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In Development:
Johnny Vieira

By Traci J. Grant

When a new music star bursts onto the scene, it is rarely instant, but usually a long process. At the start of this process, one might find people like Johnny Vieira. He explains, “Companies like mine took the place of what record labels no longer do. Record labels really no longer develop talent; they just pretty much promote and distribute the artists. It left a vacuum for people to develop acts and then get it to the label.”

So where does Vieira fit in the vast scope of music? “I was always a writer and producer, and an artist. Typical story, artist better probably behind the scenes, off stage than I was on stage. So it was no surprise that I started going in my late twenties, that I figured I better focus purely on the production and song writing, things like that. About five years ago, I started focusing on trying to develop the next big artist. I started working on different projects like producing and developing girl groups. What I mean by developing is everything from the auditioning process to either writing and producing their music, putting them in my studio or bringing in other producers.”

While Vieira continues to get his name and his company “J.O.T.S., [which] stands for Johnny on the Spot” out there, there’s an artist he worked with who has already become a success. High School Musical‘s Vanessa Hudgens recently released her debut album.

Vieira clarifies, “Vanessa was somebody who I’d come across probably about a year and a half ago, maybe two years ago. I had signed Vanessa, started developing her as sort of a pop rock girl, started working with her. Somewhere close to the summer, she started the buzz with the High School Musical, and was able to secure the role, and actually went to shoot that movie. When she returned, there was already a huge buzz behind her, so we helped secure her a deal over at Hollywood records. My role was developing her. Of course with her we got the movie to help out. Once that happened, just a natural progression that she go to Disney’s record label, which is Hollywood Records. I’m one of the executive producers of that album. ‘Psychic’ and ‘Lose Your Love.’ Those are the songs I solely wrote and produced, which is actually a tough thing to get these days.”

Eager to share some info about his other projects, Vieira sees big futures for those he’s working with now. “, I happen to have other acts. I’ve got another girl named Rachel Page. She is a 16 year old girl, she is an actress. I usually work with the double or triple threats, the actress, dancer, singer. Rachel is an actress, and a singer, but more of a rock, more of a pop rock. Very cool, strong voice. Very funky girl, really unique looking, strong actress. She’s in this project called The ‘Playground’. It’s a musical that’s here playing in Los Angeles, and it’s picking up a lot of buzz. Rachel is definitely locked into that, and she is doing the run of the musical here in the theater. It’s basically a story about runaways. I’m sure you’re going to hear a lot more about it.” Vieira also mentions his work with “an artist named Chester See.”

Time will only tell what will happen with Johnny Vieira and his artists, but one thing is clear. He has both big dreams, which is important for anyone working the business of success. “My goal is to eventually turn J.O.T.S. into a record label. I do actually crave the limelight. I’m very confident, and also, I’ve worked extremely hard.”

Vieira leaves a final message for hopeful youngsters who long for a music career. “I’m always keeping my eyes open for talent.”

All quotes in this article were given in an interview with TheStarScoop.Com