Lon Van Eaton's career includes being a recording artist on the original Beatles' Apple Records label, and being produced by the late George Harrison, as well as Columbia/SONY/CBS Records and A&M Records. In 1985, Lon created Imagine a Better World, Inc. (“IBW”) as an entertainment production company with a purpose -- to create media for conscious change. Lon Van Eaton and IBW have produced a distinct series of local, national and international entertainment project properties to demonstrate alternative ways of cooperation, solution orientation, environmental caring and awareness, humanitarian outreach, human rights -- all with the concept of enlightening and educating through contemporary entertaining media as the vehicle.
Productions include, "Give a Little Love" starring Ben Vereen and announced by President Ronald Reagan for NBC-TV, "The American Soviet Youth Orchestra"Zubin Mehta Conductor premiered at the Kennedy Center, "Pulse of the Planet" headlining Stevie Wonder produced in partnership with TBS, and "Denver at the Apollo", a project for Mayor Wellington Webb's"Safe City Summit" involving over 2,000 “high risk” inner-city youth at the Paramount Theatre, Denver.
Words from Lon
Still, I am continually inspired by John Lennon's visions: "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance". He didn't say STOP WAR! He said, LET'S TRY PEACE! His ability to look at what's really going on and then to create a new way to look at it is the important artistic key for me. Thanks John. After all, at this very instant, everything is in the past - except our new thoughts and ideas right now! This instant our thoughts will create the future. I know this. There can be a solution without even bothering to discuss the problem! Interesting... We are humbly working with that idea here at Imagine a Better World. The energy of each of our thoughts, collectively shape the universe. This is what Imagine a Better World is about. You can't escape the mirror! The more we start doing it, the more we want to do it!
Imagine A Better World
You can play that chord...It's easy... You can do it...We all can do it! Heh, we're not against Christians. We're not mad at the Jews.. We love all of the religions. And we really really really love you Heh, we're not anti government. We're not scared of China. We're not liberal or conservative. You can be what ever you wanna. All we are saying. What you think about will grow.
Imagine A Better...A Better World...Better World
We don't care about history. What's done is done. And which one of us is perfect. I know I'm not the one. We don't investigate problems. Feed the news on TV We wanna think about a future. The way we want it to be. All we are saying. What you think about will grow.
Imagine A Better...A Better World...Better World
Maybe think we're crazy. We're not asking for a thing. You can try it if you want to. See what feelings it brings. Doesn't matter skin color. If you're a woman or a man. Put your thoughts on you're blessings. Then you'll understand.
We're Imagining a Better World
Angels Ranch Era
MR. VAN EATON'S BIOGRAPHY Creative entertainment industry professional with high integrity and proven track record in the entertainment business as a recording artist, musician, songwriter, music/video producer, executive producer, artist development, investor relations, artist management, cause related product conceptualization and development.
Musical Production History
Signed as a recording artist/songwriter/producer to three major record labels: Apple Records, A&M Records and CBS/Sony Records.
Produced as a recording artist by noted producers as George Harrison, Richard Perry and Klaus Voormann recording with other notable artists such as Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Dr. John, Ben Vereen, Harry Nilssen, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, Trevor Lawrence.
Outstanding interpersonal skills utilized to forge long term relationships and to develop the artist “inside the artist”, the songs to highlight the artist, music product marketing and developing support teams.
Development of national, international and regional cause-related partnering and fundraising, investor/project financing, strategic partner relationship development, special events, niche marketing campaigns, web site development, public and media relations, advertising campaigns and promotional materials.
Musical Production
o Develops, writes and produces musical productions including songwriting, orchestrating, composing, and producing.
o Produces genres such as pop, rock, dance, elektronika, country, spiritual, jazz and classical.
o Develops artistic concept for each project, writes and co-writes songs for and with the project artists, and licenses/procures songs from other writers (e.g. Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Peter Gabriel, Wonderland Music).
o Writes original songs, classical rewrites and standards for all genres in order to fully develop each artist.
Executive Production
o Includes cause-related recordings such as: Turner Broadcasting Networks with Robert Redford, Carl Sagan, Stevie Wonder and other New Age/Adult Contemporary/Classical artists to produce the “Pulse of the Planet” CD to benefit 15 environmental organizations.
o Developed and produced the “Give A Little Love” fundraising CD for The Boy Scouts of America with Ben Vereen, Ringo Starr and George Harrison and introduced at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by President Ronald Reagan on NBC-TV.
o Produced and recorded such classical productions as “The American Soviet Youth Orchestra World Tour”, initiated by President Reagan and Prime Minister Gorbachev at the 1988 Peace Summit Meeting, at notable venues such as Bolshoi Hall, Moscow, The Kennedy Center, Washington. D.C., The Lincoln Center, New York with Zubin Mehta, Leonid Nikolayev, Catherine Comet, Leonard Slatkin conducting.
o Created and produced charitable events to benefit non-profit causes such as National Jewish Hospital, The Leukemia Society of America and The Council of National Black Churches.
Investor Relations
o Conceptual development, drafted and implemented the funding of media projects.
o Developed fund raising and marketing plans for national and local projects for profit and non-profit projects.
Instructor/Facilitator
o Contributes to the community by sharing the knowledge of his recording, production, performance and music business experience to develop individuals (children and adults) as well as facilitating cooperation and teamwork.
o Teaches the transferable skill of project management through the disciplines of music and production with deadlines and “The Art of CD Recording and Production” at the college level.
Community Service
o Conceived, directed, developed, produced and funded “Denver At The Apollo” a creative program using music, production, team cooperation and project management skills involving several hundred inner city youth per year over a period of three years.
o Conceived, developed, produced and funded programs such as “CHAMP” The Children and Music Project during the Olympics in Los Angeles, 1984 and "Kindness Is Doing Something” KIDS Inc, for the development of inner city children in Los Angeles inner city.
o Conceived, developed, produced and funded various Pro Bono Fund Raising Productions in support of organizations, such as, National Jewish Hospital, the Leukemia Society, Ronald McDonald House.
Investor Relations o Conceptual development, drafted and implemented the funding of media projects.
o Developed fund raising and marketing plans for national and local projects for profit and non-profit projects.
Instructor/Facilitator
o Contributes to the community by sharing the knowledge of his recording, production, performance and music business experience to develop individuals (children and adults) as well as facilitating cooperation and teamwork.
o Teaches the transferable skill of project management through the disciplines of music and production with deadlines and “The Art of CD Recording and Production” at the college level.
Community Service
o Conceived, directed, developed, produced and funded “Denver At The Apollo” a creative program using music, production, team cooperation and project management skills involving several hundred inner city youth per year over a period of three years.
o Conceived, developed, produced and funded programs such as “CHAMP” The Children and Music Project during the Olympics in Los Angeles, 1984 and "Kindness Is Doing Something”KIDS Inc, for the development of inner city children in Los Angeles inner city.
o Conceived, developed, produced and funded various Pro Bono Fund Raising Productions in support of organizations, such as, National Jewish Hospital, the Leukemia Society, Ronald McDonald House.
DISCOGRAPHY
DISCOGRAPHY
ARTIST TITLE LABEL ROLE
Lon & Derrek Jacob's Creek CBS Artist/Songwriter
Van Eaton Vocals/Guitar/Various Instruments
Lon & Derrek Brother Apple Artist/Songwriter
Van Eaton Vocals/Guitar/Various Instruments
Patti Dahlstrom Your Place or Mine 20th Century Saxophone
Ringo Starr Ringo Apple Guitar, Vocals
George Harrison Dark Horse Apple Vocalist
Eric Mercury Eric Mercury Mercury Guitar
Martha Reeves Martha Reeves MCA Guitar
Ringo Starr Goodnight Vienna Apple Guitar
Art Garfunkel Breakaway CBS Guitar
Carly Simon Playing Possum Elektra Sitar/Clarinet
Lon & Derrek Who Do You Out Do A&M Artist/Songwriter
Van Eaton Vocals/Guitar/Various Instruments
Ringo Starr Rotogravure Polydor Guitar
George Harrison Best of George Harrison Capitol Vocalist
Ringo Starr Ringo The Fourth Polydor Guitar
Ringo Starr Bad Boy Polydor Guitar
ScreenGems Staff Songwriter EMI Songwriter
Harmony Records Vice President Harmony Executive Producer
Harry Nilssen That' The Way It Is RCA Guitar
Harry Nilssen Nilssen Schmilssen RCA Guitar
Children & Music Project “CHAMP” Non-Profit VP/Manager
“CHAMP”
Kindness Is Doing KIDs, Inc. Non-Profit Trustee/Producer
Something KIDs, Inc. Songwriter
Leukemia Society Rock-N-Rudolph's IBW* Producer/Songwriter
Christmas Party
Ben Vereen Give A Little Love IBW* Producer, Songwriter
Boy Scouts of America
Ringo Starr Struck Rhino Guitar
Stevie Wonder Pulse of the Planet IBW* Producer
Ronald McDonald Sponsor Video IBW* Producer
House
The American Soviet Youth Orchestra IBW* Producer
At Kennedy Center Conducted by Zubin Mehta
The American Soviet Youth Orchestra IBW* Producer
At Bolshoi Hall, Moscow Conducted by
Catherine Comet and Leonard Slatkin
National Jewish Summer In The City IBW* Executive Producer
Hospital
Fundraising Event
Muungano World Tour IBW* Producer
National Choir of Kenya
World Tour
Freddy Image of an Angel IBW* Producer/Songwriter
Colorado AIDS Unstruck Sounds IBW* Producer
Denver at the Apollo IBW* ExecutiveProducer Non Profit Youth Director, Songwriter
Whitestone Whitestone Mama Rose Music Producer
Lon & Derrek Apple of my Eye Copper Records Artist/Songwriter
Van Eaton Vocals/Guitar/Various Instruments
Whitestone In The Sky Mama Rose Music Producer
JoAnn Timmerman Taste The Fire Sinsinawa Producer
Lon & Derrek Black & White IBW* Artist/Songwriter
Van Eaton Vocals/Guitar/Various Instruments
