Georg Hill Management (GHM) is an agency that represents clients in industries from entertainment to politics under the leadership of experienced relationship strategist and consultant, Georg Hill.

The agency boasts extensive connections to a wide range of musical talents and public figures, providing exemplary services to meet the needs of organizations and individuals looking to book entertainers and events of all kinds. With industry experience dating back to his adolescence, Hill’s expertise and long-standing reputation for reliability make him the go-to for musical matchmaking and key connections in the Mile High City.

Early Exposure

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Hill was raised by his mother and grandmother, graduating from an arts and academic high school before going on to attend Central State University in Wilberforce. Despite his early exposure to the arts, he decided to transfer to Ohio State University after his freshman year, with aspirations of exploring politics as a career. However, he soon found himself straying from the political path and venturing back into the alluring world of entertainment.

At age 16, he wrote a letter to famed jazz singer, Nancy Wilson, which changed his life tremendously.

Throughout her 60-year career, Wilson recorded over 60 blues, jazz, soul, R&B and pop albums, earning three Grammy Awards and eventually landing her own series on NBC called “The Nancy Wilson Show,” for which she earned an Emmy Award. She responded favorably to Hill’s letter, offering to serve as a mentor to the high school student as he navigated his next steps and ultimately pursued his passion full-time.

After leaving college, Wilson offered Hill a job as her operations manager, which required him to travel across the country in support of her career. She introduced him to musical giants such as producer Quincy Jones; pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis; renowned actress and singer Jenifer Lewis; Julie Andrews; singers Kenny Latimore, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Luther Vandross; and more. During his time as Wilson’s operations manager, he also met comedian Bill Cosby, United States Representative Maxine Waters, and a number of other high-profile entertainers, politicians and business leaders.

“It was all due to Nancy,” Hill states, respectfully. “Eventually as things slowed for her and she started approaching retirement, I took over her management consulting responsibilities.”

Before she passed, Wilson told him that she did not want to still be touring at 80 years old. She provided examples of leadership and a strong work ethic, working by day and singing by night.

Turning the Page

After Wilson passed, Hill started the Georg Hill Artist Management agency with a client list of five artists.

During his tenure with Wilson, he met former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock in the years before his role as the city’s elected leader. While serving as president of the Urban League of Metro Denver, Hancock invited Wilson to perform at an event. “He said, ‘Hey, I’m going to be the mayor one day,” Hill remembers. “And then years later, he became a mayor – a three-term mayor!”

Business at the talent agency was slow, so Hill reached out to the mayor and was offered a job as part of his leadership team, where he worked for five years. The role supplemented the skills he’d acquired in entertainment management, and he began to capitalize on the strategy behind relationship-building, eventually creating a government affairs firm called Gov Connect, which has since absorbed GHM.

“A lot of companies are trying to get through the bureaucracy of doing business with city officials or doing business with the federal government, but they find it hard because they don’t know where to start. They come to me, and I’m able to make those introductions and get them into the rooms where they need to be.”

The Business of Music

“Being Black and being in the business is an accomplishment in itself,” remarks Hill, who goes on to say, “A lot of times, there’s two different contracts. There’s the Black contract, and there’s the white contract.”

Referencing Wilson’s mentorship, he explains that she knew how to work the music world, having been taught industry secrets by Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughn.

“She taught me that you go into this with your eyes wide open when you walk into the room. You never walk out of the room without knowing that you have a deal signed; and if you don’t get a deal signed, don’t be afraid to walk away from the table if the price isn’t right.”

For as long as he can remember, music has played a defining role in Hill’s life. While his friends listened to pop music, he was raised to appreciate oldies by his grandmother, who frequently played Mahalia Jackson’s spirituals throughout the family home.

“I’ve always had an affinity for music. Being in the music business was the next logical step for me,” he says. “There’s nothing like an artist that can tell a story through their music. You see the effects that it has on an audience.”

When it comes to the price of doing business with GHM, Hill works to ensure that artists are getting paid what their worth while recognizing that some grassroots organizations can’t afford astronomical booking fees.

“My job is to make sure that everyone is happy across the board. So, if I book an artist, what I also do is find ways to compensate them if organizations cannot afford their full fees,” he reveals.

Changing with the Times

Over time, Hill has seen the music industry transform as a result of technological advancements. Sadly, he does not believe that Black artists are benefitting from the changing landscape.

“During the vinyl and cassette days, there was a percentage that the artist received to own the rights to their music. Now with digital, they may be reaching more people and getting more sales, but the pennies they’re getting paid for those streaming services are ridiculous,” he says.

He acknowledges that some musical stars with longtime careers such as Gladys Knight or Patti LaBelle are still making music because they have to for monetary reasons and not for the love of performing. He also recognizes that Black artists are being hurt by inequitable contracts and management deals. To counter these negative trends, Hill suggests that aspiring artists should take responsibility for their own success and financial stability by learning as much as they can about how the business of the music industry works.

The Power of Promotion

In February 2023, Hill brought Kenny Lattimore to Denver for the NAACP’s Freedom Fund Gala, where guests enjoyed the Grammy nominee’s calming R&B. He continues to organize events and engage with civic leaders through Gov Connect, as he merges his artist management duties into a streamlined source of connection-making services.

Hill is one of the lucky few who was given a special opportunity to explore the music industry up close to learn the tricks and tools of the trade. His ability to build relationships with some of the best talent is based on an uncompromising commitment to achieving success within his passion. As a result, connections are the key that unlocked the door to his success. .

Editor’s Note: Learn more about Georg Hill’s services at www.govconnectllc.com.