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Alternative Directions Music Industry Training

Facilitated by

Developed byThomas W. Demerritte, MPA

(786)287-1184 or (305)835-8835

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The ADMIT ProgramA. Overview:The following is a proposal to provide community based music business training opportunities and educational services to Miami-Dade County area youths between the ages of 12 and 18 years. This program is entitled The Alternative Directions Music Industry Training (or ADMIT) Program. The title recognizes the need to develop alternative strategies to foster the retention of music education programs in our society, not only as a means for continuing the cultural enrichment of our socio-economically deprived youths, but also to develop alternative directions for them to pursue music industry careers in the more lucrative business side of the industry. The basic components of the ADMIT program are as follows:

Tavette Entertainment Group will coordinate educational services in the community in the specialized field of music business and provide hands-on training and recording studio exposure in its studio facilities.

Organizations to be served include public and private schools, after school programs, summer programs, juvenile correctional facilities, and community based organizations.

While it is hoped that many groups from the inner city would benefit from this educational experience, the demographic groups to be served include all ethnicities and gender groups, ages 12 to 18 years.

Training will be provided during scheduled field trips to our professional recording studio either after school, during school hours or on weekends.

Training will occur through workshops, classroom training and lectures, participatory recording studio sessions, and music industry guest speakers.

B. Background:According to a recent study conducted by The National Association for Music Education, the benefits of music education and expression can be grouped into five categories: (1) success in society; (2) success in school; (3) success in developing intelligence; (4) success in life; and (5) cultural enrichment. Various researchers have concluded that music students usually represent the population in school with the lowest lifetime and current usage of drugs, the highest test scores in math and verbal skills, and the highest measured intelligence quotients (I.Q.’s). Music has also been known to be a key societal element for uniting the community with its universal messages. In addition music creates jobs while boosting the tax base and overall economy through participation in various aspects of the industry from record selling and purchasing to performance and other music related activities.

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Everyone is aware of the present economic downturn recently gripping the United States. According to theories debated by numerous sociologists and economists, this downturn is caused in part by inflation, the results of the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, uncertainty in the stock market, and various other social and economic factors. Regardless of the cause, nowhere has our country’s troubled economic situation been felt more than in funding for the music, humanities and cultural enhancement activities in our public schools.

While cutbacks in these activities have been prevalent throughout the country, this problem especially adversely affects youths residing in and attending schools located in our inner cities and other socio-economically deprived areas. Musical and artistic activities are very important in giving young people alternatives to becoming involved in gang affiliation and violence, drug abuse, criminal acts, and other dysfunctional behavior. These negative activities create more of a burden on the community and, ultimately, on society as a generation of people often become disenfranchised and rebel against the system by becoming mere statistics in our welfare systems and criminal courts, or obscured and forgotten subjects of negative and often tragic articles or headlines in our newspapers.

While this problem of lack of music funding also affects more affluent communities, the fact remains that when schools in affluent neighborhoods choose to reduce or eliminate music education, the student’s family usually opts to provide the student with private music instruction through tutors. Additionally, because of the nature of the affluent child’s family background, community structure, and environment, their likelihood of continued exposure to significant numbers of positive examples make the wealthy child much less prone to resort to negative activities with a shortage of cultural activities as would the youth from a socio-economically deprived background.

The participation of Blacks, women and other minorities in the business side of the music industry has taken on a new level of importance with the development of music empires started by such luminaries as Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Missy Elliott and Sean “P Diddy” Combs. These individuals began their multi-million dollar companies by selling their own records in their communities; however, it takes an awareness of the business end of the music industry to accomplish this. That is what the ADMIT Program seeks to accomplish – bringing to the participant’s attention other opportunities in the music business other than as performers, which generally do not produce the long term income and artistic control as that enjoyed by producers, music publishers, managers, and label owners.

4Since most of the topics are very relative to at-risk youths in the Miami area, these classes and recording sessions would be more prone to hold their attention than more “traditional” music training such as piano lessons and choir participation. Additionally, the youth can apply the knowledge and skills learned in the sessions provided by Tavette in real life situations if they choose to further their careers in the music industry. There will be constant supervision and evaluation of the progress of the students by our professional staff. The main goal is to foster an overall positive change of direction for our disadvantaged youths by creating educational, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that they can benefit from now and in the future.

An additional benefit will be in increasing the involvement of minority youths in other facets of the entertainment industry other than as rappers, singers and musicians. Minorities and females have been historically under represented in music business related areas such as producers, managers, engineers, promoters, songwriters, music publishers, and record company executives. The ADMIT program will expose youths to these critical “behind the scenes” music business areas as alternatives to performance careers, which have more glitz and glamour but less longevity and residual income.

C. Target Area Characteristics:Miami’s need for social programs is well documented as statistical information paints a picture of extreme poverty, high rates of criminal activity, illiteracy, and health concerns. According to the US Census Bureau, Miami is the poorest metropolitan city in the United States with 40% of Miami-Dade County’s population earning less tan $10,000 annually. Studies have also revealed that the number of youth placed on Department of Juvenile Justice probation increased from 400 cases in 1995 to over 1,000 in 2,000 with felonies as the highest category of offenses. The State of Florida school grading system places Florida as the lowest performing school system in FCAT standardized testing, and over 5% of public schools have received a “D” or “F” grade. Also, AIDS/HIV ranks as the number seven cause of death in Miami-Dade County while unemployment levels are the highest in Miami-Dade County than in all other Florida counties.

D. Proposed Solution:To fill in the gaps created by the shortage of school funding for music and other beneficial social programs, it is proposed that Tavette Entertainment Group serve as a community resource by conducting the ADMIT program to enable socio-economically challenged youths to receive music technology and business training and development. This training will be provided through: (1) field trips to our recording facilities, (2) classroom lectures and (3) scheduled workshops and seminars. Training will be provided by Tavette’s President, professional staff, and experienced guest speakers in the areas of:

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Recording studio operationsPoetry, spoken word and songwriting skills Musical Instrument Device Interface (MIDI) programmingSound engineering Music industry business and legal practicesFilm and video productionEmployability skills and business etiquetteArtist management Record distribution and salesRecord promotionMusic publishing

Students will also have the opportunity to complete their own positive group CD project in our recording studio. The total cost for this service is less than $200 per student, which includes all applicable materials, to complete the modules of interactive training and participation in an area that all youths enjoy. They will also receive beneficial information to encourage them to further their education in the music industry. Special scholarships may be available to reduce the costs for non-profit organizations, schools, churches and multiple classes.

Training will be provided in several interactive classroom modules and recording studio sessions. The final studio session includes preparation and mixing of the class project CD, and a closing ceremony will present the finished CDs and certificates of program completion to participants. Class sizes will be limited to 10 students to ensure that students enjoy a one-on-one hands-on experience to maximize program benefits.

E. ADMIT Program Phase IPhase I of the ADMIT Program will be conducted as shown below. Classes electing Phase II of the Program (see Page 6) would receive more specialized exposure to the studio or in any of the music business areas.

Module One:Overview of the music business, music publishing, record company operations, record distribution, promotion, marketing, music videos, and sales.* All participants will receive applicable handouts for reference and home study.

Module Two:The creative process, production, songwriting skills and legal aspects of music, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) recording, sampling, music or beat creation.

6After this module, participant groups will receive a CD copy of music tracks that they helped to create for rehearsal for their final recording sessions. Any positive message song (either singing or rap) can be produced for recording in the next two modules.

Module Three: Studio operations with hands-on participation in the production and recording processes.

Module Four: Studio operations with hands-on participation in the song mixing and mastering processes.

Program Conclusion:Participants will have a closing ceremony where they are each presented a Certificate of Program Completion while receiving a copy of their final mixed CD.

Bonus Program Benefits: 1. All songs produced by ADMIT participants will be used to produce a compilation

CD album. This nonprofit CD will be marketed and distributed to area schools and other social programs, as well as the local news media, as a means of fostering community pride while addressing societal issues such as delinquency, abstinence, drug abuse, gangs, teen violence, academic performance, self-awareness, and other relevant issues.

2. ADMIT participants will learn the importance of cooperation and shared responsibility as they collaborate on their music projects. This is critical for success both in the music business and in other situations encountered in life. Participants will also gain a sense of personal and group pride while producing a positive musical project that they can call their own.

F. Follow-up Services:1. Course Module Expansion (ADMIT Phase II)– Groups who attend and complete

Phase I of the ADMIT program, or who otherwise can demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of music industry practices are eligible to receive specialize advanced ADMIT training in selected industry areas. This specialized training is designed to provide the participant groups with a more intense and focused experience in either of the following topics:

Recording Studio Production Techniques (6 hrs.)Legal Aspects of Music (6 hrs.)Music Marketing and Promotion (6 hrs.)Songwriting (6 hrs.)Sound Engineering (6 hrs.)

7Video Production (6 hrs.)

2. Internship Experience – Individual participants who exhibit extraordinary dedication and initiative will be considered for receiving internship experience with Tavette Entertainment Group or referred to other companies as appropriate. This experience is usually considered in conjunction with other work experience or community service initiatives offered by the participant’s school, rehabilitation program or vocational program.

3. Educational and Training Referrals – Participants wishing to pursue music business as a career will be referred to other community resources to pursue more specialized training including to magnet schools, community colleges, music or vocational programs, technical schools, and other resources.

4. Employment Referrals – Participants who have attended the appropriate training modules offered by The ADMIT Program; can demonstrate proof of higher training, education or experience in the chosen music industry field; and have demonstrated traits of reliability and dedication to his or her profession may be considered for referrals for employment with firms requesting individuals with their skill levels. Efforts are made to provide qualified participants a means of entering the music industry. Regardless of presented qualifications, decisions made on these referrals are subjective at the discretion of the ADMIT Program.

5. Tracking Services – Organizations who sponsor participants will be encouraged to contact The Program periodically to inform us of the program’s effect their students. This information will be compiled and used in research data.

G. About The Service Provider:Tavette Entertainment Group, Inc., (“TEG, Inc.”) is an emerging multimedia company based in Miami, Florida specializing in music, video and film production and promotion. TEG, Inc., was founded in 1999 by the owner and President Thomas W. Demerritte as an expansion of his recording business D-Lite Productions. With the relocation of their facility to Miami, TEG began gaining radio airplay and local and national media attention for the company, thereby increasing the public recognition of its artists and music. The primary goal of the company is to provide opportunities for artistic or business minded inner city youths and adults to develop and apply their creative talents in singing, rapping, poetry, studio production, video production, engineering, songwriting and record company operation and management. There is a critical need for this company since there are few opportunities for music recording, performance and business in Miami’s inner city. TEG employs a talented team of

8contracted music, video/film and Internet professionals to produce, promote, and distribute commercial music recordings, TV and radio commercial, and video and film recordings in the various media markets throughout the world.

Music Production: TEG owns a full music production studio furnished with state-of-the-art equipment to meet all of its recording needs. With its on-staff production talent, all recording and mixing can be done within the premises, eliminating the expense of hiring outside musicians, producers and arrangers. Additionally, the recording studio is a source of revenue for the company through selling recording time, and by renting studio space, engineers and technicians to other labels and artists. The company is a benefit to the community by recording various theme songs, commercials, and other positive products and projects. TEG is constantly recording material for its exclusively contracted recording artists. Singles released through Tavette Records since summer, 2002 include the single and album “Key To The Kingdom” and “More Love at Christmas” by Spencer Wiggins. Several albums have been completed by local artists by TEG and deals are being sought to facilitate distribution of these products. TEG is also seeking other acts for the R&B, hip-hop, pop, and gospel markets.

Film/Video Production: TEG also has a fully functional Film and Video Department, equipped with professional digital video cameras, as well as a full editing suite featuring G4 Macs and the latest editing software. The company intends to purchase other state-of-the-art equipment to enable it meet its demanding needs as well as provide a wide variety of services to outside clients. This Department’s primary responsibility is to coordinate the company’s in-house film and video productions activities. Research indicates that music videos increase sales of records. In addition to providing an impetus for selling records, the other advantage of videos is that they assist in presenting the artists' performing ability to concert promoters and for concert sales. Music videos of TEG records receiving or projected to receive significant sales are produced by in-house staff. These are aired on the various music video television programs throughout the Southeast region and the nation. Antwan Smith, TEG’s acclaimed Film/Video Production Manager develops concepts and storyboards for songs selected for video support, coordinates the filming and editing of the videos, and reviews and evaluates the videos for commercial acceptance. The company also performs music video production services for other independent and major recording artists. Since it has an in-house staff with various specialties such as directing, writing, filming, still photography, editing, and lighting, TEG can provide services to clients at a competitive price while meeting its own visual production needs with minimal cost. Additionally, this Department will be a major source of revenue for the company by filming and editing commercials, TV shows, and other similar projects and by renting editing time, producers and technicians to other businesses.

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H. About The Primary Facilitator: Thomas Demerritte (a.k.a. Tommi D), TEG’s president and CEO, is a highly trained and experienced musician (keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, synthesizer programming), producer, songwriter, arranger, engineer, music publisher, manager, and record company executive. He has experience in producing all types of music ranging from gospel to hip-hop, and he has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters Degree in Administration from Florida State University. He also has 20 years of governmental administration experience to include training, budget management, operations analysis, program administration, and other critical managerial roles. A Miami native, Tommi D effectively combines all of these attributes with a genuine concern for his community in creating a vision where artists can be assisted in a “one stop shop” system to create and expose their musical products to the rest of the world. This is all done in a professional and positive environment where emphasis is placed on customer satisfaction and upholding the high standards of Tavette Entertainment.

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ADMIT PROGRAM TOPICS AND SCHEDULE (One Month Module)

To help participants get the most out of the program, ADMIT training will be conducted as follows:

SESSION ONE - In classroom setting ADMIT Program or client facilityIntroductions of ADMIT program, instructor(s) and participantsMusic industry overviewImage creation (naming the participant group)Songwriting & music publishingArtist managementRecord production and sound engineeringRecord promotion and marketingFilm and video productionRecord distributionRetailingLegal careers and issuesQuestion and answer and rap sessions

SESSION TWO – In recording studioReviewLearning about recording equipment, techniques and technologyParticipation in creating beat and music for participant group’s positive message songReferences to further educational opportunitiesMusic industry careers and employability skills Question and answer session

SESSION THREE – In recording studioRecording the song created by participant groupCreating rough mix of the song

SESSION THREE EXTENDED (OPTIONAL) - Recording studioMixing and mastering of participant group’s song

SESSION FOUR - CLOSING CEREMONY – Presentation of final group CD product and individual certificates of ADMIT Program completion.

Demo and Final CDs and instructional materials to be supplied by the program facilitators.

11Thomas W. Demerritte (a.k.a. Tommi D)Synopsis of Music Industry Background

Band Founder and Member: I founded and performed in the musical group Love Unity and Virtue (a.k.a. LUV), which shared the performance stage as an opening act for such groups as Earth Wind and Fire and Shirley Brown. This band toured the Southeast region, recorded at famed T.K. Productions during the era of such artists as Betty Wright and K.C. & the Sunshine Band, and helped launch the successful international recording careers of group members Stevie B and Howard Johnson.

Performing Musician: After receiving training while playing in the Miami-Dade C.C. South Jazz Ensemble, I played lead guitars, piano, keyboards, and drums in many pro bands in Miami, Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale.

Studio Musician: I have worked as a studio musician (union scale) at many Miami area recording studios specializing in playing drums, guitars, keyboards, and synthesizers.

Concert/Show Promoter: I promoted and directed live stage shows for my artists, including my recent Tavette artist showcase, and provided similar services for other bands as required or contracted.

Songwriter: I have a current catalog of over 100 songs (lyrics and music) I have written, including 11 which were released by other labels or artists. This includes writing or co-writing the current material on the upcoming albums by my artists Trellini, Note 2 Note, Bonnie Flint, Young Flame, Spencer Wiggins, L’Mia, and Wetwerx.

Record Producer: I have served as an independent record producer for many songs in my own professional studio and outside studios such as Hot Productions, Crystal Sounds Recording, Natural Sounds, Criteria and other facilities. I have full responsibility for all facets of these projects including budgets, musician acquisition, direction of recording activities, music arrangement and all other business and creative aspects.

Sound Engineering: Having received a year of specialized engineering training at Miami-Dade Community College, I have provided recording and mixing engineering services on numerous music projects.

Recording Studio Owner: From 1993 to present, I have owned and operated D-Lite Productions, a full service professional recording studio that features the latest in equipment and technology.

Record Company Owner: In 2000 I founded and developed Tavette Records, which has signed and produced albums for seven (7) exclusively contracted recording artists. We released the first of the company’s four CDs in October, 2001, and are seeking promotion and distribution deals with other labels to facilitate further releases.

Video Producer: I also own a full service video production studio (including Canon XL1 digital camera and full video editing suite) and have produced music videos for the rock group Never On Sunday, the gospel group Bless Praiz, the pop act Inixial and the R&B group Note 2 Note, the rap group Unda Presha ,as well as produced several cable T.V. commercials. Antwan Smith is our video director and he has directed or contributed to videos and commercials for numerous established artists including Trick Daddy, Trina, Jay-Z, and others.

Music Publisher: I have had several songs published and released through other publishing companies and I have my own publishing company, to which my artists are also signed.

Artist Management and Development: I have worked to establish the careers of several recording artists by managing their careers, selecting or creating their songs, developing their stage and media personas, advising them regarding their personal and professional activities, and providing other management and development services.

Consultant/Educator: I have helped to develop several recording studios and record labels by providing direction, insight, and consultation based on my years of industry experience and training. I also developed and implemented the Alternative Directions Music Industry Training (ADMIT) program to train at-risk youths in the music business.

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THOMAS W. DEMERRITTE 16705 S.W. 100th Court Miami, Florida 33157

Telephone: (305) 252-8191 Alternate: (786) 287-1184 Email: tdlite@aol.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

President/CEO, Tavette Entertainment Group, Tavette Records, D-Lite Productions Recording Studio. Miami, Florida September, 1999 – Present

PRESIDENT/CEO, The ADMIT (Alternative Directions Music Industry Training) Program, nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. Miami, Florida September, 2003 – Present

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 2 (Temporary), Miami-Dade County South Florida Employment & Training Consortium. Miami, Florida. June, 2001 – September, 2001

BUSINESS CERTIFICATION SUPERVISOR, Miami-Dade Department of Business Development (DBD). Miami, Florida. July, 1993 - March, 2001

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 2, Miami-Dade Office of Youth and Family Development (DHS), Community Outreach Services Division. Miami, Florida. February, 1990 - July, 1993

POLICE PLANNER, Miami-Dade Police Department, Management Analysis Bureau. Miami, Florida. December, 1986 - February, 1990

PERSONNEL OFFICER, Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Administrative Services Division, Miami International Airport. Miami, Florida. November, 1982 - December, 1986

SAFETY SPECIALIST 1, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Authority, Administrative Division, Miami, Florida. September, 1981 - August, 1982

PARK SERVICES OFFICER, Dade County Office of CETA Coordination, Parks CETA/PSE Program. Miami, Florida. January, 1981 - September, 1981

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT INTERN, Florida Department of Labor, Office of Management and Budget, Tallahassee, Florida. September, 1979 - October, 1980

EDUCATION:

Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. Master of Science in Public Administration. Area of concentration: Public Finance

Florida State University. Bachelor of Science – Major: Criminal Justice Administration; Minor: Spanish.

Miami Dade College, Miami, Florida. Associates in Arts - Major: Criminal Justice Administration; Minor: Spanish. Also studied sound engineering, music production and music business for 12 months.

Also completed multiple training and career development programs.

More detailed resume available upon request.

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To Youth Directors, Instructors and Programming Directors

The 2007 A lternative D irections M usic I ndustry T raining Program How will young people in your programs spend their time? Why not let them learn about exciting music industry careers, while creating their own positive CDs?

Tavette Entertainment Group, a Miami music and multi-media company, presents

the ADMIT program as the perfect group project for:

community organizations,music training programs,

church youth groups,alternative education,

summer programs, after-school programs,

vacation bible schools, youth vocational programs,

employment programs,school field trips.

Participants learn about careers such as music publishing, publicity, label & artist management, studio operation, A&R, marketing, songwriting, and artist development. Further educational opportunities are also discussed.

The ADMIT program is taught over several) weekly sessions by industry veterans in a professional recording studio, and features hands-on use of studio equipment and group recording sessions. Participants even write and record their own positive group song in any music genre!

Call (305)835-8835 or (786)287-1184 for brochures and program CD samples and to enroll or sponsor your group of 10 students at low intro rates. Please visit www.theadmitprogram.org for more info. We’re located in your neighborhood in the B.A.C. Funding Corporation Building and in West Perrine, so feel

14free to visit our recording and training studios. Thank you and we look forward to partnering with you in serving our young people.