Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Foxworth.
Hi Jeff, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Greensboro, NC. My time as a performer began in the Nutcracker at the age of 4, which I continued to do for 8 total years. I started taking piano lessons in the 3rd grade, followed by a short stint with the saxophone, then ultimately the guitar in 1992. I co-founded the North Carolina-based act Weekend Excursion in the fall of 1994. W.E. toured and recorded multiple albums over the next ten years, during which time we independently sold over 30,000 records, and had several songs licensed for various cable and major network television shows. After the band split in 2004, I moved to Los Angeles. My initial few years in LA were spent as a touring guitarist, during which time I had the opportunity to perform on the American Music Awards, Ellen, the Today Show, and others. I eventually shifted my focus to film/tv scoring and production. This led me to join forces with Rye Randa to form the composing and producing duo known as The Ontic, which went on to provide music for and score several TV series for networks including NBC, GSN, The History Channel, Discovery Channel and USA Network, as well as the critically-acclaimed documentary ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’. After composing the theme for the short-lived Alliance of American Football league (CBS), The Ontic shifted focus to more corporate & advertising projects, which coincided with my move back to Raleigh and a newly found network of like-minded creatives in the RDU area. I expanded my footprint in the music scene when I became the production coordinator for all music at the NC State Fair with Deep South Entertainment in 2017. This led to a full-time position as the Director of Artist Services at DSE, handling management responsibilities for artists such as Sixpence None The Richer, Stryper, Marcy Playground, Vienna Teng, and Alex Wong. A performance of Weekend Excursion on CNN’s “New Years Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen” in 2022 ignited a resurgence with the band, leading to performing more frequently and releasing new songs through Redeye Distribution. One of the releases was a duet with Bonnie Somerville, who was previously featured on the Garden State Soundtrack, which won the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always obstacles and challenges, especially when it comes to the life of a touring musician. The biggest life altering event came in September of 2000 when I lost my mom to cancer. It had a profound impact on me, and it was a pain that I was able to channel into songwriting. It also allowed be to become a more fearless performer, and lift any internal limitations I may have put on myself when it came to doing anything and everything to pursue a career as an artist.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
A lot of this I mentioned in the first section. I can’t say that I specialize in one particular thing, but wear multiple hats when it comes to the music, tv, and film business. I’m a songwriter, producer and composer, but I am also an artist manager and live production coordinator. I’m most proud the sustained accomplishments of the band I helped form in high school, from the first album we ever recorded in the mid nineties to our performance on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live in 2022. I’m also proud of the theme I co-composed with Rye Randa for the AAF on CBS. One of my strongest attributes is my ability to interact and get along with people from all walks of life, which is necessary when coordinating hundreds of bands and helping manage several artists. I try to be as affable as I can!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Like most businesses, success in the entertainment industry is often predicated on the strength of personal relationships. If you’re fortunate enough to even get your foot in the door, there’s no guarantee it’ll stay there! The best thing you can do is be kind, humble, grateful and professional. I’ve learned that lesson more than once over the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jefffoxworth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weekendexcursionband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jefffoxworthmusic
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/z9HpS10MZiA
- Other: https://www.deepsouthentertainment.com
