(April 25, 2019) The city of Detroit and Motown Records have a special historical place in the hearts of music fans around the world. And now, those two names are being associated with innovation that may change the future of music. Sixty years after Berry Gordy, Jr. founded the Motown label in the Motor City, two new programs have been announced to develop the next generation of performers as well as the future of music technology.
The Motown Museum will team with Detroit based TechTown as well as Capitol Music Group and gener8tor to establish the Motown Musician Accelerator and gBETA Musictech programs, starting later this year.
The Motown Musician Accelerator will launch in the summer of 2019 and will provide a 12-week training program for four artists chosen from applications. Each of the four artists will receive individualized coaching, industry introductions and a $20,000 grant. The grants can be utilized to address needs that will further the artists’ musical careers, such as studio sessions, travel to meet industry leaders and collaborators, photoshoots, equipment and more. With sponsors covering the costs of the grants and operations, the program will be completely free for participating musicians, requiring no fees or royalties. It is an incredible opportunity for these select young artists to catapult their careers forward.
Concurrently, five Detroit-area startups will be selected to participate in a gBETA Musictech program, which will operate at TechTown Detroit under gener8tor’s “gBETA” model: a seven-week program requiring no fees and no equity. There will also be a gBETA Musictech program held at Capitol Records Tower with an additional five companies, sourced internationally. The selected companies will work closely with successful entrepreneurs, music industry experts, angel investors, venture capitalists, technologists, acclaimed producers, songwriters and influencers to develop strategies to grow, gain customer traction and pitch investors.
“This is truly a deep, passion project for me. Being the son of an original Funk Brother, producer and arranger during early days of Motown, I grew up witnessing and experiencing the creation of music that is truly world-renowned and which will forever be the heartbeat of the great city of Detroit,” said Paul Riser, Director of Detroit Urban Solutions at TechTown Detroit. “But after observing the unfortunate decrease in investment for creative arts in schools, I’ve strived to not only be a part of the city's revitalization, but to contribute to a renewed intersection of music, innovation and entrepreneurship. Working with Gener8tor, Motown Museum, Capitol Records, Universal Music and Motown Records to deliver a program that will pour so much into some of the very best talent of our city is nothing short of a dream come true.”
Individuals and organizations who would like to get involved with either program – as mentors, service providers, sponsors, etc. – are invited to reach out to partnerships@gener8tor.com. Potential applicants can learn more and apply to the accelerator programs at www.MotownMusicianAccelerator.com and www.gBETAmusictech.com.
A search is underway for a Director to lead the Motown Musician Accelerator. Desired candidates have existing experience and a strong network in the music industry, and ideally have already helped manage or develop talent. Interested candidates can apply at gener8tor.com/careers.