Richard James Burgess is Director of Marketing, Sales and Licensing at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings and also runs his own artist management company, Burgess World Co. He has managed major label artists with top ten chart hits and international touring schedules. As an artist in his own right, he has charted in many countries and has produced gold and platinum albums for artists such as Spandau Ballet, King, Adam Ant, Colonel Abrams, Five Star, Living in a Box, Shriekback, and New Edition.