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Ken Krongard
President & Founder
Ken Krongard began his music career in 1991 as a Tour Accountant for AC/DC. He then moved to Mercury Records' Media and Artist Relations Department, where he worked with such artists as Bon Jovi, Kiss, and John Mellencamp.
In 1995 Ken joined the A&R department at Arista Records. His last signing at Arista, Avril Lavigne, went on to sell 30 million albums worldwide.
In 2005, Ken signed an agreement with The RCA Music Group and formed MajorLabelScout.com, a completely unique talent-finding network and community.
In 2008, Ken began a venture with EMI Music Publishing to develop, manage, record and/or publish artists and writers found through the network.
In 2012, Ken launched MajorLabelScout.com version 5.0 in conjunction with Atlantic Records. -
Pete Visvardis
Senior VP, A&R
Pete Visvardis is a veteran music executive with extensive experience in both major label A&R and publishing. His first job in A&R was in 2000 at Universal Records, where he served as Manager of A&R Research and played a key role in the acquisition of Cash Money Records (home of Lil' Wayne & Nicki Minaj).
In 2003, Pete moved to Columbia Records, as Director of A&R Research. At Columbia, he ran the “War Room” (the label’s research team), brought in platinum selling/Grammy award winning artist, John Legend and “upstreamed” gold selling rock band, Coheed & Cambria.
In 2006, Pete moved on to the publishing world, starting as Director of A&R/Creative at Zomba Music Publishing and rising to Sr. Director after the merger with Universal Music Publishing. Most recently, he was Sr. Director of A&R/Creative for Warner Chappell Music Publishing. During his publishing career, he signed platinum selling rock bands such as 30 Seconds to Mars, Flyleaf, and gold selling hip hop artist, Wale. -
Jeff Torrice
Director, A&R
Jeff Torrice graduated from Michigan State University and began his music career as a local promoter in the Detroit music scene. Jeff has managed several regional artists and has produced nearly 100 concerts throughout the Midwest.
After joining the MajorLabelScout.com team in early 2005, Jeff was promoted to Director of A&R in the spring of 2006. Regarding the MLS program Jeff says, "What I learned over the course of a year about the major label A&R process, some people wouldn't learn over the course of several years at a record label!" -
Adam Weidman
Program Manager
Adam Weidman spent several years performing in and producing/managing several local acts, this lead to his pursuit of a career in the business side of the music industry. Following stints at several indie labels in Wisconsin, Adam joined the MajorLabelScout.com team as a Scout, in 2006.
He studied business at BerkleeMusic, and received a scholarship from recording legend Paul Simon. As he wrapped up his education at Berklee, Adam spent the summer of 2008 in New York City as the company's intern. Shortly thereafter he was promoted to MLS's Social Media Manager. At the beginning of 2009 he became the company's Program Manager. -
Colleen Farley
Manager, Operations
Colleen Farely graduated from Monmouth University in 2009 with a BA in Music Industry and a Minor in Marketing. During her time in college she held many high profile internships in varied areas of the industry. These positions included working for the Head of A&R and VP of Marketing at Atlantic Records. Colleen also completed an internship in the promotion and marketing division of Live Nation NYC.
In addition she has worked with the group O.A.R. and their management, and has helped with the production of the Bamboozle Music Festival. In the spring of 2010 she joined the MLS team and became the Manager of Operations.