Thank you!
If you’re reading this you’ve expressed interest in learning more about Dreaming The Future Together. Over the past thirty years I have been honored to be approached by friends with some variation of “I have an idea that involves music and I thought of you.” Over time my view of “Let’s figure it out and learn together” has become one of the guiding principles of my creative life. This principle is also at the core of Dreaming The Future Together. As I have had opportunities to help others discover the questions they want to explore has provided me space to also consider what I am searching for in my own artistic practices. Dreaming The Future Together is one way of helping me to organize these ideas for myself and hopefully help others in the process.
I hope that this document can act as an overview to this adventure, give some background, and answer any general questions you may have. Drafting this document with you in mind (artists that I’m hoping to support) has been an inspiring process. If you have any feedback or additional questions please feel free to reach out; I’m very open and would love to hear from you. Most importantly, if you are reading this - I am hoping that this project is something we can co-create together.
NEHEMIAH, CHIEF DREAMING OFFICER
Your Voice, Your Vision, Your Future — One Dream at a Time
The Beginning of Dreaming The Future Together
Towards the end of 2019 I found myself resting following an exciting production of jazz singer at Abrons Arts Center by joining a collaboration on a new opera/music theater piece, Adia and Clora Snatch Joy, as a part of “PlayTime” at New Dramatists while finishing up my first semester of grad school for Music Composition at Hunter College. While editing I find it calming to put on an episode of something as it helps to remind me of the passage of time. So, I put on a Netflix Documentary — ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke.
I found myself pulled in immediately. I hadn’t realized how young Sam Cooke had died but more importantly I was reminded of his life: born in Mississippi to a minister father Sam began singing in church and found his activism through his music, performance choices and business acumen. There is a 5 minute stretch that I highly recommend — 39:28 - 44:28 — that solidified the importance of starting a Music Publishing company. I had mis-remembered this as a direct Sam Cooke quote but it is actually a mix of talking heads, narration, and historical footage. One of the founding principles of his business collaboration with J.W. Alexander was to “make the artist just as important as the owner”. (If you want to start a touch earlier at about 36:37 you can also catch Sam Cooke singing with Cassius Clay (pre-Muhammad Ali) which might be one of the sweetest expressions of Black Joy. The way Cassius locks into Sam’s eyes as they sing will definitely be etched in my memory.) ¹
I had been considering starting an LLC for a few years. In 2011, the conductor of Porgy and Bess pulled me aside before rehearsal one day and downloaded the benefits of a corporate structure. In the years since I had managed to offset most of my 1099 work with W-2/salary work so it never seemed to be a top priority. 2020 saw a lot of shifts. In order to make time for creative work and for the flexibility to travel when needed for workshops, residencies, and/or productions I made the wild decision to step away from my long term church and education work. In the midst of a global pandemic with a side of awakening to the realities of racism, colorism, and police brutality - Dreaming The Future Together LLC was officially founded and registered with New York State.
Starting a company solely for my Music Supervision, Direction, Dramaturgy and other consulting work was an idea. As I began thinking through what would be needed for a startup Music Publishing company I was intrigued by how this could eventually be helpful to other artists. Nehemiah Luckett Productions felt oddly limiting as I found myself imagining more comprehensive models. Sam Cooke was internationally famous and even he joined J.W. Alexander’s Kags Music for publishing while co-founding SAR Records. The name Dreaming the Future Together was inspired by a practice that my friend Orion Johnstone and I developed through weekly conversations. We would start with sharing dreams and things would really take off for us when we expanded to sharing Ancestor (/Elder/Peer) Wisdoms as well.
For over thirty years I had focused almost exclusively on live performances; recording was for demo, rehearsal, and archival purposes with a few exceptions. This endeavor gave me a reason to research more deeply into the details of the recording industry: types of royalties, distribution, licensing and additional income streams - especially for music that had already been written. My hope was for Dreaming The Future Together to slowly expand into Music Publishing Administration for additional artists between 2025 and 2030. This was expedited by a shift in plans with my collaborator Autumn Brown. Pre-Covid we had planned to perform locally in Minneapolis and New York City while building up to an album release; with the shutdown(s) we pivoted and released two EPs in 2024. This “trial by fire” experience taught me a lot about the potential for Dreaming The Future Together. Releasing these EPs also proved the importance of the artist-centered approach and shaping the experience based on the needs of each individual.
¹Sadly, I can’t fully recommend the entire documentary mostly because the final 15 minutes take a sensationalist, slightly conspiratorial Netflix turn but, it is interesting and really clips along in its 75 minute total run time.
Vision & Goals
The music industry is undergoing a transformative period driven by advancements in social media, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms. Despite these rapid changes, music continues to be a vital form of human expression and connection. Dreaming The Future Together envisions an ecosystem that equips creators with the tools and insights they need to excel in the evolving landscape.
Looking ahead, we plan to expand our offerings to include equipment rental and label services. Our label services will encompass the management and distribution of music recordings, guiding artists through the complexities of the industry, from production to promotion. We will also introduce corporate workshops that bring the skills and tools from the music and theater worlds into professional settings, enhancing team cohesion, improving performance, and fostering new skill development.
Short Term Goals (2025-2027)
Continuing connections with Artists interested in writing, recording, and publishing new music through personal connections and recommendations.
Networking and creating connections for performance opportunities, artistic financial support, and placement of DTFT Artists’ work in TV, Film, etc.
DTFT Website becoming a hub for detailed information on the process of music creation, production, and distribution; including transparency around pricing models and structures.
Digital and Physical Sheet Music Production and Sales
Equipment Rental
Growing with DTFT Artists as their creative endeavors progress and shift.
Workshops and Residencies for DTFT Artists to network, collaborate, and create.
Targeted Creation of Music for Advertising/Commercial Placement
Founding/Organizing Dream Voices Ensemble (Tentative Name) dedicated to workshopping, performing, and recording demos for new composers with an emphasis on music theater, musical theater, and opera projects but not limited. The potential exists for this ensemble to also support other genres as well.
One of the most time-consuming and expensive parts of new productions is creating demos that capture the heart of the piece. Building an ensemble attuned to the needs of composers and songwriters and regularly working with new material will be an advantage for all involved.
Advocacy for fully staffed Music Departments in theatrical productions and any spaces where music plays a role in the creative vision.
Podcast dedicated to Music Department members sharing and learning together with a specific focus on the intricacies and details of creating/producing music.
The target audience for this endeavor would be those interested in learning more about how Music Departments work, best practices, etc.
Hopefully producers, directors, and other creatives would find it useful.
Full Label/Management Services including development opportunities for artists and specific projects (i.e. offering financial support for EPs, Albums, and Publishing/Composition Development)
Long Term Goals (2027-2030)
Partnerships & Collaborations
2024 was a year of development for Dreaming The Future Together but proved to be quite productive. DTFT Artists released 3 EPS (AUTUMN: The Animal In You and The Way Your Blood Beats, Orion Johnstone’s RISK HALLELUJAH: First Drafts), a single (Suzanne McCoy: “Here I Am”), and produced a weekend of performances in Minneapolis, Minnesota (AUTUMN: Live in Concert at Red Eye Theater).
More information can be found at dreamingthefuturetogether.com/about
LEGAL COUNSEL
PRODUCTION
Frequently Asked Questions: Quick answers to common queries about music publishing, creative consulting, royalties, and more.
How-To Guides: Step-by-step resources to help you navigate essential processes like registering copyrights, distributing music, or licensing compositions.
Pricing Transparency: A detailed breakdown of our service models, royalty percentages, and the benefits we offer, so you know exactly what to expect.
Industry Insights: Regularly updated tips and trends to help you stay ahead in the fast-changing creative landscape.
The Info Hub is your go-to resource for navigating the services, processes, and opportunities offered by Dreaming The Future Together. Designed with artists and collaborators in mind, it anticipates and addresses common questions, ensuring you have the knowledge and tools to thrive creatively and professionally.
Here’s what you’ll find in the Info Hub:
Info Hub
The Info Hub will continue to grow, shaped by your needs and feedback. If you have additional questions or topics you’d like to see covered, we encourage you to share them with us. Together, we can ensure this resource remains relevant, informative, and empowering.
For Further Conversation
Please, feel free to reach out to Nehemiah@dtftmusic.com for more information or to continue this conversation.
Closing Thoughts
Dreaming The Future Together is more than a business—it’s a call to action for artists, collaborators, and visionaries to build a community together. As we navigate this ever-evolving industry, our commitment remains steadfast: to empower creators, foster collaboration, and embrace innovation at every turn.
We believe in the importance of supporting independent creators in achieving their dreams while retaining ownership of their voices.
If you’ve read this far, you’ve already taken the first step toward becoming a part of this journey. Whether you’re an artist seeking support, a collaborator with a shared passion, or simply someone who believes in the power of dreams, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can shape a vibrant, transformational ecosystem—one dream at a time.
Thank you for considering Dreaming The Future Together. We look forward to dreaming, creating, and thriving with you.
Warm regards,
NEHEMIAH, CHIEF DREAMING OFFICER
Your Voice, Your Vision, Your Future — One Dream at a Time