By Taroue Brooks
Tell us about your company and services.
My company is called Zane Ryder Management. I’ve been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years and I define my business in 3 areas: Consulting, Connecting, and Managing.
I consult across the entertainment space including music, content, branding and sports.
Being in the entertainment space for so long, I’ve built a rolodex to go from networker to connecter. I’ve become the glue to put projects together and make them successful.
Management is from marketing, creative to logistics. My business covers original content, talent, music festivals etc.
How did you get into the entertainment industry?
It’s a combination of things. My Dad was a musician, my brother had a record deal and I also was dabbling in music. So I had an idea of the industry and a sense of how it worked. The other side, I was born in Miami but spent the majority of my formative years in Atlanta. Growing up in Atlanta, the music scene was a very tight knit community. During the early 90s LaFace Records, Jermaine Dupri, Dallas Austin were all making names for themselves. I was moving in those circles, attending Jack the Rapper Convention, doing work in the studios, and networking. I happened to meet Devyne Stephens and used to hang around his studio a lot and we built a relationship. He and I became good friends and he brought me in to do marketing and tour management for a group who was signed to an independent label. When I think about it that really launched my management career. After that I tour managed Chris Brown, JoJo, Bilal and so on.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Honestly, I worked in corporate America. I was never a fan of the bureaucracy and ceilings. I was always a hard worker and just decided to bet on myself. I was the guy that would come early and stay late. I could always recognize
opportunities that didn’t compensate me financially but gave me the experience to launch. My ambition has always been through the roof and with that the corporate ceiling didn’t work for me.
What is it about someone that drives you to work with them?
A couple of things…. I’m attractive to someone who is skilled and passionate about their craft. I also like to work with people that push me to be better. It’s not a challenge but it’s the skill and passion that also sharpens your management skills. Lastly, it’s the personal integrity of my brand that whomever I’m working for that I represent them and myself to the ultimate.
How has the pandemic impacted your business?
As with everyone else, it’s impacted our touring and being in the studios. I’m in the people business so you really have to work harder at staying connected.
The pandemic in a strange way has challenged me to diversify and really get back into that creative mindset. It’s a new world and we all have to learn how to work within it.
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Being an entrepreneur, there are peaks and valleys. You have to know how to
flatten the curve and anticipate. You have to stay in the moment and connected to what’s in front of you but also keep your eye on what’s down the road. You always have to forecast including people, projects, and finances.
You can’t let the wins go to your head and the loses to your heart. You have to remain steady. Lastly, you have to really believe in your calculated risk.
What inspired you to get into the entertainment industry?
As I mentioned my father was a musician. He was a jazz musician and played the trumpet. He performed with James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, BB King and many others. At an early age, I watched him practice, perform and learned the overall language of the music. Before my teens, he was my true inspiration. I learned so much from him and got a real taste of the entertainment business.
What’s next for Terry Washington?
I’ll continue to manage talent and multiple projects such as the release of Shawn Stockman’s (of Boys II Men) first solo project, “Foreword”, Brown Mark’s (of Prince and the Revolution) book, “My Life in the Purple Kingdom”, producing a few film projects and developing new digital content. I’m excited about the future and challenging my creative boundaries.
About Terry Washington
Having literally grown up in the industry, I have inherently developed a passion for the music business and entertainment. It has led me to manage tours around the world with platinum recording artists, produce films in remote locations and choreograph the legacy of music and fashion icons. My strengths are my creativity and persistence, and my ability to nurture strong relationships while keeping my finger on the pulse of current media platforms. It has been my calling card for over 20 years in the entertainment industry.
I’ve had my fingerprints on the careers of such talent as:
Eric Benet (R&B Artist)
Andre Leon Talley (Fashion Icon)
Shawn Stockman ( Boyz I Men)
Simeon Rice (NFL Super Bowl Champion)
Instagram
@terrywashington
@zanerydermanagement
@TheInsideDope
twitter –
TMwashington
https://zanerydermanagement.com/
