Introduction: Bio of Jon Nisby
The media business attracted Jon at an early stage in his life in 1975 while a senior at Foothill High School in San Jose California. The radio and television class went on a field trip to the local public access television station channel, 2b KPAR on Gill Cable Inc. system. Father Berry Verdi was the executive director of the station. That day, the video switcher was a no-show. Father Verdi tapped Jon to sit down at the board (character generator), and that launched his training in television production, which included studio operations, audio, camera/tape machine operation, and studio maintenance.
Also, Jon was trained in business development and management learning of FCC regulations as they pertain to cable systems.
Through the Corporation of Public Broadcasting and the National Arts Endowment, Jon was able to secure grants for the growing list of projects, working on programming and with producers of which many went on to work in the television and film industry in front and behind the camera to senior management in major media businesses.
Jon worked at the studio for three years eventually increasing programming, from 10 hours a week to 24 hours a day, seven days a week within a year. Much of the programming was a first, directing three-camera shoots, producing news, talk shows, celebrity interviews, educational, video DJing and entertainment segments, reality shows, on-location and in-studio productions.
Jon could not begin to share with you the excitement he feels now and then working in the world of media.
(1978) Jon launched a sound and light company while working at the original Guitar Center on 2nd Street in San Jose, California (now a multimillion dollar company). Not only did Jon learn sound reinforcement, but he also witnessed the launch of Sequential Circuits products the Mini Moog and Prophet synthesizers along with outboard gear that was and is a part of the tech revolution.
(1979) He merged his sound reinforcement company with an independent label in the San Francisco Bay Area and assumed the responsibilities as A&R director and recording engineer, also in artist management, marketing, record and event promotions, focusing on rap/hip-hop, reggae and new wave/grunge new music genres gaining popularity in California.
One of the acts under his direction was an original hip-hop act, the K-sisters' biological sisters from JA Queens, New York, who relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, and in 1984 was the first female rap group to support headline talents, like Run DMC, UTFO/The Real Roxanne West Coast tour, Zapp Rodger and a host of others.
(1984) He was tapped by national promoters to route major artist concert tours, from auditoriums to outdoor stadium festivals. Not only did he route tours but he also secured facilities, made media buys, researched analytics of sales/airplay, IE traffic reports of proposed talent, contracted sound, lights, production and packaged artists for tours.
(1986) Jon worked on the first corporate sponsored hip-hop tour featuring the Fat Boys, Salt and Pepper, Dana Dane, Ice Tea, and presented by Sprite, the Uncola! He was promoting shows in the western United States.
(1987) Jon launched Starwood Entertainment LLC, a concert promotion, artist management, film and music production company.
(1996) The family land development and construction business demanded more of his time where he built and remodeled single-family homes, developed subdivisions, apartments and
commercial properties.
Now, he applies those skills within the real estate division of Starwood purchasing and remodeling theaters and converting them to concert venues and art house film theaters.
(2005) Starwood Entertainment opened its newest departments -- digital film production, mobile application development, web and graphic arts design.
The 2011 to present current brands and production are as follows:
* Starwood Music, Art and Film Festival/Conference
* Starwood Music Concerts
* Starwood World Music Festival
We are Starwood Entertainment LLC.
