ALLEN L. JOHNSTON – THE MUSIC SPECIALIST
The Music Specialist, an apt name for this multi-talented man born in Chicago Illinois. Allen was raised with an extended family which consisted of actors, writers and operatic singers. At the age of 7, Allen was playing classical piano and hymns for the church that his family attended. After graduating Cum Laude from Clark College Atlanta he came to Miami as the youngest regional promotion man ever for Capitol Emi Records. He was awarded the EMI America - Platinum Album for Highest Percentage of Sales. Clive Davis heard of his accomplishments and offered him a regional promotion job working the states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama., Mississippi, Tennessee, and North & South Carolina. During his tenure as regional promoter, he acquired 6 Gold Albums from Arista Records.
Planting roots in South Florida, he created Joey Boy records, Miami’s first Cuban / African American owned record label boosting sales of over 4 million units. 12 of the labels 15 acts were from the local Miami area and where trained in presentation, manners and musical delivery.
He created and orchestrated Dade Counties first and largest Black Music Month Festival within Liberty city in conjunction with Dade County Parks & Recreation, and the African Heritage Cultural Center receiving the Dade County Black Music Month Music Achievement Award (1993). In 1994 he created THE MUSIC SPECIALIST Website (
www.asha.com) a website dedicated to education of the entertainment industry. Music Specialist World Wide Web Site rated “Top 5% of all sites on the Internet” by Point Survey in 1995.
His music business and educational experience has led to 16 Dade County - Certificates of Appreciation, the Miami Dade Community College Certificate of Appreciation, The JACK.THE.RAPPERS Superior Achievement in Black Music Award, Educator of the Year Award – Negro Business Women of Dade County and Reader’s Digest “Look Smart” Editor’s Choice Award.
In 1996 Allen became the Director of Urban Sales for the K-TEL CORPORATION where he instituted the first major catalog of direct to VHS / DVD movies. In this capacity he created the marketing and sales plan for K-TEL Urban video sales which eventually became SIMITAR ENTERTAINMENT.
Mr. Johnston also developed a course of study called EDU – TAINMENT, The Business of Music for OIC Miami. This course of study, funded by the Federal Government, took in at-risk youth, paid them a salary to attend class and taught them the essentials of the entertainment industry. To date this program has the highest percentage of Black male graduation rate of any in Dade & Broward counties.
As an honored speaker for the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee Bar Associations CLE (Continuing Legal Education) courses he has written several position papers.
Continuing Legal Education of Georgia, Florida and Tennessee; “How to Break Into the Rap Market, for Attorneys”
Continuing Legal Education of Georgia, Florida and Tennessee; “The Future of the Rap Market”.
His work has been published in Nichols Cyclopedia of Legal Forms Annotated (5) contracts included within the Movies, Music & Musician section, and in 1993 Publisher’s Digest. “The Rap Marketplace”. His latest book “Publishing Quick & Easy” is a mainstay for new and experienced attorneys.
As the Vice President of MINDSEED CORPORATION, a ½ acre HD movie and audio studio complex, Mr. Johnston develops International & National movie, audio and publishing deals for major and independent artists and film makers.
