EP55 Derrick Ross

In Session With Darren Walters

Derrick has been involved in many different sectors of the music industry. First as a musician in the internationally acclaimed band The Spoons, before moving to the record industry side in 1984 when he took on the role of General Manager of Enigma Records Canada (Poison, Stryper, Smithereens). In 1989, Derrick struck out on his own, starting DMD Entertainment, an independent radio promotion and marketing company that is reputed as one of Canada’s strongest in its field and operating still today. At the same time, he also started his own label, FRE Records, signing and managing bands such as April Wine, The Skydiggers and Jim Witter. In 2002, Derrick was appointed Vice President of National Promotions and Media Relations at EMI Music Canada. He moved to the Feldman Agency in 2007 as Vice President of Contemporary Music where he developed successful new strategies in sales, marketing and corporate partnerships for the agency. In 2010 Derrick joined Slaight Music as President. Slaight Music is a music company incubator started by Gary Slaight and Derrick with the mandate to support the Canadian music community through various initiatives, and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers.