by Brittney Corridean
We all know the Philadelphia music scene is beyond thriving, but two contributors you need to be aware of are Saul Dratman (of Gravity Given Productions) and Jim Cunningham (of Forward Productions). There are a lot of things that could be said about the pair’s recent work, like the End of Summer Music Festival they have approaching, but what really stands out about them is their understanding and love for music.
How they actually met was through an open mic at the Legendary Dobbs. Both were doing bookings for the venue at the time and knew a lot of the same people within the business. Dratman and Cunningham both have an esoteric ear for talent, yet they have some different aspects from which they are rooted.
“Jim does more on World Café Live, WXPN side of things and I am more in the WMMR and 104.5 market,” Dratman states about the different type of pockets that emerge in the music scene. Although they may have slight differences, they have become quite the team and are really taking off.
“It just made sense to work together,” Cunningham agrees. “We haven’t completely merged together yet, but we will see how things pan out over the next ten years,” he jokes.
When the guys first started out together, business was a bit more challenging without sources like an email account where all the information could be poured into. With no bands reaching out to them, the duo did a lot of hunting down bands and recruiting talent. Now, things have culminated and developed for the pair. Musicians and venues are coming to them and at a rapid pace.
“Once things took off they kind of just catapulted,” Dratman says of the flourishing business. “I used to have a clean inbox but now it’s just hard to keep up!”
However, just like when you first start anything new, Dratman and Cunningham did see their fair share of hard times; especially when you have two differences of opinions, you’re bound to bump heads and make mistakes. The beauty of this is you get to learn and grow from them.
“In this business you never feel comfortable, you can be confident, but not comfortable,” says Cunningham. “It’s fun, but you’re walking a tight rope.”
At the end of the day it’s still a business, sure things can be a lot of fun, but it is a balancing act. “You have to build stronger relationships, go over the numbers…really just think things through.”
For those who understand how cut throat the music industry can be at times, one thing these guys have noticed is that there is more of a sense of togetherness among people in the scene these days. It’s starting to feel like a community. One person who has really pushed them lately is their connection Dustin Dellinger, owner of Gashouse Radio.
“He’s just great guy on the scene,” Dratman says. “He has been a huge help to us and everyone within the community.”
“He [Dellinger] jumps on shows. He gets more attention, he gets the airplay. Great guy and great friend,” Cunningham backs up Dratman’s statement.
In terms of how the pair plan on expanding, there are some things in discussion, but honestly things seem to be happening naturally for them. They stick to the standards and morals they built their business on keep true to their foundation, which is fairness and equality for everyone. Promoters sometimes can leave a bad taste in musicians’ mouth and that’s the last thing they want to do to anyone they work with. On the contrary however, bands also have to promote themselves.
“If band members don’t want to promote themselves, who will?” Dratman asks. “It is a job, not that it’s not fun, but you still have to put work into it.”
Gravity Given Productions is celebrating their success and the end of a great summer with the annual End o Summer Dockside Music Festival taking place Saturday, September 6th at Dave & Busters. THAT MAG is a sponsor, there will be a 12 band line up (below), fresh food on the grill and plenty of drink specials!
The festival also is full of surprises, as Dratman and Cunningham are in the process of putting together a reunion show for a band that was pretty pronounced here in Philadelphia not too long ago. The details for this are yet to spill, so stay tuned and keep your ears open!
Devise: 1 PM
Finding Westerly: 2 PM
Red Rising: 3 PM
Palaceburn: 4 PM
Pravda: 5 PM
Lost In Company: 6 PM
The Good Excuses: 7 PM
John & Brittany: 8 PM
Black Stars: 9 PM
Overcoming Gravity: 10 PM
Kid Felix: 11 PM
In The Presence Of Wolves: 12 AM
