Kerry Gordy
Encyclopedia
Kerry Ashby Gordy 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).
the same year that his father, music business legend Berry Gordy, Jr.
, founded Motown, 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. 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.
mailroom. The early years of his career were spent in various administrative and creative capacities. In 1979, he released an album on Motown as a member of the group, Apollo
. By the 1980s, he was known professionally as Kerry Ashby to separate himself at Motown
from his father Berry. He worked as a writer and producer for various up and coming artists.
He was then promoted to the position of Director of A&R, where he worked on projects with 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
.
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.” 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
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) enjoyed success.
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. Debbie also became the fitness expert on the 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 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, , to produce two urban genre movies. He also signed a production deal with the Peak/Concord Music Group
distributed through Universal Music Group
for the services of Leigh Jones.
Early years
Born in Detroit, MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
the same year that his father, music business legend Berry Gordy, Jr.
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
, founded Motown, 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
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
, Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
, The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, Teena Marie
Teena Marie
Mary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer...
, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
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
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
with his father Berry and became one of his father’s many protégés. Benny Medina
Benny Medina
Benny Medina is the CEO of The Medina Company and son of legendary Jazz drummer Ahmad "Benny" Medina. He has worked in the music business as a producer, talent manager and record executive...
(currently a well known artist manager to stars such as Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
, P. Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, JLO
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, and Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
) attended Beverly Hills High School
Beverly Hills High School
Beverly Hills High School is the only major public high school in Beverly Hills, California. Beverly is part of the Beverly Hills Unified School District and located on on the west side of Beverly Hills, at the...
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. They wrote and produced records together for Motown and founded a teen idol band called Apollo
Apollo (quintet)
Apollo was an American R&B/disco group that recorded for Motown in the late 1970s. They are best known as the band of future music executives Benny Medina and Kerry Gordy.-History:...
on Motown Records. Teena Marie
Teena Marie
Mary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer...
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 RecordsMotown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
mailroom. The early years of his career were spent in various administrative and creative capacities. In 1979, he released an album on Motown as a member of the group, Apollo
Apollo (quintet)
Apollo was an American R&B/disco group that recorded for Motown in the late 1970s. They are best known as the band of future music executives Benny Medina and Kerry Gordy.-History:...
. By the 1980s, he was known professionally as Kerry Ashby to separate himself at Motown
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
from his father Berry. He worked as a writer and producer for various up and coming artists.
He was then promoted to the position of Director of A&R, where he worked on projects with artists such as The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, The Four Tops, Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
and Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
among others. He also worked on compilation albums for Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. 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
Al Bell
Al Bell is an American record producer, songwriter, and record executive. Bell is best known as one of the key figures behind and a co-owner of Memphis, Tennessee-based Stax Records during the latter half of the label's nineteen-year existence...
’s independently distributed label, Bellmark Records
Bellmark Records
Bellmark Records is a small U.S. independent record label, based on the west coast and is distributed by the independent DM Records Group. It was formed in the late 1980s by Al Bell, who was one of the driving forces behind the legendary Stax Records....
.
Between 1991 and 1993 Kerry consulted and invested in Al Bell
Al Bell
Al Bell is an American record producer, songwriter, and record executive. Bell is best known as one of the key figures behind and a co-owner of Memphis, Tennessee-based Stax Records during the latter half of the label's nineteen-year existence...
's distribution label. In 1993, Kerry became the Vice President of two divisions for Paisley Park Records
Paisley Park Records
Paisley Park Records was Prince's record label, associated with and funded in part by Warner Bros. Records. It was started in 1985, following the success of the film and album Purple Rain...
, A&R and Artist Development, (a joint venture between Time-Warner and the superstar “Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
”). He produced and co-wrote George Clinton
George Clinton (funk musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
’s comeback hit “Paint the White House Black” utilizing icons of the rap and rock community such as Platinum artists Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
and the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
. The following year, he orchestrated a joint venture between Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
’s N.P.G. label and Bellmark Records
Bellmark Records
Bellmark Records is a small U.S. independent record label, based on the west coast and is distributed by the independent DM Records Group. It was formed in the late 1980s by Al Bell, who was one of the driving forces behind the legendary Stax 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
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
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
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's "Come" Album. His production of “I’m Looking Out For You,” was the theme song for “Real Stories of the Highway Patrol.” It was broadcasted six nights a week in over 190 markets, including CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and is still running today on the REAL TV Network.
He managed Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
from 1996 until Rick died in 2004. In 1997 Kerry negotiated and obtained a three-act production deal with Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
joint venture partner B-Rite Records. The first release from that venture (Gospel Gangstaz) enjoyed success.
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
William Morris Agency
WME is the largest talent agency in the world, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York City, Nashville, London, and Miami. WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production...
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. Debbie also became the fitness expert on the prime time reality show “The Swan” on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
. 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
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
.
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 publishing deal for his long-time client, partner, and friend, Bruce Fisher
Bruce Fisher
Bruce Fisher is an American songwriter, record producer, playwright and guitarist best known for his collaborations with Billy Preston.-Career:Born January 8, 1951, in Washington D.C., Fisher was raised in Chicago, Illinois, by his grandmother...
(Writer of several number one hits including the standard "You Are So Beautiful
You Are So Beautiful
"You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher and Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. It was first recorded by Preston and made popular in a version by Joe Cocker....
") with Evergreen Publishing.
In 2008, Kerry teamed up with John Davis, , to produce two urban genre movies. He also signed a production deal with the Peak/Concord Music Group
Concord Music Group
Concord Music Group is a record company owned by Village Roadshow formed in 2004 by the merger of Concord Records and Fantasy Records. In 2005, the company acquired the classics and jazz label Telarc International. On December 18, 2006, Concord announced the re-launch of the soul label Stax;...
distributed through Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
for the services of Leigh Jones.