Ritch Esra
| Ritch Esra | |
|---|---|
| File:Ritch M. Esra 2025.jpgRitch M. Esra 2025.jpg Esra in 2025 | |
| Born | 1959 (age 66–67) |
| 💼 Occupation | Music-industry executive, publisher, educator |
| 📆 Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | MUBUTV, Music Business Registry |
Ritch Esra (born December 1959) is an American music-industry executive, publisher and educator. He is a co-founder of Music Business Television (MUBUTV) and the Music Business Registry.[1] During the 1980s, Esra worked in artists and repertoire (A&R) at Arista Records.[2] He worked with publishers and songwriters on material for Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick.
Career
In August 1985, Esra teamed together with Neil Portnow of EMI, Thom Trumbo of MCA, Steve Buckley of Motown and Stephen Powers of Capitol for a National Academy of Songwriters Songtalk seminar at the At My Place club in Santa Monica.[3]
Esra hosted and produced the 1990 educational video How to Get a Record Deal, presented by the National Academy of Songwriters.[4][5] The 67-minute program featured interviews with Mark Knopfler, Phil Collins, Kenny Loggins, Chick Corea and Barry White, along with A&R executives, record producers and personal managers who offered advice on getting the attention of record labels.[6][7]
In 1992, he formed a company that publishes music contact directories and their updates. BMI sponsored The Independent Music Conference in Los Angeles, which Esra organized and coordinated. From 1988 till 1991 he taught courses on the music business at UCLA Extension.[8] Since 2002 he also teaches at Musicians Institute, and he has taught classes on the music business at SAE Institute in Los Angeles.[9][10]
In 1999, Esra was a judge for the San Diego Songwriters Guild's 10th annual Song Contest.[1]
Esra has been interviewed by organizations about trends in the music industry, shifting prerequisites for artists to succeed, international markets, his catalogues and his YouTube streaming channel MUBUTV which includes video interviews and podcasts.[9]
Esra and his co-founder Eric Knight have described their personal motives on the MubuTV website, relaunched in 2023.[11][12]
Esra's long association and friendship with Clive Davis culminated in an interview in 2024 with the 92-year-old producer.[13]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Reeder, Pamela (November 12, 1999). "Local Sounds". North County Times. Oceanside, California. p. 82. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Looking the part". The Sunday Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. September 28, 1986. p. 162. Retrieved August 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Sutherland, Sam, ed. (August 17, 1985). "Inside Track" (PDF). Billboard. p. 78. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
- ↑ Esra, Ritch (December 12, 1988). "How to Earn a Record Deal" (PDF). Music Connection. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ Miller, Robin (July 23, 1993). "Want to cut a record? This seminar will help you". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. p. 19. Retrieved August 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Petersen, George (November 1990). "Auditions: How to Get a Record Deal" (PDF). Mix. Vol. 14 no. 11. p. 174. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Record, continued - Ritch Esra to present recording seminar here". The Town Talk. 1993-07-23. p. 21. Retrieved 2026-08-27.
- ↑ "UCLA Extension" (PDF). Music Connection. June 11, 1990. p. 5. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kaufmann, Andy (April 3, 2023). "Exec Profile: Ritch Esra of Music Business Television". Music Connection. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ "RITCH ESRA". Musicians Institute. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ Article in Rock Cellar Magazine 2023-03-06
- ↑ Development, PodBean. "Season 5 - Episode 10: Eric Knight & Ritch Esra of MUBUTV - Learning Who Your Audience Is, Finding Where They Are And Going After Them | YOU CAN Make a Living In The Music Industry Podcast". youcanmakealivinginthemusicindustry.podbean.com. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ "Clive Davis sits down one-on-one with MUBUTV's Ritch Esra & Eric Knight for an exclusive conversation". www.mubutv.com. Retrieved 2026-08-27.
External links
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