John Dorris, Mike Kraski Form New Vision Artist Management

Music industry veterans John Dorris and Mike Kraski have partnered to form New Vision Artist Management, and are currently seeking and evaluating signings to the roster.

John Dorris, Sr. began his career as a tax accountant for Price Waterhouse and Lin Broadcasting Corporation, before later serving as head of Business Affairs for Monument Records and Combine Music Publishing. In 1983, Dorris opened Hallmark Direction Company with Don Williams as his initial client. John Michael Montgomery, Doug Stone, Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, Mark Wills, Leslie Satcher, The Whites, Dean Dillon, and many others have or have had a home at Hallmark Direction Company. Dorris served on the Academy of Country Music’s Board of Directors for more than 20 years and earned the ACM’s Mae Boren Axton Award in 2010.

Kraski began his career in sales and distribution at CBS Records before transitioning to Sony Music Nashville, where he rose to Exec VP/GM for the Nashville division. During his years with Sony, he worked with Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Patty Loveless, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Montgomery Gentry and Travis Tritt, among others. In 2003, Kraski launched Equity Records, the early home of vocal group Little Big Town. Since 2007, Mike has worked in artist management, consulting and music publishing at Tenacity Management and at M-Pact Music Group. Mike has served for 20 years as a member of the Academy of Country Music’s board of directors.

“When you say the name John Dorris, three words come to mind; success, integrity and experience. It’s an honor for me to be working together with a man I’ve admired for as long as I’ve been here in Nashville,” said Kraski.

Dorris adds, “In today’s world, artists need managers to better support label efforts and, at times, to perform the role of the label. With Mike’s success at both Sony and Equity, his experience, combined with mine, makes for a very strong team.”

Dorris’ Hallmark Direction Company will remain in operation separately from the newly announced co-venture.

Dorris can be reached at jdorrissr@hallmarkdirectionco.com, while Kraski can be reached at mike@newvisionam.com.