Dr. Ron McCurdy & Dr. Rick Goodstein
Feeding the Starving Artist Podcast
Season 2, Episode 5: Ray "Quasi" Nelson
Rick and Ron visit with Ray “Quasi” Nelson, artist entrepreneur, drummer, and founder of the Synergy Percussion Camp. which serves as a bridge builder for young musicians and influential artist in the music industry.
After receiving his B.A. in Jazz Studies with a minor in Music Industry from Florida A&M University, Quasi moved to California to pursue a career in music and entertainment. Shortly after, he began touring and recording with The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra becoming one of the youngest members to hold the drummers chair. In 2017, Quasi began touring with Grammy nominated recording artist, Kehlani, co-produced a mulit- platinum recording single and filmed his television acting debut on BET’s The Quad.
Quasi currently plays for several artist across the music industry including Sabrina Claudio, The Shadowboxers and Stanaj.
Developing a Sustainable Career in the Arts
Drs. Rick Goodstein and Ron McCurdy, authors of “The Artist Entrepreneur: Finding Success in a New Arts Economy” will share more than 80 years of their experience as performing artists, conductors, arts conductors, arts educators, musicians, and arts administrators.
Future podcasts will also feature interviews with successful artist entrepreneurs who will share their path to a sustainable career in the creative arts.
Whether you’re a student, an emerging artist, or have ever considered launching a career in the creative arts, Feeding the Starving Artist!, will afford you the rare opportunity to have a seat at the table with two industry insiders and experts. The conversations between Dr Goodstein, Dr McCurdy, and their guests will cut through the noise and impart wisdom and guidance that will help you stand out in an ever-changing, chaotic, and competitive world.
The Artist Entrepreneur
The twenty-first century art world offers performers and professionals an unrivaled variety of opportunities, but also requires a never-before-seen investment in skills beyond artistic talent. Today’s artists must build sustainable success in this new arts economy through collaborative big-idea thinking that celebrates a continual engagement in creative process.
Presenting creativity as a process with unlimited applications, The Artist Entrepreneur empowers young artists to step into the new arts landscape and build their own careers. Along the way, the book demystifies essential business skills from self-promotion, branding, touring, and intellectual property exploitation to contracts, revenue sources, and bookkeeping. Addressing students from across the artistic spectrum, this book offers practical exercises to develop individual skills while empowering a new generation of artist entrepreneurs with the promise of a new arts economy.
Meet the Authors
Ronald McCurdy, PhD
Professor of Music & Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Ronald C. McCurdy, Ph.D. is Assistant Dean of Diversity Initiatives and Professor of Music in the Thornton School at the University of Southern California (USC). He has served as Director of the All-American College Band for the Walt Disney Company and Director of the Grammy High School Vocal Jazz Choir and Combo. He continues to tour with his Langston Hughes Project. He lectures frequently on Artist Entrepreneurship. Dr. McCurdy is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
Rick Goodstein, PhD
Dean Emeritus of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities
Richard (Rick) Goodstein, Ph.D. is Dean Emeritus from the Clemson University College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. During his almost 40-year career at Clemson, Rick had a variety of positions, including Marching Band Director, Director of Bands, Chair of the Department of Performing Arts and Dean. Additionally, he served for 11 years as the Director of Walt Disney World All-American College Band and for 30 years as a consultant to the Arts Entertainment Division for the Walt Disney Company.
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