Complaint Review: James Citkovic - New York New York

They do this all the time; James Citkovic or Lovey Jones write rebuttals saying what a success they are through impersonating a fake satisfied costumer. There is no Destiny's whatever listed with ASCAP, and no Film Industry in Nashville, it's all run through L.A. or N.Y. Even if they are filming here in Nashville. There is no A. Smith, that's them being funny, meaning "Allan Smithy" - they want to remain anonymous. Don't be fooled, James Citkovic and Lovey Jones might post another testomonial, they are real crooks.

I saw this report and couldn't help but to feel saddened by the fact that someone felt this way about Countdown Entertainment but more specifically James Citkovic who just so happens to be my Music Consultant. Hire a Consultant is a REAL business and they help artists find deals period. When I met James I was making music in my moms attic. He helped me sign with a Film/TV company that I love in Nashville around the year 2005 and truthfully I've been landing licensing deals ever since. The truth of the matter is regardless of how good your music is noone in the music industry is going to work for free nor should they be and if that's what you're expecting then you're probably in the wrong business. People can only show you doors but unless they're a Record Label looking to sign you they're probably not going to walk you through them. I wish you much success but let's change how we treat people that are here to help us because remember they don't have to. 

Regards,

A. Smith

Destinys Trail Publishing (ASCAP)

 I was scammed by them years ago and I'm suprised to see they're still pulling the same old tricks without having yet been plugged for it. The thing is they're so low key and unkown they can get away with it. These people make their money off selling you over priced "leads" for hundreds of dollars a month. They send the same "leads" to everyone that they scam and these "leads" are mostly garbage. The stuff they would send me wasn't even related to the type of music I worked on. When you ask them about it they give you excuses or will be quick to tell you that "Your music isn't good enough" and that's all they have to send.

First of all they don't do anything with your music. All they do is take your check. They listen to you and sell you a pitch about how much they like your talent and how they can get you some deals then sale you their HireaCrook nonsense. The original reporter said it best. They take advantage of eager artist who love thier craft and just want to get a start in music. These are the last people you want to deal with because they don't help you with anything except taking your check.

James Citcovik is a liar,a thief, and a lowlife by all standards. His accomplist "lovie Jones" another no name no one has ever heard of is also a crook boiling in the same pot. These two theives set out to rip off as many people as they can by passing off their fake entertainment front "Countdown Entertainment" as an actual business with a credible hold in the music industry. They are unkowns and they have never worked with anyone that you've ever heard on the radio or in any radio. One artist I tracked down found them mentioning her name as being a client and she never even know who these people were. Their testimonials are a bunch of b.s. They make them up or have you write a fake one for them (yes, they asked me to do this) as well as write a fake recommendation for James Crooktovic.

So yes, their reviews are fake. I wish I had saved the e-mail correspondence so I could share it. Also at the time I was a music student and had actually been invited to intern at a major record label in NY. I was in the A&R offices and I talked to the A&R's. I told them about myself and what I like to do, who I worked with (this is something they asks you on your interview). One of them was a label James Citcrookvic claimed to work closely with. The A&R rep didn't even blink an eye when I mentioned them because he had never heard of them. What most people don't know is that A&R departments are small and there's only a handful of people and everyone knows everyone no matter how big the label is A&R is always a small department where interns do most of the scouting and work under the head A&R's. If they knew their company they would have definitely mentioned it. 

Looking back the only reason I allowed myself to get taken advantage of is because I didn't know enough about crooks that take advantage of music artists. Atleast through these "consultant" scams that is. The one rule that I did learn from "actual" people in the industry is that "If someone asks you for money they're probably not legit". That has never been more true. If you're making great music no one is going to asks you to "pay them" to push it for you. If you found gold no one is going to charge you to sell it to them.

What HireAconsultant is a risk free (for them) to make money while you shop your music at your expense to the generic leads they provide you with. If you get a deal they want you to contact them so they can "negotiate" or better yet "steal your money" from whatever deal you make that they put no effort into procurring. You do all the work and they take your money while in returning doing nothing for you at all.

Lovie Jones is full or crap and she had dedicated herself to defending this scam her and James Citcrookvic run. Thankfully now that the internet is here more people can be warned about this duo of scam artists.

Used an alias.  These guys just aren't worth the money...and can't deliver. 

This is a definite fraud and scam.  They take your money and don't deliver.  Musicians, spend your money on something legit.

No one named Tom Walker (the person claiming to file this erroneous report), has ever been a client of Hire A Consultant.

Lovie Jones, Countdown Entertainment
[email protected]

Any company feeling the need to defend themselves and with that much information is a SCAM and has too much time on their hands.  Be smart. STAY AWAY!

Its hard to take seriously a comment like Toms when he has chosen not to fully identify himself. Without a surname, we dont even know for sure if he was a client. Still, understanding the nature of the Internet as a public forum for anyone to say anything at any time, we feel its important to take this opportunity to set the record straight. 
 
Countdown Entertainment, an artist management firm, was founded in 1983 and continues to provide management services on a percentage basis to artists with an earnings history. More than 10 years ago and based on the changing needs of the music industry, Countdown Entertainment opened its Hire A Consultant division, which provides fee-based consultancy services to independent artists, managers, production companies and Indie labels. Services range in type and fees and include but are not limited to advice and guidance, presentation evaluation, general artist development and providing opportunities for clients to have their music heard by industry folks looking for original music for specific projects or in general. Many of our clients have secured independent deals or had their music placed in various projects. Our company readily provides prospective clients with detailed information about how we work and references from past and current clients. When clients do received deals, they keep 100% of those deals and Hire A Consultant never receives a commission. Additionally, services are provided on a monthly (and non-exclusive) basis and clients can stop these services at any time by giving 30-day advance notice. Hire A Consultant NEVER guarantees that a client will secure a deal or will ultimately be successful. Nobody can! 
 
As the industry remains in a constant state of flux, in its effort to stay relevant and profitable, most major labels are only interested in artists who have proven themselves by selling thousands of units of self-released, self-promoted CDs or downloads, have a strong fan base, are receiving radio airplay and touring regularly. More than ever, up and coming artists need help, advice, input, direction, artist development and contacts to assist them in reaching various degrees of success. Services offered by Hire A Consultant simply provide an option to those wanting professional help as they push forward to the next level in their careers. 
 
The music industry is a tough and competitive business for sure, and it seems obvious that Tom is venting his frustration over his own lack of successnot ours. If Tom truly felt the Hire A Consultant services were not valuable or beneficial to him, he had the choiceat any and every point of his relationship with the companyto stop availing himself of our services. 

For over a decade, Hire A Consultant has helped dozens of clients who are both satisfied with the professional services and individual attention theyve received, and grateful for it too. 
 
Lovie Jones, Countdown Entertainment
[email protected]