About Thorpe Productions:

Thorpe Prodcutions founder Jim Thorpe started the company in the 90's. He has been a manager/promoter/booking agent for over 20yrs. He has booked the venues in Philly Middle East, JC Dobbs, The Khybur, Brownies 23E, The Chestnut Room, The Grape Street Pub among others. Jim also mangaged these bands in the past Noosphere, Carfax Abbey, The Blue Method, Bhang, Catching Flies and DownCircleBack.



Jim currently is the booking agent for The Legendary Dobbs on South St. in Philadelphia, has been the panel coordinator and Assitant Director of the Dewey Beach Music Conference sine 2001 and is currently on The Board of Govenors of the Recording Academy for the Philadelphia Chapter. See below on current artists that we represent!


Jim also manages the bands listed on this page!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Thorpe Productions annouces the addition of "Beyond Dishonor" to the family!!

Thorpe Productions is proud to annouce that they have signed on the Progressive Metalcore band Beyond Dishonor. The band brings intensity, amazing live performance and skillfull songwriting/muscianship. The band features Reese Dunlap - Vocals, Mark Salmon - Guitar, Wes Ingraham - Guitar, Nick Petti - Bass and Mike Lock - Drums.

Beyond Dishonor is a workhorse of band touring through several mnarkets. Recently they have opened up for Chimaira at the Troc in Philly and will be heading down to Jaxx in Virgina to play with Unearth. This is band your gonna hear about!! They will be playing Legendary Dobbs Metalfest on Sat. November 26th.

Beyond Dishonor Facebook Page
Check out their Merch Store on their page w/ great T Shirts and the newly released cd "Travesty" sound clips are below.






If you are not having fun, the crowd isn’t having fun—this sums up the philosophy of Beyond Dishonor. Comprised of five members with very disparate influences, styles and quirks, this stalwart of the resurgent New Jersey Metal scene combines all of those myriad differences between them and, somehow, creates music that is brutal and aggressive enough for the most hardcore of fans and yet groovy eno...ugh to be accessible to those on the fringe. Formed in late 2006, Beyond Dishonor has represented one of the few success stories in a very challenging landscape. Much of their success stems from the overwhelming support and praise provided by the many nationally-recognized artists they have supported, including All Shall Perish, As Blood Runs Black, Winds of Plague, Born of Osiris, The Absence, Carnifex, Suffocation, Emmure, Mushroomhead, Texas in July, Chimaira, This or the Apocalyspe and so many more.
Beyond Dishonor is an extremely hard-working band, playing 70+ shows a year. Their recent full-length, travesty., is a bold, conceptual step for the band. They have attempted to create a wild soundscape that veers just far enough away from the norm in order to capture the attention of today’s distractible music listener. The music is wrapped around the lyrics of singer Reese Dunlap, who's literary, filmographic and intellectual obsessiveness pervades each song with hidden meanings, double entendre', and tongue-in-cheek jabs. It is their sense of humor, their unabashed desire to never take themselves too seriously and a high level of talent and experience that has helped shape this 5 piece. Judge for yourself why MySpace Metal called Beyond Dishonor "one of the top ten unsigned metal bands in the USA" and they were a top 10 finalist nationally for the Project Independent Unsigned Band Contest. Raise your glasses!





Wednesday, October 12, 2011

What’s Wrong with The Music Scene is it the Bands, Venues, Fans or All of the Above?

I am writing this to help bands understand that the music scene has drastically changed in the past 5 years. The scene has always changed but from a booking agent/manager point of view it has really hit a bottom the past 2 yrs. Who is to blame, honestly EVERYONE.
Below is based on my observation, views and years of experience in booking and band management. This is not intended to piss people off but rather help guide artists.

Where to start….? Hmmmm.

The days of average people going to a music venue to check out new up and coming bands does not exist today. There are too many other options for people now with various sporting events, gastro pubs, restaurants, etc. Along with people are spending there money differently these days because of the economy and their interests. For example, I bought a ticket for a known artist and cost $65 for the ticket. If I wasn’t in the music business it most likely would be my one night out that month. If had a friends band to check out I would probably put it off because of finances. So how do we get the focus on the live music and people start getting excited again in live music?

I am going to break out Bands and Venues into different parts.

Bands:
It seems there are only a small majority of bands that understand how to book their gigs. The thing to remember is that a venue is to sell alcohol and needs these sales to stay open let alone make a living. Bands are always required to draw their fans to a venue, it sucks but it’s the reality that an unknown band is faced with. The problem I see with bands is that they book gigs just to play out and wind up with oversaturation of their scene. I understand the thinking the more places we play the more people we get as fans. The issue is most bands are running the same model and winds up resulting in poor turnouts at each show. This also affects future bookings at these venues. Bands should think as a major artist. How many times does a major artist play your market? Maybe once or twice a year?

The rule for booking a show should 4 weeks before, 4 weeks after and a 50 mile radius of a venue at minimum. I know people are saying WTF??? A band should also be able to play 4 times a month in 4 different markets. I know it’s easier said and done. A band needs to build their local shows as an event and pack out the venue. Okay sounds good, but how do we get fans? Well it’s marketing your band and Social Media is only a small part. It’s going out and meeting new people, networking and the old “hand out cool looking flyers”. Going to other bands shows that are similar to your band, meet their fans, hang out at the venue your playing, etc.. There are endless ideas to promote the band, think out of the box. Realistically every band should be able to draw 20 people per show as a very minimum. I have seen bands from other markets come to Philly and draw these numbers with being in the city for 48hrs. If they can do it why can’t the local area bands do it?

When you book your show, you should always ask the booking agent for all the details from the bands on the bill, band contacts, media lists and how many posters to send to club. The key on every show is to work with the other bands on the bill, do a cohesive poster for everyone..”Create the Event”. Bands need to be focus on the overall show and work together. For example each band has 4 people, with a 4 band bill that is 16 people who can work on promoting the show. Divide up responsibilities, a street team, social media team, maybe a promo CD with each band on it, etc. A lot of show failures are a band laziness or thinking their music will set the world on fire. Hopefully the music will set the world on fire, but if nobody sees the show how is it gonna grow.

I believe a band needs to establish themselves at two venues in their market if possible. If a band does the above and can bring a decent crowd regularly at these venues. 90% of the time, the booking agent will work with you and offer you the ability to swap shows with an out of market band that does well in their own area. This is the model that has been around since the 60’s. It still works today, only if both bands do their parts in their markets. The goal would be to find minimum of 3 bands to swap shows with. At least there is a higher chance that people will be at the club than hopping in the car to play a gig with three unknown bands running probably the same plan as above.

I know it’s tough out there for bands but I see lack of desire for promoting for you. If something doesn’t work, try something different and always try to come up with different ideas. There are also exceptions to rule but they are far and few between. The bands main goal is to write great music, build a fanbase and perform your music live.


Venues:
Venues are in the business to make money. The day of music lovers running music venues is becoming scarce and now owned by investment people. In today’s world with skyrocketing costs of doing business is really insane from the utility, rent, production, up keep, employees and keeping product on the shelves. So these owners need to make a certain amount of money to stay open, let alone turn a profit. So if shows have low turnouts constantly the venues wind up closing. But there are things that venue can do to increase their profitability along with helping the artists in promotion.

A venue should be able to offer a regular promotional vehicle. This would include weekly and monthly ad listings for shows in the area newspapers or arts paper. Having a strong web presence with their on website and through all the social media outlets is a must. I still believe a venue should partner up with a local radio station that fits their style. Having the venue name on the air along with upcoming shows adds to the excitement of the venue. Sometime this has to be built over a period of time but it keeps the name of the venue relevant in the media.

A tough thing for any live music venue is to build a crowd to come to club strictly on the basis that there is always good music there. This is where the booking agent’s job is to book great artists and put together great musical shows. This can take a couple of years to develop the venue to point to get regulars but when it does you have a cool music scene. Also for this to work, the above topics need to be happening also.

Venues also need to develop their own brand also so that the normal person may decide to check you out. By making this happen is that you need to create events that are tied into music but also have other elements that may attract the normal person to check it out. Key also is having a great staff, cheap drink options, good food and creating a fun environment all ties into a bars success.

Word of mouth is also a major marketing tool for a venue along with bands. If people leave and had a one hell of a time they will tell their friends of this also place along with the band they saw.

Conclusion:
The one thing is that I have pride myself is trying to help develop bands and venues over the years. It makes the job even more rewarding watching bands grow and become successful. Being in the music business for 25yrs, I have met so many people and bands over the years that are still part of my life to this date. The beauty of this business is still the great music that all of you creates and perform live. In short, building music scenes is like building friendships they are developed over a period of time.

Hopefully you will find my rant helpful, any comments or additions feel free to comment!

Jim Thorpe
Legendary Dobbs
Thorpe Productions
Dewey Beach Music Conference



Download all Dj Sat-One's Classic Mixes, Live Club Mixes and Artist Tribute Mixes
Dj Sat-One Mixes - Podcasts

Check out some of Dj Sat-One's produced songs...
DJ Sat-One Produced Songs

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Dewey beach Music Conference Panel Schedule

Panels

Social Networks, Publicists, Marketing,
Date: Friday, September 23rd, 2011,
Time: 11:30am -1pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Stage "C"

Madalyn Skylar - GoGirls.com
Mark Rodgers - DJ/Program Director WSTW - Hometown Hereos
Adam Lewis - The Planetary Group
Alethia Austin - Music Supervisor, Alethia Austin Music Supervision / Tonic.com
Lou Plaia - Reverbnation
Fiona Bloom - The Bloom Effect
Alexia Erlichman - Music Gorilla

The Recording Academy presents The Producers
Date: Friday, September 23nd, 2011,
Time: 1:30pm-3pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Stage "C"

Andy Kravitz - Sound and Vision
Dustin Burnett
David Ivory - Ivory Productions
Gary Filadelfo
Jim Ebert - Ebert Audio
John King
Vic Steffens - Horizon Music Group

Talent Buyers, Booking Agents, Booking Agencies
Date: Friday, September 23nd, 2011,
Time: 3:30pm - 5pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Stage "C"

Kyle Brendle - Stone Pony
Vince Volz - Double V Booking / Legendary Dobbs
Brian Waymire - Buddy Lee Attractions / Red Gorillafest
Anthony Caroto - The Grape Room
Jeremy Weiss - CI Companies / Launch MusicConference
Chris Lewis Relax Music Group / Spike Hill
David Silbaugh Musicfest
Jim Thorpe Legendary Dobbs /DBMC




Band as a Business
Date: Saturday, September 24th, 2011,
Time: 11:30am-1pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Stage "C"

Christopher J. Cabott, Esq. - Ent. Lawyer Lloyd Z. Remick/Zane Management, Inc
Martin Frascogna - Ent. Lawyer Frascogna Entertainment Law
Neeta Ragoowansi - Sound Exchange
Paula Savastano - Savastano, Schmel & Assoc.
Blake Athens - Human Factor
Paul Sacksman

Artist Development – Comprising a Team, Next Level in your Career
Date: Saturday, September 24th, 2011,
Time: 1:30pm-3pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Stage "C"

Michael Caplan - One Haven Music ( fmr Sony,Epic, Columbia)
Vic Steffens - Horizon Music Group
Andy Waldeck Writer/Producer/Musician Andy Waldeck LLC
Jim Thorpe - Legendary Dobbs/DBMC/Thorpe Productions
Brian Cronin - Origivation Magazine
Loren Weisman - The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business”

Last 5 Minutes of Networking
Date: Friday, September 23nd, 2011,
Time: 3:30pm - 5pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Stage "C"
most panelist will be involved.

Workshops - Seminars

International Marketing - Music Globalization
Date: Friday, September 23nd, 2011
Time: 12:00- 1:30pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Trade Show Room

Martin Frascogna - Ent. Lawyer Frascogna Entertainment Law

12 Step to Success in the Music Industry
Date: Friday, September 22nd, 2011
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Trade Show Room

Tony Robinson


Go Girls
Date: Saturday, September 24nd, 2011
Time: 12:00- 1:30pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Trade Show Room

Madalyn Skylar - GoGirls.com
Allie Shaw - Manic Monkey

Publishing & Licensing
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: Rusty Rudder - Trade Show Room

Paula Savastano - Savastano, Schmel & Assoc.
Blake Athens - Human Factor

Friday, August 26, 2011

Dewey Beach Music Conference Panelists & Topics Annouced




Panel Topics:
Band As a Business - reaching new levels with your career, The Producers Panel, Artist Development - Building a Team for Success, Branding & Marketing Your Band, The Talent Buyers and Booking Agents, Last 5 Mintues of Networkings.

Workshops:
GoGirls, 12 Step to Success in the Music Industry, International Marketing - Music Globalization, Publishing & Licensing

Michael Caplan - One Haven Music ( fmr CEO for Sony,Epic, Columbia, Razor & Tie)
Vic Steffens Producer Horizon Music Group
Andy Waldeck Writer/Producer/Musician co writer w/ Daughtry & Scott Stapp
Paul Sacksman
Christopher J. Cabott, Esq. - Ent. Lawyer Lloyd Z. Remick/Zane Management, Inc
Martin Frascogna Ent. - Lawyer Frascogna Entertainment Law
Neeta Ragoowansi - Sound Exchange
Paula Savastano - Publishing
Blake Athens Human Factor
Brian Cronin - Origivation Magazine
Madalyn Skylar - GoGirls.com
Mark Rodgers - DJ/Program Director WSTW - Hometown Hereos
Adam Lewis - Planetary group
Alethia Austin - Music Supervisor Alethia Austin Music Supervision / Tonic.com
Lou Plaia - Reverbnation
Fiona Bloom - The Bloom Effect
Alexia Erlichman - Music Gorilla
Kyle Brendle- Stone Pony
Vince Volz - Double V Booking / Legendary Dobbs
Brian Waymire - Buddy Lee Attractions / Red Gorillafest
Anthony Caroto - The Grape Room
Jeremy Weiss - The CI Companies/LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival
Chris Lewis - Spike Hill/Brooklyn
David Silbaugh - Musicfest
Jim Thorpe - Legendary Doobs / DBMC
Tony Robinson - 12 Step to Success in the Music Industry
Andy Kravitz - Producer
Dustin Burnett - Producer
David Ivory - Producer
Gary Filadelfo - Producer
Jim Ebert - Producer
John King - Producer

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Dewey Beach Popfest May 13 & 14 artists annouced

A Silent Film (London, England) – Stage C – Friday, 10:20
Avi Wisnia (Philadelphia, PA) – Stage A – Saturday, 7:00
Chip Greene (Nashville, TN) – Stage A – Saturday, 8:20
Colourslide (Gainsville, FL) – Stage C – Saturday, 11:40
Dana Alexandra (York, PA) – Stage B – Saturday, 9:00
Dane Estok (Nashville, TN) – Stage D – Saturday, 9:40
Ducky Duke & The Vintage (Harrisburg, PA) – Stage D – Saturday, 11:00
Elizabeth & The Catapult (NYC) – Stage C – Saturday, 9:00
Find Vienna (Philadelphia, PA) – Stage D – Saturday, 12:20
Fools for Rowan (Nashville, TN) – Stage B – Friday, 11:40
Fools for Rowan (Nashville, TN) – Stage A – Saturday, 11:00
IKE (Philadelphia, PA) – Stage D – Friday, 11:00
Justin Kalk Orchestra (Nashville, TN) – Stage D – Friday, 9:40
Oh No Fiasco (Knoxville TN) – Stage B – Friday, 10:20
Kingsfoil (York, PA) – Stage D – Friday, 12:20
Midnight Spin (NYC) – Stage A – Friday, 12:20
Rod Kim (DE) – Stage B – Saturday, 7:40
RIvers Monroe (Philadelphia, PA) – Stage C – Friday, 9:00
Schiavone McGee (VA) – Stage A – Saturday, 9:40
Sleeperstar (Dallas TX) – Stage A – Friday, 11:00
Sleeperstar (Dallas, TX) – Stage B – Saturday, 11:40
Taylor Made Fable (Montreal, Canada) – Stage B – Saturday, 10:20
The April Skies (Harrisburg, PA) – Stage A – Friday, 8:20
The Aviation Orange (NYC) – Stage B – Friday, 9:00
The Green Children (Los Angeles, CA) – Stage A – Friday, 9:40
The Jellybricks (Harrisburg, PA) – Stage A – Saturday, 12:20
Underground Allstars (Charlottesville, VA) – Stage C – Friday, 11:40

Dewey Beach Jamfest May 6th & 7th artists annouced

61 North – Stage B – Saturday, 10:20
Apex Watson – Stage A – Saturday, 12:20
Brixton Saint – Stage B – Friday, 10:20
Eryn Shewell – Stage B – Friday, 9:00
Evolutionary Soul – Stage C – Friday, 10:20
Frank Viele & The Manhattan Project – Stage C – Saturday, 11:40
I Yahn I Arkestra – Stage A – Friday, 12:20
Igor’s Egg – Stage B – Saturday, 9:00
Jim Hayes and the Buddha Brains – Stage A – Saturday, 9:40
Kalob Griffin Band – Stage B – Friday, 11:40
Keystoned – Stage D – Saturday, 11:00
Lucky Dub – Stage A – Friday, 11:00
Mike Montrey Band – Stage C – Saturday, 9:00
Morning River Band – Stage D – Friday, 11:00
Nuke the Soup – Stage C – Friday, 9:00
one.man.and – Stage D – Friday, 12:20
TJ Nix and Paul Plumeri – Stage B – Saturday, 11:40
The Boatmen – Stage D – Saturday, 9:40
The City Music Project – Stage A – Friday, 9:40
The Headlocks – Stage A – Saturday, 11:00
The Liza Colby Sound – Stage C – Saturday, 10: 20
The Zak Smith Band – Stage C – Friday, 11:40
Three Legged Fox – Stage D – Saturday, 12:20

Friday, February 25, 2011

Monthly Update

Mar 2011 - Updates

Legendary Dobbs
We have just finished up the 2nd month of live bands back on South St. We have been receive nothing but compliments about the Staff, Our Hospitallity, The Performances and overall vibe on the new Dobbs. We have incerdible shows already from bands like The Kalob Grifin Band, Carfax Abbey, Soraia, Hollus, TEOS, Sasquatch & the Sick-a-Billys, Pacific Orchestra, Philly's own pride G-Love and countless others. March performances are incredible

Here is a link to G-Love performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_kYrOYDkTI

http://www.dobbsphilly.com/
www.facebook.com/dobbsphilly
http://www.youtube.com/LegendaryDobbs

Da Rezarekt
They are currently recording their new CD for an early Spring release. Vic Steffens (Sly Stone, Ani DiFranco) is producing the majority of the record. David Ivory (Roots/Sivertide/Halestorm) produced "I Know" and Will Yip (Lauren Hill/Studio 4) produced the tracks "Iguana" and Bangin Bricks". The record is sounding really hot.

Video Clip at DBMC2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI0zVarGvG8
http://www.darezarekt.com/




Dewey Beach Music Conference 2011
We are having our 10yr. Anniversary this year. It's going to be another blowout in Dewey. Beach, Beer, Music, Networking and Parting what more is their in rock n roll.
We are currently taking submissions for this year conference.

For Information goto:
http://www.deweybeachfest.com/dbmc

Also we have Jamfest on May 4th & 5th, and Popfest on May 13th & 14thZ

DJ Sat-One
is currently spinning residences at Dusk @ Ceasars in Atlantic City on Tuesday and Saturdays, Fridays at level 2 in Harrisburg, PA.

Download several of his mixtapes here:
http://djsatone.podomatic.com/

Checkout his website for future dates and music
http://www.djsat-one.com/

Metropolis America & Tune in Tokyo
just released new music, see post below

Booking News:

I am currenlty booking these rooms
Legendary Dobbs - all Nights
Puck - Doylestown,Pa. - The First Saturday of every month
Brownies 23 E. - Ardmore, PA. - Various Thursdays starting in March

Upcoming Shows:
Brownies 23 E.

Thursday March 3rd, 2011, 7pm
Prophets In Stereo, Four the Day, Ryan Tennis and Chris Shultz + The Tourists

Puck
Saturday April 2nd, 2011
Robots And Racecars, The Mint & Chelsea in Orbit 7pm

Legendary Dobbs

New Music From Metropolis America & Tune In Tokyo



Metropolis America
just finished up recording 2 new tracks with Producer Jim Ebert (Butch Walker, Buddy Miles, Marvelous 3, SR-71)
It’s a lot of ones. The number one represents to us: a first, a beginning. We wanted to start off this new year with a sound that was a first for us. A first step down a long new direction, creatively.

One also represents the best. We decided in the writing and recording of these songs to push ourselves as hard as we could, to try to make the best music we could. We plan to push ourselves just as hard in the future. Our new cd “The Cold Pop Singles Vol. One” is available today: One eleven eleven.

http://www.nimbitmusic.com/metropolisamerica
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-cold-pop-singles-vol-1/id413534982
http://metropolisamerica.com



Tune In Tokyo
Just released "Glass Bottom Hope" Released Feb. 15th 2011.
Check out the tracks here:
http://tuneintokyo.bandcamp.com/

Legendary Dobbs hires Jim Thorpe & Vince Vovz as Booking Agents


Jim Thorpe of Thorpe Productions and The Dewey Beach Music Festivals, along with Vince Volz of Double V Bookings, have formed a partnership to manage all of the bookings at “The Legendary Dobbs” music venue located at 304 South St. Philadelphia, PA. 19147.

The original “JC Dobbs” was a iconic staple of live music in the Philadelphia. Artist like Soul Asylum, Nirvana, Mother Love Bone, Indigo Girls, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Tool, Green Day, The Offspring and countless other artists rocked this venue in the past. Events like the Last Minute Jam created a the original social network for musicians. The history is very deep at this location which made this an legendary venue.

The new “The Legendary Dobbs” is ready to bring Live Original Music back to South Street. Jim and Vince are fully aware of and have lived the history of the original JC Dobbs and later, The Pontiac Grille. They plan to carry on the legacy that was set before them and are excited to move forward, bringing new life to South St. with the best of today’s Artists and Events

Website: www.dobbsphilly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dobbsphilly
Twitter: twitter.com/DobbsPhilly
All Bookings: dobbsbooking@gmail.com

Jim Thorpe - 20+yrs in the music business, independent bookings and band management since 1990 such as Middle East, JC Dobbs, Puck, World Cafe Live,The Chestnut Room & Brownies 23E. 1995-2005 at Grape St Pub providing marketing,branding and booking. 2001 to present Dewey Beach Music Festivals as Assistant Director to Vikki Walls for bookings and seminars. Jim has spoke at various colleges and music conferences regarding the music business. Currently member of The Recording Academy.

Vince Volz - 11+yrs performing & booking in the Philadelphia & surrounding areas. After a 5 year span performing with the band Phoenix Rise, Vince has spent the last 6+ years working to build the relationships between performer and venue. www.doublevbookings.com Those efforts were reflected in a successful 3+yr run, returning Dr Watson’s Pub to a viable Music Venue in Philly. Additionally Double V has combined efforts for events at: The Trocadero, The TLA, Dave & Buster’s Dockside Bar, The Pontiac Grille, Abilene, The Khyber, The Tin Angel, Grape Street Pub, The Grape Room, The Rox Box & more. Vince has also been a requested speaker at The Steamtown Original Music Showcase as well as the Lehigh Valley Music Conference.