Aiming to celebrate and elevate game-changing producers in the evolving music industry, The Core Entertainment breaks new ground today (10/6), announcing the launch of its new Producer Management division.
Founded by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman – both of whom were honored on Billboard’s Country Power Players list for 2023 – The Core’s new Producer Management division presents a fresh perspective on songwriting and production, placing song creation ahead of established conventions. Tim Crane has been tapped to spearhead the division.
Built to both manage the careers of emerging writer/producers – and give them same services and respect traditionally given to artists – The Core seeks to push music’s new generation of writer/producers into the spotlight.
Proudly disrupting the co-writing and publishing paradigms, the team’s sole objective is to foster the creation of cutting-edge, culturally-significant hit songs – no matter who needs to be in the room to make them happen. As such, the division now launches with Austin Shawn, Marty James and Matt Geroux on the roster – three writer/producers with chart-topping experience in Country, Pop, Hip-Hop, Latin music and beyond. More signings will be announced soon. Read the Billboard article here.
In a joint statement from Tikhman and Zaruk, the founders explain the unique vision driving The Core’s Producer Management division – and how it will continue to grow moving forward. “The idea behind creating this division is to work with the most talented writers and producers that are not afraid to push the boundaries of music,” they say. “With Austin, Marty and Matt, they have all shown exactly that. They challenge artists to be the best they can be, while maintaining their visions and the integrity of the songs. The goal here is to work with producers around the globe that touch every genre of music and continue to disrupt the industry with their unique artistry.”
Best known for his work with emerging superstar Bailey Zimmerman on Religiously. The Album. – the most-streamed debut Country album of all time – Austin Shawn is a writer/producer/mixer/engineer who has spent 11 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Producers chart. He is also credited for producing/mixing/mastering rising star Chase Matthew’s breakout hit “County Line,” and boasts three #1 singles at Country radio – Zimmerman’s “Fall In Love,” “Rock and A Hard Place,” and “Religiously.”
Writer/producer Marty James is credited as a co-writer of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber)’s 13x PLATINUM #1 Billboard Hot 100 smash “Despacito,” who also co-wrote Zimmerman’s recent #1 single, “Religiously.” He has earned further credits across the Pop and Hip-Hop spectrum, from Enrique Iglesias to Wiz Khalifa, Christina Aguilera and more.
Finally, Matt Geroux is a Nashville-based writer/producer/engineer with over 130 MILLION streams to his credit, currently earning attention for his work with rising star Josh Ross. Produced by Geroux, Ross’s breakout single “Trouble” has racked up 70 MILLION+ global streams, reigned #1 on the Canadian Country Radio Chart, earned PLATINUM certification in Canada, plus debuted at #43 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart in 2023. Adding to the nods with Ross, the Geroux-produced track “On A Different Night” was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA). Quickly becoming an in-demand collaborator, a whole new wave of cuts are set to be revealed soon.
Initially launched in 2019 as an artist-management company in partnership with Live Nation, The Core Entertainment spotlights an artist roster led by Bailey Zimmerman and Nickelback, while also featuring Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Dillon James, VALLEY, and more. Skyrocketing from the start, The Core Entertainment was named the 2023 CCMA Management Company of the Year.
In July of 2023, The Core Records was founded through a separate partnership with Universal Music Group, and now, The Core’s Producer Management division will operate as a third standalone team. Each was born from and made for a new era in the music industry, ready to embrace new platforms and innovative creativity.
