It was announced today that William Morris Endeavor Entertainment has inked an international representation agreement with ex-KoRn guitarist BRIAN “HEAD” WELCH. The initial term of the agreement is for three years. Ember Rigsby Tanksley of WMEE will be principally responsible for spearheading representation duties from WMEE’s Nashville, TN office.
The addition of HEAD to its existing powerhouse music division continues to fulfill WMEE’s post-merger goal (with Endeavor) of adding marquee names to its roster. Although based out of Nashville, Tanksley will also work with and take advantage of WMEE’s offices and agents in its Los Angeles, New York, and London offices. Tanksley also handles duties for such top Christian acts as Flyleaf, Emery, and Switchfoot. WMEE’s traditional recording artist roster includes Foo Fighters, Nine Inch Nails, Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd and the Goo Goo Dolls, to name a few.
Tanksley’s reaction to the signing was filled with excitement and optimism: “We are very excited to be part of HEAD’s team. He has an authenticity in his ministry that will speak to people in a different way. We are looking forward to sharing in his accomplishments and great success!”
Earlier this year, HEAD announced that he had chosen his bandmates—Michael Valentine (bass); Scott Von Heldt (guitars); Ralph Patlan (guitars); Brian Ruedy (keyboards, programming) and Dan Johnson (drums). The band toured lightly in 2009; but is ready to hit the road full time in 2010.
Currently, HEAD and his band are in Nashville recording HEAD’s next album with Grammy®-nominated producer Rob Graves (RED, Pillar). The album is targeted for completion February 2010, with a release shortly thereafter on his Driven Music Group label (with distribution through Ryko/Warner Music Group).
Reached at the Nashville recording studio, HEAD commented about the WMEE deal: “I’m really excited about my deal with William Morris Endeavor, and I’m honored to be on the roster of one of the largest and most storied agencies in existence. I would like to publicly thank Ember Rigsby Tanksley and her entire team at WMEE for their belief in what I am trying to do. I feel like this is the final piece in the puzzle that we have been working on to take us to the next level.”
“The production on our new record is going awesome with Rob Graves,” he continues. “Our goal is to get the record completely mixed and mastered by the first part of February, and released immediately thereafter. My band is together, helping with the recording, and we will be ready for a full U.S. tour beginning early next year.”
HEAD helped found the nu-metal band Korn. While with KoRn, HEAD received six Grammy® Award nominations, winning two, while selling over 30 million records worldwide. In early 2005, HEAD rocked the music world by announcing his resignation from KoRn. At the time, HEAD was committed to moving away from the crazy KoRn life to continue to care for his daughter, Jennea, as a single father. Additionally, HEAD committed his life to Christ with the goal of touching people’s lives and giving back to those most desperately in need.
In 2007, HEAD penned a New York Times best-selling (non-fiction) autobiography, “Save Me From Myself” (Harper Collins). HEAD’s debut album, also entitled SAVE ME FROM MYSELF, was released on September 9, 2008 with Driven Music Group, through Ryko Distribution/Warner Music Group, Word Entertainment (Christian market), and Warner Music International (ADA Global—Canada). The album debuted at #13 on Billboard’s “Top Hard Rock Albums” chart, and continues to impact the market. The album has been described as a “heavy metal epic, with a positive message.”
About the Author
