Byron Kennedy Inks with Marathon Talent Agency and Spielberg Entertainment

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Pictured (clockwise): Byron Kennedy, Marathon Talent Agency’s Peter Strickland, Spielberg Entertainment’s Neal Spielberg. Illustration: Marjory Boyer

Comedian Byron Kennedy has signed with Spielberg Entertainment for management representation and Marathon Talent Agency.

Kennedy spent the past two decades channeling his comedic colors through the airwaves as a major market broadcast personality and programming executive. He transitioned his skills to a major Nashville based label, where he quarterbacked the careers of international Platinum recording artists. Now, less than two years removed from a career in the music business, Kennedy draws from life experiences working in entertainment and having served in the U.S. Army in a comedy trajectory that has taken him from open mic nights to being featured in Las Vegas and beyond.

Both Spielberg Entertainment’s Neal Spielberg and Marathon Talent Agency’s Peter Strickland were firmly entrenched at Warner Bros Records Nashville/Warner Music Group when they launched the careers of Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall. Spielberg spent 21 years at the label in sales working with Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr., Faith Hill, Dwight Yoakam, and more. He opened Spielberg Consulting and later Spielberg Entertainment in 2003. Spielberg hired Strickland as Director of Sales for Warner Music Nashville, moving him from WEA Distribution in Boston to Nashville in 1995. Strickland handled brand management for artists like Blake Shelton, Faith Hill, and Big & Rich. Strickland launched two comedy labels under the Warner umbrella, and Executive-Produced Jimmy Fallon’s Grammy award-winning comedy album Blow Your Pants Off and more. He left Warner in 2017 and launched Marathon Talent Agency the following year.

“I could not be more excited about working with Neal and Peter,” said Kennedy. “When I look at the long list of insanely talented comedians and artists they have worked with, I am beyond humbled and thankful for their belief in me. Their passion for comedy along with their understanding of the business is something I am beyond blessed to have in my corner. I look forward to all the amazing things we will be able to accomplish together!”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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