Conversations with Heather Cook

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Cook. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Heather Cook is a Sync Music Executive, Executive Music Producer, Singer-Songwriter, Music Doc Director, Event Producer, and Published Author with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. As young as eight years old, she started writing songs and playing violin, cello, and piano.

Starting her professional career at The Voice Studio in Boston, MA, working with celebrity vocal coaches, her songs caught the attention of sound engineer/producer Stuart “Dinky” Dawson (Fleetwood Mac, The Byrds), Denny Dias (Steely Dan), and Paul Main (Roy Acuff). She has an undergraduate degree in Music Business from Belmont University, a Master’s Degree in Music Business, and a Certificate in Music Production from Berklee College of Music.

She spent three years running her own music publishing and artists management company Cookin’ Up Music Publishing & Artists Management, starting the company when she was newly married and a new mom. Next, she spent 10 Years as a Sync Creative at global independent music publisher Peermusic, where she secured dozens of sync placements and managed the licensing of hundreds upon hundreds of songs for ads.

Her sync placements include renowned brands such as Target, Apple, IKEA, Payless, Marriott, Rooms to Go, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, KIWI Shoe Polish, Kay Jewelers, Pandora, Nordstrom, JCPenney, Hershey’s, Google, San Benedetto, FBoy Island (CW), Austin & Ally (Disney) and ESPN, among others. She spent one year as Sr. Director, Creative Sync at Eternal Music Group, where she produced nine albums for their custom music library and where she had placements for Google I/O, FBoy Island, San Benedetto, a Super Bowl LVIII Promo, and songs playing in 25 Major Sports Arena’s. As the Sr. Music Event Producer at the Nashville Film Festival for the last five years, she has hosted dozens of music supervisors, orchestrated dozens of artist performances, and helped educate hundreds of music creatives in the art of sync music.

She directed and produced the 20th Anniversary O Brother, Where Art Thou Music Tribute sponsored by Variety and hosted at Nashville Film Fest featuring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, Chris Thomas King, Emmy Lou Harris, T-Bone Burnett and Carleen Carter. She has served as the Administrative Director for AIMP Nashville, SOLID Alumni President, and is currently a Recording Academy Professional Member & Mentor.

As the p.k.a. (performer known as) Brewster Bee, her current single “Supernatural” in collaboration with Julisa and ELIA EX has already secured a strong track record being played in over 13 sports arenas around the country, including for the LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. The song has also been licensed by Orlando Pride Professional Women’s Soccer team for the 2024 season, and Athletes Unlimited, a Women’s Professional Sports League, debuted the single for in venue and promotional footage for TV Broadcast in March airing on Bally’s CBS Sports Texas, and ESPN + WNBA APPs for the 2024 season. They have also selected “Supernatural” as their Song of the Season. Her next single, “Heading for the Top,” is set for release on April 5th, followed by “Fade to Black” in May.

Heather is taking her years of expertise in the formation of her new company, Freedom Music Group, while at the same time releasing music for her artist project, Brewster Bee. Her book Music for Marketing & Brands is available now.

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?
Some major personal challenges include a back injury, degenerative disc disease, stenosis, and herniated discs in my spine, which sidelined me for years. A pioneering spinal operation called Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) performed by the Texas Back Institute restored my spine in a miraculous way two years ago after being unable to walk for two months and spending 15 years living with chronic back pain.

These trials transformed me, giving me new energy and a renewed perspective on life and music that fueled her creativity to write some of her best songs yet. My new single “Supernatural” is not just a song, it is the symbol of a rebirth, of a second chance seized with passion and determination.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in music for media (Film, TV, Advertising, Games, Promos, Sports, and Trailers). I am known as a sync music executive. I am proud of the artists I have had the opportunity to work with and help get their music placed so they can make a living as songwriters/artists. I’m not the typical music industry executive because I’m also a songwriter, artist, and executive producer, which is a unique quality in the industry.

I am a survivor of domestic abuse, sexual assault and rape. Including a sexual assault from the first music producer I worked with in the industry. I had to overcome a lot of self-esteem challenges through therapy and spiritual healing to get to a place of strength to believe in myself enough to pursue the career I have today.

Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have had many amazing mentors over the years of my career. I sought guidance from not only my bosses at various jobs over the years, but I also looked to my colleagues who had different experiences than I had to better understand their roles at a company. I believe in the philosophy of remaining teachable, so I’m always learning something new in this industry from all walks of life.

For me, networking is not about making connections, it’s about being a connector. My objective is to always be helpful and look for ways I can help the person I meet or work with and connect them with collaborators who help elevate their careers. When looking for a mentor, don’t go into it thinking about what you can get out of the mentorship, but what you can bring to it.

Pricing:

• My e-book is on sale for $3.99 on my website: https://www.heatherdcook.com/e-book
• I offer consulting services to record labels, music publishers, artists, songwriters, and producers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heatherdcook.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.d.cook/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cook-74679510/

Image Credits
Brittany Lane https://www.instagram.com/brittanylanephotos/