KEYNOTE INTERVIEW - Mark Kates of Fenway Recordings

A Fireside Chat between Mark Kates and Ralph Jaccodine

Keynote Speaker:

Mark Kates, Founder of Fenway Recordings

Mark Kates has been a central figure in the genre of alternative music since before it even had a name. His work has included A&R, promotion, marketing, label head and owner, and now is primarily an artist manager. Kates grew up in the Boston area where Mission of Burma's music inspired him to work for their label Ace of Hearts. From there he moved to Big Time Records in Los Angeles and artists like Love and Rockets, Alex Chilton and the Hoodoo Gurus. His work there led to Geffen/DGC Records where he spent 10+ years and created the alternative promotion department eventually segueing to A&R and playing a significant role in the development of the alternative radio format. He signed Beck, Jawbreaker, Elastica, Alabama 3 and others. He brought Sonic Youth to Geffen and a&r’d albums by them as well as Nirvana, Hole, Teenage Fanclub, Siouxsie and the Banshees, White Zombie and many more. He executive produced the soundtracks for "Beavis and Butt-head Do America" and "Suburbia." Kates left Geffen in 1998 to run Grand Royal Records for the Beastie Boys and work with them and their roster including Sean Lennon and Luscious Jackson. In 2001 he returned to Boston and established Fenway Recordings, a music management company.

Coincidentally Mission of Burma decided to reunite that year and he again works with them as well as MGMT, The Cribs, Josh Klinghoffer, Doves, and Lol Tolhurst x Budgie as a manager. He executive produces the podcast Curious Creatures with Cure co-founder Lol Tolhurst and Budgie from Siouxsie and the Banshees. As DJ Carbo Kates was resident at Los Angeles electronica club Atmosphere at The Viper Room for 2 years as well as on the legendary pirate station KBLT and since 2004 has hosted and curated live series The Fenway Recordings Sessions. Since 2017 he has hosted a monthly radio show on Boston’s Indie617. As a DJ he has appeared alongside Paul Oakenfold, David Bowie, Tricky, Richie Hawtin, DJ Rap, Grooverider, The Jungle Brothers, and many, many others. The Fenway Recordings Sessions have brought more than 500 shows to Boston including fun., Diplo, Echo and the Bunnymen, Two Door Cinema Club, Alt-J, Built To Spill and Jorja Smith to name just a few. Kates is a founder of The Shout Syndicate Fund created at the request of former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to the for-profit arts community to address a funding gap for after school arts programs. He also served on the Leadership Council of Boston Creates, the mayor’s comprehensive arts plan, and has spoken at leading academic institutions from Harvard Law School to UCLA. 

Ralph Jaccodine, Co-Founder of Ralph Jaccodine Management, Faculty at Berklee College of Music

Ralph Jaccodine embarked on his musical odyssey as a musician and concert promoter in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Following his graduation with a B.A. in economics from the University of Notre Dame, where he served as concert director, he immersed himself in the world of music promotion, promoting renowned artists like Bruce Springsteen, Kiss, Rush, Hall & Oates, Foreigner, Yes, The Doobie Brothers, Linda Rondstadt, Dolly Parton, and Kansas, to name a few.

After running a commercial real estate company in Boston for 12 years, Jaccodine joined forces with Mike Dreese, the co-founder of Newbury Comics, a prominent retail music chain, to establish Black Wolf Records, an independent record label. In 1992, he founded Ralph Jaccodine Management, initially guiding the career of songwriter Ellis Paul before expanding the company's reach to encompass artists like Livingston Taylor, Rebecca Loebe, Martin Sexton, Eric Andersen, Vinx, The Push Stars, Adam Ezra, and Bang Camaro.

Since joining Berklee College of Music's Music Business/Management Department in 2013, Jaccodine has served as a full-time faculty member for ten years. He is the faculty advisor for the Berklee Management Club, and ensures that his classes are enriched by insights from a diverse array of industry professionals.

Co-founding the Boston Management Group alongside Tim Collins, the longtime manager of Aerosmith, Jaccodine has demonstrated his commitment to fostering a strong community within the music industry. He actively participates in various non-profit organizations, including Folk Alliance International, NorthEast Regional Folk Alliance, Hope Collaborative and Mass General Hospital's spiritual care department.

As the proud father of two college graduates, Jaccodine strikes a balance between a vibrant and contemplative life, continuously seeking new avenues to make a positive impact on the world of music.