As a big-time thinker in the small town in Northern California, I was always focused on working with creative and talented singers. Having spent my teenage summers at my Aunt’s house South of Los Angeles and attending TV tapings, I knew that Hollywood was the place for me. So I moved to Los Angeles the day after I graduated from High School and never looked back. While working on a variety of non-
industry survival jobs in my youth, some friends who were producing awards shows invited me to be a talent es**rt for the shows. As a huge childhood fan of THE CHER SHOW and THE SONNY AND CHER SHOW, it was always a dream to work with Cher. The year Cher was Oscar-nominated for MOONSTRUCK, my friend Judy Pastori, then the talent executive for the Academy Awards broadcast, called and offered me a position as a talent es**rt. After winning that night, Cher took a liking to me and sang my praises to her legendary manager Bill Sammeth (Joan Rivers, Olivia Newton-John & KC of KC & the Sunshine Band). Bill called me the next week and said “Dollface – Ms. Cher says she likes you and that you get it…and that I need to hire you.” And he did; he gave me my big break. While working for him, Cher created an assistant position for me on her "Heart of Stone 1990" world tour, which lasted two years. Working with Cher was my career highlight. She always treated me with respect and I feel blessed that our paths crossed; I can truly thank her and Bill Sammeth for giving me a start in this crazy business. In showbiz you need both the talent and someone to “believe” in you. Both Cher & Billy believed in me…and for that I’ll be forever grateful. Meeting Bill Sammeth was another highlight in my life because not only is he one of the most amazing managers an artist could hope for, but he also has an infectious personality that you cannot help but love. A star in his own right, he truly was my mentor and we are friends until the day he passed in 2019. Soon after my time with Billy and Cher (who was winding down the tour and 3 movies back-to-back), I decided to take a position with Cheri Ingram, owner of Another Ingram Production. I oversaw her clients from actors (Peter Reckell, Christopher Daniel Barns, Charlene Tilton, Jennifer O’Neal, Deirdre Hall) to hosts (Leeza Gibbons, Terry Murphy) to music (The Captain and Tennille). Cheri Ingram is one of those managers that you only meet once in a lifetime. She taught me how handle celebrity personalities – which is an invaluable gift on its own. She could instantly read a person like the back of her hand. She is one of my closest friends to this day and I can always call her to ask her opinion because she has always understood what I was about from the moment we met. After many years with Cheri Ingram, I expressed an interest in getting into television – so she made a call to her friend Cheri Brownlee on my behalf. I was brought on buy executive producer Cheri Brownlee to work on one of Paramount Television’s first reality shows called REAL TV, where I executive assisted Ms. Brownlee and also ran the music department (clearing music for the show, dealing with publishers, etc.) After production ceased, Cheri kept me under her employ for another year on her next project. It was an amazing 4 years that I will never forget. Cheri Brownlee is one of those special people that you meet along the road of life who gives a person a chance. She gave me a job in TV when I had no experience. I wanted to work on a daily television show and understanding my passion for music, she took a chance on me and let me run the music department of REAL TV as well as assist her. This groundbreaking reality show was one of the first ‘caught on tape’ shows. With such an amazing spirit, I feel honored to call her my friend. After my time with Cheri, I truly began to think “What do I want to do in entertainment?” While soul-searching, one particular episode of Oprah’s show came to mind. She said, “Follow your dreams and the rest will come.” So I went out on a limb and opened my own agency called Diva Central, Inc (aka www.divasanddjs.com) and the rest is as they say music history because it will be 19 years in 2021 that i have been in business. My passion has always been to work with the best female vocalists – and now being a music agent has become my career specialty. As President & CEO of Diva Central, INC, I get the opportunity to book many beloved vocalists, DJs, and a variety of other stars, such as:
Legends from the 70s
-Grammy Winning legend Thelma Houston of www.ThelmaHouston.com
-Grammy Winning legend Gloria Gaynor
-Martha Wash
-Yvonne Elliman
The 1980s
-Taylor Dayne
-Belinda Carlisle
-Tiffany
-Debbie Gibson
-Expose’
-Shannon
The 1990s
-Nikki Haris, the voice behind Madonna
-Kristine W
-Thea Austin, formerly of the pop dance group SNAP! Stars of The Voice
-Frenchie Davis
-OneUp Duo
Stars of American Idol
-David Hernandez
-Ada Vox
-Kimberley Locke ect. Stars of America’s Got Talent
-Prince Poppycock ect. Many RuPaul’s Drag Race Reality TV Stars
like Chad Michaels, who won RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Check out my website for the entire list of artists. Www.DivasAndDjs.com
I feel very blessed that most of the artists that I work with are actual friends as well as clients. I’m not your typical music booking agent because my years of industry connections aid in the negotiating process. I try to really find the right act for the event, help you work within your budget, and follow the process through to fruition. I'm very hands-on and want to make sure that everything is goes right and the client is happy. I believe in overseeing every detail to ensure that my artists and their bookings are handled seamlessly. I truly feel that all you have is your reputation, and if you don’t have that, you don’t have much. On the rare chance that I have spare time, my other passions include is hiking, healthful dining (LaLa's, Bossa Nova, Tender Greens, Real Food Daily, etc.), and going to concerts (CHER, Stevie Nicks, Sade’, Bon Jovi, Pink, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Lady Gaga, etc.), and some of my favorite reality TV shows (The Voice, American Idol, & Big Brother). Contact:
Stephen Ford CEO, Diva Central, Inc. AKA www.DivasAndDjs.com
Office: 323.654.3482 (DIVA)
Cell - Text: 323.864.1933
www.DivasAndDjs.com
