to Atlantic Records.
In 2005 Flom sold Lava Records to Atlantic, and was appointed Chairman and CEO of the Atlantic Records Group
. In his first year, five newly released albums entered Top 5 of The Billboard Hot 200.
became a publicly traded company with newly installed management. Thereafter, Flom became Chairman and CEO of Virgin Records
in 2005. Following the merger of Virgin Records and its sister label, Capitol Records
in 2007, Flom was appointed as the Chairman and CEO at the top of the newly formed Capitol Music Group
.
While leading the Capitol Music Group, Flom worked with artists including Lenny Kravitz
, Coldplay
and the Rolling Stones. He also personally signed international pop star Katy Perry
, and oversaw the recording of her debut album One of the Boys
which sold more than 5 million albums and singles worldwide.
During Flom's 2-1/2 year tenure, the company broke 11 artists to gold, platinum and multi-platinum status, including the aforementioned Katy Perry
, Lily Allen
, 30 Seconds to Mars
, Corrine Bailey Rae, Saving Abel
, Dem Franchize Boyz
, KT Tunstall
, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, A Fine Frenzy
, J Holiday, and Bubba Sparxx.
imprint, forming a partnership with Universal Republic for promotion, marketing, sales and distribution services. Flom has since signed artists including Jessie J
, Black Veil Brides
, and CJ Holland.
Jessie J
has become an international superstar. Her debut singles "Do It Like a Dude
" and "Price Tag
" featuring B.o.B
have both become international smash hits, "Price Tag
" reaching number one in the UK and 17 other countries. Her debut album Who You Are
has sold over two million copies worldwide and received Platinum certification in multiple countries.
Black Veil Brides
' first major label release (through Lava) Set the World on Fire
debuted on the Billboard Top 20 and sold over 100,000 copies. Since its debut, the band has graced numerous magazine covers, sold out a number of shows on their tour, and gained hundreds of thousands of fans.
Songwriter CJ Holland signed to Lava Records
in early 2011. Holland began recording his debut album shortly afterward under Flom and Lava's Senior Director of A&R, Harinder Rana
. His reception within the industry has been enthusiastic, particularly among leading artists and publishers.
, Families Against Mandatory Minimums
, The Legal Action Center and The Drug Policy Alliance
. In addition, Flom has supported various medical research organizations including The T.J. Martell Foundation and City of Hope
. He was honored by the UJA Federation as their first "Music Visionary of the Year" in 2000, was awarded 1999's "Torch of Liberty" by the American Civil Liberties Union
and was the honoree at the 2009 Innocence Project Gala.
In honor of his late father, Flom inaugurated the Joseph Flom Special Counsel position in May 2011 through a $1 million donation to The Innocence Project
. The position will significantly increase the capacity of The Innocence Project
to address the causes of wrongful conviction.
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, and the Capitol Music Group
Capitol Music Group
Capitol Music Group is a major record label, a wholly owned subsidiary of EMI.-History:It was formed in February 2007 as a merger of Virgin Records and Capitol Records in an effort by EMI to restructure and save an average of $217 million yearly...
. In 1995, he founded Lava Records
Lava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
. He is also a philanthropist who has supported and championed various political and social causes.
A 2003 feature in The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
called Flom "one of the most successful record men of the past 20 years," known for his "specialty [in] delivering 'monsters'."
Flom is the son of the late legendary corporate attorney Joseph Flom.
Atlantic Records & Lava Records
As a teenager, Flom played guitar in rock bands in New York. He began his career at Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
as a field merchandiser, and moved into the A&R department under Atlantic founder Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegün was a Turkish American musician and businessman, best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records. He also wrote classic blues and pop songs and served as Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum...
. After signing rock artists including Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
, Skid Row, White Lion
White Lion
White Lion is an American/Danish hard rock/heavy metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, the band achieved double platinum status with their #8 hit "Wait" and #3 hit "When the...
, Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band from San Diego, California that consists of Scott Weiland , brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo , and Eric Kretz ....
and Tori Amos
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
, Flom soon became Atlantic's head of A&R, where he was mentored by Doug Morris
Doug Morris
Doug Morris is an American music executive. He is the current Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment. He previously served as Chairman and CEO of the Universal Music Group from 1995 to 2011.-Life and career:...
.
Flom's leadership in A&R included breaking new artists such as Jewel
Jewel (singer)
Jewel Kilcher , professionally known as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress and poet...
, Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish is an American rock band that enjoyed popularity in the second half of the 1990s. They were originally formed in 1986 at the University of South Carolina by Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Jim Sonefeld, and Mark Bryan. The band has recorded five studio albums to date, and has...
and Collective Soul
Collective Soul
Collective Soul is an American rock band originally formed in Stockbridge, Georgia. Collective Soul broke into mainstream popularity with their first hit single, "Shine", which came from their debut album Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid, released in 1993...
. In 1995 he founded his own label, Lava Records
Lava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
, in partnership with Atlantic Records.
At Lava, Flom discovered and championed artists who went on to sell in excess of 100 million records around the world in the label's first nine years of existence. Lava artists have included Matchbox 20, Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
, The Corrs
The Corrs
The Corrs are an Irish band which combine pop rock with traditional Celtic folk music. The brother and sisters are from Dundalk, Ireland. The group consists of the Corr siblings: Andrea ; Sharon ; Caroline ; and Jim .The Corrs came to international prominence with their performance at the...
, Uncle Kracker
Uncle Kracker
Matthew Shafer is an American rock musician known as Uncle Kracker. His singles include "Follow Me", "Smile", and "Drift Away". His music was more rap rock-based at the start of his career before turning in a more rock and Top 40 style music direction on later releases.-Biography:Shafer was born...
, Simple Plan
Simple Plan
Simple Plan is a Canadian pop punk band from Montréal, Québec. The band has had no line up changes since its inception in 1999. Members are Pierre Bouvier , Jeff Stinco , Sébastien Lefebvre , David Desrosiers and Chuck Comeau...
, The Blue Man Group, Edwin McCain
Edwin McCain
Edwin McCain is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Career:While his albums are released under his name, he does have a permanent band, referred to as the Edwin McCain Band...
, Sugar Ray
Sugar Ray
Sugar Ray is a band from Orange County, California. The band, starting off more as an alternative metal band, first gained fame in 1997 with their release of the song "Fly". This song's success, coupled with its pop rock sound that was quite different from the rest of their material at the time,...
and Trans Siberian Orchestra.
In 2003 Flom signed the then 14-year-old Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams
Hayley Nichole Williams is an American singer, songwriter, and the lead vocalist of the band Paramore.- Life and career :...
and her hugely successful pop-rock band Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
to Atlantic Records.
In 2005 Flom sold Lava Records to Atlantic, and was appointed Chairman and CEO of the Atlantic Records Group
Atlantic Records Group
Atlantic Records Group is an umbrella label founded in 2004 by Warner Music Group to oversee the labels assigned to its Atlantic Records unit....
. In his first year, five newly released albums entered Top 5 of The Billboard Hot 200.
Virgin Records & Capitol Music Group
Flom departed Atlantic in 2005 after the Warner Music GroupWarner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
became a publicly traded company with newly installed management. Thereafter, Flom became Chairman and CEO of Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
in 2005. Following the merger of Virgin Records and its sister label, Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in 2007, Flom was appointed as the Chairman and CEO at the top of the newly formed Capitol Music Group
Capitol Music Group
Capitol Music Group is a major record label, a wholly owned subsidiary of EMI.-History:It was formed in February 2007 as a merger of Virgin Records and Capitol Records in an effort by EMI to restructure and save an average of $217 million yearly...
.
While leading the Capitol Music Group, Flom worked with artists including Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
and the Rolling Stones. He also personally signed international pop star Katy Perry
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
, and oversaw the recording of her debut album One of the Boys
One of the Boys (Katy Perry album)
One of the Boys is the second studio album by American recording artist Katy Perry and her major-label debut. Her change in record label and adoption of a pseudonymous surname accompanies a notable shift from the Christian gospel rock of her self-titled debut album. The album was released on June...
which sold more than 5 million albums and singles worldwide.
During Flom's 2-1/2 year tenure, the company broke 11 artists to gold, platinum and multi-platinum status, including the aforementioned Katy Perry
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
, Lily Allen
Lily Allen
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
, 30 Seconds to Mars
30 Seconds to Mars
30 Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998. Since 2007, the band has consisted of actor Jared Leto , Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević...
, Corrine Bailey Rae, Saving Abel
Saving Abel
Saving Abel is a American rock music group from Corinth, Mississippi, who were started in 2004 by Jared Weeks and Jason Null. The band title is from the ancient biblical story of Cain and Abel, that is about a brother who killed his own brother...
, Dem Franchize Boyz
Dem Franchize Boyz
Dem Franchize Boyz was a Southern Rap group from Atlanta signed to E1 Music. The group comprises four members: Parlae , Pimpin' , Jizzal Man , and Buddie .-History:...
, KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall
Kate Victoria "KT" Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist from St Andrews, Scotland. She broke into the public eye with a 2004 live solo performance of her song "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Later... with Jools Holland...
, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, A Fine Frenzy
A Fine Frenzy
Alison Sudol , known professionally as A Fine Frenzy , is a US alternative singer and songwriter and pianist. Her debut album, One Cell in the Sea, was released on July 17, 2007, and peaked at number 91 on the Billboard 200 chart...
, J Holiday, and Bubba Sparxx.
Today
In early 2009, Flom reclaimed the Lava RecordsLava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
imprint, forming a partnership with Universal Republic for promotion, marketing, sales and distribution services. Flom has since signed artists including Jessie J
Jessie J
Jessica Ellen Cornish , better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English recording artist currently signed to Island Records. She began her career as a songwriter for artists including Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus. Her debut single, "Do It Like a Dude", was released in November 2010 and peaked...
, Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides is an American rock band based out of Hollywood, California. The group is composed of Andrew Biersack , Ashley Purdy , Jake Pitts , Jinxx , and Christian "CC" Coma...
, and CJ Holland.
Jessie J
Jessie J
Jessica Ellen Cornish , better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English recording artist currently signed to Island Records. She began her career as a songwriter for artists including Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus. Her debut single, "Do It Like a Dude", was released in November 2010 and peaked...
has become an international superstar. Her debut singles "Do It Like a Dude
Do It Like a Dude
"Do It Like a Dude" was written by Jessie J, George Astasio, Jason Pebworth, Jon Shave, Kyle Abrahams and Peter Ighile and was produced by The Invisible Men with Parker & James. Cornish originally wrote the song with Rihanna in mind because "Rude Boy" was released at the time, partly inspiring...
" and "Price Tag
Price Tag
"Price Tag" is a song by English singer-songwriter Jessie J, featuring American rapper B.o.B. It was released on 28 January 2011 in the United Kingdom as the second single from Jessie J's debut studio album, Who You Are. "Price Tag" was written by Jessie J, Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and B.o.B, and it...
" featuring B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
have both become international smash hits, "Price Tag
Price Tag
"Price Tag" is a song by English singer-songwriter Jessie J, featuring American rapper B.o.B. It was released on 28 January 2011 in the United Kingdom as the second single from Jessie J's debut studio album, Who You Are. "Price Tag" was written by Jessie J, Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and B.o.B, and it...
" reaching number one in the UK and 17 other countries. Her debut album Who You Are
Who You Are (Jessie J album)
Who You Are is the debut studio album by English recording artist Jessie J, released on 28 February 2011 in the UK and on 12 April in the US. Due to high demand and interest from fans, the release date was pushed ahead by over an entire month, from its original 28 March 2011 release date....
has sold over two million copies worldwide and received Platinum certification in multiple countries.
Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides is an American rock band based out of Hollywood, California. The group is composed of Andrew Biersack , Ashley Purdy , Jake Pitts , Jinxx , and Christian "CC" Coma...
' first major label release (through Lava) Set the World on Fire
Set the World on Fire (Black Veil Brides album)
-Recording:The album was recorded at the Pulse Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA over a period of several months, and was roughly finished in the Spring of 2011 under the supervision of Josh Abraham...
debuted on the Billboard Top 20 and sold over 100,000 copies. Since its debut, the band has graced numerous magazine covers, sold out a number of shows on their tour, and gained hundreds of thousands of fans.
Songwriter CJ Holland signed to Lava Records
Lava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
in early 2011. Holland began recording his debut album shortly afterward under Flom and Lava's Senior Director of A&R, Harinder Rana
Harinder Rana
Harinder Rana is an American music industry executive. He currently serves as Senior Director of A&R at Lava Records/Universal Republic Records....
. His reception within the industry has been enthusiastic, particularly among leading artists and publishers.
Philanthropy
Flom serves as a board member for various charitable organizations. These include The Innocence ProjectThe Innocence Project
The Innocence Project is a BBC television series.The Innocence Project may also refer to:*The Innocence Project, a non-profit legal organization in the United States founded in 1992 by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld...
, Families Against Mandatory Minimums
Families Against Mandatory Minimums
Families Against Mandatory Minimums is a USA nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to challenge what they believe to be the inflexible and excessive penalties required by mandatory sentencing laws...
, The Legal Action Center and The Drug Policy Alliance
Drug Policy Alliance
The Drug Policy Alliance is a New York City-based non-profit organization, led by executive director Ethan Nadelmann, with the principal goal of ending the American "War on Drugs"...
. In addition, Flom has supported various medical research organizations including The T.J. Martell Foundation and City of Hope
City of Hope National Medical Center
City of Hope National Medical Center, is a private, not-for-profit clinical research center, hospital and graduate medical school located in Duarte, California, United States...
. He was honored by the UJA Federation as their first "Music Visionary of the Year" in 2000, was awarded 1999's "Torch of Liberty" by the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
and was the honoree at the 2009 Innocence Project Gala.
In honor of his late father, Flom inaugurated the Joseph Flom Special Counsel position in May 2011 through a $1 million donation to The Innocence Project
The Innocence Project
The Innocence Project is a BBC television series.The Innocence Project may also refer to:*The Innocence Project, a non-profit legal organization in the United States founded in 1992 by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld...
. The position will significantly increase the capacity of The Innocence Project
The Innocence Project
The Innocence Project is a BBC television series.The Innocence Project may also refer to:*The Innocence Project, a non-profit legal organization in the United States founded in 1992 by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld...
to address the causes of wrongful conviction.
External links
- http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/news/Default.aspx?newsID=1978&newsCategoryID=4