Remembering Mike Whited

• RAMP would like to express our most sincere condolences to the friends, family and former colleagues of longtime record promotion pro Michael Whited, who died this past weekend.

Whited began his music industry odyssey in his hometown of Pittsburgh, working for the late, legendary National Record Mart, as a talent buyer for concert promoter DiCesare-Engler and as a manager to his longtime clients, The Clarks. Whited later transitioned to the promotion side of the business, notably spending 12 years with Elektra Entertainment, starting in Cincinnati and later moving to Los Angeles as VP of Promotion. Whited later served as SVP of Promotion at ARTISTdirect Records and VP of Promotion at Priority Records. While in L.A., Whited was also the creator and host of the long-running Watusi Rodeo show on the former Indie 103.1/Los Angeles.

In 2003 Whited launched AirAssault Entertainment, which, according to his resume, “provided marketing, branding and promotion services for music publishers, artists, record labels, management firms and VIP ticketing platforms.” He relocated to Nashville in 2006.

Whited leaves behind his 10-year-old son, Jefferson. In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family requests that you send memorial contributions to Forever Changed International. And remember, as Mike loved to say, “Buy the ticket, take the ride.”