Meet Kerry Oliver | CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kerry Oliver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kerry, how does your business help the community or world?
Here at Rock the Dream, we are on a mission to find those exceptional, over-looked artists and bands, then elevate them using artist development techniques into a professional national touring act, who has the potential and exposure to reach the mover-shaker people who can get them signed to a major or indie label. This in turn, will generate a whole new generation of artists creating excellent music that will bring back the mega music stars which we used to have back in the day. The whole world will benefit from the music these great artists can create. By giving these artists and songwriters access to information, proper procedures, networking and instructional assistance, they are able to follow and achieve their dreams. We also donate financially to high schools and other music institutions to help support the next generation of artists and songwriters. I believe we may be the only non-profit offering these services and connections.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We believe we are the only nonprofit who provides the artist development services in taking bands and artists to the highest levels. We look at ourselves as the “middle man”, developing performers and songwriters, then introducing them to those who can take them the rest of the way in their careers to achieve their dreams. It’s been 9 years of struggling, inching ahead, then falling back, but we are now successful at our craft. Still banging our knees occasionally but we heal quicker now :). Covid-19 has taken it’s toll in securing income, but we’ve created alternate fundraising routes and have been able to keep our doors open. A huge lesson we learned on this journey is what damage an internet troller can do, and how to survive. We’ve been harassed for over 4 years with outright lies and made-up stories that many believe. Upon the advice of several big names in the music industry, we have learned to ignore them. Our motto is “don’t engage”. It has deterred a few from volunteering and interning with us, but our view is “if they believe what’s on the internet, we don’t want them!” We want to shout out to all the struggling bands/artists/songwriters that we’re here to help and that it takes a team, and we are that team!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Sedona, hands down, is the best that AZ has to offer. It’s beautiful, peaceful, cooler weather, something fun for everyone. I used to live there for 6 years, and the only thing they don’t have is great restaurants. They have OK restaurants, but nothing that makes you go WoW! However, Phoenix has many excellent restaurants!! And, they have the D-Backs! Nothing better than a ball game with a hot dog and a lemonade! My vote for the best restaurant is Flemings!! Hands down the best steakhouse in AZ, maybe the U.S.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Rock the Dream is made up of a few staff members, volunteers and interns, who work endlessly in the trenches to help our artists and bands achieve greatness! It takes a team effort and that is what we offer our bands and artists. And, without the band, ColdFusion, I would have never learned what I know and wouldn’t have the music industry connections I have. In addition to all these amazing people, our roster of bands and artists drive us crazy, but they are wonderful and without their trust and hard work, we couldn’t do what we do.

Website: www.rockthedream.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockthedreamnonprofit/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RTDNonprofit
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockTheDreamNonprofit