Don Lichterman

Biography

Don Lichterman, a veteran staffer at several major entertainment companies, is the founder and current head of Sustainable Action Network (SAN), Sunset Pictures Studios and the Sunset Corporation of America, along with some of the leading, independent entertainment companies and distributors in the Entertainment Industry (S2e Book Publishing Co., Sunset Live 365, Tropical Records, Sunset Home Visual Entertainment (SHE), Sunset Special Markets (SSM), Sunset Pictures Television (S2e.TV), Sunset Daily News and Sports, Sunset Records, Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J) (Sunset Classics, and Sunset Jazz Recordings), Sunset Urban, The Lichterman Co., Sunset Vending Co and The Vending Lot).

Growing up outside of the Philadelphia area in South New Jersey, Don became a dedicated follower of the Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Grateful Dead. Prior to the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995, Don had attended a total of 381 Grateful Dead shows all over the world. His experience as a Deadhead led to his choice to pursue a career in music and entertainment.

After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Business Administration and Computer Languages, and minoring in Communications, Don began his professional career in the Entertainment Industry. His first job in the Industry was managing Chalet Sound Studios and Production Company in Manasquan, NJ. Chalet handled some major clients, including Jon Bon Jovi (New Jersey), Skid Row (debut CD), John Entwistle Babylon A.D. Baton Rouge, and during the recording of the Village People comeback CD. His major accomplishment at Chalet was with the successful management of the Russian Band Gorky Park, who was the first band from Russia to record for a major label in the United States. His excellent management and production abilities of that facility led to the band touring and opening for Bon Jovi in stadiums all over the world.

Don went on to work in the Business and Legal Affairs Division at MCA Records, a part of the MCA Music Entertainment Group in Universal City, California. He then relocated to New York to work at PolyGram Holding Company, while simultaneously pursuing his Master's Degree at Stern Business School at NYU in 1996. When he finished school in New York, he went back to California to work for Warner Music Group, where he had great success in Licensing, obtaining the most licenses in the history of the company.

In 2006/2007, Don went home to the East Coast to begin his dream of establishing his own Entertainment Company. With offices in both New York, California and New Jersey, Don launched Sunset. He set up the companies to include many different aspects of entertainment, including music supervision, licensing placements, book publishing, merchandise, film and video production and development (and distribution). Additionally, he has implemented the world's first and only 'all live' radio format where every song played at the syndicated station, is/are the live versions of them, and he has an Internet television network with more 25 programs, a popular political blog at Word Press, and a news media outlet partnered with the likes of Reuters.Yahoo, reasonTV and Democracy Now!.

He was also the first person to create, start and implement the first "digital only" record label back in 2007.

Don has also authored two books, "Three Weeks in June," and "Diary of a Ram Fan", that both uniquely parallel his life experiences to evaluate and explain history, pop culture, and politics. His writings touch on many controversial topics that are part of our everyday lives and how those topics impact on our society.

As a dedicated Activist, Don has created the non-profit organization Sustainable Action Network (SAN) that works daily to raise awareness and create laws to defend against animal cruelty, increase gun safety, oppose the privatization of prisons, and expose corporate corruption. He has volunteered his time to many organizations that promote his ideologies of conservation, animal rights, and ending corruption in our society.

His career has led Don to be the recipient of many awards of achievement, including four (4) Multi-Platinum Awards, Two (2) Platinum Awards and two (2) Gold Record Awards issued by the Recording Industry Association of America RIAA), along with his "All Around Achievement" Award for being part of the labels (MCA Records) "best year ever" and has been issued similar awards from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (2) Multi-Platinum Awards, Two (1) Platinum Award and two (1) Gold Record Award)).

Don is a prominent independent voter that views himself as a liberal and progressive, while also being a fiscal conservative when it comes to government spending. And, has participated three (3) years at the Grammy Organizations event, "Grammy's On The Hill" while lobbying with certain Senators (Dick Durbin, and viewed speeches by Nancy Pelosi, etc.).

Don is the current SENIOR level A&R scouting representative having recruited between 10 and 25 artists who have music published with the RECORD UNION & SONY MUSIC, the Leading Independent Distributor and major Record label that acts as the market entry point for thousands of aspiring artists who want to take their careers to the next level. Like all successful record labels, Sony Music is always looking for the best and freshest sounds from emerging artists around the world.

He has also been named one of the volunteer coaches for the Special Olympic teams (Volleyball, Soccer and basketball) with the Bancroft School in New Jersey in the fall seasons in 2015. His games and matches are held weekly at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Sports Complex located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and at Cherokee High School located in Marlon, New Jersey. The first tournament he will participate in will be held in New Jersey on January 9th and 10th in 2016.

Where to buy in print

Books

Diary Of A Ram Fan
Price: $5.99 USD. Words: 112,900. Language: English. Published: March 11, 2014 by Sunset Book Publishing Co.. Categories: Nonfiction » Politics & Current Affairs » World politics
A satirical look at more than 75 years of Football's Rams history, combined with discussions of American Exceptionalism and almost 50 years of personal experience in the life of a Rams Fan.
Three Weeks In June
Price: $5.99 USD. Words: 85,870. Language: English. Published: January 26, 2014 by Sunset Book Publishing Co.. Categories: Nonfiction » Politics & Current Affairs » World politics, Nonfiction » Travel » Trip Journals
In this classic story that takes place on a road trip throughout the United States, Don Lichterman tells of his experiences at an Indian Reservation, the country's largest music festival and a band's final tour. During his journey all around America, Lichterman talks about his relationships gained and lost along the way debating important issues facing the U.S...

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