Kermit "The Superstar Maker" Henderson

Kermit Henderson is a music and entertainment industry mogul, and a music distribution mastermind with over 45 successful years in the business. His brilliance and dedication to his craft is evident in his many honors, awards and the respect and admiration he receives in the industry. He has received over 200 Gold & Platinum R.I.A.A.- Certified Awards to his credits, and is affiliated with over 200 #1- charting records on the Billboard Magazine sales charts. Kermit is a lifetime member of the N.A.A.C.P. and also C.O.O. of S.I.M.M.S. (Successful Independent Music Merchandising Stores of America). For his consistently excellent efforts, Kermit Henderson received a proclamation from the Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. Kermit is also a brother and lifetime member of the fraternity ‘ALPHA PHI ALPHA’. Kermit will be proudly celebrating 45 years in the music, film and entertainment industry in 2018.

Kermit realized early in life that, with dedication and focus, he could achieve any goal he set for himself. His family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio when young Kermit was in grade school. He grew up in the suburb of East Cleveland where he quickly gained a passionate love for music. Rhythm & Blues, particularly Motown Records’ “The Sound of Young America,” inspired and influenced him as a young man. One cherished memory: he and his brothers doing the ‘Temptations walk” around the house. Kermit graduated from Shaw High School and was quickly accepted into prestigious Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where he excelled, holding a 3.52 GPA and making The Dean’s List while majoring in Pre-Med and Chemistry. He joined the fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and became the very first person in Pi Chapter’s 59-year history to “cross the burning sands” alone (i.e. Kermit was the “Sole Survivor” of his pledge line. It was while in college that Kermit turned to his first love of music by DJing at local parties and weddings, also working for a local advertising agency.

Around this time, Kermit met and befriended, Jimmy ‘Scorpio’ Stephens, Music Director at WABQ-AM, who taught Kermit a lot about being a professional DJ and heavily influenced his entry into music as a business. Jimmy introduced Kermit to James Wright, owner of the Filmore East Record Store in Cleveland. Wright quickly realized Kermit’s amazing qualities, bringing him into the business as an equal partner to help promote and advertise. While working with James, Kermit produced TV & radio ads, worked within a street promotions team and broadcasted live remotes on the radio. James Wright was very influential to Kermit, teaching him the ups and downs of the distribution aspect of the industry where he took on the nickname, “Inflation Fighter Kermit.” It did not take long for Wright to make Kermit a partner in his many other ventures. Within a span of ten years, the partners opened and successfully ran five record and distribution stores. This included Kermit stepping out on his own in 1978 to open Dolls Rapid Creations record store. ‘Dolls’ became a very popular staple in East Cleveland, Ohio and Filmore East – Yendor in the Lee Harvard Shopping Center in 1978 (currently Joy of Music).

Kermit has promoted, managed and worked with countless recording artists, including Ready for the World and Heavy D., plus helped mentor and develop super Hip Hop vocal quartet Bone Thugs-N- Harmony which went on to sell 30+ million records worldwide. Kermit began a successful retail relationship with Def Jam Records in the mid-`80s, and also promoted and distributed records that were on the Death Row Records label.

Kermit Henderson is currently the C.O.O. of ECMD (Every Coast Music Domination) which has a distribution deal via INgrooves Music Group. His expertise in the entertainment industry has landed him at the top level of the business.

Some of Kermit Henderson’s many other accomplishments include:

• Acknowledgement as ‘Music Retailer of the Year’ in 1991 & 1992 from Urban Network Magazine

• Two Nominations between 1991 & 1993 for ‘Small Retailer of the Year’ in NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandising – now called MusicBiz.org)

• Nominations in 1991 & 1992 for ‘Rap Retailer of the Year’ in The Gavin Report Magazine

• Creating the National Retail Coalition ‘S.I.M.M.S.’ in 1994

Receiving a proclamation from the Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio

The thing that most motivates the dynamic and ever-influential man, Kermit Henderson, is watching young people do something positive with their lives. He is an advocate for believing in yourself, following your dreams and working hard to get to where you want to be. Anyone who knows Mr. Henderson knows that this philosophy is the groundwork for a successful career.

Young entrepreneurs & artists take their hats off to Kermit Henderson as they walk in the footsteps he so carefully laid out before them.

Contact Kermit Henderson: SuperStarMaker@gmail.com or TEXT 216-276-1829