The School Tour is a promotional tour in based in Los Angeles that takes independent and new artists to high schools, middle schools, county fairs, parades, convention centers, nightclubs and other special events to perform in front of large audiences. The tour has welcomed Pop, Rock, R&B, Rap artists and groups. Dancers and dance crews are also featured on the tour on a regular basis.
The School Tour started in 2004. Since then, participating acts have performed in front of over 200,000 students and supporting audience.
Check out where we’ve been:
Randy Hankins founded The School Tour to give students in the Los Angeles Unified School District an opportunity to enjoy quality positive entertainment at school. The tour encourages the students to learn about the arts and reminds them to stay in school. For the artist, The School Tour has become an important outlet for them to gain exposure and build a loyal fan base in the second largest music market in the United States. Randy is also the entertainment coordinate for the Watt Summerfest and Black Business Expo. Executives and staff supporting Randy are also music industry veterans, who understand the business and can assist the artist in reaching their goals. Randy also hosts “Da Radio Show” on KBLA 1580 AM. The show gives independent artists an opportunity to be heard throughout Los Angeles. In addition to the radio show and The School Tour, Randy promotes the R&B Group, Surface. Surface is internationally known for their classic hits, “Shower Me With Your Love” and “Happy”.
Head of Promotions
Chris Roker is music industry veteran. Over the years he has held various executive level positions at major and independent record labels. This includes West Coast VP of Promotions for Russell Simmons Music Group (Los Angeles), Head of Promotions for Avatar Records (EMI Distribution) and National Director of Urban and NAC for Sin-Drome Music Force. He is also the co-founder of Spin Doctors Promo Group, a independent promotions and management company who client list includes Rawkus Records, VP Records, Universal Records, Def Jam and Virgin Records to name a few. Mr. Roker, while at Sin -Drome Music Force, created a cross between Rap and R&B Smooth Jazz. He was responsible for Bobby Caldwell being sampled over 100 times by artists such as Notorious B.I.G. 2Pac, Master P. and Common just to name a few.
Marketing and Promotions
Rankin Ruff was one of the key contacts for managers, producers and record labels in the 1990’s for live performances at high capacity Southern California nightclubs. Ruff promoted nightclubs and worked with new artists and groups to get them featured in front of industry executives and potential fans. As an artist/songwriter, Ruff writes uplifting songs that promote peace and unity. He recently managed the design of The School Tour Web site and will be guiding the team in the all areas of marketing and promotions.
Business Development
Since first becoming involved in the music industry at the age of 15, Dwayne Cornelius has played drums for Natalie Cole, Womack & Womack and became a part of the Parliament-Funkadelic universe. DCat has also worked with members of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Jacksons, Snoop Dogg, Howard Hewitt, Billy Preston, Mary Wells and Bobby Womack. DCat still works with directly with George Clinton on both the creative and business side, along with numerous rappers and producers, including Snoop Dogg, DJ Battlecat, Andrew Lane and Meech Wells, An appearance in the film Shout with John Travolta and running his own production company/talent pool, the DCAT Music Network, round out his musical resumé.
Business Development
“HEN GEE’ Garcia, a consistent, driving force in the Hip Hop Movement for more than two decades continues to lead Hip Hop into 2011 and beyond. Hen Gee on The School Tour assists in branding the younger generation by showing them the right way to do things.
Hen Gee’s path to Hollywood began with his brother DJ Evil E. in Brooklyn New York’s Weeksville Gardens Projects, where they grew up with their Honduran parents. From a young age the brothers realized that their driving passion was Hip Hop. Hen Gee and his brother were innovators in the early Hip Hop annuls where they formed a brand-new cultural movement alongside ICE T.
In collaboration with Tony G. Gonzales & Greg Mack, Program Director for L.A.’s #1 Hip-Hop radio station K-Day, HEN GEE as a K-Day Mixmaster introduced East Coast Hip Hop to the West Coast. This newly emerging West Coast presence is what put HEN GEE on the national map.
After joining forces with renegade rapper / actor ICE-T, HEN GEE and Evil E became a visual force at the forefront of the West Coast Movement. Including early depictions of Hip-Hop culture in Break-dance movies of the early 80’s as well as seminal club Radio, which is considered the birthplace of West Coast Hip-Hop.
How do I qualify to be on The School Tour
Are you an inspiring artist or entertainer who wants to build a fan base? Los Angeles in the second largest radio market, and we can help you reach your fans and gain airplay. The School Tour is a community program that promotes music and the arts, we are excited to work with entertainers who have a positive message for the students.
How many events are offered each year?
The School Tour offered approximately 100 events in 2007 and plans to meet or beat the number of shows in 2008. The number of shows also depends on the number of participants at any given time.
How many people will I reach per show?
The number of students or guests in attendance varies. School auditorium shows averages 1,000 students, while outside shows range from 350 to 2,000 students.
Can I select my schools?
The School Tour has established relationships with numerous schools throughout Los Angeles. The list is getting longer every week, and we will be glad to work with you to select schools that match your target audience.
How do you match schools with my type of music or entertainment?
The School Tour visits approximately 100 schools and events each year and knows our audience. Although each student has his or her own preference in music and dance, we can find schools that bring you the highest potential fans.
Can we sell merchandise at the events?
Due to tight school schedule, we offer our artists and artist sponsor the opportunity to place promotional materials or samples in goodies bags. The “goodie bags” will be distributed to those in attendance.
Have there been many success stories associated with the tour?
The School Tour has benefited many entertainers prior to the success and following their success. Those who perform gain performance experience, while building a loyal fan base. The fans will be encouraged to support the entertainer during the course of the career by making radio station requests and word-of-mouth promotions.
How do I get started?
In order to get started, please contact your School Tour representative. He or she will be your guide and help you customize a package that matches your goals within your budget. Although The School Tour offers direct personal exposure at an affordable rate, a sponsor or financial supporter is recommended.