testimonials

Artists Testimony

“Kari Estrin works tirelessly for the musicians she believes in so that their work will be heard far and wide, and resonate with kindred spirits. It’s Kari’s dedication, focus, experience and personable qualities that turn that goal into a reality.” – Maura and Pete Kennedy

“Kari Estrin is a brilliant radio promoter who did such an incredible job with our music. She made everything so easy, so streamlined, and so efficient and effective, it felt like we blinked and the music was climbing the charts. We’re happy to have the #1 song on Folk Radio for the year thanks to her hard work. If you’re looking for someone who carries equal parts warmth and professionalism in her work and relationships with wild success, look no further.” ~The Accidentals

“Thank you for your special brand of ‘Kari’ media!” ~Peggy Seeger

“I’ve known and worked with Kari Estrin for over 30 years and there is almost no one I know who has a more thorough knowledge and catalog of experience in the folk music world. From promoter to publisher to tour manager to conference coordinator to strategic thinker, Kari has the long memory and the long vision. She’s assisted in connecting me and my music to the public and helped me focus my whirlwind of projects and ideas. There is really no one like her in our world.” ~ John McCutcheon

“When I asked my peers who I should trust with my CD project, the name Kari Estrin was the most consistent “YES!”A warm, engaging and thoughtful person who is also a direct, highly focused professional, Kari finds ways of making your work stand out by using the core of who you are. Working tirelessly for her artists, Kari not only gets results, but also knows how to effectively help artists to focus as well. Kari Estrin is the real deal!” ~Reggie Harris

I believe you have done wonders as an alchemist- mixing superb content, talent with savvy marketing!  ~ Vivian Nesbitt 

Kari Estrin has been a miracle worker for me.  Though I understood and believed in the importance of the “Precious Memories” CD and its power to educate and inspire, I was completely taken by surprise when it reached #2 in May, 2015 and #7 for all of 2015.  Kari also helped me enhance my confidence and gave me skills that have daunted me in the past.” ~ Sue Massek

“Kari has better intuition than anyone I’ve ever worked with in the music industry. She has the innate ability to cut to the chase and get to the core of things in a sincere and extremely helpful way. I wish I’d found her sooner.” ~Rod Abernethy

“Kari Estrin’s deep knowledge of the folk and roots music scene was honed from years of working with many of its best practitioners. She approaches her job with energy, verve and attention to detail that’s a boon to any of the artists she serves.” ~Happy Traum

“In putting together an uncompromising album, it’s critical to have someone like Kari who knows how to pull what’s great out of an artist and help them define their project. As a platinum-selling songwriter, producer, and A&R Executive, I put together award-winning CDs, but when it comes to being the artist, it’s hard to be objective – that’s one reason why Kari is invaluable to me as an artist!” ~Wyatt Easterling

“Kari’s work is on the soul-level and her guidance is spot on, which kept revealing itself as true over several years’ time. Kari’s consultation left an indelible imprint that served me at each juncture along the way. She’s a seamstress to loose emotional threads from the past.” ~Amy Loftus

“Working with Kari Estrin helps you to discover the best you have to offer and to learn to settle for nothing less. She does this not by changing you but by pushing you to go further than you’ve gone before.” ~The Belle Hollows

“Working with Kari’s creative music and business insight has moved us into new arenas these last three years. Her wisdom, character, love and belief keep moving us steadily forward, and she’s always been there with sage advise/ direction for me and the band. Kari’s expertise is broad, she wears many hats and they all fit perfectly!” ~ David Davis

“Kari helped me to focus on my strengths and showed me constructive ways to move ahead with specific and useful advice. Her suggestions were based on my own material and talent.” ~ MARY GAUTHIER

“With the tireless work Kari and I did to A & R my “Get Together”release, I happily surprised Kari and credited her as the Executive Producer – I am grateful for her guidance on the song selection, sequencing, production, mixes and graphics.”  ~LOWELL LEVINGER (Banana from The Youngbloods)

“When Kari promoted our first record for our unknown duo she got us high on the Folk DJ Charts. But with our second release we consulted Kari to help shape the direction of the album with great results. It reached the No. 2 position. Kari’s advice, reputation, promotion and hard work was instrumental in putting us on the map.” ~TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS

 “Kari’s “Career Assessment” has helped me in other areas of my life besides music. It’s an overall self-esteem booster. And after I hired Kari to write my new bio, even my wife saw me in a new light!” ~ MICHAEL VEITCH

“Kari Estrin has the experience, contacts and vision to help any artist step up their game. Kari also promoted my CD which went to No. 1 on theFolk DJ chart and for a new artist, this was invaluable! You won’t find anyone more hard working or professional.” ~ LOUISE MOSRIE

“Working with Kari has helped me change my life.” ~ TOM PRASADO-RAO

“…A revelatory experience for us. Kari identified both obstacles that needed to be removed and a path for ourselves that we simply couldn’t see before. Kari provided keen insights and concrete, specific suggestions … we’re changing the trajectory of our career!” ~VICTOR & PENNY 

“Working with Kari has been like finding the missing puzzle pieces in my career and artistic mission.  Her questions, critiques and encouragement have always brought me tangible and transformative results.” ~EMILY PINKERTON/THE EARLY MAYS

“Kari’s broad knowledge of the music business field, her focused organizational skills and her personal warmth and generosity have made her a great asset and ally in many facets of my musical career… road managing, promoting shows, developing a CD concept, career counseling, and creative PR approaches to name a few.” ~ MARK SCHATZ

“Some of the best things that have happened since working with Kari are directly attributable to my work with her…
I treasure her partnership in my career.”
~ DAVID LAMOTTE

“Kari helps you get rid of the clutter to realize that, like Dorothy, you’ve worn the Ruby Slippers all along.” ~ ROBERTA GORDON (The Gordons)

“Kari is a unique resource in our industry, bringing a wealth of experience in music management, often seeing a way forward that isn’t apparent to the artist.” ~ TONY McMANUS

“A vital catalyst for artists who seek new ways to bring their life’s work to the world. Kari is truly an angel of hope with the kick-butt professional edge to help get good energy flowing!”  ~ MOLLY ANDREWS

“Kari’s brilliant job of both promotion and marketing drove my last CD to No. 1 on the Folk DJ Charts and to No. 5 on the Roots Radio Chart for UK-based artists; culminating in the No. 6 Folk DJ Album of the Year 2010 of the Top 200. I’m really impressed with our work together!” ~ SARAH MCQUAID

“Kari embraces the eccentricity and coaxes out the essence of the art, yet at the same time, her advice is truly practical..[she] has nourished my writing in ways I could only have dreamed.” ~ RAIN PERRY 

“In addition to being an energizing, positive force in our lives, Kari’s expert promotion helped us top the Folk DJ charts – three times!”~ ANNIE & ROD CAPPS

“Some of the best things that have happened since working with Kari are directly attributable to my work with her…
I treasure her partnership in my career.”
~ DAVID LAMOTTE

Radio DJs

“I love Kari Estrin. She has been an invaluable resource for having guests appear on FolkScene. Kari works hard for her artists. Plus, she only deals with quality acts.” ~ Allen Larman, FolkScene KPFK

“The music you send our way is always a pleasure to share with listeners.  Please keep it coming!” ~ Jack Dugan – WIOX – Roxbury, NY

“Thanks  for sharing such fine new music – much appreciated!” ~ Dan Shramek – KBOO Portland, OR

“Thanks to you for all you do for us, our listeners and of course your clients.”  ~ Dennis Brunnenmeyer – KVMR – Nevada City, CA

“I really appreciate the work you do for your clients and the folk community in general and I’m always happy when I get some releases that really work for my show.” ~ Bud Johnson – KUAC/KNBA/KTNA -Tok, AK

“Amazing job you do Kari!” ~ Jim Marino CRFM – Hamilton, Ontario CANADA

“Couldn’t do this thing if I didn’t get great music to play each year. You represent some of the very best   Thanks for all you do and for sending so many great releases my way. Makes my “job” easy…” ~ Craig Huegel, WMNF Community Radio, Tampa, FL

“I am always amazed by your work.”  ~ Michael Stock, WLRN, Miami, FL

“You just keep the great music coming.  I appreciate your excellent judgment of talent and all you do for the artists.” ~ Jim Rogers- WIUP – Indiana, PA

“Thx for the fine music you send my way Kari – always appreciated!” ~ Jim Canales WWSP – Stevens Point, WI

“You have an enviable reputation in supporting the acoustic/roots community. We at WDVR consider you a good friend.” ~ Walter Haake – WDVR, Trenton, New Jersey

“Thank you for all of the great music you have supplied over the years.” ~ Jeff Eads – WNKU – Cincinnati, OH

“You do a great job representing your artists…always a pleasure working with you.” ~ John Sillberg, CKOL, ON, CA

“Your name on the envelope has really come to mean a lot.
Thanks for doing such a fine job of choosing your projects.” ~ RIK JAMES (KGLT, Bozeman, MT)

“Your taste in artists is impeccable!” ~ STEVE JERRETT (KOPN, Colombia, MO)

“You do such an awesome job for your clients!” ~ LILI KUZMA (WDCB, Glen Ellyn/Chicago)

“CDs….keep ‘em coming! You have wonderful taste.” ~ JON STEIN (WTBQ, Warwick, NY)

“I GREATLY appreciate the new music you send our way.
I pull a lot of songs off the releases you send!” ~ DIANE RAE (KGPR, Great Falls, MT)

More Artist Testimony

 “Kari’s a pleasure to work with and the results of her promotion were so much more than I could have imagined possible!  Forever thankful.” ~ ROY BOOK BINDER 

“Everyone knows Kari as a great radio promoter, but not everyone knows that she works with artists in many areas. She helped me with my vocal approach and with my songwriting.  She will challenge you, and it will be worth it.” ~ LOU DOMINGUEZ

“Kari knows the music business and she knows people. Her insights are clear and helpful, her ideas accessible and practical.”  ~ TOM KIMMEL

“Sharp, insightful and a consummate professional, Kari works hard and goes deep. My manager 35 years ago, I still use things I learned from her today. Kari promoted my last CD, that not only got me on the charts for the first time, but to the No. 1 spot. I recommend working with Kari to any serious musician.” ~ GEOFF BARTLEY

“Kari helped me lay the foundation for a fruitful career, offering invaluable advice on promotion, booking, social networking, my on-line presence, and even emotional entanglements best avoided. Kari invests deeply in her clients…”  ~ KYLE CAREY

“Kari helped me to focus my writing, to look at my personal and musical history, and figure out what has been holding me back. Kari’s wealth of knowledge about the music business and her honest enthusiasm gives me the courage to take my writing, performing, and recording to a new level.” ~BROOKSIE WELLS

“Sharp, insightful and a consummate professional, Kari works hard and goes deep. My manager 35 years ago, I still use things I learned from her today. Kari promoted my last two CDs to the No. 1 spot. I recommend working with Kari to any serious musician.” ~GEOFF BARTLEY

“Managers…I’ve been down that road before – Kari’s way is better! Kari also promoted my last three CDs – every song got played and two reached #1.  I’d say she knows what she’s doing.” ~ JIM PHOTOGLO

“Kari is experienced, savvy and intelligent.
Her insights and suggestions have been invaluable.” ~ COSY SHERIDAN

“Kari continued to passionately promote my records, with the most current topping the Folk-DJ-L charts as the No. 1 Album, Artist and Song, while also successfully promoting to the EuroAmericana charts. It’s wonderful to have such a hard-working professional in my corner.” ~ BEN BEDFORD

“Working with Kari I feel focused, motivated and enthusiastic—with an appreciation for the bigger picture and also knowing what to work on to achieve the results I want down the road.” ~ CARRIE CATHERINE

“Once in a great while you get to work with someone who has enormous integrity, vision, experience, and a mindfulness about moving gently and purposefully through the world in service to others, with passion, creativity, and inventiveness. She has been a true guide for my work and a true mirror for my vision and creativity.” ~ ROB RAND

“One of Kari’s gifts is not in telling you what to do, but in knowing the questions to ask that help you realize what you need to do and how to do it. I am a far better artist for having worked with her.” ~ DOUG SPEARS

“The first time I implemented one of Kari’s suggestions, it paid for the entire consultation fee five times over. Kari Estrin offers career direction you can take to the bank.” ~ MICHAEL GULEZIAN