Steve Schnur

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Steve Schnur
Birth nameSteve Schnur
BornScotch Plains, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation(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][better source needed] By his early teens, he was playing piano in pop, rock and jazz bands with seasoned musicians.

Professional development[edit]

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 Star Wars: Battlefront 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[edit]

Currently serves on the City of Hope board and Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music 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[edit]

  • 2009: 'MUSEXPO's International Music Person of the Year
  • 2009: ACLU’s Bill of Rights Award
  • 2012: The Guild of Music Supervisor's Music Supervisor of the Year
  • 2014: MUSEXPO’s International Music Supervisor of the Year
  • Honored by The Lili Clare Foundation[12]
  • 2018: Best Music Supervision in a Video Game for FIFA 18 by The Guild of Music Supervisors[13]
  • 2019: Nomination: 'Best Music Supervision in a Video Game' by The Guild of Music Supervisors[14]
  • 2020: Nomination: 'Best Music Supervision in a Video Game' by The Guild of Music Supervisors[15]
  • 2021: Nomination: 'Best Music Supervision in a Video Game' by The Guild of Music Supervisors[16]
  • 2023: Best Music Supervision in a Video Game' by The Guild of Music Supervisors[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Steve Schnur of EA Games - ArtistshouseMusic". www.artistshousemusic.org. Archived from the original on December 29, 2007.
  2. ^ Alumni Hall of Fame, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. Accessed August 12, 2019. "Steve Schnur '79: His contributions to the music and video game industry are un-paralleled. He was selected as one of the most creative people in the entertainment industry by Entertainment Weekly."
  3. ^ "The Billboard Q&A: Electronic Arts' Steve Schnur". Billboard. March 8, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  4. ^ "Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive, Music, Electronic Arts". SyncSummit. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  5. ^ newartistmodel (February 5, 2012). "Steve Schnur - Music Executive Electronic Arts". New Artist Model. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  6. ^ Goble, Corban (September 24, 2013). ""FIFA 14"'s Steve Schnur on Compiling "the Only Annual Soundtrack for the World"". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  7. ^ "EA's Steve Schnur Explains The Hype Behind The Madden Soundtrack". Kotaku. July 8, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  8. ^ Rau, Nate. "Electronic Arts moves video game scoring work to Nashville". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "Interview with Steve Schnur, Worldwide President of Music at Electronic Arts (EA) Video Games". Songwriter Universe | Songwriting News, Articles & Song Contest. December 4, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  10. ^ "Steve Schnur, Electronic Arts". syncsummit.com. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  11. ^ "Sea Gayle Music Adds Steve Schnur To Writer Roster". May 14, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "Steve Schnur Featured Among Nashville Elite in Variety's 'Music City Impact Report' - AristoMedia | Nashville | Entertainment MarketingAristoMedia | Nashville | Entertainment Marketing". Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  13. ^ "Electronic Arts' Worldwide Executive and President of Music Steve Schnur Honored at 2018 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards". aristopr.com. Nashville, Tennessee. February 13, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  14. ^ "2019 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. February 13, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  15. ^ "'Euphoria,' 'Marvelous MRS. Maisel' Among Guild of Music Supervisors Awards Nominees". January 9, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  16. ^ "11th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards – Winners List". April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  17. ^ "11th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards – Winners List". March 9, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
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