BizJams Podcast - Gregg Latterman - Founder and CEO of Aware Records

Gregg Latterman

It's with quite a bit of excitement (at least from me) that I am releasing my first BizJams podcast.

Thanks to a great record shop owner in Breckenridge, Colorado in 1995, I was turned onto the first Aware Records' compilation and continued to purchase the CD's annually for the next nine years. Pre-internet (and beyond), the compilations were a great way to hear many different and amazing bands from around the country before they were "discovered" and signed to major labels. These bands included Hootie & the Blowfish, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Matchbox 20 (originally known as Tabitha's Secret), Edwin McCain, Better than Ezra, Five for Fighting, Train... should I continue?

Aware 2 Compilation

Let that sink in for a second. All those bands were on Aware compilations before they were signed to major labels. Hootie's debut album sold over 16 million copies and was the third best selling album of the 90's and an independent compilation of unsigned bands included them before they were signed to Atlantic records.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview Gregg Latterman, the founder and CEO of Aware Records.

Gregg was actually the first person I asked to be on the BizJams podcast because in one person he pretty much encapsulates what we're trying to do... talk about the connection between music and business. He was kind enough to spend about an hour on the phone with me to discuss the beginning of Aware, how it grew and what he's up to today. He was candid, funny and had some great stories. Also, in keeping with the theme BizJams, Gregg also shared some great insights into what made the business of Aware successful.

Jupiter Coyote's Latest Album

The first episode focuses on why Gregg started Aware Records, how he was able to discover so many great bands from around the country and just how quickly it grew from an idea and product to a label that was a big deal in the music industry.

A special thanks also to Matthew B. Mayes of Jupiter Coyote who allowed me to use JC's music for this episode. Jupiter Coyote appeared on the very first Aware compilation in 1994, and greater than 5,000 shows later, just put out their newest album "Life Got in the Way" last month (which is great by the way).

Hopefully you'll agree, the content helps offset the learning curve in production. Part 2 will be coming shortly, but I wanted to get this one out without any further delay.

Enjoy!