BEHIND THE CMAO BOARD - MEET BRIAN ALLEN This month’s featured Behind The Board member is Brian Allen. Brian currently sits on the Governance and the Seminar Committees at the CMAO and remains very active with his own successful production company and his songwriting. But my connection to Brian goes back further than all that. Way back. (Cue the backwards harp arpeggios) As a young high schooler hooked on music, I would borrow an ID and go to our small town’s bar to see who was playing this week? In those days it was a fresh band every week. And ‘weeks’ were 6 nighters with a matinee. I knew all the bands on the circuit. Which ones were playing original material, which ones were ‘show-bands’, and which ones ‘grabbed’ me. Every third month or so, a band from east of Toronto would come to town. An outfit called “Neon Rose”. This 4-piece did the hits of the day, (every band had to, to get bookings) but they always injected a healthy dose of their own tunes into the mix. Their tunes so impressed me, that I had my little high school rock band learn a ‘Neon Rose’ song. Turns out that song was written by one Brian Allen, (At that time a slim, golden afro-ed, guitar-god singing his heart out and deftly wielding a ES-335). I always kept an eye on him and that band. Eventually they dropped the ‘Neon’, settling for just “Rose” and released an album. I still possess that record. And I can still sing that song. Fast forward to the formation of “Toronto”. A highly successful rock outfit that eventually had 4 platinum albums under their belts. When that band had finally run it’s course Brian left. But soon another band cut one of Brian’s co-writes, “What About Love”. It became a massive worldwide success for “Heart” (over 10 million sold) and has since been cut by many other performers. That tune took Brian and his career to an international level. Upon witnessing his successful track record at writing, arranging and producing hits, Attic Records came calling to recruit Brian as their A & R man. A role he continued in for 15 years during which he signed, produced and worked records for many artists for the label.When Attic was sold to Song Corp., Brian moved over to another area of the industry. Working for SOCAN. (The Society of Composer, Authors and Publishers of Canada). While there he was responsible for collecting and processing royalties from 52 countries. Brian enjoyed his years at SOCAN, until his first love; music, finally drew him back. In 2002 Brian founded AMPLUS Productions, a recording production company, working with independent artists to bring them his production and music industry expertise...at indie-friendly rates. While running AMPLUS Brian has also taught music courses at Metalworks Institute, chaired the Music Advisory Committee at Humber College, sat on many FACTOR juries and still finds time to appear as a guest lecturer or expert panelist. Although Brian works in all walks of music, his latest ‘country’ productions are receiving airplay and accolades. Marshall Dane’s “Running Stop Signs” showed up as Country Music News’ #11 Album of the 2011. And Mike Lynch’s “Road Map” was rated as Country Music News #5 Album of 2011. As well Brian has soon to be released albums in the works with Darrelle London as well as Roveena and Brandon Scott.Brian has earned 25 gold, platinum and special achievement awards as an artist, songwriter and for his A & R duties. His successful and varied career in the industry have given him a remarkable depth of knowledge. I know by sitting across from him at meetings that he brings both his artistic sense and his business acumen to the table in all topics that are discussed. He’s astute, realistic and sees the pros and cons of any situation, instantly and on multiple levels. Add to that he’s a happily married man and makes his home in Mississauga. Life is indeed “Rose-y” for Brian Allen.We’re proud to have him on the CMAO board lending his expertise for the good of this association. Now where did I put my Rose album?