Jeff Blue
Encyclopedia
Jeff Blue is a multi-platinum music producer, A&R executive, songwriter, and lawyer who is currently Artists and Repertoire
consultant for Atlantic Records
. He has worked as Sr. VP A&R/Staff Producer for Warner Bros. Records|Warner California, Interscope Records, Virgin/Capitol Music Group, Sony/BMG/Jive Records, and RCA/J Records. He has dedicated his entire career to discovering and recruiting unsigned artist's and is most notably known for "discovering" and signing Linkin Park, Macy Gray, and The Last Goodnight. In addition to signing Limp Bizkit and Korn, he has written hit singles for artists such as Hoobastank, Syndicate, TLG and has produced numerous platinum movie soundtracks & major label albums resulting in more than 130 Million record sales worldwide.
Zomba Music Publishing was impressed by Blue’s versatility, and hired him. He cites that the combined experience from his professions gave him the insights and thoughts he needed to succeed in the Artists and Repertoire
division. During his career with Zomba, Blue taught "Songwriting" and "Artist Development” classes at UCLA , Blue hired guitarist Brad Delson as his intern and signed his band, Xero to a publishing deal on the night of their first performance. After developing Xero for two years, and changing the band name to Hybrid Theory, Blue met Chester Bennington, a singer from Arizona. Blue arranged for Bennington to become a member of the band, which later changed its name to Linkin Park. Blue shopped the band for three years and showcased them forty-four times. Unable to get them a deal, Blue negotiated his employment contract with Warner Bros. Records to include the signing of Linkin Park. Months later, they released their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which has since sold over 60 million albums worldwide.
Blue also developed and co-wrote with an artist named Macy Gray
. After recording Gray's demos, Blue secured a deal for the artist with Epic Records
and which led to him co-writing the top ten hit "Still" for Gray. During this time Blue also signed rock bands Korn
and Limp Bizkit
. Blue's discoveries and signings have helped shape popular culture for the last 15 years.
Blue personally signed as a writer to Warner Chappell Music Publishing and in addition to signing [Linkin Park] he worked, signed and developed and wrote for releases such as Queen of the Damned Soundtrack, Beautiful Creatures', several compilations, and co-developed the artist Daniel Powter.
Blue co-produced the 2005 Better than Ezra
album, "Before the Robots" which spawned two top ten singles. In 2008 he developed, co-wrote, and co-produced the debut album for Roadrunner artist, Steadlur.
Blue is currently signed as a songwriter to Universal Music Publishing where he co-wrote the 2009 hit single "So Close, So Far" for multi-Platinum artist Hoobastank. Blue won a BMI Award for his songwriting on "Pictures of You" for The Last Goodnight. He additionally produced, A&R'd, and performed on the Virgin Records album which also spawned Australia's #1 song of the year, and "Stay Beautiful"
In December 2009, Blue secured a deal for his development band Shoreline's End with Mercury/Island Def Jam.
Blue currently co-manages, co-A&R's, and co-writes for Omaha rock band Emphatic, who signed to Atlantic Records
in December 2009. Emphatic finished recording their major-label debut in Los Angeles with Howard Benson which is set for release early 2011.
His company Rock Shop Music Group focuses on writing and producing for major artists as well as artist development and management. Rock Shop has already yielded three major label signings. Emphatic to Atlantic Records, Shorelines End to Island Def Jam, and Syndicate to Sony. In addition, Blue Developed writers Shawn Hlookoff (EMI), Jared Lee (Universal)
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
consultant for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. He has worked as Sr. VP A&R/Staff Producer for Warner Bros. Records|Warner California, Interscope Records, Virgin/Capitol Music Group, Sony/BMG/Jive Records, and RCA/J Records. He has dedicated his entire career to discovering and recruiting unsigned artist's and is most notably known for "discovering" and signing Linkin Park, Macy Gray, and The Last Goodnight. In addition to signing Limp Bizkit and Korn, he has written hit singles for artists such as Hoobastank, Syndicate, TLG and has produced numerous platinum movie soundtracks & major label albums resulting in more than 130 Million record sales worldwide.
Biography
Blue graduated from the University of California (UCLA) and Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He was a Communications Major focusing on Media Law and after passing the Bar, Blue worked as a music journalist for Billboard, HITS and Entertainment Weekly, and eventually published his own magazine, Crossroads, which focused on discovering unsigned artists while he simultaneously managed, produced, and played drums in two signed major label bands while also working as an attorney for the law offices of Ross Schwartz. During this time he also pursued a career in acting which led to him featuring in many national television commercials.Zomba Music Publishing was impressed by Blue’s versatility, and hired him. He cites that the combined experience from his professions gave him the insights and thoughts he needed to succeed in the Artists and Repertoire
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
division. During his career with Zomba, Blue taught "Songwriting" and "Artist Development” classes at UCLA , Blue hired guitarist Brad Delson as his intern and signed his band, Xero to a publishing deal on the night of their first performance. After developing Xero for two years, and changing the band name to Hybrid Theory, Blue met Chester Bennington, a singer from Arizona. Blue arranged for Bennington to become a member of the band, which later changed its name to Linkin Park. Blue shopped the band for three years and showcased them forty-four times. Unable to get them a deal, Blue negotiated his employment contract with Warner Bros. Records to include the signing of Linkin Park. Months later, they released their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which has since sold over 60 million albums worldwide.
Blue also developed and co-wrote with an artist named Macy Gray
Macy Gray
Macy Gray is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress, famed for her distinctive raspy voice, and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis.Gray has released five studio albums, with her fifth studio album, The Sellout,...
. After recording Gray's demos, Blue secured a deal for the artist with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
and which led to him co-writing the top ten hit "Still" for Gray. During this time Blue also signed rock bands Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
and Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
. Blue's discoveries and signings have helped shape popular culture for the last 15 years.
Blue personally signed as a writer to Warner Chappell Music Publishing and in addition to signing [Linkin Park] he worked, signed and developed and wrote for releases such as Queen of the Damned Soundtrack, Beautiful Creatures', several compilations, and co-developed the artist Daniel Powter.
Blue co-produced the 2005 Better than Ezra
Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
album, "Before the Robots" which spawned two top ten singles. In 2008 he developed, co-wrote, and co-produced the debut album for Roadrunner artist, Steadlur.
Blue is currently signed as a songwriter to Universal Music Publishing where he co-wrote the 2009 hit single "So Close, So Far" for multi-Platinum artist Hoobastank. Blue won a BMI Award for his songwriting on "Pictures of You" for The Last Goodnight. He additionally produced, A&R'd, and performed on the Virgin Records album which also spawned Australia's #1 song of the year, and "Stay Beautiful"
In December 2009, Blue secured a deal for his development band Shoreline's End with Mercury/Island Def Jam.
Blue currently co-manages, co-A&R's, and co-writes for Omaha rock band Emphatic, who signed to Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in December 2009. Emphatic finished recording their major-label debut in Los Angeles with Howard Benson which is set for release early 2011.
His company Rock Shop Music Group focuses on writing and producing for major artists as well as artist development and management. Rock Shop has already yielded three major label signings. Emphatic to Atlantic Records, Shorelines End to Island Def Jam, and Syndicate to Sony. In addition, Blue Developed writers Shawn Hlookoff (EMI), Jared Lee (Universal)