Industry Profile: Dolphus Ramseur

Dolphus Ramseur, a one-time top North Carolina junior tennis player and instructor and self-confessed music fanatic-turned-venture-capitalist, followed his heart and formed Ramseur Records in July 2000. An artist management division followed.

At the Americana Music Awards this year on Nov. 1, The Avett Brothers are nominated for Album of the Year for "Emotionalism," New and Emerging Artist and Duo Group of the year. "They're the only act ever that I represent to be nominated," Dolph notes proudly.

At an early age, Dolph started playing tennis during the tennis boom of the 1970's and decided to make tennis his career. He earned a degree in Business Marketing/Professional Tennis Management at Ferris State University, and while at college, had internships during the summer at country clubs in Vero Beach, Fla., and Linville, N.C. "While working at country clubs I learned the gift of gab," laughs Dolph, "and this has been a big benefit in the music business."

Following college, Dolph worked as a tennis professional at a Louisville, Ky. country club and started his own company (Your Advantage Tennis) in Winston-Salem, N.C., which was followed by two more country club positions. "As you can see the tennis world is much like the music world. People bounce around from job to job," he quips.

"During this time I met my wife to be, Dana Lowery, we married, and I started working for my father-in-law in the Venture Capital business," says Dolph. "I was 28-years-old when I went to work for him. During my previous 28 years on the planet, I'd always been a huge music fanatic. When I would play in tennis tournaments all over the United States, I always would search out the best record stores. I would go to libraries and search out rare piedmont blues recordings. I also was a huge fan of English post-punk music of the last 70's and early 80's. I guess you could say I went to the school of hard knocks when it comes to the music business."

So at 28, after ordering some records directly from English singer-songwriter Martin Stephenson, and Stephenson inquired about musicians from the "Olde North State" (Doc Watson, Charlie Poole, Etta Baker, Elizabeth Cotton, etc..) after noticing Dolph was from North Carolina, Dolph decided to bring Stephenson over for a tour of North Carolina so he could witness the music first hand.

"We recorded meetings with Etta Baker, David Holt, Sammy Walker and many other top roots/folk musicians of the North Carolina region," notes Dolph. "This was my first introduction in the music business. Martin Stephenson was my teacher and gave me a crash course in music business 101. He also introduced me to many of his contacts--press/radio, etc. From this initial tour/recording I knew that music was what I really needed to do because I had a great passion for it. So I started Ramseur Records in July 2000 as a side job."

For the next two years Dolph learned as much as he could, asked as many questions about the music business and developed a lot of good, strategic relationships in the business. Then he met the Avett Brothers in 2002. But before releasing their debut album, the first release on Ramseur Records was an album of spirituals by David Childers, a Charlotte area songwriter.

In 2003 he put the Avett Brothers' first full-length studio record out - A Carolina Jubilee. Unfortunately, the release coincided with the death of his father-in-law. Deciding to go with his passion and take his chances, Dolph took out a $15,000 line of credit and jumped head on into the music business full time.

"When the Brothers were accepted to play MerleFest in 2004 things started to look up," he says. "I knew then that I could make it in the music business."

This success led to a distribution relationship with Thirty Tigers and the start of an artist management division.

Experience & Advice
While growing up I always respected independent labels in the U.S. like Arhoolie, Sugar Hill, Rounder, etc., but the independent post punk labels like Postcard, Kitchenware, Slash, Stiff, Factory and Rough Trade all seemed to have much more of a slant towards true artists. The independent USA roots labels that I mentioned above were always plagued by bands putting out releases that were just regurgitating things from the past instead of making real artistic statements. I wanted my label to have artists that were really making true art. I think this is something I've been able to achieve.

Why did you start a record label?
I brought UK singer-songwriter Martin Stephenson over to North Carolina to do a batch of field recordings. Martin and I felt that we could put this collection of recordings out if we had the outlet. We came to the decision that nobody could really do it as well as ourselves so I started Ramseur Records to facilitate this need. Being a fan of post punk labels such as Postcard, Factory, Korova, Rough Trade, etc., I wanted to try and do for acoustic/roots music what those labels did for post-punk.

How did your management come about?
After I started my label I noticed that many acts need guidance not only dealing with record labels but also with the media, fan base, distribution, travel, MySpace, website, etc.

What kind of artists are you looking to sign?
I'm always looking for something unique, authentic and true to itself; very difficult to find these days. There's power in something being quirky and truly original. It's a lot easier to sell something like that than some hip fad style act that are a dime a dozen. Plus, looking at my record collection someone would figure out quickly that I like a lot of obscure music that all shares a thread of being true and honest.

Is there a conflict of interest in managing an artist also on your label?
I exist outside the norm when it comes to the music industry. So to me the "us" vs. "them" mentality is something that I don't connect with. Seems for some reason that there has always been a thought that some conflict between management, label and act creates a successful business model. I prefer the bit team little me approach: if nobody cares who's getting the praise you will be amazed at what can be accomplished.

What kind of tour support do you offer your artists?
I don't offer tour support, but my staff and I work diligently getting the word out about performances. We pride ourselves with getting people out to the shows.

How do you feel about free downloads off the Internet?
It depends on where the band is in regards to their career. A band starting out could maybe benefit from giving some tracks away. A band that has reached critical mass would maybe lose revenue. Giving away a few tunes is ok; burning a whole album is stealing.

How effective is MySpace and YouTube for your artists?
MySpace and Youtube have taken the place of outlets like MTV. They're great tools if used wisely. For all of my acts, they've been a real plus.

What about the Avett's receiving the four Americana Music Award nominations?
The brothers are very honored to receive these nominations. It's surprising since most of the Americana stations haven't really championed the band.

First concert attended
1978 - Sam and Dave with Sha Na Na at Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC.

First concert worked
Indirectly, I just worked for the box office at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., in 1988, selling tickets for an Eddie Money show. Directly, I promoted Martin Stephenson in July 2000 at The Evening Muse in Charlotte.

First industry job
Indirectly, in 1984 when I was in the 8th grade, I got my sister who was in the 10th grade to write a review of the Violent Femmes' first record. Directly, working for myself in July 2000 when I started Ramseur Records.

Career highlights
Helping bring awareness to the Avett Brothers. When I first saw them they were playing a lot of covers just to survive, but what struck me were the original songs. I could see that they had the potential not only as wonderful live performers but also great songwriters. I now feel they're the best live band in America, and the best songwriters the great state of North Carolina has ever produced. Many folks told me I was crazy...the guys sing out of key, play out of tune, etc... but much like the spirit that Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny Cash had or have, there's a simple truth and honesty that the Avett Brothers possess that you can't purchase. It's a great gift and, one that I'm honored to help showcase to the rest of the world.

Career disappointment
Knowing that some close friends and probably even family members don't see that what I'm doing with Ramseur Records is a very honorable thing. I wish they could understand the legacy that I'm leaving and that there can't be a dollar value placed upon it. Just knowing that my children have been exposed to so much great music and art at such a young age makes up for this major disappointment.

Greatest challenge
Being independent seems to have more pluses than minuses with the current state of the music industry but still some people don't take independents seriously; they've been brainwashed that the major label platform is the only one that will work.

Best business decision
Believing with all my heart and soul in the Avett Brothers. When I put out their first record times got really tough for me. I ended up having to take a job moving furniture just to put food on the table and pay my bills. I remember getting a call one day from Scott Avett, and he could hear furniture being moved in the background. He asked what I was doing, and I told him that times are hard and that I'm just doing what I can to make ends meet. Since I was his manager and his record label--and the only employee of his record label--I thought he would be pretty upset. but he told me over the phone that he was all fired up and inspired knowing that I was doing what I had to do. I know from that point forward that we believed in each other and that we could make it.

Best advice you received
I have no contracts with my artists on Ramseur Records. My sweet mother says that the piece of paper is only as good as the person signing it.

Most memorable industry experience
Getting the Avett Brothers record "Emotionalism" placing No. 134 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts and No. 1 on the Billboard Heat Seekers Chart.

What friends would be surprised to learn about you
I'm a huge fan of Showboat the musical. Almost as well written as the Bible.

Industry pet peeve
Managers not being more blue collar. It seems that many are afraid to get their hands dirty. A manager has to be a father, mother, merch salesman, roadie, etc.

If I wasn't doing this, I would be...
.teaching tennis; like riding a bike to me.

Industry mentor
Paul Lohr has been a huge help. Paul is a music fan first and foremost, then a booking agent and that within itself has been a big inspiration knowing that there is someone in this crazy business like myself.