Randy Wachtler-Founder of 615 Music one of Americas most successful production music companies (now part of Warner/Chappell Music worldwide) and one of the founders of the the PMA (Production Music Association) will talk to Belmont Professor Dave Tough about the current trends in Production music for film and TV.  Production Music libraries supply the majority of music on TV these days and this segment of the market is growing with its use across multiple platforms.

Randy Wachtler is the Founder of 615 Music Companies, headquartered in Nashville, TN, with affiliated offices in Los Angeles.  The company was acquired by Warner/Chappell Music in 2010 and Randy served as EVP of Warner/Chappell Production Music until the launch of WCPM in April of 2012

Randy is currently the Chairman and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Production Music Association (PMA,) based in Los Angeles. (2003-’12)

Born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, where he started playing drums in local bands, Randy then moved to Tampa, FL where he continued to tour with regional bands. He studied  at the University of South Florida, and played drums in several touring groups throughout the Southeast for 4 years. In 1980, Randy moved to Nashville where he continued his studies in recording industry management at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU.)

Upon graduation from MTSU in 1984, Randy founded 615 Music Productions. Since its founding, 615 Music has become a full service commercial music production company and world leader in the creation of music for advertisers, television networks, TV and Radio stations, interactive, and cable worldwide.

615 Music’s production music division specializes in composing and distributing several production music catalogues including the “Platinum” collection, “Promo Accelerator,” “Metro,” “Gold Series,” “Scoring Stage” “Ultimate Crime and Drama”, “Minimal Music”, “Kingsize” and Song Street Records,” with other distributed libraries including AMP, ZEN, Music Shop and Music Gallery. Collectively, the company’s catalogues feature over 40,000 tracks across 23 Production Catalogues available for license to Film and TV productions, Theatrical Trailers,  corporate and A/V productions.  The library is currently distributed in over 68 countries globally.  The company is also a world leader in the production of news music packages and currently serves over 250 TV stations globally.

Under Randy’s leadership, 615 Music’s clients today are comprised of some of the top media brands in the world. They include: NBC Television Network,  Today Show, ABC Sports,  CBS-TV, A & E Network, The History Channel,  The History Channel UK, Animal Planet, CMT, MSNBC, TLC, Discovery Channel, Buena Vista TV,  ABC Sports,  Weather Channel, Family Channel, PBS,  L.A.Lakers/KCAL-TV, NBC Sports, HGTV (Home & Garden TV), Tri-Star Pictures, Warner Bros. Domestic TV, Chicago Bulls/WGN-TV, NY Yankees/WPIX-TV, Dominos Pizza, Disney, Ford and more.

Randy’s other affiliations include: NARAS-Board Member (GRAMMY’S, Nashville Chapter ’07-10)  Leadership Music Board Member (2008-2012) Board Member: PROMAX International (Broadcast Promotion & Marketing Executives, served from ‘94-‘99),  Board Member: NATAS Mid-South region (Emmy Awards ’95-‘2000) Member: NAF, AF of M, AFTRA, NATAS, and Chamber of Commerce.

Randy has led 615 Music to numerous prestigious industry award wins and nominations. These include: National EMMY for A&E’s “Biography”, Numerous NATAS EMMY Regional Award , PROMAX Muse Awards, Mobius Award , Clio Award, ’95, ’94, 2000 PROMAX International Gold Medallion, Los Angeles Emmy, ’95 NAF Addy, ’96 Telly Award, National Silver Microphone, Regional Emmy and Hollywood Radio & TV Soc. Award (IBA), MTSU “Wall of Fame” induction and over 80 national and international awards for music composition.

Randy himself has been a featured speaker at numerous PROMAX Conferences and NARAS’ “Grammy in the Schools” events.  He and wife Davonna have two sons, Harrison, and Haden, and they enjoy spending time together and rooting for their favorite NFL team, The TN Titans. Randy holds a B.S. Degree in Mass Communications/Recording Industry Mgmt. with Minor in Business Administration, from MTSU.