Conversations with Kimberly Burse

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Burse.

Hi Kimberly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Started at Berklee went back home and attended Music Business Institute got an internship to Motown Records moved over to MCA records then got hired by Teddy Riley GR productions in NYC then moved back to atlanta in 1990 got hired to permanent position at MCA Records and in 1993 I was hired by Sony Music as a field A&R rep then promoted straight to Columbia records where I was able to get Dionne Farris signed to Columbia. Once I was promoted I moved BACK to NYC and stayed there for 3 years and right before I left I was instrumental in getting Destiny’s Child signed to Columbia Records. After I left Columbia Rec in 1996 I reunited with Mathew Knolws in 2001 and began to work directly with his management and label Music World Music (which was a subsidiary of Columbia Rec) and I began creatively and musically putting all of the lives shows together for Destiny’s Child and also once they began to make solo projects. As well as Solonge. In 2004 I became an Independent Contractor which opened up my roster to JAMIE FOXX NELLY BACKSTREET BOYS BLACK GIRLS ROCK JENNIFER LOPEZ PRINCE ROYCE AND LATELY MUNI LONG.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There weren’t really struggles the main thing was just trying to manage my schedule. Because there was a point where I was getting hired so much I just couldn’t do everything but believe me I tried. But it’s a true statement a jack of all trades but master of none. So I had to learn to say no at times.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I can musically direct but I’m also very creative. Therefore that is why I’m called a creative music director. Sometimes I’m on stage like with Black Girls Rock or a tv show where I’m the house band MD and others I’m not on stage and I hire an ON STAGE MD. But I curate all the live shows with artist I work with. If I’m not the creative director then I work with the hired creative director and share ideas with him and her and that how I come up with the arrangements. I work remotely with a few musicians and bring the arrangement together to present to the artist and the creative director to make sure all approve. Then I get with the band to give them the arrangement to learn in rehearsal and we all just take it from there 🙂

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Humble Listen to those I have to lead and make sure they understand me trust me follow my lead and they are apt to my consultation about the overall performance. I am proud to be a good boss and not a B@TCH 😂

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kaybismee

Image Credits
All pictures were from personal camera phone. My headshot photo is from photographer Ron Young.