Ritch Esra
Posted: April 26, 2012
By Larry LeBlanc (CelebrityAccess MediaWire)

Since 1992, Ritch Esra and Stephen Trumbull have been publishing The Music Business Registry, starting with The A&R Registry.

Their comprehensive industry directories have expanded to include: The Publisher Registry, The Music Business Attorney Registry, The Record Producer Directory, The Film and Television Music Guide, and The Management Registry (available online only).

The directories, primarily in PDF and online versions, provide current contact information on the A&R, music, publishing, legal, management, and film/TV music communities.

Each directory describes how to reach industry contacts by regular mail, email (including web sites), telephone, and by fax. Also provided are the title, street address, the name of contact’s assistant, and the style of music that each executive deals with.

The A&R Registry, updated, and reprinted every eight weeks, covers the scene in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, London, Chicago, Atlanta, Vancouver, and Toronto.

The Publisher Registry, updated every six months, lists all of the creative departments at music publishing companies.

Speaking of the A&R department, HIT CLICK caught up with former A&R executive and Music
Industry expert, Ritch Esra, a man who has his finger on the pulse of A&R today, the labels
and the Music Industry through the Music Business Registry. Beginning his career at A&M
Records in radio promotion, Ritch Esra moved into A&R at Arista Records, where he signed the
Thompson Twins and worked with Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston.
Since forming the Music Business Registry in the early 90s, he publishes directories (A&R,
Publishers, Attorneys, Producers/Engineers, and Film/TV Music) that are widely regarded as the
best, most up-to-date and accurate in the record industry.

TOM CALLAHAN began his music business career in 1986 after several years as a touring and studio musician. He has held executive positions with three record labels including Enigma Records, I.R.S Records and Virgin Records, where he was VP of Radio Promotion for adult formats. He departed in 1992 to start his own companies including Tom Callahan & Associates, which still operates today as a consultancy, specializing in Licensing, Artist Management, Radio, and Team Building.

MUBUTV's Ritch Esra sits down with Tom to discuss the artist, manager relationship.

Shot on location at MUSEXPO 2013 at the W Hotel in Hollywood, California on May 6, 2013