Casey James Signs With Spielberg/Dries Management

Pictured (L-R): Neal Spielberg, Casey James, and Gene Dries

Singer-songwriter Casey James has signed with Spielberg/Dries Management for representation.

In 2010, Neal Spielberg and Gene Dries combined their experience to form Spielberg/Dries Management. The company also oversees careers for blues artists Tracy Nelson and Russell Morris. Both Spielberg and Dries worked for Warner Bros. Records, with Spielberg in sales/marketing and Dries in rock radio promotion. They began individually working with artists and labels before teaming to manage several blues and country artists.

Dries co-managed 10-time Grammy winner Take 6, and is the creative director for the Las Cruces Country Music Festival. Spielberg worked as a consultant with Merle Haggard, Neal McCoy, Equity Records (Clint Black, Little Big Town, Kevin Fowler), and Gloriana. Spielberg also works with the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.

“It was important for me to find genuine partners who have a passion for this music and the conviction to support my vision as an artist,” said James. “I’m an avid, dedicated fan of this genre with a deep respect for the traditions and the musicianship that makes it great. Neal [Spielberg] and Gene [Dries] are believers – and that is what I was looking for in a management team.”

Casey’s career has taken him from an American Idol ninth season finalist to signing with Sony’s BNA Records/19 in 2012 and releasing his self-titled debut album. That same year, he transitioned to Columbia Nashville and began work on his second album, which was not released. After five years, Sony and James parted ways.

Texas native Casey recently recorded a roots and blues album, Strip It Down, which includes 14 tracks written or co-written by James. The album was funded via a Kickstarter campaign.

“We could not be more excited to be working with an artist like Casey James,” said Spielberg and Dries. “His talent as an entertainer, musician, and songwriter make him a triple threat and look forward to working with him in the coming years.”