We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonny Coppiano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonny, why did you pursue a creative career?
Good art requires good business. All creators are initially required to be entrepreneurs by trade.

I resonate because I started out as a producer and writer.

Ultimately I sought to create a company that protects this duality. We need artist-centric business models in order to truly foster original music.

We never take masters.
We never take publishing.
And we’ve been that way since my friends and I founded CGA as “Coppiano Group Los Angeles” back in 2018.

What should our readers know about your business?
CGA (formerly Wayward Music/CGLA) is a label-management hybrid that is distributed through Sony’s The Orchard, Tiktok’s SoundOn, and Too Lost. We specialize in getting unique artists funding early on in their careers and connect them with the best individuals and companies to expand their businesses and brands. We built this platform due to the massive controversy that arose from the notorious “360 deals” and have fought tooth and nail for our clients even when it wasn’t profitable. This will never change.

We’re most proud of our scoreboard: We’ve invested $250K+ in artists to date and have collected $1.8M+ in revenue on behalf of our clients since 2020.

We’re CGA, and we believe in squashing genres and keeping music unique. Don’t you?

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my “best friend” visited Atlanta for a week, here’s exactly how I’d show them a ballin’ time:

Since I live on the Beltline, the itinerary would pretty much revolve around walking, eating, and pretending that “we’re being active” even though we’re stopping every 200 feet for food.

Day 1 – Ease In Before the Chaos
We’d start simple: a morning walk on the Eastside Trail so I can impress them with how “outdoorsy” Atlanta has made me. Grab coffee at Chrome Yellow or Muchacho, then lunch at Krog Street Market (which is great because everyone can quietly get whatever they want and stop arguing).

Day 2 – Midtown Flexing
Take them through Ponce City Market, because it’s basically Atlanta’s unofficial embassy. We’d shop, wander around, then rooftop it at Skyline Park so I can prove Atlanta actually does have views. Dinner at South City Kitchen in Midtown or Lyla Lila if I want them to think I’m more cultured than I actually am.

Day 3 – Beltline Food Crawl (AKA Walking Just to Eat Again)
Walk the Beltline from PCM to Piedmont Park, then back down to Inman Park. Hit Ladybird, New Realm Brewery, Pour Taproom, and then end the night with gelato at Butter & Cream because balance.

Day 4 – Culture Day (So We Feel Better About Days 1–3)
Check out High Museum of Art, then wander through Piedmont Park like we’re in some A24 coming-of-age film. Dinner would probably land at BeetleCat, because somehow oysters feel like a personality trait.

Day 5 – Nightlife & Shenanigans
Hit Colony Square for dinner, drinks at Saint Julep or 9 Mile Station, and if we’re in the mood, maybe end up at The Hideaway or MSR for a weirdly unforgettable night.

Day 6 – “We’re Locals Now” Day
Rent scooters and do absolutely irresponsible things like riding them to Poncey-Highland, thrift shopping, then sitting at The Local pretending we live in a sitcom.

Day 7 – Recovery & Goodbyes
Brunch at Babs or Highland Bakery, slow walk on the Beltline, and then I send them back home exhausted but convinced Atlanta is secretly one of the best cities in the country.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While I’ve been mentored from amazing Record Executives and Entrepreneurs alike, none of my failures would have led to success without the support and love of my amazing parents (Jose & Ligia).

Website: https://www.coppianogroupamerica.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonnycoppiano

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcoppiano

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com

Image Credits
Zayne Amason, Hannah Lozano, CGA, and Wayward Music

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