Steve Schnur Explained

Steve Schnur
Birth Name:Steve Schnur
Birth Place:Scotch Plains, New Jersey, U.S.

Steve Schnur is Worldwide Executive and President of Music for Electronic Arts (EA), the largest video game producer in the world and home to titles like Madden NFL, The Sims and Medal of Honor.[1]

Schnur was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where he graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.[2] He has been a label and music publishing company president, TV executive producer, music supervisor, professional musician, songwriter, composer, record producer and more.[3] At age 7, Schnur began to study guitar, piano, composition, production and arrangement at Carnegie Hall.[4] By his early teens, he was playing piano in pop, rock and jazz bands with seasoned musicians.

Professional development

He attended New York University’s School Of Music Business & Technology, and met MTV co-founder, Les Garland;. He later became part of the programming department at MTV and was part of the video launches of Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Cure, Mötley Crüe. Schnur went on to hold various executive positions in promotions, marketing and A&R with Elektra Records, (1985-1990) and (1991-1992), Chrysalis Records, (1990-1991), Arista Records, (1992-1995), Arista Nashville, (1995-1999), and Capitol Records, (1999-2001) - helping to orchestrate the breakthroughs of many major artists, which included Metallica, Sarah McLachlan, Coldplay, Bjork, Brad Paisley and more. He also served as music supervisor for hit movies ‘Cruel Intentions’ and ‘Miss Congeniality,’ which received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song. Schnur also oversaw feature films such as, IMNOMAD, Gun Shy, Sliding Doors, Excess Baggage and Teaching Mrs. Tingle.

In 2001, Schnur joined Electronic Arts as Worldwide Executive of EA Music Group and is responsible for the creation and development of the global vision for music integration and marketing surrounding EA games.[5] He has influenced visions for franchises such as NHL, NBA, NASCAR, Madden NFL, FIFA and Need for Speed[6] and through those initiatives he has helped launched the careers of various artists. Some of those artists have included Thirty Seconds to Mars, Robyn, Fall Out Boy, K’naaan, Katy Perry, Imagine Dragons, Kings of Leon, The Weeknd, and Florence + The Machine.[7]

He has overseen the orchestration and production of 50 EA soundtrack albums – including original scores for The Sims, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Medal of Honor, and with composers that have included Mark Mothersbaugh, Michael Giacchino, Junkie XL, Steve Jablonsky and Hans Zimmer. His efforts have earned EA over 50 soundtrack nominations over the last 10 years.[8]

In 2010, he formed Artwerk Music and Music Publishing Group and directly signed, developed and launched artists – including alternative breakthrough acts Matt & Kim, Chromeo, Airbourne and Ladytron – for publishing, master recordings, sync deals and distribution.[9]

In 2011, he produced the No.1 Billboard hit “Dance On” and the Top 5 hit, “Undivided” featuring Snoop Dogg.[10]

In 2012, he was Creator and Executive Producer of the E! Network television series “Opening Act,” which starred Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Nicki Minaj, Gym Class Heroes, LMFAO, and Jason Aldean.

In 2015, Schnur signed to an exclusive worldwide songwriter agreement with Sea Gayle Music, home to writers Brad Paisley and Brandy Clark.[11]

Associations

Currently serves on the City of Hope board and Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business board, where he acts as an adjunct professor. He is a voting member of the Grammy's Producers & Engineers Wing, advisor to the Nashville and Tribeca Film Festivals, Music Advisor to Major League Soccer as well as the U.S. National Men's and Women's soccer teams and has served as both chairman and chairman emeritus of The Grammy Foundation. Additionally, he is a former board member of the Country Music Association.

Awards and recognition

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Steve Schnur of EA Games - ArtistshouseMusic . www.artistshousemusic.org . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071229130552/http://www.artistshousemusic.org/videos/steve+schnur+of+ea+games . 2007-12-29.
  2. https://www.spfk12.org/Page/9070 Alumni Hall of Fame
  3. 2008-03-08. The Billboard Q&A: Electronic Arts' Steve Schnur. 2020-09-03. Billboard.
  4. Web site: Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive, Music, Electronic Arts. 2020-09-03. SyncSummit. en-US.
  5. Web site: newartistmodel. 2012-02-05. Steve Schnur - Music Executive Electronic Arts. 2020-09-03. New Artist Model. en-US.
  6. Web site: Goble. Corban. "FIFA 14"'s Steve Schnur on Compiling "the Only Annual Soundtrack for the World". 2020-09-03. Pitchfork. September 24, 2013. en-us.
  7. Web site: EA's Steve Schnur Explains The Hype Behind The Madden Soundtrack. 2020-09-03. Kotaku. July 8, 2008 . en-us.
  8. Web site: Rau. Nate. Electronic Arts moves video game scoring work to Nashville. 2020-09-03. The Tennessean. en-US.
  9. News: 2013-12-04. Interview with Steve Schnur, Worldwide President of Music at Electronic Arts (EA) Video Games. en-US. Songwriter Universe Songwriting News, Articles & Song Contest. 2020-09-03.
  10. Web site: Steve Schnur, Electronic Arts . 15 May 2016. syncsummit.com.
  11. Web site: 2015-05-14. Sea Gayle Music Adds Steve Schnur To Writer Roster. 2020-09-03. en.
  12. Web site: Steve Schnur Featured Among Nashville Elite in Variety's 'Music City Impact Report' - AristoMedia | Nashville | Entertainment MarketingAristoMedia | Nashville | Entertainment Marketing . June 20, 2016 . August 22, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160822123029/http://www.aristomedia.com/steve-schnur-featured-among-nashville-elite-in-varietys-music-city-impact-report/ . dead .
  13. Web site: Electronic Arts' Worldwide Executive and President of Music Steve Schnur Honored at 2018 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards . aristopr.com . 17 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612233222/http://aristopr.com/electronic-arts-worldwide-executive-and-president-of-music-steve-schnur-honored-at-2018-guild-of-music-supervisors-awards/ . Jun 12, 2018 . . en . Feb 13, 2018 . live.
  14. Web site: 2019 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards: Complete Winners List . 2021-04-19. The Hollywood Reporter. February 13, 2019 .
  15. Web site: 'Euphoria,' 'Marvelous MRS. Maisel' Among Guild of Music Supervisors Awards Nominees . 2021-04-19. January 9, 2020 .
  16. Web site: 11th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards – Winners List . 2021-04-19. April 12, 2021 .
  17. 11th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards – Winners List . 2021-04-19. . March 9, 2023 .