Getting a couple of iconic Rock & Roll legends like John Oates and Alice Cooper to promote an obscure awards show has its challenges, and they are in full display with these two new promo videos for the AMP Awards for Music & Sound, released today.
In a follow up to their surprising videos announcing the entry deadline for the competition, which broke last month, the pair are reluctantly back in two clips designed to announce that tickets to the awards ceremony on May 15 at Sony Hall in New York are now on sale. These videos were created and produced in partnership with Attic22, the in-house production studio of Johannes Leonardo. To purchase tickets for the AMP Awards, go here.
In “Plug,” John Oates is repeatedly prompted to say something about the AMP Awards but completely avoids any mention of it in the most polite way, while continuously plugging his soon to be released new music. The spot concludes with the director in a huff saying, “don't worry, we'll just title it or something,” to which the Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee just nods and smiles.
In “HUH,” Alice Cooper declares, when prompted by an off-screen director, “You know what's really cool? Not being a spokesperson for an awards show I've never heard of!” And with that, he promptly walks off set while comparing this promo to his infamous “chicken thing.”
In a third video, “No Show,” we hear AMP Awards Committee member Al Risi, Founder and Music Supervisor at Groove Guild, getting the call nobody wants to get while on set — that the artist has decided to back out of the shoot. While you can't win them all, the AMP Awards sure did win big with rock legends John Oates and Alice Cooper showing their support for the show and having fun with these promo videos.
The AMP Awards are sponsored by the Association of Music Producers, the leading trade association for independent providers of music and sound for ad agencies and advertisers. Risi was on set for both shoots and says the stars, despite their portrayals as reluctant endorsers, couldn’t have been more cooperative.
"I really can’t say enough good things about both artists. John and Alice were fantastic to work with and really fun on set,” he comments. “They were incredible sports the whole way through, and were more than happy to lean into the notion that this show was beneath them while the camera was rolling. Off camera, both showed a genuine interest and appreciation for the work AMP members do, and were very happy to support our show. We’ll even have a little something extra to share along those lines from John and Alice at the May 15th ceremony at Sony Hall.”
Adds Leo Premutico, Co-Founder and Creative Chairman of Johannes Leonardo and this year’s AMP Awards Show Chairperson, “There are few communities as strong and supportive as the music community. The fact these two incredible musicians are getting behind those who bring music and sound to bear in advertising is proof of that. It’s also proof of the role the advertising industry plays in harnessing pop culture for people of all ages.”
The videos were directed by Mitchell Wojcik, director and photographer of Attic22, which handled all production and post. In addition to appearing on AMP’s social media platforms, they’ve also been shared on AMP’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.
Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, both Oates and Cooper are busy with a variety of projects and new work. Oates is getting ready to release a solo album, Reunion, next month, and is currently touring nationally through the end of the summer. Cooper, meanwhile, is prepping his “Freaks on Parade” summer concert tour with Rob Zombie and interacting with his fans and some of the world's biggest celebrities on his popular daily radio show, “Alice's Attic.”
The AMP Awards features 13 categories covering everything from original music and sound design to best use of licensed music, outstanding adaptations/arrangements, outstanding mix, best artist and brand collaborations and audio-only executions. Its winners, along with its coveted Best in Show honor, will be presented at a live gala event that has historically featured live performances by both established and up and coming artists, giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of an audience of potential buyers of music and sound for brands.
The 2024 AMP Awards are once again proud to announce a roster of sponsoring companies that help make the awards competition and gala presentation possible. Platinum Sponsors for the AMP Awards include APM Music, Music Alternatives, Reservoir and TRO Essex Music Group. Gold Sponsors include BMG Production Music, Concord Music Publishing, FGMK, InStyle Music, Primary Wave Music and Sound Stripe. Supporting Sponsors include ABKCO Music and Records, Bodega Sync, Clio Music, Crucial Music, De Wolfe Music, Grayson Music Group, Empire, Sentric, Spirit Music, Sugaroo, Warner Visual Media Licensing, West One Music Group and Wise Music Group. Production Partners include Johannes Leonardo, Antfood and Hang The DJ; Media Sponsors include SHOOT Online/SHOOT Magazine, LBB and Source | SHOTS | Slate. Beverage Sponsors include Peroni Beer USA.
For more information on purchasing tables at the AMP Awards, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact AMP at info@associationofmusicproducers.org.
About AMP
The Association of Music Producers (www.associationofmusicproducers.org) was founded in 1997 for the purpose of educating its members, as well as the production, advertising and media communities, on all facets of music production, from creation to final use. A national organization, it has chapters on both coasts and member representation in cities across the country. From business matters such as production guidelines, composer royalties and music rights agreements to educational seminars, fund-raising events and the industry’s most respected celebration of excellence – The AMP Awards – AMP has turned up the volume on the things that matter most.
