Chris Smee is a well-known name on the Gloucestershire music scene.

Born and raised in Churchdown, he has performed all over the country in venues including the NEC in Birmingham and Kensington Roof Gardens.

“I have had my life revolve around music since I was six,” said Chris.

“My sister started playing the violin at school and I wanted to play something too, but the only available instrument was guitar. I stuck at the guitar and eventually started picking up other instruments including the piano, drums, bass, trumpet and saxophone.

“I started writing songs when I reached secondary school and started a career as a singer-songwriter when I reached Sixth Form at Chosen Hill School.”

After five singles, two EPs and an album, along with iTunes Singer-songwriter chart success, Chris decided to call it a day, and gave his last performance at the Frog and Fiddle with his ‘Farewell Show’.

But this wasn’t a farewell from the industry as such, rather a change of direction.

Chris explained: “I decided to throw in the towel with performing and turned my attention to using my experiences to help new, upcoming artists to grow.

“Then Gameplan Records was born.”

Gameplan Records is a music marketing service based in the Gloucester Morelands Trading Estate.

Founded by Chris in October 2017, the company works with up and coming musicians to help them navigate their way into the music industry.

“It’s an affordable platform offering many different services such as consultancy, marketing, branding, PR, graphic design, music videos and photography,” continued Chris.

“We pride ourselves on being a stepping stone into the music industry. We give artists an industry standard experience while being a safe place to make mistakes that you wouldn’t want to happen when your career progresses to bigger stages in the industry.”

Chris, who is the Director of the company and focuses on the consultancy and marketing side of things, says he wishes he’d had some of the guidance Gameplan offer when he was starting out.

“When I entered the industry I found it daunting and fast-paced. I wanted to start this to combat businesses in the music industry that were specially money-oriented and didn’t make a lot of sense to me, and wouldn’t make a lot of sense for an artist who’s just entered to the industry.

“I want Gameplan to be a positive experience, while hopefully helping artists’ dreams come true – more than anything I hope they learn from their experience when they eventually move on to bigger labels.”

Working with other local companies like videographers Shot By Kieran and Satyr Media, Gameplan offer aspiring musicians help with everything from music videos and photoshoots to recording songs and getting their music heard on the radio and streaming sites.

Just some of the local acts to get involved with Gameplan include Cheltenham singer Frazer Lepford and rapper Keanan.

“As an openly gay artist, Keanan is successfully paving his own unique lane in the UK hiphop scene by creating his own sounds that are breaking down current stigmas,” added Chris.

“Since creating his own music videos in 2017, Keanan has accumulated over 200,000 views on his videos, including one of his highest selling singles, ‘Trust’, which reached over 106,000 views on its own.

“Now 23, Frazer joined forces with Gameplan Records to release his track ‘Rodeo’ which peaked at number 7 in the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in May 2018.

“This was accompanied by a music video which hit 10,000 views in its first 24 hours. He also has two EPs out on streaming platforms, both of which were given coverage by BBC Introducing in the West.”

And Chris is hoping for even more success stories as the company approaches its two-year anniversary.

“Over this time,” he said, “we’ve moved from a bedroom to a rehearsal room to a small office to a larger complex with a recording studio that we use now!

“We aim to provide the best guidance and support in helping artists with true ambition and their undeniable potential.”

For more information visit www.gameplanrecords.com