New record label formed in Maricopa

Maricopa resident Mark Perkins has started his own record label and signed a gospel artist from Indiana.

For the past three and a half years, Perkins, aka Shamel, has worked as a security guard at Maricopa High School, where he said he strives to be a positive influence on students.

He retired in 2007 as a deputy warden for the Arizona Department of Corrections after serving for 22 years.

His true love, however, is music.

“I’ve always had a passion for music,” said Perkins, who calls his label Shamel Records.

Perkins said he decided to follow a dream and has been making music on his own for the past two years while learning the recording industry.

He grew up in Decatur, Ill., and sang in his church and school choirs. Although his passion was music, Perkins said he also was a dedicated athlete but threw his arm out playing baseball at community college. Perkins said if not for the injuries he may have had a shot at playing in the Major Leagues.

Perkins has lived in Maricopa since 2006 with his family.

In his youth, Perkins taught himself to play bass guitar, which led to the development of his musical talent.

“Everything I do is by ear. I hear it,” Perkins said.

Once he began to learn the “ins and outs” of the record industry, Perkins decided to get his label licensed with the city of Maricopa.

The label is named after his niece, Shamegieko Shamella Carlton, who died from cancer at age 27.

“I dropped off the [ending of] Shamella and left the Shamel, and that’s how we came up with the name,” Perkins said. “So, it’s all in loving memory of her.”

Shamel Records has recently signed Linda Derrickson, a gospel singer from South Bend, Ind. Derrickson goes by the name Linda-D.

“I love working with him because he listens to my ideas,” Linda-D said. “He’s a go-getter and that’s what I need in my life right now.”

Perkins describes his artist as a “dynamic gospel singer” and a “powerhouse” with her vocals. Plans for her first album release are set for March 2012.

“I’ve known her for years,” Perkins said. “She is a professional singer that just has been like a diamond in the rough.”

Wherever Linda-D performs, Perkins said that she always “wows” the crowd.

Perkins said it is a blessing to have Linda-D as a signed artist under his label, because he plans to build the company around her.

“I like to consider us a people’s label,” Perkins said. “If I could make a living at this, that’s fine, but my main thing is my passion, my passion for the artistry.”

Perkins said artists who sign with his label will have a little bit more control over their material and craft versus “being fit into a box” like so many other labels do with their artists.

“I want them to reap the benefits of their hard work,” Perkins said.

Perkins wants to focus his record label on great management, because he said that many record label feuds between the artist and label happen because of poor management.

“If you put in the work, I believe you should be well compensated for it and that’s why I say we are considering ourselves the people’s label,” Perkins said. “It’s about the artists.”

Perkins doesn’t want the public to think his label won’t get results just because it is an independent home-based label.

“That doesn’t mean anything,” Perkins said. “It’s all about the connections. It’s all about knowing who to contact, what to do, who’s involved and how to manage and market your product.”

He plans to open his facility to the public because he knows that locally there is a lot of undiscovered talent.