Over his 30 year career Brian Hetherman has developed a truly overarching perspective and deep skill set that he’s applied relentlessly to helping artists reach their goals. In that time he has worked in virtually all facets of the music industry and remains, as ever, driven by a deep, abiding passion for music.

Hetherman fell hard for the music industry early on while working in record stores and dj’ing in Toronto clubs. Soon he was offered a gig by the prestigious Canadian independent label, Duke Street Records – then home to iconic artists like Jane Siberry, Chalk Circle and Art Bergmann – and found himself involved in every aspect of the business. In 1990 he moved to the majors, taking a position as a Retail Marketing at MCA Records (later Universal Music), and then as a Radio Promotion for high profile acts including Peter Gabriel, Guns ‘n Roses, Elton John, Aerosmith, The Ramones and The Tragically Hip. Five years on, Hetherman began heading up MCA Music Publishing and became the youngest A&R Director in Canada; proving his talent for identifying talent with signings including Soul Decision, Holly McNarland, Jason McCoy, and others whose records went on to achieve Gold and Platinum-selling status.

At MCA Hetherman’s love of creative collaboration with artists grew exponentially, and that has informed every aspect of his career since then. “Working closely with artists is what I enjoy doing most. It’s so much a part of who I am and I think the most obvious things I bring to the table is, I’m also uniquely qualified because I’ve lived half my life in the major label world and half independently and can offer detailed insight into both sides.” Consequently, going forward Hetherman looked for opportunities not only to foster and champion Canadian talent, but would strengthen his ability to do so. In 2001 he was tapped for the position of Executive Director of the Radio Starmaker Fund. “They wanted someone who knew the tricks of the trade and understood how to market an artist in Canada,” Hetherman says. While admittedly a left turn from his previous gigs, with its mandate of administering funds to promote and market Canadian recording artists, Starmaker was a definite fit with his passion for helping launch the careers of new Canadian talent.

Foreseeing dramatic changes to come in the industry, Hetherman became convinced that a new business model was necessary; a model that combined management, label and publishing services and involved more equitable partnerships with artists. That prompted him to create Cerberus Artist Management and Curve Music, which soon attracted an eclectic, high calibre roster of talent including Men Without Hats, Holly McNarland, Wide Mouth Mason, Suzie McNeil, Turn Off The Stars and The Dead South.  Over the years Cerberus has also provided consulting services for Canadian Music Week, World Vision’s Artists Associate Program, Liberty Studios and Gibson Guitars among others.

Additionally, Hetherman held executive roles at the International Music Managers Forum, Music Managers Forum Canada (President 2005-2010), the Canadian Country Music Association and Country Music Association of Ontario, Music Ontario (Manager 2015–2017), Mega Music (VP of Business Development and Industry Relations 2011–2014) and the Musicians’ Rights Organization Canada.

In addition he spent 13 years as an International Consultant for Canadian Music Week.

His work at the helm of Starmaker, as well as four years on FACTOR’s Board of Directors, service as FACTOR VP of Industry Affairs from 2009-2011, also provided him with an intimate understanding of Canadian music funding.

Few people have amassed the wealth of experience Hetherman has, which makes him highly and uniquely qualified to advise artists and steward their careers domestically and internationally.