Chad

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Chad Zimmerman President Z International Entertainment LLCUpdated Bio July 2006This story begins in Racine, Wisconsin, a middle class suburb of America’s best kept secret Milwaukee. Chad knew at an early age that music was his calling in life and made sure not to waste anytime getting started. At the age of five (5), his mother helped nurture his passion for music by introducing him to some of the best music ever made (The Beach Boys, Elvis, Lionel Richie, and of course the Monkee’s). She would turn the car radio up and let those little ears take in all the sounds from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Things didn’t just stop at jamming to mom’s car radio; they watched every episode of the “Partridge Family”, “The Monkee’s”, and anything music related on the tube in the late 70’s / early 80’s.At age six (6) his Grandfather stepped in and bought him his first full drum kit and made sure to help supply his collection of 45’s, cassette tapes, and albums (no CD’s at this stage for all you youngster’s). By the time he hit Holy Name Catholic School, Chad was entering talent contests, and performing in every one of the schools theatre programs. He would come up with the most creative performances and every year would wow the school with his knowledge of pop culture. Chad took time to take voice and drum lessons throughout the years and worked hard on writing what would become his debut solo album “Vision of a Rebel” released his sophomore year in High School on Cana Recordings (an indi label outside Chicago, ILL). It was also around this time he started performing in every local teen spot, hang out, or venue that would allow a 15 year old to be in.Chad’s step father was very influential and funded various trips across the country for talent contests, recording sessions, and paying the big bucks to producers to help him with his music. In the spring of 1992 he released yet another indi album with “Tone Productions” in Lexington, KY. He was the only white artist signed to this urban label and had to show early on what he was made of. From 1992-1994 Chad would be the opening act for such hip hop acts as “Ice Cube”, “Digital Underground”, “Candyman”, “DJ Quick”, and R&B acts like “TLC” and “Boys II Men” . It also led to an encounter with the biggest pop group at the time “New Kids on the Block” (that would come in handy later on down the road).After being the opening act for everyone under the sun across the Mid-West and a stint on “Star Search”, Chad moved back to Wisconsin in the spring of 1994 where he would get his associates degree from Milwaukee Area Tech College and start yet another stage of his already impressive resume (its also the year he become a father for the first time to son Tyler). He would find that being on the microphone and working a live audience would serve him well in the world of on-air radio and the night club scene.Chad was able to secure a residency at the hottest club in his hometown (VRC) in 1994 and would remain with the club until the fall of 1999 (it’s also the same year he would release his final solo album “Mad Styles” on Positive Records International). He would be honored with “Entertainer of the Year” Awards (1995-98) from the local newspaper, “Peacekeeper” Award in 1996 for his efforts in educating school ages children the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and gang activity (this program he designed and produced) toured area schools for 3 years. He would also add to his family by welcoming baby daughter Makenzie.Chad was introduced to the world of radio by John Patrick (Program Director) of then WZXA FM. John was a regular at the club he (DJ) at and loved how he got the audience so involved every night. He hired Chad on as the Production Director (in charge of producing and voicing all local / national commercials) the station aired-plus hosting the afternoon show weekdays from 3-7pm.In between air-shifts and the hectic schedule at the nightclub, he was taking on additional responsibilities as a stage manager for various artists. It also was the around this time he got his contract with ASCAP as a writer / publisher (where he remains today), and start rubbing elbows with the right people in the music business. His stage manager duties at various venues would lead him to work with everyone from “Kenny Rogers” to “Lionel Richie (his hero)” *please see resume page on the site for a complete list of clients*Chad kept up the pace and split time between being a performer, on-air radio personality (WZXA, WPNT, WRJN, WEZY, WXLC), club DJ, and stage manager---it was VERY crazy time in his life and it’s also the time he would become not only a husband but a father again to another son Jon Jon.In January 2001 he would relocate his family down to a suburb of Tampa, Florida and things would change forever. He took a position as an Assistant Program Director with WXCV a hot AC radio station in Citrus County. He would come across a demo called “When the Lights Go Out” by a familiar name “Danny Wood” of New Kids on the Block. It was a demo sent to him by an indi label in Miami and he was immediately taken with the new sound he heard. Not only did he add the record to heavy rotation, he would become close friends with the artist who recorded it. Chad also gave Danny his first opportunity to perform the new material live for a radio station sponsored show in spring of 2003.At that time Chad signed on as road manager for the promo tour and the tour bus picked him up on I75 in April of that same year (its also the same year he would launch his management company Z International Entertainment LLC) . Chad stayed on with Danny for that entire year working it not only in the USA but over in Germany (where the second single “What If”) would chart in the Top 30. It was also during this period he would reach out to another NKOTB alumnus “Jordan Knight”. He was instrumental in getting Jordan back in touch with Danny and securing him his first new album deal in over 3 years.Danny would take a break from touring in the fall of 2003 and that’s just when Jordan would finish his second solo album (Jordan Knight Performs NKOTB) on Empire / Universal. Chad would arrange and coordinate a tour schedule that kicked off in Terre Haute, IN that same November (where he would not only manage, road manage, but would also DJ / Perform). The tour would play over 150 shows in the USA and Spain throughout 2004. Chad would also get Jordan introduced to the mainstream once again by securing him a role on VH1’s third season of the “Surreal Life”. That was the best season the show had to date and was picked up in Canada, UK, and other parts of the world shortly after its run in the states.Chad would also be instrumental in securing yet another new recording contract for Jordan Knight with Mogul Lou Pearlman’s “Transcontinental Records” in Orlando, FL. Its with Transcontinental where Jordan would finally return to the Billboard Charts with his AC single “Where is Your Heart Tonight” co-written by Chad (and peaked at #12 on both the Billboard AC and R&R charts).In 2005 Jordan would continue to tour in support of his new EP the “Fix” and make another appearance on the small screen in the UK on the hit reality show “Trust Me I’m A Holiday Rep”. The tours got bigger and the distances longer-again returning to the UK after so many years away from those fans. He also went south of the border and did a week at the famous Cabo Wabo Cantina in Mexico. This was a hard year due to the demise of his marriage and relocation of his family back to Wisconsin—but also the year he would meet the love of his life Tracy Schaffner.Its also around this time Chad would meet another “soon to be” client in Jeff Timmons. Jeff attended the Radio Music Awards in Las Vegas and the two hit it off from the start. Jeff was the founding member of the multi-platinum group 98 Degrees. Jeff recently released a solo album and needed new management to help build awareness and get back on the road. Before Chad came on board Jeff had managed to perform across the country with no budget and get his single in the states to the #20 spot on Billboards AC Chart. Chad was instrumental in securing more venues and clubs for Jeff to perform at and finalized a deal that had been sitting for awhile to release his solo album in Malaysia. Jeff had great success in that region and toured for (2) weeks to find his album debut in the top (5) ahead of the likes of Mariah Carey. Jeff also scored (3) radio number ones in Japan / Hong Kong off that same release. This was also the year that Chad would create the "Boys of Summer" tour featuring acts like Jordan Knight, All 4 One, Jeff Timmons, Dan Miller from Otown, and Color Me Badd.At the start of 2006 Jordan was still out promoting his EP the “Fix” so Chad arranged a 14 city tour across Canada to build more awareness and re-introduce his music back to that country. At this time Jordan’s lead off single “WIYHT” had been on the charts over 20 weeks and counting. Jordan started working on another album (Love Songs-due 9/12/06) and was gearing up for another stint on the “Surreal Life”. The producers of the show called Chad and wanted to get him on the first ever “Fame Games”. Again other clients would start to come around including “Morgan Heritage”, “Brainz Davis former MC Brains”, and the lead singer from the chart topping group “Color Me Badd” Bryan Abrams.At press time every one of his acts are out touring, recording new albums, and enjoying success once again. He added "PM Dawn” to his roster in summer of 2006 and secured them a 60 city tour in less than (30) days. He and his wife Tracy welcomed Macy Lynn to the world on April 27th 2006. Chad jumped back into the crazy world of radio once again in October of 2006 at Des Moines #1 station Star 102.5.In 2007 he made a cameo on the "Surreal Life Fame Games" with Jordan Knight on VH1-Secured Jeff Timmons & Bryan Abrams on VH1's "Mission: Manband"-Negotiated a deal with Authentik Music Group and a live record on Sony BMG for PM Dawn-Danny Wood touring behind his sophmore solo acoustic album "Coming Home" on Damage Records (released on Red Disc Records 4/08). Currently Chad is Program Director + Mornings on Midwest based radio stations.Quick Facts: Status: Married to Tracy L Schaffner Children: 4 (Tyler, Makenzie, Jon, and Macy) Hobbies: writing, reading, Presidential history, and loves baseball (Tampa Bay Devil Rays).>found this plain layout at HOT FreeLayouts.com