Two new speakers are ready for the showcase festival Future Echoes on 16 to 18 September in Norrköping. The two released are Sandy Graham from Canada and Umong Shah from the UK.
– Their network of contacts is so large that it can take an artist around the world. Both are very influential in the international music industry. In addition, they care about new artists and develop careers. To be able to share their knowledge and to show what Norrköping’s music life can provide many opportunities, says Peter Åstedt at Future Echoes.
About Sandy Graham
Sandy Graham is considered an industry icon and has been named for having one of the most diverse and interesting careers in the Canadian music business. Sandy has been involved in nearly every aspect of the music industry while still being a true trailblazer in the music business in over four decades and has worked with stars all around the world.
She began in music retail, moving on to become one of the first female Music Directors in radio (CJFM/CFCF) then moved on to be the first female to be hired by a major record label (RCA) as Eastern Promotion Director.
She’s been a nightclub owner to one of the most legendary music places in Toronto, “The Horseshoe Tavern” and “Route 66”. She operated festivals “6Fest”, “The Celtic Festival” and the “Toronto Olympic Victory Parade” as well as many radio station 1050chum events as a producer and event coordinator.
Sandy is also, an active dancer and choreographed the opening of the first halftime show at the Skydome as well as creating dance choreography for the movie “Robocop” and The Sopranos’ David Chase series “Almost Grown”. Her dance troupe Route 66 appeared with various legendary shows opening for Chubby Checker, The Drifters and Bobby Curtola and still continues to teach dance for health and wellness. She is also featured in an up and coming book entitled ‘Still Dancing’ written by Pat Beaven, as one of a selected few dancers who continue to be involved in the dance community today.
She has worked with artists like Hall & Oates, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Tower of Power, Billy J. Kramer, The Searchers, The Hollies, Heart, KC and Sunshine Band, Natalie Cole, Alanis Morissette, Gene Cornish of The Rascals, Tommy James (of the Shondells) Bobby Curtola, Andy Kim, The Magnettes, Tribe Royal, Norbert Putnam (of Muscle Shoals/The Swampers fame) and Alan Frew of Glass Tiger.
Presently Sandy Graham is the Owner/Editor-in-Chief of Cashbox Canada (CA) and co-owner of Record World Magazine (USA), and is currently the Founder, Program Director and co-owner of Cashbox Radio.
Sandy also owns Entertainment Music Group (EMG) a company made up of other music industry professionals dedicated to creating strategies and logistics for artists, celebrities and special projects.
Her self-penned biography “The Best Is Yet to Come” is slated to be released in late 2021.
About Umong Shah
Umong started his music career after graduating from University of Hertfordshire with a degree in Music and entertainment Industry Management. Having played many roles Umong has been a musician (October Sky), Operations Manager (Awdio), Binaural Studio Installer (Jawbone) and Festival Curator (Summer Sizzler 2013 & 2014). Umong still co-promotes a new music showcase in Great Portland street called Discovery 2 (Discovery Talent).
Umong has collected various accolades during his time in music for example, being noted as IQ magazine’s 2015 Top 10 New Bosses, and Music Week’s 30 under 30, “Best of the rest”. He regularly participates on panels at international renowned conferences such as The Great Escape, Live UK and Liverpool Sound City.
For almost five years Umong had managed Elle Exxe. In that time, Elle has received international showcasing funding 3 times, to explore festivals and showcases in South Korean, North American and European markets. These international strategies helped market the release of her debut album ‘Love Fuelled Hate’ and was one of many reasons why Elle Exxe won ‘Best Female Solo Act’ at the inaugural Unsigned Music Awards, as well as sought critical acclaim from BBC Scotland, Rolling Stone, Q Magazine and more.
Umong has now created a consulting division of Fortitude Music with an array of talented and inspiring customers, each needing specialist services to grow their career.
