Music Observer

Chris Dobry, the Mind Behind Promising Power Player Stryker Records

The music industry is home to countless powerhouses whose success results from talent, hard work, passion, strategic utilization of marketing tools, and more. Many of these artists managed to secure a coveted spot in the limelight through their own efforts, fueled by the vision of a future where their names are written on top of the charts. But while their journey proves a testament to the feasibility of carving a path toward the forefront of the music scene without the help of industry giants, the fact remains that it pays off to seek the guidance of those who are well-versed in the comings and goings of a field known for its cut-throat nature. Stryker Records, a label launched by Chris Dobry, is among today’s go-to enablers of success.

A self-starter on a mission to propel those under his wing to great heights, Chris Dobry is becoming a widely familiar name in the music scene not only for the top-notch services that his well-rounded company provides but also for the inspiring story behind his rise. In 1997, the go-getter started Stryker Records without a dime to his name. “I had an idea to put on a battle of the bands in my hometown,” he recalled. “After a series of press releases, I was able to secure an interview on the local CBS station the same night as the Grammy Awards, which led to the event gaining a lot of attention and drawing the initial funds needed to create the label.”

In the decades since then, Chris Dobry has spearheaded Stryker Records’ purpose-driven initiatives and its transformation into an industry authority, making bold moves to solidify the company’s standing in the music scene. Apart from managing talented artists, he has promoted live events involving a long list of personalities, from Saving Abel and Trapt to Tantric and Rick Monroe.

Chris Dobry has also poured his heart into elevating the career of those signed under Stryker Records, opening doors of opportunity and pushing them toward the spotlight. In 2020, he teamed up with Holly Hutchison, a former VP at Capitol Records, and her company to pave the way for one of the record’s former rock groups to the #20 spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Indicator and #7 on the Concrete/Foundations chart.

Currently, Stryker Records is home to numerous promising musicians, one of which is Drew Lines. The hip-hop artist is the voice behind the single “Rise,” which landed on the 18th spot of the NACC chart and hit #1 on the hip-hop category of the M3 Radio chart. On March 11, Chris Dobry’s venture is set to continue its successful streak with the release of “15 Minutes of Fame,” a hip-hop remix of the hard-hitting but lesser-known Saving Abel track. 

More can be expected from Stryker Records as it keeps cementing its reputation as a trusted label and event organizer in the years to come. On top of promoting and producing live music events around the country, it will go all-out in providing its artists with the chance to make a name for themselves in the music industry. In the meantime, listeners and music enthusiasts can look forward to March 10 and the kick-off of “The Borrowed Time,” a tour headlined by Drew Lines and will feature Space Kase, Caesar Reddington, and JPS Production’s recording artist Trotter Water. 

“The Batman” Director Matt Reeves is Looking to Expand “Bat-verse”

Photo: Cinema Blend

With the upcoming installment of “The Batman,” American filmmaker Matt Reeves wants to create a new ‘Bat-verse’ as an offshoot of this world he has materialized.

The film follows Dark Knight’s second year – portrayed by Robert Pattinson – a murder mystery that involves familiar characters from the canon: the Riddler (played by Paul Dano), a serial killer that preys on Gotham’s corrupt aristocrats; Selene Kyle (portrayed by Zoë Kravitz), who will later set off as Catwoman; and the Penguin (played by Colin Farrell), aka Oswald Cobblepot, who is just a mid-tier mob lieutenant in the film and has not even reached a good enough villain achievement. 

“The Batman” was created as a separate entity from DC’s already existing universe (DCEU); director Reeves has been thinking of ways to expand this outside cinema screens.

Two new series set in the iconic Batman universe have been announced, one being a police drama for Gotham City. The other follows Penguin’s rise to power. It will be executive produced by Reeves himself. 

“What I really wanted this movie to do is create a Batverse,” Reeves told a media outlet. “You don’t do a story and go, ‘This is Chapter 1’ because you might not get to do Chapter 2. So, the story had to stand on its own. But the thing about it is that the Bat world is so rich with character that as you’re starting to come to an end, you can already start thinking about the next thing. Because the idea, of course, is that Gotham’s story never ends.” 

According to Reeves, the Penguin show popped out of the discussions with HBO Max, which wanted more than sideline characters from the film. 

“I was thrilled by that,” Reeves says. “I said [to HBO Max], ‘To be honest with you, the thing that was going to be the seeds of what I thought the next story could be in terms of the Penguin is that I saw there being this kind of ‘American dream in Gotham’ sort of story, almost like “Scarface;” the rise of this character who we all know will achieve mythic status.’ He is underestimated, and he’s like a time bomb … They were like, ‘Oh my God, we’re in!’ And that was really exciting because, by that point, Colin had already given life to this character.”

We can’t wait to see what these projects have in store for us. From the sounds of it, they are going to be pretty interesting.

“The Batman” will premiere on March 4.

Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby Comes Together Again in the Upcoming Show “Our Flag Means Death”

Photo: Nerdist

Two personalities from New Zealand, Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby, are about to sail their ships.

In a new trailer for HBO Max’s comedy series set in the 18th century, the two actors ride the tide and follow a pirate story, “Our Flag Means Death.” 

The tale circulates the journey of a real-life nobleman named Stede Bonnet, who left his wife and family to attempt piracy but soon saw the struggles behind running an entire ship as captain.

When the “Gentleman Pirate” encounters mutiny, wreckage, and a knife-wielding Leslie Jones, his best mate may be none other than the notorious Blackbeard himself, played by Waititi. 

The “Gentleman Pirate,” as he is called, encounters mutiny, wreckage, and a knife-wielding Leslie Jones. He, however, gains a surprising ally: the infamous Blackbeard, played by Waititi. 

The new trailer teases “Our Flag Means Death” as the type of comical duo Darby and Waititi are distinguished: they are friends and associates for a long time now, teaming up on several shows, including “Flight of the Conchords,” and movies such as “What We Do in the Shadows.” 

“They are like an old married couple in certain ways,” said filmmaker David Jenkins in an interview. “If a scene isn’t quite working, Taika will be able to grumble about Rhys, and vice versa, in the way that only friends can. And then, when it is popping, they know how to get the best out of each other. There’s a generosity and a real sweetness between them that you wouldn’t get if you weren’t using those two friends.”

The show “Our Flag Means Death” will pilot on March 3, and it is set in a post-apocalyptic world where people still remember their old flags. The cast includes  Jones, Nathan Foad, Samson Kayo, Vico Ortiz, Ewen Bremner, Joel Fry, Matt Maher, Kristian Nairn, Con O’Neill, Guz Khan, David Fane, Rory Kinnear, Samba Schutte, Nat Faxon, and Fred Armisen.

2022 ACM Awards Will See Kelly Clarkson Paying Tribute to Dolly Parton

Photo: Getty Images

At the 2022 ACM Awards, Kelly Clarkson will present a tribute to Dolly Parton scheduled for March 7 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This year’s ACM Awards will be hosted by Parton and co-hosts Gabby Barret and Jimmie Allen. 

On Wednesday, February 23, Clarkson announced it in an episode of her show, the Kelly Clarkson Show

In addition to her achievements as a pop singer and currently a TV talk show host, the Texas local has made notable accomplishments in the country. 

She has accumulated five ACM nominations for a team-up with Reba McEntire (“Because of You”), Jason Aldean (“Don’t You Wanna Stay”), Vince Gill (“Don’t Rush”), and Dan + Shay (“Keeping Score”). 

The team-up with Aldean snagged two ACM awards ten years previously for Single Record of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year. 

The upcoming event will mark Clarkson’s fifth performance on the awards show. Her latest performance was on the 2019 show when she performed with Aldean for a medley keyed to his Artist of the Decade award. The year before that, she collaborated with McEntire to present her classic “Does He Love You.” 

Parton has a long-standing position as one of the country’s music royalties. She snatched the title for the second female artist to win an ACM Award for Entertainer of the Year in 1978, after Loretta Lynn. She was included in the poll of artists into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. 

However, Parton’s achievements are not bound to the country. In 2001, she was admitted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2006, was given the Kennedy Center Honors. Later in 2011, she was granted a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy. And this year, she is one of the nominees to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

ACM has previously announced performers including Kelsea Ballerini, Barrett and Allen, Aldean, Breland, Kane Brown, Luke Byran, Eric Church, Jordan Davis and many more. 

The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcasted on Monday, March 7, at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST/5 p.m. PST.

2022 Mo Pop Festival Headliners Include Big Sean and Glass Animals

Photo: Mo Pop

After two years of delays and cancellations, fests are slowly reemerging. 

This summer, Mo Pop Festival in Detroit is coming back with Glass Animals and Big Sean as headliners. Produced by AEG Presents, the “boutique and niche” fest will kick off from July 30 to 31 at Detroit’s Hart Plaza, a new location for the festival. 

In a release, Big Sean, a Detroit local, said, “Mo Pop Festival, we at the crib with it! It’s been a journey, and I can’t wait to see everybody from home who’s been on it with me at the show! Forever love.” 

Among the artists set to perform are Jhené Aiko, Kaytranada, Khruangbin, Girl in Red, Dominic Fike, Dayglow, Ashe, and many more, with The Backseat Lovers, The Marías, Tai Verdes, Beach Bunny, Mariah The Scientist, Wet Leg, DAISY, Horsegirl, Whiterosemoxie, Whu Else, Tiny Jag, Gabriel Duran, Charity, Haute to Death & Friends to complete the lineup for the two-day fest. 

Besides the non-stop music of more than 10 hours a day, the fest will hold rare experiences all around the festival venue. 

Curated by Handmade Detroit, the Craft Bazaar will feature various handmade products from several native and talented craftspeople. At the same time, the Shipyard will serve food assembled from different Detroit restaurants. 

On the other hand, Mo Pop Arcade will highlight the finest vintage video games and accessible gameplay, courtesy of Offworld Arcade. The fest will hold it in a comfortable, air-conditioned tent, with the comeback of Haute to Death & Friends that ushers the most fashionable and expressive dance party in Detroit back to the event. 

“We’re so excited to have Mo Pop ’22 take place right in the center of Downtown Detroit at the iconic Hart Plaza,” said Jason Rogalewski, the festival director, in a release. “It’s a special place near and dear to us and so many other Detroiters. We can’t wait for fans to experience the park in a new, fun, and inspiring way with Mo Pop.” Passes are now available for sale. Prices start at $109 for GA weekend, $299 for VIP weekend, $1,500 for Super VIP weekend, $89 for GA single day, and $249 for VIP single-day passes. Check out this poster posted on Instagram for a complete lineup list.

2022 Billboard Women in Music Awards Will Be Streamed Live on Twitter

Photo: Billboard

On March 2, Twitter will see the 2022 Billboard Women in Music Awards stream live from the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, reviving its prevailing association with the microblogging platform.

The team-up with WIM will grant admirers worldwide first-row access to the night’s happenings, which covers live red-carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes highlights, key in-show moments, and exclusive acceptance speeches and awardees presentations.

In a statement, Billboard President Julian Holguin said, “We’re thrilled to continue our close relationship with Twitter to live stream Billboard’s first in-person Women in Music Awards in over two years. We look forward to building a unique and organic streaming experience with Twitter, and ultimately bringing all of the can’t miss moments from Women in Music to passionate fans everywhere.”

Exclusive Twitter Spaces discussions with Christina Aguilera will also be made available by Billboard, as well as choosing award recipients for the show. Additionally, tickets will be made accessible to the public for the Women in Music Awards for the first time. 

To guarantee the safety of all participants and staff members, Billboard will follow through with all existing COVID-19 protocols for the 2022 Women in Music Awards.

“This partnership allows us to reach beyond the walls of the event venue and honor the powerful women driving the music industry and shaping pop culture amongst a global audience,” Holguin added.

The 2022 Women in Music Awards will honor a few of the most outstanding talents in music history, counting in Olivia Rodrigo, a Woman of the Year awardee; Bonnie Raitt, Icon Award recipient; and Golnar Khosrowshahi, Executive of the Year.

Additional artists to perform in the event this year are Gabby Barrett, Phoebe Bridgers, Doja Cat, Karol G, Saweetie, and Summer Walker.

At this year’s show, H.E.R will be given the American Express Impact Award. The event will have Ciara, Woman of the Year 2009, as a host, together with a lot more of performers and presenters to be revealed soon enough.