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.
