Daniel Glass' career in the music industry has been marked by such success stories as artists Billy Idol, Wilson Phillips, Sinead O'Connor, Jon Secada, Sister Hazel, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Erykah Badu and now Khia, Kittie, Kurupt, Baha Men and Grammy Nominated Susan Tedeschi.
It began when Daniel Glass became one of Brooklyn College radio station WBCR's hottest R&B/dance disc jockeys. It wasn't long before his show was picked up by Manhattan Cable TV. Glass soon found himself working for Spiral Music Publishing Company. With a unique insight into the nature of popular music coupled with a relentless entrepreneurial spirit, Glass produced and promoted several dance hits for Pilgrim Records, a subsidiary of Spiral Music.
Moreover, he continued his work in radio by serving as producer and interviewer for NBC radio's WNSW program "Women In The Big Apple," which profiled the power-elite among New York women. Glass also was the first D.J. at New York's most elite discotheque, "Regine's."
Glass served as Vice President of the cutting edge dance/rap indie, SAM Records, working with Gary's Gang, John Davis and Monster Orchestra and the Evasions. His time at SAM Records laid the foundation of what would be a turning point in Glass' career. It was during his tenure that Glass developed what would be an overriding philosophy that would propel him through many multi-platinum artists; he began to build his career by developing artists' careers, rather than just trying to pick hit records. Significantly, Glass embraced street bands when other more conservative and larger labels were loath to do so. This long-term strategy began to define Glass' rise and empowered him within the creative community.
In early 1983, Glass took his philosophy to Chrysalis Records as Director of New Music Marketing, advancing later to Senior Vice President. Throughout his six years with Chrysalis, Glass helped to guide the careers of such superstars as Pat Benatar, Huey Lewis and The News, Billy Idol, Spandau Ballet, Jethro Tull, Icehouse, The Divinyls, Sinead O'Connor and Was (Not Was), among many others. Glass also developed a strong college and intern program, which cultivated a number of talented young executives who have since gone to high-level positions throughout the entertainment industry.
In 1989, Glass' success led him to become one of the first executives to join the newly formed SBK Records as Senior Vice President of Promotion, bringing his trademark aggressive, streetwise approach to the start up label. This approach quickly produced success in breaking new artists, including the multi-platinum debuts of Jesus Jones, Technotronic, and Wilson Phillips, as well as the gold debut of SBK/Liberty country artist Billy Dean.
In 1990, Glass was promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager of SBK Records. With the consolidation of SBK, Chrysalis and EMI Records USA in 1991, he assumed the position of Co-Executive vice President/General Manager. He was also instrumental in catapulting Jon Secada, Selena, Barrio Boyzz, D'Angelo, Roxette and Arrested Development into platinum and Grammy Award-winning status, as well as the hit soundtrack to the critically acclaimed film, "The Crying Game," which featured Boy George. He was appointed President/CEO EMI Records USA/SBK Records/Chrysalis Records in 1993.
In 1996, Glass' entrepreneurial spirit and artist-driven success caught the attention of current Universal Music Group Chairman, Doug Morris. Together, they started Rising Tide Records, which became Universal Records with Daniel Glass as President.
Glass' willingness to empower artists and his prowess within the creative community was quickly reflected by the label's success in breaking new artists, including the multi-platinum debut of Erykah Badu, Billie Meyers, Sister Hazel, Goldfinger, and The Lost Boyz. And recognizing the changing landscape of the industry, Glass strategically aligned Universal with such independent record labels as Kedar Entertainment, home to multi-platinum artist Erykah Badu, and Mojo Records, home to platinum artist Reel Big Fish and Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
With an unwavering belief that the business success of the label follows its creative success, and not vice versa, Glass returned to the world of independent music with the formation of GlassNote Records. The label's first signing Nastyboy Klick, a hip hop group out of Phoenix, achieved great success in the Latin and Hip Hop communities. GlassNote's roster includes Australian rock/pop trio Eden A.K.A., who toured last summer on the Lilith Fair and was released by Columbia Records. It wasn't long before respected industry leader Danny Goldberg, looked to add Glass and his label to his newly formed Artemis Records.
Daniel Glass, with some GlassNote staffers and artists, joined the emerging label as Executive Vice President. After a few months, Daniel was named President of Artemis Records, which has achieved success with the gold record rapper Kurupt, rockers Warren Zevon and Steve Earle, gold record female hard rock group Kittie, Grammy Winner Jimmy Vaughn, R&B hip hop outfit Spooks, and the triple platinum pop stars Baha Men. Daniel also executive produced the Josh Joplin Group's album, which was released in January 2001. At a time when consolidation is dominating the music industry, there is an opportunity for independent labels to break through and make a significant impact on this controlling climate. The combination of Goldberg and Glass with their particularly artist friendly and effective styles have created a winning environment able to compete on any level. Artemis has already distinguished itself in all facets of media, especially radio, television and online.
Profiled as one of Crain's New York Business "40 Under 40" success stories, Glass is a Vice Chair of the UJA-Federation of New York, which honored him as Music Visionary of the Year in 2002. He is also the Founding Board President of LIFEbeat, the renowned AIDS advocacy and hands-on service organization he co-founded in April 1992 with the late manager and agent Bob Caviano. Since its inception, LIFEbeat has provided financial assistance to people living with AIDS within the music community, referrals to doctors and local AIDS service organizations, professional advice for musicians with AIDS, and grants to direct service organizations nationwide. In addition, he is also a Founding Board Member of the newly formed Dance Music Hall of Fame. Glass is also a veteran of the New York City Marathon - having completed it nine times.
