Brue spent 25 years in the music business. His 15 years at Tower Records taught him how to manage sales, promotions, and profit and loss statements. Tower was known as the worlds largest chain of independent record stores. So each manager really had a good understanding of what goes into running a small business. Sure, we had buying power that a smaller store might not have had, but each store managed its own budget, cost of goods, gross profit, and payroll. He learned that his love for marketing a promotions was as great as his love for music. In 2000 Brue jumped to the other side of the counter. He worked for 10 years for the artists and labels with Warner/Elektra/Atlantic Records. He ran the sales, marketing and promotions for WEA in a multi market territory. He worked directly with the labels and artists such as, MUSE, Death Cab for Cutie, Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Disturbed, The Format, T.I., Jason Mraz, Jewel, Rush, The Flaming Lips, Neil Young and may more. "I had been asked to consider throwing my hat in the mix for other jobs at other labels. I had always said that the only music group I would really love to work with would be Warner/Elektra/Atlantic or Warner proper" So he was officially living a dream. His dream was to continue in the "family business".
Brue is a first generation American. The grandson of Alex Lajoie of "Melody Makers" fame. A Canadian Jazz and Rag time group. Alex and his family ventured to NYC when he was given a radio show. The "Alex Lajoie & his Orchestra hour. To the right you will see Alex conducting a program live. The 14something year old in the chair looking very bored, that is my father Don Lajoie.
Brue's father, Don, served in US Navy during the the Asian Pacific Conflict. Once honorably discharged, he work booking bands in a small venue in California. His love for music ran deep. Frank was his all time favorite artist, but he loved all types of music. He booked acts like Sonny & Cher, Blood Sweat & Tears and many more. He also managed the early career of the band "The Peanut Butter Conspiracy". "Music ran so deep for my father that he named me Brue, after a saxophone player he used to go see in NYC on 52nd street. Brew Moore. Don chose the traditional Irish spelling.
Not many people would argue that the dawning of the internet had an adverse effect on the music business. So, Brue has always had to keep a close check on where things were going. He has been focused online and social media when Facebook was only for college students. He knew he need to know where the marketing and promotions were going, because sales were dipping. He was then and remains very in tune with the power of Social Media and its affects on business.
In 2013 Brue decided to attempt to get back in the game. He managed AZ local band "The Prowling Kind". He helped navigate and walk them through their first release "Tennessee". Setting up their promotions and marketing surrounding the release. The efforts led the band to a virtually sold out headlining album release party at the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix.
Brue spent 2 years at Yelp! The insights he gained, help him to understand how important it is for owners to not just be present online, but active and living.
Brue recently decided to bring back his 45 RPM brand. His focus is marketing and social media management to help small business grow and navigate the hyper connected consumer online. He also hopes to move back into the music world setting up promotions, marketing and helping artists navigate their path of artistry.