Kerry Gordy
Intellectual Property & Music Industry Copyright Recapture Expert
Kerry Gordy (affectionately known as KG) was born in Detroit Michigan the same year that his father,
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Kerry Gordy (affectionately known as KG) was born in Detroit Michigan the same year that his father, Berry Gordy, started Motown Records. He grew up around all of the major stars such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson. He started in the mail room at Motown and worked in every division from A&R to Publishing and Marketing to Business Affairs. While at Motown, he wrote and produced songs for The Temptations, The Four Tops and Billy Preston. The first hit he had as an executive with Motown was with his brother Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me”. KG was also the leader of the 1980’s teen Idol band, Apollo.
In the early 90’s, KG and Al Bell teamed up at Bellmark Records and released Tag Team’s “Whomp! (There It Is)”, which was the Quadruple Platinum #1 grossing single of 1993. KG ran Prince’s company, Paisley Park Records and has been awarded 9 platinum albums. He was also totally responsible for the international number one smash hit, “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” when Prince left Warner Brothers, started his new independent N.P.G. label and changed his name to “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince”. KG also produced and co-wrote George Clinton’s comeback hit, “Paint The White House Black”, which included Rapper Ice Cube, super producer Dr. Dre and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
KG was the Vice President of A&R for Warner Brothers Records, the #1 record company at the time, with a roster of 87 artists under their Urban Division. KG was also a judge for the Miss USA Pageant, where Carole Gist became the first African American to win and also the first crowned from Michigan.
He managed Rick James, who grossed $40 Million in concert sales and monetized Bruce Fisher’s catalogue of songs, including the evergreen standard, “You Are So Beautiful”. KG co-founded Siebers Style, which grossed over $250 million for Beach Body and includes the Debbie Siebers exercise program, “Slim in 6”. KG then co-created and produced 14 episodes of the internationally acclaimed “Jadagrace Show”. He has received over 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum records, including one Diamond Record for Boyz II Men, which sold over 12 million copies.
KG is also known as “Robin Hood” by his clients for his Copyright Termination and Recapture work. He has monetized and overseen many Artists’ and Writers’ songs valued at over $80 million, including the entire Smokey Robinson, Rick James, Ashford and Simpson and Norman Whitfield Catalogues.
Some of his monetized songs include, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Shop Around, Ain’t Too Proud to Beg, Tracks of My Tears, I’m Every Woman, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, War, Super Freak, You Are So Beautiful, and thousands more. KG mentored talented underprivileged kids at the Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts in Washington DC, and brought in Stevie Wonder to perform for the kids. They raised $1 Million for the school. KG is a high level Intellectual Property Consultant, whose clients range from his father Berry Gordy to South Korean Tech Giant, Grand Master Kim, CEO of Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions.
Represented by Geneva Bray of GVA Talent Agency, KG has been a guest speaker for UCLA, USC, Duke University, and a keynote speaker at the Harvard Business School. Through Yellow Brick, KG has teamed up with the “Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music Program at NYU” to provide scholarships for under privileged students. He is also an expert contributor to news organizations such as CNN. Frequently spotted on Hollywood red carpets, KG has also appeared as himself on the hit TV series, Little Women LA as well as Inside Edition and Access Hollywood as a Music Industry Expert. He has been the Intellectual Property Manager for legendary artist Smokey Robinson and has created new masters of his recaptured songs. KG also represents Superstar Writer/Producer Teddy Riley, whose productions include Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga.
KG prides himself as being one degree of separation from anyone important in the music industry. He is also producing The Last Dragon for Sony Pictures with John Davis, who has produced over 90 feature films that have earned over $4.8 Billion at the box office worldwide. He also has a partnership with entertainment mogul Ted Field and Radar Pictures in an intellectual property joint venture.
KG has recently been featured in Forbes Magazine, where he shares his unique and insightful perspective on brand marketing.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Music Industry, Business, Intellectual Property, Happiness, Music
Videos
Kerry Gordy Discusses Rick James Documentary, His Impact on Michael Jackson/Prince and Legacy
Little Women: LA: Briana Meets with Kerry Gordy (S3, E6) | Lifetime
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