Chris Dotson Inc.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chris Dotson Inc. | ||
---|---|---|
Background information | ||
Birth name | Christopher Dotson | |
Born | October 21, 1970 (age 36) | |
Origin | Toledo, Ohio, United States | |
Genre(s) | R&B | |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur | |
Years active | 1982–present | |
Label(s) | SoulRiver Records | |
Website | ChrisDotsonInc.com | |
Notable instrument(s) | ||
Vocals, Piano |
Christopher "Chris Dotson Inc." Dotson (born October 21, 1970 in Toledo, Ohio) is an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter, producer and mulitmedia entrepreneur. Chris Dotson is an original member and founder of the all family soul vocal group, The Dotsons. Chris Dotson Inc. shares his birthday, the exact same day with his son Chrishan Dotson a young and up and coming R&B artist/producer of this generation.
Contents |
[edit] Early Life
Chris Dotson Inc. was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio less than an hour from the original Motown in Detroit, Michigan, the very core foundation of his musical roots. As a young teenager, in 1982 he founded an all family group he named The Dotsons consisting of four brothers, Chester "Lyfe Jennings" Dotson, Jay "Rush" Dotson, and Tim Dotson. With Chris Dotson as the lead singer, The Dotsons started touring the local Toledo circuit.
In 1991 through his connections Chris was put in contact with Don Huggins of the Huggins Brothers at Hush Productions/Capitol Records, where they were offered a recording contract. During negotiations Chris was asked to give up the groups signature song at the time "Show you how to love" to another Hugh Productions artist. The request was firmly denied and The Dotsons moved on in a different direction, mutually parting with Hush Productions, as Chris joined forces with Rudy Greer from MCA Records.
In 1993 Chris Dotson founded SoulRiver Records, and had the experienced Greer at his side set to oversee day to day operations. Greer and Chris Dotson had an exordinary connection, Chris providing the creative structure for SoulRiver's musical direction and Greer fulfilling the business leadership for the flourishing vocal artist and record executive. At the same time Chris continued to build his relationship with Don Huggins, Huggins offered distribution for SoulRiver through THG/Morgan Creek/PGD. While recording SoulRiver's first release The Dotsons debut album Chester "Lyfe Jennings" Dotson the youngest of The Dotsons was sent away to serve time. The Dotsons transition from four to three was challenging over the next few years as they regrouped, with Chris spearheading the way. The Dotsons continued on with a new direction and began once again working on there first album.
In 1996 Chris' mentor and close friend Rudy Greer the man he brought in to run SoulRiver Records died suddenly. In the same year Chris moved to Minnetonka, Minnesota and extended SoulRiver's offices there, as part of his roots incorporated the Minneapolis sound. During this period Chris formed an alliance with music industry veteran Ray Miranda and with his expertise Chris Dotson and SoulRiver began to thrive in every area.
[edit] Career
In 1998 Chris had his first hit aside from the group as a song writer, he wrote the song "Just Another Day" on Keith Sweat's platinum album "Still In The Game". With Chris firmly well established in Minnesota and his family group still in Ohio, The Dotsons went there separate ways. Chris later stated in an interview,
"The Dotsons; it was like having Prince, Howard Hewett, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson in a group, the greatest group to never come out".
Heading into 2000 Chris had expanded into the business of corporate sponsorship setting up "Doritos presents MTV Rocks the Vote" campaigne 2000 Gore/Bush election.
In 2001 Chris served as the lead consultant on a 400 million dollar copy write case against Capitol Records, EMI, Island Def Jam Music Group, Universal Music and Video Distribution and The Source.
In 2005 Chris Dotson acquired American Basketball Association (ABA) team The Toledo Ice, a professional basketball team from the new ABA, basketball runs in the family, his younger desendant relative Chris Douglas-Roberts (CD Rob) is one of the top players in the country at the University of Memphis. Memphis, currently in the NCAA tournament, has the nations longest winning streak at 25.
In 2006 Chris released the artist Str8 Caine "Blow" on SoulRiver with SLMG.
Chris Dotson Inc. is set to release several projects for 2006-2007 including a film and a soundtrack.
Chris Dotson Inc. has offices in Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan and California.
Chris Dotson Inc. is recording his highly anticipated debut solo album "Chance" due for release in 2007.