Sony/ATV Music Publishing has taken the uncommon step of hiring an A&R executive to work in Nashville and specialise in non-country music.
Mark Abramowitz (pictured), 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 believed 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.”
Some of contemporary music’s biggest non-country artists hail from Nashville 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.
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.Music Business Worldwide
