Kerry Gordy

Kerry Gordy (affectionately known as KG) was born in Detroit, Michigan to music business legend Berry Gordy Jr. and Multi-Instrumentalist, Motown Songwriter and Arranger, Raynoma Mayberry. KG, born the same year that his father founded Motown Records, was brought home from the hospital to live in the historic West Grand Boulevard home (later renamed Berry Gordy Jr. Blvd.)[3], which housed the famous Hitsville U.S.A/Motown Recording Studios.

KG and his seven brothers and sisters[4] grew up surrounded by the magic that is Motown! Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, Rick James, The Temptations, Diana Ross, Teena Marie, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye among others are considered family to him.

Kerry’s mother, was a child prodigy in music and played eleven instruments.[5] She orchestrated the early arrangements for Motown. Kerry lived with his mother until the age of 13, at which point he began to live full-time with his father. Kerry has three (3) additional siblings who were born to Raynoma; Cliff Liles, Eddie Singleton and Rya Singleton. Kerry followed in his mother’s footsteps and plays several instruments as well.

In 1972, KG moved to Los Angeles, California with his father and became one of his many protégés, along with then best friend and business partner, Benny Medina, who eventually became the manager to recording artists and multi-media stars such as Will Smith, Usher, Mariah Kerry, and Jennifer Lopez.[6]

KG and Medina met during their time at Beverly Hills High School, during which time, Medina came to live at the Gordy Estate. Years later Benny created the TV show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; a semi-autobiographical TV sitcom loosely based on his life with the Gordy’s in Bel Air, California. Together, they wrote arranged and produced records for Motown and also founded the teen idol band, Apollo. Teena Marie was an original member of the band as the groups female lead. Teena later dropped out of the band before the release of their first single, “Astro Disco,[7]” in 1979. The group graced the covers of teen magazines, performed on national television shows like Soul Train, enjoyed a modicum of success abroad, after engaging in a two hundred and forty-six show tour across Asia, according to executives in Motown.

In the early 80's Kerry also acted in various commercials, T.V. shows and movies under the name Kerry Ashby, and in 1990, participated as a Judge in the Miss USA Pageant, the same year that Carol Gist, won and became the first African American Woman to hold the title.

Professional Career

KG’s career began in 1973 working in the Motown Records mailroom. The early years of his career were spent in various administrative and creative capacities. In order for Kerry to separate himself at Motown from his father Berry, KG dropped his surname and began using the name Kerry Ashby, professionally.

In 1984, as an A&R representative for Motown, Kerry was instrumental in signing Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me,” which became a huge hit for Motown and KG’s first big Hit. He was then promoted to the coveted position of Director of A&R, where he worked on projects with Gold and Platinum artists such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, Rick James and Billy Preston among others. He also worked on compilation albums for Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.[8] He became a Senior Executive for The Gordy Company (his father’s company after selling Motown in 1988[9]) where he was responsible for supervising Business Affairs, A&R, Product Development, Administration and Personnel.

Between 1991 and 1993 Kerry consulted Al Bell’s independently distributed label, Bellmark Records. This union culminated with $26 million in sales and yielded the year’s biggest international smash hit, Whoomp! (There It Is) by the group Tag Team.[10]

In 1993, Kerry became the Vice President of two divisions for Paisley Park Records, A&R and Artist Development, (a joint venture between Time-Warner and the superstar “Prince”).[11] That same year, KG produced and co-wrote George Clinton’s comeback hit “Paint the White House Black” utilizing icons of the rap and rock community such as Platinum selling recording artists, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Public Enemy, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The following year, he orchestrated a joint venture between Prince’s N.P.G. label and Bellmark Records. This union again yielded a world wide # 1 smash single, “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World.”[12]

Kerry served as Vice President of A&R for Warner Bros. Records Black Music Division,[13] where in 1995 the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America) awarded him with Gold records on Zapp and Roger's "All the Greatest Hits" and Prince's "Come" Album. His production of Belize's “I’m Looking Out For You,” was the theme song for “Real Stories of the Highway Patrol.”  KG also managed Rick James, who sold in excess of $25 million records and grossed over $40 million in concert revenue, from 1996 until his untimely death in 2004.[14]

In 1997 Kerry negotiated and obtained a three-act production deal with Interscope Records joint venture partner B-Rite Records. The first release from that venture (Gospel Gangstaz) enjoyed incredible success,[15] reaching number three on Billboards Gospel album chart and was also nominated for a Grammy Award.[16] Between 1998 and 2001 Kerry was awarded Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum, and Triple Platinum sales awards by the R.I.A.A. in commemoration of licensing Rick James’, controlled compositions, Salt n Pepa's "Brand New" Project, Erykah Badu's "Live" Project and Mary J. Blige's "Share my World" and "My Life" projects respectively. He has over 40 Gold, Platinum and Diamond plaques to date.

In 1998 KG partnered with Gordon Bizar under the name Gordy-Bizar to securitize artists' and publishers' royalties. Financing deals were signed with Alice Walton's investment banking firm Llama Company as well as Lehman Brothers.

In 2003 Kerry signed a deal with Clear Channel Entertainment to produce his company’s first theatrical venture, “Hear No Evil.” He also signed a worldwide deal with the William Morris Agency to be represented in that arena.

In 2004 KG co-founded Siebers Style with exercise guru Debbie Siebers who earlier that year struck a deal with BEACHBODY to sell the “Debbie Siebers Slim in 6” rapid weight loss program which grossed an excess of $250 million for Beach Body.[17] Debbie later became the fitness expert on the top-rated prime time reality show “The Swan” on Fox TV. Kerry negotiated two book deals for Debbie with Silverback Publishing entitled “Energy Boost” and “Nutritional Makeover.” He also started a fifty-item clothing line for Debbie in conjunction with the Romar Group.

In 2007, Kerry founded Kerry Gordy Enterprises, LLC., (an intellectual property and branding company focused on entertainment).  He also closed a seven-figure publishing deal for his long-time client, partner, and friend, Bruce Fisher (Writer of several number one hits including the standard "You Are So Beautiful") with Evergreen Publishing.

It is at this point that KG switched gears, having gone from highly successful music executive, to high-level Intellectual Property Consultant, whose clients range from his father Berry Gordy to South Korean Tech Giant, Grand Master Tae Yun Kim, CEO of Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions. Among many others, KG has also worked as a consultant for a plethora of Motown greats.

Recently, KG has entered into a deal to produce The Last Dragon for Sony Pictures with John Davis, who has produced over 90 feature films that have earned over $4.8 Billion at the box office worldwide to date. He also entered into a partnership with entertainment mogul Ted Field and Radar Pictures in an intellectual property joint venture.

KG partnered with Stevie Wonder and the Duke Ellington School, in Washington, DC to raise $1 Million to help fund school programs, and support growing budget costs. Because of KG’s efforts, other celebrity musicians, including Sting, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson and Patty LaBelle, lent their talents to help raise over $100 million for the institution. Their efforts allowed the Duke Ellington school to build a new state of the art campus, where countless young minds now work to cultivate their unique artistic talents.

Today, through his work in Copyright Recapture, as CEO of Kerry Gordy & Associates, Inc., KG has become affectionately known as “Robin Hood” by many of music’s greatest acts.[18] Working with artists like Smokey Robinson, Valerie Simpson, The Rick James Estate, Writer/Producer Teddy Riley; whose productions include Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga and many more, KG has been responsible for over $80 Million in royalty payout increases and intellectual property branding deals. Some of his most successfully monetized songs include, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Please, Mr. Postman,” “Just My Imagination”, “Shop round”, “Ain't Too Proud to Beg”, “Tracks of My Tears”, “I'm Every Woman,” “Ain't No Mountain High Enough,” “War,” “Super Freak,” “You Are So Beautiful,” “Somebody’s Watching Me” and literally thousands more.

Represented by Geneva Bray of GVA Talent Agency, KG has been a guest speaker for UCLA, USC, Duke University, and a keynote speaker at the Harvard Business School. Through a partnership with Yellow Brick Music, Co., KG has teamed up with the “Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU” to provide 100 scholarships for underprivileged students.

KG serves as an expert contributor to news organizations such as CNN. Frequently spotted on Hollywood red carpets, KG has also appeared as himself on the hit TV series, Little Women LA as well as Inside Edition and Access Hollywood as a Music Industry Expert.[19] He has also been featured in Forbes Magazine, where he shares his unique and insightful perspective on brand marketing.[18]

In 2021 Dakia Global/ Dakia Universal Announced a joint venture with Kerry Gordy, IP to form Dakia-Gordy, IP.[20] A venture geared toward the revitalization and re-imagination, and re-monetization of existing intellectual properties, as well as the development of new intellectual properties and partnerships through TV/Film production, Music experiential innovation, and artist development.

Most recently, KG was featured in Steven Samblis’ Best Selling Self-Help book, 1 Habit: 100 Habits from the worlds Happiest Achievers, where he discusses his personal philosophies on life business and personal achievement and satisfaction.

The fourth eldest child of Berry Gordy, Kerry's paternal half-siblings are:

• Hazel Joy Gordy
• Berry Gordy IV
• Terry James Gordy
• Sherry Gordy
• Kennedy William Gordy
• Rhonda Suzanne Gordy
• Stefan Kendal Gordy (Redfoo of LMFAO)

Kerry has three maternal half-siblings from his mother Raynoma Mayberry:

• Cliff Liles, son of Charles Liles and Raynoma Mayberry
• William Edward Singleton, Jr., son of Edward Singleton and Raynoma
• Rya Singleton, daughter of Eddie and Raynoma

Kerry has one daughter named Juliet Gordy.

Kerry Gordy Joins Top Music Industry Executives who Launch a Clothing Line, for Client Debbie Siebers

Kerry Gordy's Client, Debbie Siebers, One of America's Top 12 Fitness Experts of All Time

Debbie Siebers and Kerry Gordy Sign Deal with Romar Group

Kerry Gordy Produces George Clinton's Comeback Hit, "Paint the White House Black" on the "Smell My Finger" Album

Paisley Park Recruits Kerry Gordy to Oversee its Roster

George Clinton Music Video "Paint the White House Black", Produced by Kerry Gordy Starring Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Yo Yo, MC Breed and Kam Among Others Video on YouTube

Kerry Gordy Signs Indian "King of Pop", Reggie Benjamin

Chemical Engineer Turned Indian Pop Star, Reggie Benjamin Signs with Kerry Gordy Enterprises

Manager Kerry Gordy Talks About Rick James Album Plans in 2000

Rick James' Long Time Manager, Kerry Gordy, Talks About the Super Freak After His Death

Top Warner Bros. Records Executives in 1995

Kerry Gordy Writes Two Songs for The Temptations "Reunion" Album that Reaches #2 on Billboards R&B Album Chart

Four Tops "Magic" Album Produced by Kerry Ashby and Benny Medina

Berry Gordy Berry Gordy

Kerry Gordy Produces Hit TV Show Theme "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol"

Kerry Gordy, Leader and Founder of Teen Idol Group "Apollo"

Kerry Gordy and Benny Medina, Teen Idol Group "Apollo", National Television Debut on the Dinah Shore Show in 1978 (Video) Video on YouTube

Kerry Ashby on NBC's Diff'rent Strokes

• Kerry Gordy at IMDb