Who & What is ADEK?

WHERE WE BEGAN:

We're so glad you're interested in ADEK Productions and welcome you to read The ADEK Story. We're a relatively small company founded in 1990, by Chanssez and Sarah Wilkerson, with its roots originating in Los Angeles California. Although the business has grown and evolved into much more than it was originally formed to be, a recording studio, the foundation remains the same, the philosophy remains the same, and the people remain the same -- ROCK SOLID! Read our "story".

WHERE WE ARE NOW:

Our storefront is located on the main drag in Annapolis, Maryland -- West Street. It's both a showroom for sales and rental gear and a lab for video and digitizing projects. We are the only brick and mortar multimedia company in this great City and have been for over 2 decades!

WHAT WE DO:

We're often asked what we're about, what we do, who our clients are.  The answer is simple. We tout ourselves as a Multimedia Production Company.  An Audio - Video - Web Services company. Our Clientele ranges from Mr. and Mrs. Johnson next door to the Corporate Big Boys in Baltimore and DC. And no, our business is not "all about music", quite the contrary.  While we welcome music related projects and events, they are far from the bread and butter of our services. 

We have a close knit staff that work hard to establish and maintain close business relationships with our Clients. We believe the small size of our Company works to our advantage as our Clients have come to appreciate the personal service they get from us.

OUR SERVICES:

In terms of AUDIO, we provide live sound support services for big and small events. Both music related and speaking/presentation engagements. Our audio services extend to proaudio gear rentals as well. Need a PA system?

Our VIDEO services range, but we're finding that the bulk of our video business is digital transfer based. Meaning, folks are bringing their 8mm, 16mm, VHS and other video cassette based media to have us digitize them them for easy sharing and archiving. The most common digital file types are MP4, MOV but we offer other file types as well. We also film and provide audio servcies for school recitals, dance & theatrical performances, plays and more!

As for WEBSITE services, we have been doing a fair amount of rebuilding and updating as the website platforms are ever changing. We work mostly with Joomla based websites but work on WordPress, Wix and similar to accommodate our Clients.

The ADEK Story

Chanssez': Where it all began...

The making of this company began way back in the 1980's... I was "Gigging" around town, those days, "around town" for me was in Japan (Okinawa and Tokyo 1982).


I'd played in more places then I could even remember. I had contracts with several night club chains and a lot of the military bases. Most of the musicians who played in my band were in the military, like me, because that's what the Japanese public wanted. My lord, the changes I went through were many and exhausting, both with musicians and equipment. That is where it all began...


It didn't take long for me to smarten up and figure out a better way to make it work. I started buying all the equipment I needed for the band so I didn't need to rely on anyone for anything and started a Rolodex of musicians to call for gigs. I was in control of the contracts, the equipment, the artists, everything. Suddenly, it was no longer just a hobby but rather a full-blown, full-time job!

Then, one day I had the chance of a lifetime >> a RECORD DEAL.  Unfortunately, because I was so young and inexperienced with things of this nature -- I "missed the boat".  The industry was full of crooked people and I couldn't tell who I should or shouldn't trust -- the Record Company or the Lawyers. So, I chose to let it go.  I realized then, that my music was more important to me then that almighty "record deal". I was playing music for myself. The "art" of it all was what I really enjoyed and wanted. 

There's nothing more satisfying than composing music and performing it. It was at this time I started a company called the Music Entertainment Company (MEC). Gearing the business to musicians who wanted to share their music with others in a live setting.  Once I opened up this avenue it became apparent that there were still many obstacles to overcome, especially the equipment issue. It seemed like everyday a new piece of equipment was coming out to enhance a musician's art. Midi had just been born, closely followed by personal computers, which were just starting to rear their heads. The concepts of "Modern Technology" was upon us.

How could an average person deal with the fact that every time they buy a new piece of equipment the very next day it was outdated or obsolete?! Of course, this turned just about everyone into "gear heads". I, of course, was one of them and I still am, but during that time I focused highly on the "art" of music.

I returned to the USA back in 1987 and what a shock it was for me! Six years of playing on the foreign circuit with great success only to find out that I was now outdated. "Okay Chanssez, concentrate on the art...." And so the real building began... I got married, started a family, then set up my first studio, we named it the Artist Development Entertainment Kompany (spelled with a "K", to show a little rebellion against the standard) for recording services and practice space in San Bernardino, California. It lasted all of about 6 months, then !@SPLAT#! -- I lost $10,000 before I could even get started. Before it was too late, I realized that it wasn't going to work and cut my ties. Poor planning? Poor timing? Who knows... I thought to myself, "Man, this business is hard...".

I ran home with my tail tucked firmly between my legs and concentrated on having and supporting my family (that's what I call a "real" job!).

After a few years of ignoring my passion (playing music) Sarah, my wife, and I returned to renew the Artist Development Entertainment Kompany (ADEK ) with a renewed vision and commitment to success in mind. Our goal was to help others with what I've learned from my own experience. No, I didn't know everything but I knew that what I DID know could make a big difference in someone else's life. Wow, what a concept! Fortunately, a good one.

Since then we've built several different studios and rehearsal spaces, I've written an endless number of songs, released a few, and have been involved with many great artists and musicians. What a great experience! 

The Artist Development Entertainment Kompany (ADEK) is just that and then some. It was formed to place emphasis on the client's needs and to help create the sight & sound the Artist is looking for. It has since become a much greater enterprise emphasizing on the new age of digital media for artists and commercial business in more ways than just the art of music.

No matter what you come to us for, with ADEK you'll have it YOUR WAY. We want to help you see your vision to fruition. We pride ourselves on being there to help you achieve what you want and need, not to tell you what you can or can't do. You can feel confident that ADEK will understand your needs and help you no matter what you're working on.  

 I've always said: "To be an individual one must stand up as an individual. Let them -- come to you...."



~ Chanssez'