Ever wonder where our popular-music stars come from? Are they professionally manufactured, created by some behind-the-scenes Svengali, and systematically groomed for stardom, or are they innately gifted with an intrinsic ability to charm the masses, utterly incapable of being anything but celebrated icons? The real story is more likely combination of natural talent and careful promotion. Take, for instance, the case of one Jonathan Cour.
The Springfield native began his music career as a drummer in high school, then graduated to guitar-playing, singer-songwriter in college, finalizing his transformation into a topnotch performer on the St. Louis music scene. He created enough industry buzz to warrant attention from major pop/rock songwriters and producers looking for the one-two punch of co-writer and hit performer. Cour is blessed with an abundance of talent both in writing and performing, but attribute his becoming a viable commodity in the music business to the behind-the-scenes toil of his manager, Richard LaBonte, who also happens to be a former Springfieldian.
“Right now we’re getting courted by a few major labels, some independents, looking at publishing, showcasing, and basically maintaining our place,” says LaBonte. “We’re in that period of where something is going to happen — or not.”
LaBonte first teamed up with Cour in July 2004, guiding him from local singer/songwriter status in St. Louis to a sought-after up-and-coming entertainer ready for the national stage. Recently they signed with Ken Abdo, a influential entertainment attorney based in Minneapolis who has worked with Prince and other major artists.
“He knows the presidents of the labels, and I work the other levels,” says LaBonte. “It’s absolutely essential for adding credibilty to our team.”
After securing major industry showcases for Cour in Los Angeles and New York City, then watching the reaction of A&R reps, our perceptive manager approached the attention issue from a different perspective.
“The record guys come to see you play in their territory with arms folded, watching, just to check you off the list,” he says. “We want people to take time out of their lives to come see us — to see Jon playing in front of people on his own terms.”
So far the turn-the-tables strategy has worked. Record-company representatives plan to attend the Springfield show this weekend and regularly fly in from the coasts to see Cour play in St. Louis.
With plenty of bites but nothing hooked as of yet, LaBonte remains solidly upbeat, recognizing that what got them to the big pond in the first place is the most valuable asset either manager or artist can possess.
“I’m always in awe of Jonathan’s ability,” he says. “ If he wasn’t writing good songs, the labels wouldn’t come. It’s humbling to see someone with that kind of talent.”
Jonathan Cour, with his outstanding band of talented St. Louis musicians, plus opening acoustic act LaPush, performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. For tickets for the all-ages show, which cost $10,
call 217-523-2787.
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Nov 16-22, 2006.
