Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Reynolds, Jr.
Zack, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was raised in a musical family and have been a musician practically all my life. I started on drums when I was eight, switched to bass guitar at 11, and later picked up keys (piano & organ) while in high school.
I majored in Communication (Media Studies) at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was also a musician in the gospel choir my last two years on campus. This experience was great as it allowed me to hone my skills and understanding of how to play within a band consisting of a very talented group of singers and musicians. As a result, I began to play out locally as a professional in the Raleigh-Durham metro area.
After college, I moved to New York City and began to immerse myself in the business of songwriting, publishing, and music production. After a few years in NY, I returned to NC, eventually became the bassist/musical director for an American Idol finalist and afterward decided to move to Atlanta to further pursue my goals in the music business. I always knew Atlanta was the place for me because of its international presence in the entertainment industry. Being from the south, it just felt like home.
Over the years, I’ve had the honor to serve as a bandleader, musical director, producer, executive producer, conference speaker, and consultant to recording artists, bands, churches, and in musical theater. I have a passion for helping artists to create great music and curate live performances that seamlessly connect the greatest music of all eras. I love to create soundtracks that keep people smiling and dance floors packed across the nation and abroad. I am humbled and feel very fortunate that those early days growing up as a musician in NC paved the way for me to empower music industry professionals and share the stage with Grammy winners, American Idols, legendary recording artists, and budding music stars of the future.
Has it been a smooth road?
With any dream or goal that is worth accomplishing, there are always obstacles to navigate and challenges to overcome. As an entrepreneur, starting and running a business requires vision, capital, unwavering commitment, and the ability to efficiently manage multiple things all at once. The entertainment business is no different. You must be able to stay the course, remain motivated, and finance the initiative until others can become aware of your product and what it is that you offer. For example, when my wife and I started Surround Sound, we funded it with our personal savings, auditioned, formed the band (originally 13 pieces), rehearsed weekly for months (sometimes twice a day), and shot a promo video with no incoming revenue or shows on the books. At that stage, we didn’t have any management or booking agreements in place. In this business, that will cause you to either sink or swim. In the beginning, I was told “no” more than once, endured unreturned phone calls from agencies, scheduled showcases and performed to empty rooms, and invested a lot of money without any guarantees. When the first promo video was reviewed, I was told that it wouldn’t work and would need to be reshot. You must believe in your dream and as cliche as it sounds, be willing to “put your money where your mouth is.”
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the MoRey Entertainment story. Tell us more about it.
I’m a multi-faceted entrepreneur, specializing in entertainment and personal development.
In the realm of entertainment, I am a touring musician, musical director, songwriter, producer, consultant, author, and speaker. MoRey Entertainment is the umbrella for my entertainment industry ventures. It encompasses a record label, publishing company, Surround Sound (a dynamic 11-member band that tours nationally), A-1 Studios (an artist development and rehearsal facility based in West Midtown), and consulting.
I may be most recognized via my work with Surround Sound. I’m proud to say that in less than three years, SS has become one of the most in-demand artists in the special events industry. SS is currently an exclusive artist with ECE (the largest full-service entertainment agency in the country) and is also one of a select group of artists in partnership with Galaxy Party Management. I’m extremely proud of our team and the growth that we’ve experienced as an organization. We’ve been very fortunate to perform all over the country, providing unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime musical experiences for a lot of wonderful people and it is not something that I take lightly.
The Reynaissance Group (TRG) is a personal development company that provides personal and executive coaching & consulting services for both current and aspiring business leaders, entrepreneurs, and entertainers. TRG was formed to help others identify and fulfill their purpose. We provide coaching and business strategy for a variety of professionals such as recording artists, producers, authors, athletes, CEO’s, non-profit professionals, and college students, just to name a few. In addition to helping others reach their goals, one of the things I am most proud of as a company is the release of “Facing Our Future: Building Strong Black Men In The 21st Century” – a solutions-focused book I co-authored aimed at improving life outcomes for young black men.
I believe what sets our companies apart is a commitment to excellence and a willingness to provide unparalleled customer service. It’s easy to say it but takes great effort and intentionality to be known for it.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the entertainment industry will continue to flourish, especially if those vested remain committed to providing audiences and listeners around the world with art fueled by passion. Executives and leaders in this industry have a social and moral responsibility to create and release content that will inspire, encourage, remind, and elevate the masses. We’ve seen great recent advancements and progressive legislation passed such as the Music Modernization Act which serves to honor and remunerate the work of artists and musicians. People are consuming music and entertainment content like never before in history. However, just because something is available for sale doesn’t mean it’s great. We are all consumers of something, and I believe that consumers have no problem spending money on products and services that are great.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.surroundsoundband.com
- Email: info@morey-entertainment.com
Image Credit:
David Rams, Aric Thompson, Dominic Sansotta, Chioke Brown
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