REPORTING FROM HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. — Sitting in the recording studio at guitar legend Steve Vai’s house in the Hollywood Hills, which has become the mothership of Legend Group Records, it’s clear that John Spicer is a world away from his hometown of Patoka, Ill. (population 600). After a year in the studio, Spicer is ready to release his debut, “Crossing Over,” and hit the road with a strong team behind him, but he’s straying from the traditional formula with country songs that go beyond beer and trucks — although there’s a place for that, too.
Legend Group Records President and CEO Houston Curtis has taken a leap of faith with Spicer, signing the 23-year-old as the label’s flagship artist and giving an unprecedented amount of label support. Not only has the company brought Spicer to Los Angeles from Patoka, but also built up a team that includes producer-engineer Tom Fletcher, Jim Della Croce of Pathfinder Artists, and consultant Jerry Greenberg. Spicer began recording Jan. 7, 2014, and, one year later, his record is mastered and he’s ready for the road.
The single “Pretty Good at Loving You” has broken into the top 50 on Nashville’s Music Row charts, reaching 29 in the independent charts with little promotion.
The Sharp Dart
“In our business, sometimes you’re lucky enough to find a great musician, sometimes you’re lucky enough to find a voice that’s very distinguishable and every time it comes on the radio you know who it is, and sometimes you find an amazing songwriter; John Spicer has all three," said Greenberg.
Legend Group Records approached this album like a major label.
“We’re independent by title, but we haven’t produced this record like an independent label and we will not market the record the way an indie would,” said Curtis.
“There’s a play here that’s much bigger than our pocketbooks,” said Curtis, who said that he and his partners have put up their own money from previous careers. “We’ve really reinvested everything into the label with the belief that this is the direction we want to head as a company and the artist we want to take us there.”
All About Strategy
Visibility is vital, leading to the group coming out in force to Nashville.
“IEBA is the A to Z talent forum, from rising stars like country’s John Spicer to heritage rock artists like Mark Farner. Every new and substantial act, with a proper team, should have their day in court as should seasoned yet vibrant vets,” said Della Croce. “IEBA represents a platform to present your projects to the talent industry fairly. What more can we ask for in the end?”
The next step is getting on the road, with Roberts continuing to field calls and planning to announce dates in the coming weeks.
“In today’s market you have to look at it from a touring aspect," said Fletcher.
“If you can’t reproduce your music, you can’t hide that,” he added.
Back to Basics
Spicer insists that he and the Legend Group Records team are “analog group of people in a digital world — but we know how to do the digital stuff.”
It’s that analog sensibility that stood out to Greenberg, who recalled a conversation with Spicer in the studio one day while talking about the potential for success.
“He looked me straight in the eye, dead serious and said, “Jerry, I hope I don’t turn into an asshole.’ I was so impressed with that,” Greenberg recalled, adding that he’s developed a relationship with Spicer and isn’t worried about success changing him. “I’ve dealt with a lot of assholes, and he’s not going to be one of them.”
Interviewed for this story: Jim Della Croce, Houston Curtis, Tom Fletcher, Gerald Greenberg and John Spicer, (615) 419-9989