Inspiring Conversations with Shalom “J.Storm” Miller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalom “J.Storm” Miller. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Shalom J. Storm Miller is an accomplished multi-platinum and Grammy award-winning music producer who hails from New Jersey. His career in the music industry started in the gospel sector, where he played drums in his church.

Growing up with musically gifted parents – his mother, a gospel singer, and his father, a producer – he naturally took an interest in music production. After his parents divorced, Shalom’s teens were troubled and this disqualified him from a potential basketball scholarship at Rider University.

Nonetheless, the silver lining was the Youth Entertainment Academy, a faith-based youth program funded by the George Bush administration. This became Shalom’s gateway into professional music, where his close friend, Matthew Major Irby, joined him. They both began their exploration of hip-hop and R&B genres, becoming quickly invested in the culture of this music.

His first break came through Kenny Williams III aka Akil, a record label owner, who bought Shalom’s first beat for $100 and subsequently invited him to join his label. This step up brought Shalom under the radar of Rashad Muhammad, a prominent sound and mixing engineer who became Shalom’s mentor, and helped to hone his production and engineering skills. Through this mentorship, Shalom had an opportunity to work on a project that later became the title song of the Fighting Temptations soundtrack, featuring music heavyweights Missy Elliott, Beyoncé, Free, andMC Lyte.

Shalom’s participation on the Fighting Temptations soundtrack landed him a spot on Missy Elliott’s Goldmind, Inc. {https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goldmind_Inc.} record label, where he became a member of her production team. This role provided him the opportunity to work with notable artists including Missy Elliott, Beyoncé, Fantasia, Gwen Stefani, and Alicia Keys, among others.

Shalom then moved to Nashville after the 2008 recession forced a shakeup in the music industry, causing businesses to relocate from New York to Los Angeles and Atlanta, Georgia. His transition to Nashville offered a chance for him to rethink and reinvent his business approach. In Nashville, he attended and graduated from SAE Institute where is recognized as a “Superstar Alumni. {https://usa.sae.edu/alumni/shalom-miller/}.

Later, he worked with the largest performing rights organization globally, BMI, as a licensing executive and embarked on several tours with gospel luminaries such as BeBe and CeCe Winans, Mary Mary, and Vashawn Mitchell. In 2017, Shalom founded Power Move Management Group, a firm specializing in artist management, development, and publishing distribution. {https://www.powermovemg.com/}.

Shalom is a notable student of Berklee College of Music {https://online.berklee.edu/takenote/shalom-j-storm-miller-on-beyonce-missy-elliott-bad-boy-records-bmi-and-artist-management/}, a music educator ambassador with the MLC {https://www.themlc.com/educator-ambassadors}, and additionally dedicates time to music education, working in partnership with several organizations and institutions like the National Museum of African-American Music, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Franklin Road Academy and many more.

His most recent endeavor is the development of a Music Business certificate program through his Power Moves Education and Development division, in collaboration with colleagues Mari Edwards and Tracy Harris.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can honestly say it has not been a smooth road for me; although I recognize that I have had what some would be considered a fairytale entrance into the business, the journey to success has been rough and filled with pitfalls.

Growing up in some of the most dangerous areas of urban New Jersey, it wasn’t always easy to make the right choices and follow my dreams, especially when your environment only presents options that make it virtually impossible. When I first plunged into the music industry at the age of 19, I was fresh-faced and brimming with talent but quickly realized I lacked maturity and emotional intelligence. Managing my ego was difficult, as was dealing with the ruthless business end of the industry.

It’s during this challenging phase that I’m immensely thankful to a friend, Natasha Dyer, executive assistant on our team at that time. She exposed me to literature and dialogues that ignited a journey of personal development and spiritual awakening for me.

The road continued to be tumultuous. In 2008, the recession severely impacted the music industry, resulting in me having to reset and effectively shut down all my dealings. This also led to my relocation to Nashville and prompted me to re-imagine my approach to music and the business surrounding it.

During all this, I had to learn to juggle my new duties as a husband, a father, and a student, all the while rebranding and adapting to the changes. These difficulties were strenuous and draining but served as the biggest lessons for me.

Today, I can say I am grateful for these struggles because they’ve shaped me into the man I am now. The pitfalls along the way were lessons, ones that taught me the true value of resilience, passion, and hard work. My story is a testimony that growth comes with struggles, but those challenges are the same ones that build character and resilience. I am fortunate to have had a life that taught me more than it took away, a rare story that I’m proud to tell.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
PMMG is a management and music publishing company, which has over 20 years of experience. We work directly with songwriters, music composers, and producers to help create long-term career success by exploiting their catalogs positively through domestic and international relationships and opportunities.

We are known for our robust commitment to artists’ success, offering services in artist development, catalog management, royalty recovery and distribution, publishing administration, song placement, contract negotiation, business consultation, and industry representation/public relations. Our deep knowledge and understanding of the industry and an innate ability to recognize talent make us unique and invaluable to those we work with.

I take immense pride in the relationships and partnerships we have forged throughout our journey. We have garnered valuable partnerships with notable companies such as McKinsey and Company and Christian Dior. These partnerships not only help in brand-building but also create lucrative opportunities for our clients.

In addition to these achievements, PMMG has been influential in the success of several high-profile artists and is known for our successful talent management. Notable clients include country star Willie Jones, Singaporean pop icons RRiley and Narelle Kheng, Pop/R&B sensation Georgia Starnes, and upcoming R&B phenomenon Carey Washington (NLE Choppa/Warner Records).

Alongside Power Move Management, we also have a nonprofit division – Power Move Education and Development Group. This branch of our organization focuses on education, mentorship, and development in the music industry, preparing the next generation of music industry hopefuls and shaping them for success.

I would like readers to understand that PMMG goes beyond the standard responsibilities of a management company. We take a vested interest in the development of artists and their craft, serving as their guide and mentor, creating a path to sustainable career success.

As the founder and a veteran of the music industry, I leverage my personal journey and industry expertise to build long-term careers for our clients. With our dedication, expansive network, and successful track record, we aim to help every artist achieve their dreams.

If you’re a music creator looking to bring your vision to life, Power Move Management Group is the team that will guide you toward success. Our experienced, committed, and passionate team awaits the opportunity to be part of your journey to musical excellence.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When it comes to finding a mentor or networking, there are three crucial pieces of advice I’d like to share based on my own experiences.

Firstly, LOCK ARMS – Tap into your lateral network. Try collaborating with your peers, as they are likely to be on the same journey as you, rather than constantly trying to gain recognition from those in higher positions. Networking laterally allows you to create meaningful, reciprocal relationships, as you both grow together in your respective fields.

Secondly, be honest about where you are – There is no need to always be “On” to impress others. More often than not, those in positions to help are seeking those who value their expertise and want to learn from them, rather than a competitor. They are looking to pass on their responsibilities to capable hands who value their wisdom and can learn from their experiences.

Lastly, I always say “Don’t go into a room expecting to get it all, it’s better to just be involved.” – manage your expectations. Don’t expect to achieve everything in one go. Sometimes, just being part of important discussions or situations can open up a wealth of opportunities. Remain quiet, yet observant and listen carefully. However, when it’s your turn to speak, ensure your contributions are valuable and relevant. This has worked for me, it doesn’t just help you get a foot in the door, but it allows you to stay there.

To summarize, building authentic relationships, being genuine, and adding value in discussions are what have made my networking strategies successful. I encourage others to adopt these approaches to gain similar results.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.powermovemg.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powermove_mg/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Powermovemg/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalom-j-storm-miller-a04781141/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@powermovemanagmentgroup2168/featured