March 11, 2013 // 5:30-6:30pm // Beaman A&B

Don VanCleave

Manager, The Artists Organization

Don VanCleave left the industrial engineering business in Dallas in 1988 to open Magic Platter CD in Birmingham, AL. For 14 years, Magic Platter (and Birmingham) became known as a national starting point for many acts. Magic Platter received NARM’s Small Retailer of the Year in 1998 and 1999. In 1995, VanCleave met with about 30 other independent music retailers at a hotel in San Francisco where it was decided to form a support group. The Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) grew out of that meeting and VanCleave was appointed President. For the past 17 years, CIMS has acted as a marketing liaison between many record labels and the stores who are members. The members get behind nationally coordinated efforts to develop new artists. CIMS also owns junketboy.com/thinkindie.com, an indie store only distribution company that buys products directly from bands and works with the indie store community to promote and sell the goods. VanCleave also is the co-founder of Record Store Day, a five year old celebration of the world’s independent record stores.

VanCleave left CIMS after a 13 year run to join The Artists Organization, a LA based management company. At TAO, he is the point person for Soundgarden and Chris Cornell and is a partner in the company.