The end of an era…. and a new beginning…

Several people have emailed me asking questions about some rumors
they have heard about Blanton Harrell Cooke & Corzine closing down. 
Well, as surprising as it may be, the rumors are true.  Our company quietly closed our doors March 31, 2009 after an incredible 30 year
run.

It all started with Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton, who shared a
deep belief in their founding artists, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, and a
vision for artist development and creative content that was not defined by any
particular genre but instead was focused on true artistry, sound business
principles, and communicating truth and faith in ways that stretched beyond the
status quo.

Chaz Corzine joined the team a few years later, bringing with him
one of the sharpest marketing and promotional minds in the business (not to
mention being the funniest guy on the planet).  I followed a few years
later, fresh from LA and ready to bring my own experience and perspective into a
team I already greatly admired.

Through the years we have had the privilege to manage many incredible artists and our business grew into a big operation. 
We have shared countless groundbreaking experiences with our artists and have
had more reasons to celebrate and be grateful than most.

But as much as we love and respect each other and as proud
as we all are of our history – - the reality is that today's music
business and today's economy just wouldn't support the size of the machine we
had built over the years.  So in a very quiet way, and with nothing but the
greatest admiration for each other, we came to a unanimous decision that it was
time to shut the big machine down.

We are all going to remain connected on several levels -
professionally and personally – for years to come.  Chaz is going to
continue managing Michael W. Smith and I will continue managing Amy. 
Dan and Mike will both continue to work with Amy on key projects but not in a day-to-day management
capacity. 

Although sad about the end of an incredible era and forever
grateful to Dan, Mike, Chaz and Amy for welcoming me 20 years ago with open
arms, I am excited to be moving forward with Amy as she continues her own
artistic journey.  I think some amazing things are still around the
bend.

One of the hardest parts for me of the past few day was parting ways with my "right arm" – Amanda.  For those of you who are members of FOA you know first hand what an amazing addition she was to Team Amy.  I hope to be able to involve her in projects from time to time moving forward.  I will miss working with her on a daily basis.  Her smile, positive attitude, and efficiency made each day a better one for all of us.

As always, more to come…

Jennifer