Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs
Encyclopedia
Yamaha Artist Services - Nashville. , a subsidiary of the Yamaha Corporation of America, is based in Franklin, Tennessee
and was created and developed in 2001 by Vice President Chris Gero. YASN is responsible for the development and advancement of the 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.
In 2003, YASN 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. More than 16,000 people attended the concert at the Arrowhead Pond
in Anaheim, California
. 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 YASN’s Michael McDonald tribute concert, “Michael McDonald – A Gathering of Friends,” which is available on DVD. Performers on this night included Michael McDonald, Patti LaBelle, Edwin McCain, James Ingram, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and The Doobie Brothers, just to name a few.
Other artists who have participated in YASN-produced concerts include: Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Sarah McLachlan, John Legend, Brad Paisley, Jamie Cullum, Josh Groban, Gavin DeGraw, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, k.d. lang, Donna Summer, Al Green, Peter Frampton, Delbert McClinton, Kirk Franklin, Vanessa Carlton, CeCe Winans, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Tower of Power, Chaka Kahn, Keb Mo, Phil Vassar, Michael W. Smith, Five for Fighting, Sara Bareilles, Isaac Slade of The Fray, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
In January 2009, YASN debuted All Access 360, a website offering behind-the-scenes videos of the artists during the photo shoots as well as additional photographs, instrument information, biographies of each artist and more. A contest to win a guitar signed by the cover artist Jason Mraz was also launched.
Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin is a city within and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 62,487 as of the 2010 census Franklin is located approximately south of downtown Nashville.-History:...
and was created and developed in 2001 by Vice President Chris Gero. YASN is responsible for the development and advancement of the 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 2,000 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.Endorsements
The primary function of YASN is the endorsement management of more than 2,000 artists and musicians around the globe. YASN manages the Yamaha endorsement relationships of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, James Blunt, Justin Timberlake, Josh Groban, Avril Lavigne, Michael Bublé, Sara Bareilles, Jamie Cullum, Chick Corea, Sarah McLachlan, and Gavin DeGraw, just to name a few.Product support and placement
Yamaha Artist Services - Nashville 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. YASN works to support the needs and requests of artists who earn a living using Yamaha products.Concert production
Another facet of YASN is concert production, which showcases Yamaha artists and the products they use. YASN is a full-service concert production team composed of seasoned industry veterans that have put on everything from small clinic tours to elaborate arena shows. Led by producers Chris Gero and Tara Eifert, YASN has developed and produced the largest artist concerts in Yamaha's 110-year history.In 2003, YASN 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. More than 16,000 people attended the concert at the Arrowhead Pond
Arrowhead Pond
The Honda Center, previously known as the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim and colloquially called The Pond or The Ponda, is an indoor arena in Anaheim, California. The arena is home to the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks and was home of the former National Lacrosse League's Anaheim Storm, which...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
. 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 YASN’s Michael McDonald tribute concert, “Michael McDonald – A Gathering of Friends,” which is available on DVD. Performers on this night included Michael McDonald, Patti LaBelle, Edwin McCain, James Ingram, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and The Doobie Brothers, just to name a few.
Other artists who have participated in YASN-produced concerts include: Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Sarah McLachlan, John Legend, Brad Paisley, Jamie Cullum, Josh Groban, Gavin DeGraw, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, k.d. lang, Donna Summer, Al Green, Peter Frampton, Delbert McClinton, Kirk Franklin, Vanessa Carlton, CeCe Winans, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Tower of Power, Chaka Kahn, Keb Mo, Phil Vassar, Michael W. Smith, Five for Fighting, Sara Bareilles, Isaac Slade of The Fray, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
All Access and All Access 360
YASN is responsible for the development and production of All Access. The highly acclaimed Yamaha artist branded magazine reaches over 300,000 readers biannually and provides a sneak peek into the lives of Yamaha artists and the instruments they rely on.In January 2009, YASN debuted All Access 360, a website offering behind-the-scenes videos of the artists during the photo shoots as well as additional photographs, instrument information, biographies of each artist and more. A contest to win a guitar signed by the cover artist Jason Mraz was also launched.