Sony/ATV Adds Non-Country A&R Manager To Nashville Office
Mark Abramowitz
Sony/ATV has relocated Mark Abramowitz, previously A&R coordinator in the company’s New York office, to its Nashville office where he will serve as Manager, A&R/Creative. In his new role, he will sign, develop and work with Sony/ATV Nashville’s non-country songwriters, as well as support Sony/ATV signings from other destinations who come to Nashville for songwriting and recording. Abramowitz will report to Danny Strick, Sony/ATV Co-President, U.S.
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.”
Strick commented, “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, added, “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.”
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.”
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 chart-topping debut album Title, including the No. 1 hit “All About That Bass” and its follow-up “Lips Are Movin’”. Abramowitz also works with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Marc Scibilia, whose cover of “This Land Is Your Land” served as the soundtrack to Jeep’s 2015 Super Bowl commercial.
The move follows Nashville’s increasing musical contributions to hits outside of the country genre, including rock bands Kings of Leon and Paramore, as well as Trainor and her songwriting partner/producer Kadish. Country-turned-pop artist Taylor Swift was signed by Sony/ATV at age 14. Rock artists The Black Keys and Jack White also call Music City home.
Darius Rucker’s Southern Style debuted at No. 1 on the country album chart today, with sales of 52K. It’s his fourth consecutive solo album to enter at No. 1, fueled in part by the success of No. 1 lead single, “Homegrown Honey.” He penned the hit with Charles Kelley and Nathan Chapman.
The Americana Music Association, City Winery, and Newport Folk Presents have announced the continuation of their partnership with the second edition of their State of the Union series, featuring select performances from April through July 2015.
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The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) will present its 45th Anniversary Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 11, at Nashville’s Music City Center.