Engagement Insider
3/25/13
NEW YORK, NY March 22, 2013 – It’s common knowledge that many athletes want to be musicians and many musicians want to be athletes.
Now, that dream can become a reality for 20 current and former NFL players wanting to work in this industry.
Courtesy of an alliance between NFL Player Engagement (NFLPE) and the Clive Davis Institute in NYU’s (New YorkUniversity) Tisch School of the Arts, the players gathered this week in Manhattan to learn the myriad of modules that compose this multi-faceted industry.
“For the second consecutive year, this program has proven popular with our players who aspire to a career in the music industry,” said Troy Vincent, Senior Vice President of NFL Player Engagement (NFLPE). “Our partnership with the Clive Davis Institute combined with our prestigious faculty covers the complete spectrum of this business in providing our players with the tools to truly make it in music.”
That spectrum struck all the high notes, from finding hit songs and making the record to managing artists and distributing music. The wide variety of sessions were mixed between studio control rooms and class rooms, where instructors and athletes worked in concert to create customized business plans.
"This was an inspirational, informative and important event,” observed Dyana Williams, CEO of Influence Entertainment who conducted a branding workshop. “I was empowered after meeting the inquisitive participants, since knowledge is power and this camp is a definitive source."
One inspired participant was Eric Heitmann, a nine-year NFL veteran and skilled soundtrack composer, who declared, “I came to this program for inspiration, and it was such a great way to get back into the business world. You come away with so much knowledge in such a short amount of time, making it truly invaluable as I continue to transition into business from football.”
Def Jam Records President Kevin Liles was happy Heitmann and his fellow athletes were hearing the key messages, stating, “It was a pleasure speaking to players in the NFL Music Boot Camp about competing at the next level -- the business of life. Succeeding as an entertainment entrepreneur is like playing on the football field, you will need the same work ethic, competitive drive, and carefully selected team behind you as when you were sweating through two-a-days before summer camp even starts. This week provided players and industry executives alike with an essential opportunity for education and exploration.”
The education aspect appealed to five-year NFL Veteran Sammy Davis, who noted, “The biggest takeaway for me was the priceless information that we learned these past few days. The quality of the speakers and networking opportunities were incredible, and we were able to meet people we couldn’t meet anywhere else.”
Those people included presenters from brand names such as Warner Brothers Records, whose SVP of Brand Partnerships & Commercial Music Licensing Lori Feldman remarked, “NFL players know pop culture really well and participate in it actively, and when you’re inside pop culture, transitioning to working in the music you love doesn’t seem that impossible. Additionally, NFL players have many connections which they can easily take advantage of, which is helpful as they learn the secret to the music business – to have great ideas and tenacity. And to not be afraid of the answer ‘no,’ since the first answer is always ‘no.’”
A ‘no” is not likely to dissuade five-year NFL veteran Leon Williams, who asserted, “This program gives you the confidence to go out there and know you can do it, and definitely changed my view on how to approach the business.”
To ensure that confidence gets ingrained in participants, the conference culminated with a final panel featuring as a headliner, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC fame.
“Hearing DMC was incredible,” exclaimed Williams. “You hear him on YouTube, but actually having him in the room and feeling his energy meant so much.”
Energy that must be maintained, which is why as an encore all the players were paired with mentors to have available for future reference, which works well for Williams.
“Speaking with my mentor this afternoon was so surreal,” he concluded, “I don’t know how the NFL was able to match me so well, but I was floored at the ease with which we communicated and shared ideas.”