Universal Music Canada inks JV with management company The Core Entertainment

Nashville-based Canadian singer-songwriter Steven Lee

Management company The Core Entertainment and Universal Music Canada (UMC) have entered into a joint venture.

The Core is an entertainment and artist management company formed in partnership with Live Nation and founded in 2019 by veteran music manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and serial entrepreneur Simon Tikhman.

The UMC team, led by Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Remedios and Executive Vice President and General Manager Kristen Burke, will work in tandem with The Core founders Zaruk and Tikhman, and The Core Canada President Tracy Martin, to select a roster of talent who they say are “poised to make an impact internationally”, and develop the acts together in their respective and distinct roles as management and label.

As part of the deal with UMC, The Core will offer management services, creative direction and A&R development to artists, bringing key acts to Universal Music Canada for UMC’s consideration to sign to a recorded music deal.

The joint venture launches with its first recording artist signing: Grammy-nominated, Nashville-based Canadian singer-songwriter Steven Lee Olsen, who is set to release new music on July 30, 2021.

Steven Lee Olsen’s signing to The Core Entertainment and Universal Music Canada is the first of many recorded music releases, across all genres, planned to come.

“The Core Entertainment’s vision and drive in championing artists is inspiring.”

Jeffrey Remedios, UMC

Remedios said: “I’ve long admired Chief, Simon and Tracy’s individual strengths, smarts, and passions. The Core Entertainment’s vision and drive in championing artists is inspiring.

“This partnership is an opportunity to work with people we admire to do what we love — supporting a wide-range of artists in lockstep with a formidable management team.

“Steven Lee Olsen is a prolific songwriter with a voice that demands to be heard. With his signing, UMC couldn’t be prouder to double down on our commitment to country music with Steven at the forefront.”

“The Core strives to work with the most innovative and authentic industry leaders, and there’s no doubt Jeffrey, Kristen and the Universal Music Canada team are among the best in the business.”

Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Simon Tikhman, & Tracy Martin, The Core

Tikhman, Zaruk, and Martin, added: “The Core strives to work with the most innovative and authentic industry leaders, and there’s no doubt Jeffrey, Kristen and the Universal Music Canada team are among the best in the business.

“We both know the artist always comes first, and this powerful collaboration will allow us to holistically support some of today’s brightest talent across genres.

“We’re thrilled to welcome country singer-songwriter Steven Lee Olsen to the family as our first joint signing and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

 Music Business Worldwide