Sony/ATV Music Publishing has adopted a pioneering approach among major music publishers by installing an A&R executive to work in Nashville and specialize in non-country music.
Mark Abramowitz, who was previously A&R Coordinator in Sony/ATV's New York office, has relocated to the company's Nashville office to take up the role of Manager, A&R/Creative, reporting into Danny Strick, Sony/ATV Co-President, U.S.
In his new role he has been tasked with signing, developing and working with Sony/ATV Nashville's non-country songwriters as well as supporting Sony/ATV's signings from other destinations who come to the Tennessee city for songwriting and recording sessions. The move to have an A&R person dedicated to non-country music is understood to be a first for a major music publisher in Nashville.
Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO, said: "Nashville is far more than just country music. Almost every genre is represented there and as a music publisher it's important we recognize this and have the right personnel in place. We at Sony/ATV are happy to take the lead and we have in Mark a rising A&R star who will get the best out of our non-country signings."
Danny Strick said: "It was clear to me from working with Mark in New York the past few years that he is the perfect A&R person to work for the pop division in Nashville. His sensibilities for music and writer friendly approach should enable him to thrive in Nashville where anything in music seems possible."
Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Nashville President and CEO, said: "As Nashville's music community has expanded, the city has developed as well as attracted a growing number of non-country songwriters and artists. With Mark we now have a dedicated A&R person to search out, develop and work with the best of this talent, while he will also be on hand to work with and set up writing sessions for visiting songwriters."
Mark Abramowitz said: "I'm grateful for the opportunity Marty, Danny and Troy have given me with this new role and I'm excited to be working in such a vibrant music city with so many talented songwriters and musicians."
The groundbreaking move by Sony/ATV recognizes that, while Nashville remains the home of country music, it is living up to its moniker as the U.S.'s Music City by embracing and having success with many other genres of music. Some of contemporary music's most successful non-country artists hail from the city or nearby, including rock bands Kings of Leon and Paramore, while Meghan Trainor has worked there with her songwriting partner and producer Kevin Kadish.
The Black Keys relocated there,
Jack White established his
Third Man Records recording studio, offices, store and live venue in the city, while music superstar
Taylor Swift spent much of her career in Nashville, with Sony/ATV having signed her at the age of 14. The city is also a must-visit destination for many other leading non-country artists and songwriters who want to collaborate with local talent and be part of the thriving music community.
Abramowitz joined Sony/ATV in New York in 2011 as an intern having graduated from Rutgers University and been part of Sony's
College Marketing Department. He rose from the role of receptionist to becoming A&R Assistant in December 2011 and then A&R Coordinator in January 2014. Songwriters and artists he has signed include Wild Cub, No Wyld and Kevin Kadish who co-wrote eight of the songs on Meghan Trainor's Billboard 200 chart-topping debut album Title, including the worldwide No. 1 hit "All About That Bass" and its follow-up "Lips Are Movin'".
Abramowitz also works closely with Nashville-based singer-songwriter
Marc Scibilia who won recent new acclaim when his cover of "This Land Is Your Land" soundtracked Jeep's 2015 Super Bowl commercial. The pair will continue their working relationship now they are based in the same city.
While its focus further widens to other genres, Sony/ATV Nashville remains the No. 1 country publisher having led Nielsen BDS's market shares of the Top 100 country airplay hits in the U.S. in every quarter of 2014. Its artists/writer roster includes Taylor Swift, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, The Band Perry, Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett,
Chris Young and Blake Shelton, while last year Sony/ATV was named Country Publisher of the Year by performing rights organization BMI for the 13th consecutive year.
ABOUT SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing, established in 1995 as a joint venture between Sony and Michael Jackson, is the world's leading music publisher. Together with EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV owns or administers around 3 million copyrights including those from such iconic music catalogs like Leiber & Stoller, Mijac Music, Motown and Famous Music. Sony/ATV also controls many of the best known songs ever written like "New York, New York", "Hallelujah", "All You Need Is Love", "You've Got a Friend", "Moon River", "Jailhouse Rock", "The Mission Impossible Theme", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Over the Rainbow", "Stand By Me", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Singin' in the Rain". In addition, Sony/ATV represents the copyrights of such legendary artists as The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Kraftwerk, Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Richie Sambora, Sting, The Supremes, Wyclef Jean, Hank Williams and Stevie Wonder, among others. Its ever-growing list of chart-topping artists, writers and producers includes Akon, Avicii, Calvin Harris, Jessie J, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, P!nk, RedOne, Shakira, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Stargate, Taylor Swift,
Kanye West and
Pharrell Williams.
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