A Day at the Digital Music Conference

November 23, 2006

Intimidation. The feeling of something new was palpable. Sam (my boss) and I were sent to Miami with the tall task of winning support from America’s biggest record companies for our dreamy start-up, Grooveshark.com. I am a recent college grad (go class of 2006!) and Sam is a baby entrepreneur (a mere 19 years old).

You could imagine the butterflies fluttering between us then as we set foot inside the Digital Music Conference this past Thursday on Miami Beach. The names and titles of the individuals present loomed large over our heads. Lyor Cohen, CEO of Warner Music; Matthew Knowles, Manager of Beyonce; and Bob Ezrin, the producer of Pink Floyd were just some of the ballers who were gathered to either 1) help us go from a fringe and illegitimate website to one of notoriety or 2) crush our hopes of bringing mainstream music to the masses.

From the beginning Samuel Tarantino would do everything in his power to make sure scenario 1) would be written in our stars. The opening bell rang and Sam was a networking machine. Lyor Cohen-no problem!Sam pitched and Lyor liked. Bob Ezrin, the man who helped create “The Wall,” (are you kiddin’ me?) liked Sam’s spheel. One after another, I watched in amazement as I saw this college sophomore approach the power brokers of the music industry with unequivocal calm and confidence. The nerves were gone.

By the end of the conference Sam had talked to everyone in the building. From Universal to Warner Music to EMI and Sony BMG; the Big Four record labels were tackled and made aware of Grooveshark’s hopes and aspirations. The job was done.

Well, how about you Seung Jin? Did you do anything or did you just stand passively on the sidelines? Well, yes! I did manage to get out of the stands and do some schmoozing of my own-being lucky enough to pitch to executives from Universal and Sony BMG.

My role, however, was ancillary to be sure.

When I first joined our Gainesville based start-up, I was a little wary. I must admit I have a big ego. In any endeavor that I’m involved in I like to be the decision-maker. I want to be the guy with the ball in my hands with 3 seconds left. Over the past couple of months, however, I’ve watched our young general lead his troops; I’ve watched as he’s made move after move with such enveloping calm and confidence that I have become a believer.

Imprudent I say, that is what I call the man who does not defer to the common good. I think when you see something special, something almost magical develop in front of your own eyes deferring becomes quite easy. Maybe, intimidation and fear are best confronted with numbers and not singularity.

Check us out on Grooveshark.com!

Seung Jin