Cherry Orchard Music Group (ASCAP) is a full-service independent artist management and music publishing company. We provide professional services to singers, songwriters, producers, DJs, hip-hop artists, voice-over specialists, and other performing artists participating in several different genres of music.

Our management team concentrates its efforts in the areas of R&B, Rock, Hip-Hop, and Reggae. However, we are open to all forms of music in the area of music publishing. Feel free to visit our About Us page to learn more about Cherry Orchard Music Group.

Founder/Owner Biography

Craig Winstead is an accomplished actor, writer, music producer, rap artist, and business owner. After working in many different capacities in the entertainment industry as well as in the corporate environment, Craig is now focusing his attention on artist management and music publishing. Craig attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME from 1987-1991. During his junior year at Bowdoin, he studied away at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Institute (National Theater Institute) where he worked with such greats as playwright August Wilson (RIP) and renowned European director Richard Digby Day. He graduated from Bowdoin with a B.A. in Theater Arts. Immediately upon graduation, he worked as a production assistant on the major motion picture The Good Son which was shot in part in Portland, ME and surrounding areas. He also toured New England as a musical actor in a summer-stock production of the musical Godspell. After living in New York City for a time and working as an actor, Craig decided to return home to Pittsburgh where he began working for a Fortune 500 company in sales and marketing and, at the same time, produced his own rap single Real for the Streets (BMI). He also helped to organize a five-state tour along with a few other groups to promote his music and sell his single. Today, Craig can boast having served 10 plus years in management (currently as a National Training Specialist), corporate training, quality systems auditing (ISO9000/TL9000), and consulting for a Fortune 500 company. He holds a Master Certificate in Project Management from The George Washington University, a Master of Science Degree in Leadership and Business Ethics from Duquesne University, and is a PhD candidate in the Organization and Management program at Capella University with an expected Doctorate Degree in 2009.