Originally published on July 11, 2008

Mike Borchetta

Lofton Creek
president

Lofton Creek president’s storied past, one anecdote at a time

When it comes to the music business, Mike Borchetta has done it all—and he has a story or two or three to share with every step along the way. As Lofton Creek president, he has the same enthusiasm for his product today that he's had since day one. He is proud that many in his extended family have followed in his footsteps. Borchetta gives his wife, Martha, whom he works with side by side, special credit. He claims that if it weren't for her, there wouldn't be a "me" today.

Getting into the business: In 1957 I was in the 11th grade and a fellow comes into our algebra class asking if anybody wanted to buy tickets to see Bo Diddley. I bought one and went to see him at St. Anthony's Hall in Westport, Conn. All these people showed up and I thought, "I can do this." A few weeks later, Bo Diddley was appearing in Hartford and I went to find his manager. I told him I wanted to book Bo Diddley back in Westport. He said they weren't coming back because the last guy that booked them still owed $50. I said I'd pay that $50 plus whatever they wanted to come back. He said they'd have to get at least $300, so I said, "I'll do it." Bo Diddley came to Westport and again it was packed. I probably made $80 profit—but thought, "I am in the music business."

Becoming a record promoter: At 19 I moved to California and walked into KDAY [Los Angeles] where Alan Freed was working. The girl at the front desk rings him and he was real cordial and says, "Mike, there's a guy named Irwin Zucker that needs a promoter." I didn't know what a record promoter was but I called him. He asks if I know how to do a press release. I said, "What's a press release?" He asks if, since I worked with a band, did I send articles to the newspaper—that's a press release. I went into the other room and typed up a press release about my band. He was impressed I typed and said, "You're a record promoter and it pays $40 a week."

Joining a label: I was at a function at the Pantages Theatre [in Los Angeles] and sat next to Tommy Davis, who was playing for the Dodgers and doing record promotion in the off-season. Here's a guy who batted .350 in the major leagues and he's working record promotion to live. We got to be friends, and there was a job opening at Capitol. Tommy put in a good word for me and I [became] the youngest promoter in the history of Capitol. Nobody 20 years old ever got a big gig like that.

Shifting to country: In 1974 I married Rebecca Lynne, a country singer. We put out a record on Ranwood Records called "I'll Break the Habit." I had all these major clients in rock and knew nothing of country. Dottie Vance was the promotion person. [I get a call telling me], "Your wife has the No. 1 record in El Paso at KHEY," so I called the station and they said it was true. Dottie says, "No, we don't have a No. 1," and I said, "If you'd talk to the stations, you would have known." I realized the promotion staff wasn't that strong, so I needed to learn about country. Rebecca and I divorced a few years later, but I fell in love with it.

Moving to Nashville: It was my idea to start Curb Records in Nashville. Curb didn't want anything to do with Nashville and I talked Dick Winehouse into it. I said, "If you start Curb Records by itself, some kid will walk through that door and pay for the whole thing." [Sure enough, one day] this kid walks into my office and says, "Hi, I'm Tim McGraw." He hands me a cassette and asks me to listen. I'm thinking this kid has got nerve. I put the song on, turn to him and said, "You're an f'n star. As of right this minute, you're a Curb artist." I worked [McGraw's] "Indian Outlaw," it exploded, and the rest is history.

Joining Lofton Creek: I was at Broken Bow and left after one year to come to Lofton Creek. Harold Shafer originally started Lofton Creek in Florida. He got my name and I said, "Martha and I will get it started for you." The first year we had a piece of the publishing on [Joe Nichols'] "Broken Heartsville," so we had a No. 1 record our first year. About two years into it, Martha finds [the band] Heartland.

Long-term goals: We are excited about Mark Chesnutt. His new album just hit stores and early response is good. We've got Bailey Grey, whose "Beach Weekend" just shipped. We have two other new artists, Donnie Vondra and Pat Roper. I'm 67 this year. I'm hoping in the next year or so my stepson Brad and my son Chris can take over this label and let Martha and I travel and take it easy.

Biggest challenge: Sales. For us to make money on an album, we have to practically give it away. I'm hoping the download business continues to grow because we make a lot of money. That's the future.

State of the music business: There's always going to be the monster act. Right now [Big Machine Records president/CEO Scott Borchetta's] got it with Taylor Swift. When I was watching Tim McGraw grow, we knew. I'm the eternal optimist that there'll always be something happening and a new technique we never dreamed of.

Career highlight: The Heartland record is one of the proudest. We took it from nothing, did it with no money and went No. 1 and the album debuted at 3.

Career disappointment: When I quit Capitol to go to RCA. I was up for the regional job and didn't get it, but at 23 I thought I knew it all and quit to go to RCA. Right after, Capitol signed the Beatles. The guy who replaced me ended up traveling all over the world with the Beatles. Quitting Capitol was a major mistake. I had the greatest job and the greatest boss, but was too proud.

Advice for the music industry: Be patient, it'll turn around.

Advice for radio: Don't be so afraid. You're not going to lose listeners if you play a record that isn't a hit all the time. If Alan Freed hadn't stuck his neck out on some records that were different, there wouldn't have been a lot of rock hits years ago.

Liner Notes
Profile: Mike Borchetta
Title: Lofton Creek president
Favorite radio format: Country
Favorite TV show: "Deal or No Deal"
Favorite song: "He Stopped Loving Her Today"
Favorite movie: "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Favorite book: "Seabiscuit"
Favorite restaurant: "In Nashville, Solo Mio."
Beverage of choice: Lite beer
Hobbies: "Horse racing is a hobby and a business. I love baseball, and I love going to the batting cages and hitting baseballs. And I collect baseball cards; I've got cards back to the '40s."
E-mail address: mikeborchetta@loftoncreekrecords.com

'This kid walks into my office and says, "Hi, I'm Tim McGraw." He hands me a cassette and asks me to listen. I'm thinking this kid has got nerve.'
—Mike Borchetta