Randolph started life in Entertainment at the age of 15 whilst at school
after being shown the chord progression to “House of the Rising Sun”. This so
interested Randolph that shortly after he purchased his own guitar and booked
singing lessons at Manchester School of Music. In the ensuing years Randolph was
the front man and co founder of a band called OASIS (unfortunately the name was
never registered) and subsequently several other bands in Manchester until 1983
on a chance meeting at A1 Music in Manchester with keyboardist Jay Isaacs and
High Priority was formed. A high tech semi live band employing the first
computer controlled sequencer. The band lasted five years playing promotional
gigs all over the UK and gaining interest from MCA Records and other independent
labels. Unfortunately the main female vocalist of the band decided at that
crucial point that she did not want to be a singer any more. The record company
interest faded as most of the songs written by Randolph and Jay were crafted to
suit the voice of the female singer.
The band split and Randolph set up his own recording studio in North Manchester
and a record label BOP TOP Records and a publishing company BOP TOP Music
Publishing were created to service the studio. Randolph embarked on a solo
career doing gigs all over the UK and performing on one of the earlier episodes
of Sky Star Search where he made it to third place.
Randolph, using the record label and publishing company decided to release
compilation albums featuring local artists (collectors items if you can get hold
of them) – MANCHESTER STREET SCENE VOL 1 and 2. These featured dance and soul
R&B artists. MANCHESTER VOL 1 and 2. These featured the very best of Manchester
Indie bands just before the emergence of THE OASIS as a world force.
Street Scene Vol 1 featured a track produced by Randolph for a group of young
sisters called CLEOPATRA. The rest as they say is history. During their
dominance of the charts Randolph worked with the group as Production and Tour
Manager designing and delivering shows with many artists including LOUISE,
SPICEGIRLS, BRIT AWARDS 98 and many more. This gave Randolph the opportunity to
work with major players in the recording industry.
After the demise of CLEOPATRA Randolph started working with other artists having
success with Sound Central touring the UK with the dance single “New Love”
signed by the record label Reign of Sound. Randolph also managed at that time
Jodi Connor whom was signed for a time with Soul 11 Soul.
Randolph also worked on some community based projects including talent
competitions like URBAN VOICE, BRAGG AND BOAST and UK UNSIGNED. The latter
discovering artists such as LEONA LEWIS the winner of X Factor 2006.
Randolph was the Executive Producer of a charity record in remembrance of Marc
Vivian Foe with singer / songwriter Freddy Wanga. The record had the support of
City College Manchester, Granada ITV, Guardian and Manchester Evening News,
Manchester City Football Club and various footballing stars who appeared on the
video.
Together with TV personality Jonathan Thompson Randolph set up Level 22
Management Limited, an entertainment management company and Black Music
Development Network Limited with which they have several projects running.
EDUCATION
Secondary Education 7 CSE\'S, 3 GCE \'O\'LEVELS.
Abraham Moss College of Principles of accounts GCE \'O\'Level
Further Education Accounts and Bookkeeping GCE \'O\'Level.
South Trafford College BTEC National Certificate Computer Studies.
University College Salford BTEC HND Computer Science.
Summit training College Level 3 NVQ Business Administration
SPECIALIST TRAINING
At the age of 17, vocal training at Manchester School of Music whilst performing
as a vocalist in various Manchester bands. Self taught guitarist / songwriter
and some keyboards. Self taught since 1985 in computerised midi sequencing music
creation and recording. Provide vocal tuition, midi sequencing and songwriting
and guitar tuition to would be musicians.
Completed a comprehensive course in music business management for which I was
awarded RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS IN THE CULTURE INDUSTRY, which covered
Intellectual property, Licensing, Moral rights, Legal status and Income and
accounting.
I have managed a series of short term community radio broadcasts within the
inner city of South Central Manchester this has enabled me to work with various
community groups and groups in general to program and broadcast information
relevant to their organisation.
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
Writing for the Manchester Music Fly, a local monthly music magazine. I wrote a
column about the music scene in Manchester. (1991 to 1993).
Director of Black Music Development Network Ltd. A not for profit organization
designed to encourage young people in the South Central area of Manchester to
better their job prospects by undertaking training in the music industry. (2000
to Present).
On the steering group of Manchester City Music Network. An organisation set up
to enhance the promotion of Manchester’s creative music contingent by acquiring
funding from various bodies which were distributed to enable practitioners to
further their art. (1997 to 2003).
I am the Entertainment Manager for Manchester International Caribbean Carnival.
This entail organizing The Queens and Prince and Princess shows. Various City
Centre events and performances on the main stage on Carnival weekend. This is an
annual event and I am generally in charge of organising a crew of at least 50
people. This is all assessed and evaluated by myself and presented to the
executive committee. (1997 to 2007).
I am the Station Manager for Carnival Radio a Community Radio Broadcasting
facility working with various groups in the South Central area of Manchester to
deliver short term RSL radio broadcasts. We organise training (primarily for
young disadvantaged people) and allow all groups in the community to take part
in the live broadcasts. (1997 to Present).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Music Managers Forum (Associate Member). An organisation with about 500 members
in the United Kingdom and with chapters in Australia, Canada, Europe and the
USA. They are also a member of the European Music Office and the British
Copyright council. As well as identifying the commercial opportunities
available, the MMF continues to monitor new developments in legislation,
particularly in regard to the internet and new sound carriers. The MMF supports
BMR (British Music Rights) and is an active member of the British Copyright
Council, which interfaces with the Department of Trade and Industry in
connection with legislation concerning new technology and other copyright
issues. The MMF has been credited with gaining concessions on various pieces of
legislation, including the current controversial Communications and Licensing
Bill and the so-called ‘New Deal’ for budding musicians on welfare benefit, and
the battle concerning royalty rate on digital downloads. The MMF also works with
the DFEE and the newly created Sector Skills Council (SSC) in their campaign to
improve educational opportunities in the field of artist management.
MCPS / PRS Alliance (Writer Member and Publisher Member). The regulators and
enforcers of copyright in The United Kingdom. MCPS / PRS act on behalf of Writer
and Publisher members who are practitioners in the music industry. They act in
association with other like organizations worldwide to collect royalty payments
from sales of recorded material and public performance of any Intellectual
Property owned by their members.
Phonographic Performance Limited (Label Member). This is the organization which
act on behalf of Record Companies in the United Kingdom with the purpose of
collecting royalties for the use of mechanically produced music.