(November 19, 2021) – Working hard behind the shining stars and rave parties of the music industry are people with equally fascinating and even whimsical histories and struggles. Linda Wills is one among them, a promoter of hip-hop in its infancy, who fell in love with the legendary singer Al Green, who then eventually went on to write a song for her. Linda Wills has come out with an eye-opening tale of record promotions and why it matters in the music industry in her book, “The Great Record Promoter: Behind the Scene in the Record Industry.”
A memoir about growing up in Washington, DC, and the making of dreams in the music industry, “The Great Record Promoter,” is about how the singers and stars everyone knows and loves today got made, focusing on the music scene beginning in the 1970s. The locations include Memphis, TN, Philadelphia, PA, and the mid-Atlantic states. And the stories are about legends such as Roy Ayers, Salt ‘N’ Pepa, Tupac, Doug E. Fresh, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson, Jazzy J, and Fresh Prince, among others.
Linda Wills, for whom Al Green wrote the song, ‘Love and Happiness,’ got her first job in the recording industry for Al Green, the R&B legend, working at Green Enterprises as his secretary. It was a hectic life. I lived mostly traveling around the country. Linda then took up the role of a record promoter, a crucial role in any recording company for obtaining radio airplay. Her memoir goes on to share memorable vignettes and behind-the-scenes work that goes on during music promotions and the role she has played in Black music history.
While narrating her challenges and ordeals in the middle of intense industry competition, artist infighting, and wheeling and dealing, Linda also uncovers some truths. As the music scene is not all about sex, drugs, Rock ‘n Roll, and a promotion’s rep, it is essential to make a song into a hit record. Also on record are the perks and accolades that flew in Linda’s way, such as an all-expense-paid trip to London (with a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce picking her up at Heathrow), cash stipends, a credit card issued by Schwartz, and a Gold Record award.
“Linda Wills did an excellent job writing this book. It’s truly about life, having goals, and a mission. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I would use it as a reference from time to time as I continue to live my life,” says a reader review.
“The Great Record Promoter,” tells the untold story of record promotions and how new artists are established for success, all through the eyes of a leading record promoter. The ultimate message of the book is to encourage artists to deploy the art of record promotions to expose their music in the marketplace, in addition to using social media. The book will be of great interest to all music buffs, urban residents, songwriters, record producers, academic and non-academic people, and anyone who wants to understand how the music industry works.
Media Contact:
Anna Reid
Global Summit House
Email: admin@globalsummithouse.com
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