Tim Baker released his debut LP, Forever Overhead, in April 2019. Tim was able to achieve Radio Starmaker Fund eligibility nearly immediately upon release. A marketing and touring application was swiftly submitted and we were able to secure a radio team to work the project in Canada and the US. The album went on to critical praise with great reviews, a JUNO nomination for Songwriter of the Year, seven East Coast Music Awards nominations (three wins) and a Polaris nod in addition to success on radio.

Reflecting on my experience over the past 13 years working with artists, the “out of the gate” opportunities afforded by RSF for Baker’s Forever Overhead campaign were unprecedented. As his eligibility was quickly earned, his marketing campaign was funded and touring was dialled in as a result of the support of RSF. In this industry, we know that there’s no amount of money that can cleanse the road of its difficulties; travel is tiring and the energy of performing on stage at once fills you up and empties you out. However, with support from RSF, we can afford to make healthier choices in all aspects. From the outside, I can visibly see the career of an artist developing stronger limbs and lifelines around the art. The touring party becomes less individual and more of a unit, not unlike a sports team hungry for the next win. Road wins and good marketing is the tried and tested formula for success here. And that is truly the optimal situation for any manager — the atomic energy which comes from a band who are hungry to win every stage, meeting an audience with rampant urgency to witness the performance. Maybe you yourself have been at such a show, standing in utter awe.

Beyond the touring advantages afforded by RSF, the marketing and promotions in an ever-changing landscape is also greatly benefitted. Beyond the marketing plans on paper, being able to add dimensions and complexity to campaigns that challenge the artist is a huge opportunity. Being able to arrive at good ideas that fuel a campaign and witness fans respond is the magic we in this industry seek; it’s what allows us to employ the great thinkers and doers of Canada and beyond. We hired David Tysowski for radio, who is growing his company and successfully learning to adapt to the changing game. We hired Julie Booth at Freshly Pressed who was able to use her cunning communication skills to keep telling the Canadian artist story in new ways. And the story is long. Hey Rosetta!, Tim’s previous band — is an undeniable testament of our experience benefiting from RSF. The band, which I co-managed throughout their more than decade long span, enjoyed massively successful touring stretches and healthy periods of rest and creativity. RSF played an integral role in the marketing and touring success of that band.

This is by no means taking away from the artistry which we are fortunate to serve. I'm saying the grind is real; it’s an undeniable and inescapable element of what it means to be an artist, and one which helps us to push ourselves creatively and further our craft. We rely on RSF to reward and support our teams and enable us to have ambition to directly connect the artist to success.

Jason Burns (he/him)
Manager, Tim Baker