History
1997 - 2007
Wild Oak Music Group first CD release was the spoken word Music Industry 2000, A Symposium on the Future of the Music Delivery and the Web (1998) featuring industry leaders speaking about the major issues facing the music business. Participants included: Jim McDermott (Polygram Records), Mike Farrace (Tower Records), David Pakman (eMusic CEO), Andrew Frances (management consultant for David Bowie and Garth Brooks) and David Sanjek (BMI). A year later, they issued Chico Symphony Orchestra (1999) performing a program of Beethoven and Mozart under the baton of maestro David Colson.
The first rock release came in 2001 with Four Corners, A Compilation of Chico Music featuring cuts from Chico stalwarts Electric Circus and Indecisive Youth and newer artists the Craze and El Diablo. Wild Oak reached out to regional artists next with their popular Bands Gone Wild, a Northern California Compilation (2002),” showcasing Fresno’s 40 Watt Hype (who was featured on the Adventures of Pluto Nash movie soundtrack), Simplistic (who went on to sign to Linkin Park’s Machine Shop Recordings), Thirst (whose cut “In My Eyes” would gain significant North state radio airplay) and several other artists.
In 2003, Wild Oak celebrated indie music with All Things Rock, highlighting local favorites Idle Discourse, Machine Green, Bear Hunter and others. This was followed by the 2004 Chico State of Mind: A Party-Hop Compilation, featuring the hip-hop/dance sounds of Chico alums Mystic Roots, Pyrx, Derivative and many more. Wild Oak Songwriter’s Guild got into the spirit with their Volume I (2005), a release of performances by members including Erin Lizardo, David Harris, Corey Nitchke and John Paul Guttierrez. A follow-up Volume II (2006), Songwriters, contained performances from the Shimmies, Jonathan Leroy, JP and Dr. Lacubrious. WOMG went back to the ‘hood in 2006 with The Mix Tape ‘06 and beats from the Dirt Merchants, the Hooliganz, Doctor Proper, Dusted Phoniks, Bugzy and others.
When Wild Oak promotes its featured artists and others, Wild Oak Concert productions presents shows in venues like: intimate all ages venues (Cafe Coda, Has Beans, and 1078 Gallery); clubs such as La Salles, the Brickworks and Off Limits; 1000-seat theaters (the Senator) and ballrooms (the BMU); and major outdoor celebrations on the Chico State campus such as the Warped Tour’s Ernie Ball Stage, Katrina Benefit (featuring Sublime Revisited) and New Orleans Benefit (featuring The Expendables). Chico Indie Fest I and II (2005, 2006) featured national artists Maxeen, Communique, Division Day and Narwhal at multiple venues throughout Chico. Throw in bi-annual high school Battles of the Bands and Chico rocks to the sound of Wild Oak Music Group.
2007 was a banner year for Wild Oak Music Group. They added a new EP duplication package to their professional quality duplication services they already offer. They began Wild Oak Artist Management to assist local artists in professionalizing their business practices, learn more about music marketing and conduct valuable career planning. Finally, they began WOMG Business Soundtracks, a service pairing customized CD compilations of Chico regional music with local businesses.
2008 - 2009
Fall 2008
The first WOMG event of the semester was the aptly named Heaviest in Chico and featured three local punk and metal groups. The lineup consisted of Suspicious Activity, Armed for Apocalypse, and 2008 Cammie winner Blood of Cain. The event was on October 10, 2008 at the 1078 Gallery in Chico, California.
On October 15, 2008 at Beach Hut Deli in Chico, Ca Wild Oak Songwriters Guild held a Kickback Showcase. The show featured several local singer/songwriters along with Mike Vitale.
The Songwriters Guild held a competition on November 12, 2008 at Woodstocks Pizza in Chico, Ca. Songwriters competing for a slot in the eventual Songwriters Guild Showcase and an opportunity to be recorded on a CD compilation project included Anthony Savedra, Luke Byron, and Mandy Dobbelmann.
On November 14, 2008 at the 1078 Gallery in Chico, Ca WOMG hosted the first of its biannual High School Battle of the Bands; The Ultimate Showdown. The competing bands represented three different local High Schools: We/Simian from Chico High School, Rotting Gnome and Are We Dead Yet? from Pleasant Valley High School, and Iron Fish, Next Friday, and competition winners Writ from Paradise High School.
On December 10, 2008 at Woodstocks Pizza in Chico, Ca the Songwriters Guild presented a showcase. The event had five performers Kenny Williams Jr. and Mike Pascale, Kyle Williams, and the three Songwriters Guild Competition winners Anthony Savedra, Luke Byron, and Mandy Dobbelmann.
Other events in the Fall of 2008 included the recording of a Songwriters Guild Compilation. Only the Fearless was recorded by the Remote Audio Recording class of Chico State, at Chico State, and featured music by Anthony Savedra, Jeanette Hawkins, Kenny Williams Jr. and Mandy Dobbelmann.
Spring 2009
The first concert event of the Spring semester was Rock Solid, a rock themed show presented at the 1078 Gallery on March 6, 2009. The show featured three local acts, The Secret Stolen, Red Giant, and WOMG managed Broken Idols.
On April 3, 2009 at the 1078 Gallery in Chico, Ca WOMG hosted the second of its biannual High School Battle of the Bands; The Epic Duel. Bands competed from Pleasant Valley High School and Chico High School in Chico, Paradise High School in Paradise, and Corning High School in Croning and the winner faced off against Fall 2008 winner Writ. Bands included Are We Dead Yet?, Se7en 30 Hill, From this ground, We Simian, and Perfectly Ill.
The Songwriters Guild hosted a competition on March 10, 2009 at Woodstock's Pizza where contestants battled for slots on the This is Home, This is Eclectic CD project.
On April 11, 2009 at the 1078 Gallery in Chico, Ca Wild Oak's Hip Hop Collective hosted a showcase of their entire arsenal of talent from rehearsed local performers to first timers. The following acts performed during the show: DJ Hi-Fi, A-Tony, Matticulit, Sick Bird, Nomadic, Inzain, Tybox and Tsunami, Lynguistikz and Alyriki, Eye-Que, P.AND.A, and Dusted Phoniks. The show also included a freestyle session with all the members of the Hip Hop Collective set against live drums and guitar.
Wild Oak Music Group and Sierra Nevada Brewery presented the Songwriters Guild end of the year showcase on April 20, 2009 at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, Ca. The lineup consisted of Belles and Whistles, Briana and the Gokays, Kenny Williams Jr., Kyle Williams and, Pat Hull and his Band.
To end the school year with a band WOMG embarked on Chico Music Fest, a four venue, one night music event that took place on May 9, 2009 including the following shows: The HIP-HOP show at Lost on Main had the following acts; Linguistics, Eye-Que, P.AND.A, Dusted Phoniks, and One Block Radius. The REGGAE show at The Graduate Had the following acts; Jah Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi and Windstrong, Natural Roots, and Boss 501. The ROCK show at 1078 Gallery had the following acts; Stolen Babies, Nothing Left, and Esoteric. The FOLK show at Cafe Coda had the following acts; Alpine, Zach Zeller, Luke Byron and the Delivery Boys, Catlike Reflexes, and Clouds on Strings.
Outside of their live shows WOMG released another Songwriters Guild Compilation entitled This is Home, This is Eclectic. The CD included music from Ben Beckman, Luke Byron, Clouds on Strings, Martin McLean, and Don Ashby. The Business Soundtracks division also released two compilations during the semester, a feat that was unprecedented. Designed, coordinated and executed by Gered Brown and Bryan Howarth, the first album, Jambalaya, was created for Chico Bike and Board featuring artists from The Motorists, Broken Idols, and Andrea Desmond. The second album,Peace of Mind, was created for Santy's Massage Parlor and included music by Soulifted, 10,258, and Prozak's Beat Factory.
2012
Because WOMG's CEO Professor Paul Friedlander retired in the spring of 2012, the name Wild Oak Music Group was replaced with The School of the Arts Productions and the role as CEO was filled by Professor Anita Rivas. The name change was inspired by the combination of the Theater Arts department and the Music department at CSUC in 2012. Although the group has changed their name and image, they still maintain their old mission to “support and promote local and regional popular music.”
Departments
The artist management department chooses bands and artists to work with who would like assistance with their career development. This includes press kits, show bookings, and promotion. In Spring of 2009 Artist Management has taken four local artists under their supervision; Andrea Desmond, Broken Idols, Esoteric, and Kyle Williams.
Arts 7 Graphics is charged with the task of developing and creating all of the visual art seen by the public including the logo, online banners, handbills, and posters of events and services.
The purpose of this department is to make sure that all of the financial books are up to date. All income and expenses must pass through Business Affairs first.
Business Soundtracks division, added in 2007, focuses on connecting the community with its local musicians in an attempt to build a bridge between the two. This allows the business to grow, as well as a great way to promote the artist. Designed, coordinated and executed by Gered Brown and Bryan Howarth, WOMG released a business soundtrack for Chico Bike and Board and Santy's Massage in Spring 2009.
The WOMG Concert production department organizes various concert showcases throughout the CSU, Chico school year. They book bands to play at various venues throughout the City of Chico. They manage the overall production of entertainment, lights, sound, security, hospitalities, and concessions at WOMG concert events
Marketing is responsible for marketing all shows and events for Wild Oak Music Group. They are also in charge of creating a company brand image through various marketing projects. In charge of going out to the community to survey in order to collect the data that is needed to put out successful shows.
Media Relations is responsible for contacting and making solid connections with all forms of local media about Wild Oak events and projects; this includes local newspapers, radio, and television. Media Relations gets the word out about Wild Oak through all forms of coverage and promotion. With Media Relations, Wild Oak is able to bring its events to the attention of the Chico community.
Oak Leaf CD Duplication, added in 2007, acts as a key promotional tool for both WOMG affiliated artists and other members of the surrounding area in need of this service. Oak Leaf specifically offers a cheap, reliable way for artists to make professional copies of their music.
- Outreach, Audience Development, and Distribution
Outreach/Audience Development/Distribution Department is dedicated to creating a larger loyal audience for Wild Oak Music Group. Those within this department are in the Chico community and on the streets giving its members information. Outreach also gathers information from the audience to benefit them at our events.
Photo & Video collaborates with every department to help develop a respectable visual representation of what Wild Oak Music Group is involved in. From making music videos for featured artists, to filming live shows, the camera is always rolling, while the photo department creates lasting images that reflect the history being created for not only a record label, but an entire music scene.
The Songwriter's Guild is a division of Wild Oak dedicated to enhancing the overall quality of songwriting in Chico. They hold weekly meetings for local songwriters to share music in a friendly atmosphere. The Songwriter's Guild also organizes competitions and showcases in order to get our musicians' music heard by the community. In the fall of 2008 Songwriter's Guild successfully completed a compilation which included music by Kenny Williams Jr., Mandy Dobbelmann, Anthony Sarvedra, and Jeanette Hawkins.
Hip Hop Collective is a common place where producers, lyricists, and hip-hop heads alike will be able to come and share their work, projects, and ideas with others. Born out of the Songwriters' Guild, the Hip Hop Collective serves those who compose hip-hop by way of emceeing, beat production, turntablism, or beat boxing. Future projects will include the production of a Hip Hop Collective Mix tape, as well as showcase performances at a variety of Chico venues. Meetings consist of recording and collaborating on new music with other artists, learning techniques of recording, meeting with fellow producers to share work with, freestyle sessions, and weekly discussions regarding the future of hip-hop in Chico.
The talent department is similar to the position of Artists & Repertoire. This is primarily the task of finding talent for all Wild Oak shows. This also includes continually accepting songs from artists to be submitted to Wild Oak Music Group for affiliated artist program and business soundtrack department. The department works closely with artist management and the business soundtrack department.
The Web Department manages all of WOMG’s online content. The list of websites used by Wild Oak includes; wildoakmusicgroup.com, chicomusiccloud.com, a Facebook group, a Twitter account, a YouTube account, and a Myspace account for Songwriter's Guild.
The department of Chico Music Fest is responsible for the planning and execution of the annual Chico Music Fest. This year Chico Music Fest will take place on Saturday May 9 and will include a total of 12 artists playing at 4 different venues. The director of promotions for Chico Music Fest is the face of Wild Oak seen by the outside businesses. This position has the sole responsibility of raising funds for CMF. These packets are taken to corporate and local businesses to get money/merch from these businesses. Depending on how much money they donate, they're able to receive billboard space, banners, poster space, and other types of advertisement.
The Roots are an American hip hop band, formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The Roots serve as the house band on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, having served in the same role on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon from 2009 to 2014.
The music of Indiana was strongly influenced by a large number of German and Irish immigrants who arrived in the 1830s. A prime example is "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" written by Thomas Westendorf, from Hendricks County, Indiana, in 1875.
Virginia's musical contribution to American culture has been diverse, and includes Piedmont blues, folk, brass, hip-hop, and rock and roll bands, as well as the founding origins of country music in the Bristol Recording sessions by Appalachian Virginians.
Freundeskreis also known as FK, were a German hip hop group from Stuttgart. They performed songs in German, English, French and Esperanto. The members were Max Herre, Don Philippe and DJ Friction.
EPMD is an American hip hop duo from Brentwood, New York. The duo's name is a concatenation of the members' names "E" and "PMD" or an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members: emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. During an interview on college radio station WHOV in 1987, Parrish Smith stated that the name evolved from the original: "We were originally known as "EEPMD", but chose to go with EPMD because it was easier to say." He also stated that they dropped the two "E's" because N.W.A.'s Eric Wright was already using "Eazy-E" as his stage name. The group has been active for 34 years, and is one of the most prominent acts in east coast hip hop. DJ K La Boss and DJ Scratch were DJs for the group and their current DJ is DJ Diamond J.
The music of Alaska is a broad artistic field incorporating many cultures.
The Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on two consecutive three-day weekends. Inspired by the KLRU/PBS music series of the same name, the festival is produced by Austin-based company C3 Presents, which also produces Lollapalooza.
Whodini is a hip hop group that was formed in 1982. The Brooklyn, New York-based trio consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, a.k.a. Ecstasy ; and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, a.k.a. Grandmaster Dee.
Lynx T'chass, or Emcee Lynx is an anarchist hip hop artist from the San Francisco Bay Area who achieved significant popularity and name-recognition in the West Coast hip hop and underground hip hop scenes and among anarchists and other radicals around the world. In 2006, he was described by Donegal Press magazine as "without a doubt one of the hottest rappers in the underground hip-hop scene today" and was described as "The next KRS-One" and the successor to House of Pain.
Pedro Antonio Rojas, Jr., better known by his stage name Tonedeff, is an American rapper, producer, singer-songwriter and record executive.
The 1998Family Values Tour was the first edition of the critically acclaimed fall music tour that initially combined nu metal, alternative metal, and rap acts. The tour was created and headlined by Korn.
Canadian Music Week is an industry conference and music festival held over ten days in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The music of Cardiff has been dominated mainly by rock music since the early 1990s with later trends developing towards more extreme styles of the genre such as heavy metal and metalcore music. It, along with the nearby music scene in Newport, has brought a number of musicians to perform or begin their careers in South Wales.
Kory Neely, better known as MC Shadow, is a Canadian rapper, actor, music & film producer and author who achieved fame for being the first white rapper in Canadian music history. His group Get Loose Crew was the first Canadian rap group to produce a mini LP and the first to effect international sales. Neely also had a brief solo career and worked with R&B singer Kaye Sergeant after The Get Loose Crew split ways in 1990. In 2015, he revived his music career with the release of new music and an accompanying three part video project released in both a commercial and short film version dubbed ‘the trilogy’.
Get Loose Crew was a Canadian Hip Hop band formed by 'D.J Jel' Chris Jackson, 'Rapper' Kory Neely aka MC Shadow and Len Grant-Stuart aka 'Mix-Master Len' in Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1987. The Get Loose Crew took on additional rapper 'MC B' Carl Badwa (of later fame known as B-Kool who joined the band prior to the release of their album in 1988.
Maya Azucena is an American singer-songwriter and cultural ambassador from Brooklyn, NY. She attended the LaGuardia School of Performing Arts. She independently released her debut CD "Maya Who?!" at shows and from her website.
Isamu Jordan was an American journalist, musician, and professor. When he was 15 years old, he joined the staff of The Spokesman-Review, where he wrote articles for Our Generation, the teen section of the newspaper. After earning a Bachelor's degree in English and Journalism, he returned to the paper, where he wrote articles about music and pop culture. He also wrote and edited articles for the weekly news magazine Spokane7, which provided coverage on local entertainment, art and culture, dining, and sporting events. As a musician, he was a member of the band The Dead Casuals and was known for establishing the hip hop orchestra, Flying Spiders, in which he was the lead vocalist. As the creator, producer, and director of The Som Show, Jordan provided booking support and concert promotions for local bands and music artists, while his multimedia music website featured artist profiles, events, and venues, along with videos and concert reviews. Spokane's Online Music Awards, known as The Sommy Awards, honored local bands and musicians through nominations made through his website. In addition to his background in journalism and music, Jordan was an adjunct professor and Program Director of Intercultural Student Services at Whitworth University.
Def Dames were an American female rap duo from Bakersfield, California. The duo consisted of Marilyn Smith, known as "Kandy Kane" she also gose by her Sacramento alias "Touch," and Yolanda Sugart, known as "Special T" or "The Ace Senorita." She was replaced by Petrina Walker known as "Larissa" in 1991, now residing in Las Vegas, Nv. The Def Dames are best known for their first album, 2-4-The Bass, and their three top singles: "976 Boom," "Set it Off," and "The King of Romance," from the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Lennie De Juan Bennett better known by his stage name Kel Spencer is an American hip hop recording artist, producer, songwriter, actor and film director from Brooklyn, New York City, New York. He is famous for having lyrically contributed to more than 20 songs from Will Smith repertoire, receiving Grammy, Soul Train and MTV Video Music awards nominations and winning an American Music Award for the platinum single "Switch". As a recording artist on his own, Spencer was featured on the hit soundtracks "Wild Wild West" and "American Pie: The Naked Mile" as well as on albums from Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff or Grandmaster Flash.
