Counting Crows

I had the pleasure of working with Adam Duritz and The Counting Crows on “August and Everything after” The band were hanging around San Francisco for some time, playing clubs and making a dust up, before being signed to Geffen Records. At a meeting I had at Geffen Records Offices in the summer of 1993 with Gary Gersh, he played for me, in it’s entirety through his DAT master sound system, the Counting Crows career defining pen ultimate album “August and Everything After” I’ll be honest with you, I was stunned! Gary knew what the band was all about, he was happy, and excited to be releasing this project and we talked at length about marketing and roll out…since they were a Bay Area band, I suggested amongst other things a coming out or live performance Release Party prior to street date at The DNA lounge in SF. Gary gave me his blessing, but first wanted to run it by the band. Later, waiting for authorization and time ticking I spoke to Adam, who told me to run with it, and include all of our Bay Area Teams involvement. It wasn’t long before I started hanging out with the Band. In fact the week I flew back to the Bay Area the band was added as a late addition as an opener for Bob Dylan who was performing in San Jose. I went to that show with anticipation, and excitement. No one really knew who the band was, everyone was there to see the maestro. Adam and the Boys pulled out a show of shows! The crowd was mesmerized and stunned at what they just heard - at a Bob Dylan show! Gary had advanced me some promo CD’s to use as an exclusive, hush hush to very key industry professionals. I don’t even think Geffen Publicity had them yet. I was able to get them out to some tastemakers who raved about the band. I ended up booking the DNA for an exclusive, invite only, RSVP Live listening party. Everyone who was a whose who in the San Francisco music scene was there. It was a triumph for the Band, the Scene and the Music Industry at large. The Counting Crows were launched and the rest is history. Can you say 6 X’s Platinum!