Yamaha Entertainment Group of America, is a division of the American

subsidiary A subsidiary, subsidiary company or daughter company is a company owned or controlled by another company, which is called the parent company or holding company. Two or more subsidiaries that either belong to the same parent company or having a s ...

Yamaha Corporation is a Japanese multinational corporation and conglomerate with a very wide range of products and services. It is one of the constituents of Nikkei 225 and is the world's largest musical instrument manufacturing company. The former motorcycle div ...

. It is based in

Franklin, Tennessee Franklin is a city in and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. About south of Nashville, it is one of the principal cities of the Nashville metropolitan area and Middle Tennessee. As of 2020, its population was 83,454 ...

and was created and developed in 2001 by Vice President Chris Gero. YEG is responsible for the development and advancement of ''Yamaha'' brand name through numerous artist-related activities worldwide, which includes endorsements, artist imaging, artist marketing, concert production, media operations, piano logistics, tour support, product placement, artist related publications, artist website development and strategic alliances.

History

A 25-year veteran in the music industry, Chris Gero has spent the last 15 years spearheading Yamaha's artist branding. In 2001, he officially created and developed Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs. In May 2007, YCAA became a company subsidiary of the Yamaha Corporation of America and became known as Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. Chris Gero, who was serving as the YCAA corporate director, assumed the position of vice president. More than 3,000 artists have been signed to contracts and the largest concerts in Yamaha's 110-year history have been produced under his direction. In 2009, YCAA became officially known as Yamaha Artist Services, Nashville. In 2011, Yamaha Artist Services, Nashville became a part of Yamaha Entertainment Group (YEG), and Chris Gero became the Vice President of YEG.

Endorsements

The primary function of Yamaha Entertainment Group is the endorsement management of more than 3,000 artists and musicians around the globe. Yamaha Entertainment Group manages the Yamaha endorsement relationships of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, James Blunt, Justin Timberlake, Josh Groban, Sara Bareilles, Jamie Cullum, Chick Corea, Sarah McLachlan, and Gavin DeGraw, just to name a few.

Product support and placement

Yamaha Entertainment Group also supports all levels of product support and product placement, including TV, film and stage placement. Not only is Yamaha the largest music manufacturer in the world, Yamaha is also one of the most recognized musical name brands in the world. YEG works to support the needs and requests of artists who earn a living using Yamaha products.

Concert production

Another facet of Yamaha Entertainment Group is concert production, which showcases Yamaha artists and the products they use. YEG is a full-service concert production team composed of industry veterans that have put on everything from small clinic tours to elaborate arena shows. YEG has developed and produced the largest artist concerts in Yamaha's 110-year history. In 2003, Yamaha produced “A Tribute to Elton John,” a philanthropic effort which brought together some of today's most popular artists to pay tribute to Sir Elton John and raise money for music education. The event raised $330,000. More than 16,000 people attended the concert at the

Arrowhead Pond The Honda Center (formerly known as the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim) is an indoor arena located in Anaheim, California. The arena is home to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. Originally named the Anaheim Arena during construction, i ...

Anaheim, California Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the 10th-most p ...

. Some of the artists that lent their talents to this special night included Elton John, Ray Charles, Bruce Hornsby, Jewel, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, John Mayer, Michael McDonald, Randy Newman, Take 6 and many more. In 2000, Los Angeles’ historic Shrine Auditorium was the setting for YEG's (formerly YASN) Michael McDonald tribute concert, “Michael McDonald – A Gathering of Friends,” which is available on DVD. Performers on this night included Michael McDonald,

Patti LaBelle Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24, 1944), known professionally as Patti LaBelle, is an American R&B singer, actress and businesswoman. LaBelle is referred to as the " Godmother of Soul". She began her career in the early 1960s as lead singe ...

Edwin McCain Edwin Cole McCain (born January 20, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His songs " I'll Be" (1998) and "I Could Not Ask for More" (1999) were radio top-40 hits in the U.S., and five of his albums have reached the ''Billboard ...

James Ingram James Edward Ingram (February 16, 1952 – January 29, 2019) was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He was a two-time Grammy Award-winner and a two-time Academy Awards, Academy Award nominee for Academy Award for Best Original ...

Kenny Loggins Kenneth Clark Loggins (born January 7, 1948) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. His early songs were recorded with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970, which led to seven albums recorded as Loggins and Messina from 1972 to 1977. His ...

Christopher Cross Christopher Cross (born Christopher Charles Geppert; May 3, 1951) is an American singer-songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. He won five Grammy Awards for his eponymous debut album released in 1979. The singles "Sailing" (1980), and "Arthur's T ...

and

The Doobie Brothers The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band formed in 1970 in San Jose, California, known for their flexibility in performing across numerous genres and their vocal harmonies. Active for five decades, with their greatest success in the 1970s, ...

. Other artists who have participated in Yamaha produced concerts include:

Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris ( Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, Pop musi ...

Tony Bennett Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American retired singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz. Bennett is also a painter, having created works under his birth ...

Sarah McLachlan Sarah Ann McLachlan Order of Canada, OC Order of British Columbia, OBC (born January 28, 1968) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. As of 2015, she had sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is ''Surfacing ( ...

John Legend John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and record producer. He began his musical career by working behind the scenes, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's " Ever ...

Brad Paisley Bradley Douglas Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Starting with his 1999 debut album ''Who Needs Pictures'', he has released eleven studio albums and a Christmas compilation on the Arista Nashvil ...

Jason Isbell Michael Jason Isbell (; born February 1, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a member of Drive-By Truckers for six years, from 2001 to 2007. Isbell h ...

Sheryl Crow Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, pop, country, folk, and blues. She has released eleven studio albums, five compilations and three li ...

Butch Walker Bradley Glenn "Butch" Walker (born November 14, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He was the lead guitarist for the glam metal band SouthGang from the late 1980s to early 1990s as well as the lead vocalist ...

Larry Mullen Jr. Laurence Joseph Mullen Jr. (; born 31 October 1961) is an Irish musician, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band U2. Mullen was born in Dublin, where he attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School. In 1976, he co-founded U2 ...

Jamie Cullum Jamie Cullum (born 20 August 1979) is an English jazz-pop singer, songwriter and radio presenter. Although primarily a vocalist and pianist, he also accompanies himself on other instruments, including guitar and drums. He has recorded nine stu ...

Josh Groban Joshua Winslow Groban (born February 27, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. His first four solo albums have been certified multi-platinum, and he was charted in 2007 as the number-one best selling artist in the United States, wi ...

Gavin DeGraw Gavin Shane DeGraw (born February 4, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter. DeGraw rose to fame with his song "I Don't Want to Be" from his debut album '' Chariot'' (2003); the song became the main theme song for The WB drama series ''One Tree ...

Al Jarreau Alwin Lopez Jarreau (March 12, 1940 – February 12, 2017) was an American singer and musician. His 1981 album '' Breakin' Away'' spent two years on the ''Billboard'' 200 and is considered one of the finest examples of the Los Angeles pop and R ...

Natalie Cole Natalie Maria Cole (February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was the daughter of American singer and jazz pianist Nat King Cole. She rose to success in the mid-1970s as an R&B singer with the h ...

k.d. lang Kathryn Dawn Lang (born November 2, 1961), known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress. Lang has won Juno Awards and Grammy Awards for her musical performances. Hits include the s ...

Donna Summer LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948May 17, 2012), known professionally as Donna Summer, was an American singer and songwriter. She gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s and became known as the " Queen of Disco", while her mus ...

Al Green Albert Leornes Greene (born April 13, 1946), better known as Al Green, is an American singer, songwriter, pastor and record producer best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s, including " Take Me to the River", ...

Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. A classically trained pianist, Keys started composing songs when she was 12 and was signed at 15 years old by Col ...

Peter Frampton Peter Kenneth Frampton (born 22 April 1950) is an English musician and songwriter who was a member of the rock bands Humble Pie and the Herd. As a solo artist, he has released several albums, including his major breakthrough album, the live ...

Delbert McClinton Delbert McClinton (born November 4, 1940) is an American blues rock and electric blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and pianist. From his first professional stage appearance in 1957 to his most recent national tour in 2018, ...

Kirk Franklin Kirk Dewayne Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American songwriter, choir director, gospel singer, and rapper. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel ensembles such as The Family, God's Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC) a ...

Vanessa Carlton Vanessa Lee Carlton (born August 16, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Upon completion of her education at the School of American Ballet, Carlton chose to pursue singing instead, performing in New York City bars and clubs while ...

Chaka Khan Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known by her stage name Chaka Khan (), is an American singer. Her career has spanned more than five decades, beginning in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the funk band Rufus. Known as the " Qu ...

Keb Mo Kevin Roosevelt Moore (born October 3, 1951), known as Keb' Mo', is an American blues musician and five-time Grammy Award winner. He is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, living in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been described as "a living link ...

Phil Vassar Phillip George Vassar Jr. (born May 28, 1962) is an American country music artist. Vassar made his debut on the country music scene in the late 1990s, co-writing singles for several country artists, including Tim McGraw ("For a Little While", ...

Five for Fighting Vladimir John Ondrasik III (born January 7, 1965), also known by his stage name Five for Fighting, is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. He is best known for his piano-based soft rock ballads, such as the top 40 hits "Superman (It's Not ...

Sara Bareilles Sara Beth Bareilles (, ; born December 7, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She has sold over three million albums and over 15 million singles in the United States. She has earned various awards and nominations including nin ...

The Fray The Fray is an American rock band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2002 by schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King. Their debut album, ''How to Save a Life'' released in 2005, was certified double platinum by the RIAA and platinum in Australia, ...

, and

Earth, Wind & Fire Earth, Wind & Fire (EW&F or EWF) is an American band whose music spans the genres of jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, big band, Latin, and Afro pop. They are among the best-selling bands of all time, with sales of over 90 million re ...

All Access

Yamaha Entertainment Group is responsible for the development and production of ''All Access'' magazine. The award-winning Yamaha artist branded magazine reaches over 300,000 readers biannually and provides a sneak peek into the lives of Yamaha artists. In January 2009, YASN (now YEG) debuted behind-the-scenes videos of the artists during the photo shoots. A contest to win a guitar signed by the cover artist Jason Mraz was also launched.

Film

Yamaha Entertainment Group also produces films, ranging from short opening videos for Yamaha concerts to featurettes showcasing Yamaha's elite line-up of artists and documentaries. Yamaha Entertainment Group produced a full length concert film of Elton John's "The Million Dollar Piano", which was released through Cinema Live on March 18 and March 26, 2014 in 1,200 movie theaters throughout the world. YEG also produced and directed the 2014 DVD "Making The Million Dollar Piano," an hour-long documentary on the making of the custom-designed Yamaha piano featured in Elton John's Las Vegas show, "Million Dollar Piano." A short form of the DVD is part of a bundle package with John's album "The Diving Board," released by Best Buy. Yamaha Entertainment Group also produced a DVD release of the live show. The DVD was released July 1, 2014 and distributed by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Yamaha Entertainment group created “Nathan East For The Record,” a documentary about Nathan East, one of the most recorded bass players in the history of music. The 80-minute film showcases the recording Nathan East's phenomenal No.1 debut solo album, 30 years in the making. Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones, Phil Collins, Lionel Richie, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Vince Gill, David Foster and Don Was are among those featured. On September 29, 2012, Yamaha Entertainment group filmed Sarah McLachlan's special encore performance for a Disklavier TV broadcast from her house in Canada. The performance footage was hosted on Disklavier TV so people who own Yamaha Disklavier pianos can have the piano reproduce her performance in their own homes. In the Fall of 2014, Yamaha Entertainment Group was commissioned to produce a short film to represent the Yamaha brand, titled "The Gift." In early 2015, it premiered on Yamaha Corporation of America's Facebook page on Feb. 25, 2015. Now critically acclaimed, it has won nine awards, including: Telly Awards 2015 Silver Award: "The Gift" for Online Video - Online Commercial - Use of Music/Jingle 2015 Silver Award: "The Gift" for Online Video - Branded Content & Entertainment - Promotional Branding 2015 Bronze Award: "The Gift" for Online Video - Online Video – Editing Golden Award of Montreux 2015 Gold Award for "The Gift" for Music in Corporate Film Summit Creative Awards 2015 Gold Award for “The Gift” for Corporate Image/Public Relations Video Hermes Creative Awards 2015 Platinum Award for “The Gift” for Web Element - Video for the Web 2015 Platinum Award for “The Gift” for Video – Corporate Image 2015 Platinum Award for “The Gift” for Video – Public Relations 2015 Platinum Award for “The Gift” for Audio – Original Music In 2017, Yamaha Entertainment Group and was nominated for five

Emmy The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...

awards, and took home the award for Best Arts Spot (''Caroline Campbell - Yamaha Electric Violin'') as well as the award for Best Director/Short Form ( Chris Gero, ''Caroline Campbell - Yamaha Electric Violin''). Yamaha Entertainment Group was also nominated for Best Promo Spot and Music Composition & Arrangement for their short film ''The Company We Keep'' (directed and composed by Chris Gero), plus Best PSA Spot for ''Facing Addiction: It's Time''.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Corporate Artist Affairs