Thomas Scherer

I read you have a background as a Rock drummer and studio owner before you joined BMG. Can you give us the highlights of your time as a musician and studio owner?

Of course. One of the first bands I was a part of was a rock group in Germany called The Roxx, where I was the drummer and co-producer. I’m originally a drummer by trade. That was followed by another German pop-group Playhaus, were I was, naturally, the drummer. Later on, as I continued to work more in studios, my path led towards being a music producer. In television, I produced music for the European version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and BMW car commercials, as well as music for the film Ebbies Bluff. Some of the artists I worked with include the well-known Italian singer-songwriter Luca Carboni and EDM group Ravermeister; I even worked with the Russian Red Army Choir on a Christmas album! Lots of varied experience as a musician, drummer, studio production over the years. Lots of fun. Really just great, great fun.

I then transitioned from studio musician/producer into an A&R and marketing career at BMGH Ariola GmbH, after that forming my own company Media Pool GmbH 2 Recording Studios, followed by my label Dolce Vita with BMG, a publishing group called TomTom Music, again with BMG Ufa. Throughout those years I worked in both radio and DJ promotion companies, I also had a hit music TV Show called Big Bubbles with BMG on the German TV network ZDF. Eventually, I again transitioned into music executive as the Managing Director of Parasongs Europe GmbH and Parasongs Japan LTD/Tokyo.

Throughout it all, the biggest take away from my musical history, my musical past, is that I understand musicians. Each artist and songwriter is unique and I’ve worked with dozens and dozens over the years. No two are alike. But what I understand is their creative drive, energy, and not only in “what” they want to achieve, but also in the “how” – and now I am in the best possible position to help them achieve their goals and succeed. I can help to build their brand on a global level. I’ve been a musician, artist, music producer, publisher, owned my own label, handled marketing and promotion throughout Europe, Asia and the U.S. I LOVE IT!!

When did you join BMG and what were your early roles with the company?

I joined The New BMG in 2008, right from the start as one of the original employees at the company’s headquarter in Berlin. There, I served as SVP of International Repertoire Coordination overseeing BMG’s Writer Services team across a then 10 international offices (now 19 offices in 12 countries) and the company’s roster of renowned songwriters including Bruno Mars, John Legend, Will.i.am, Bebe Rexha, Jason Evigan and The Monsters & Strangerz.

In 2014, I relocated to BMG’s L.A. office in the role of EVP Writer Services. Once here, I provided central coordination for delivering U.S. opportunities for European writers and opportunities in Europe for U.S. writers. I also contributed to BMG acquisitions, signings and partnerships in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia. Furthermore, we launched a then-new initiative in developing our signature SoundLab writer’s camps (an innovative immersive songwriting camp for publishing clients).

From there, I naturally shifted from Writer Services to Frontline Publishing, responsible for not just BMG’s L.A. and New York-based creative teams, but also all international publishing, as well as assuming the role as head of BMG China.

In 2019, BMG split its U.S. repertoire teams into three separate territories with its key offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York. I was appointed EVP, Marketing & Repertoire, Los Angeles – overseeing the recorded operations of BMG’s largest global territory as well as US Publishing, BMG China and Global Writer Services.

Congratulations on the success of so many of the BMG artists on the Rock side. Let’s start with Godsmack who have three #1 singles with BMG. What’s the latest Godsmack news?

Just one of many areas we pride ourselves on is ROCK music! Rock is not dead! Never has been, never will die. Its evolution continues, and to have the opportunity to bring Godsmack new levels of success, throughout their historic career, is very gratifying. As you mentioned, from the album When Legends Rise, the band scored #1 singles with the title track, “Bulletproof” and “Under Your Scars.” The new single “Unforgettable” came out as the #1 Most Added record at Rock radio just a few weeks ago! I don’t think you can name one other label today willing to continue working an album a year-and-a-half later to radio and still coming with new singles. We are committed to Godsmack and vice-versa, the band and Sully Erna are second to none.

Whether we’re working with the likes of blink-182, Alice in Chains, or Evanescence, our next generation of exciting rock acts such The Glorious Sons, JJ Wilde, and Kelsy Karter will make 2020 a very exciting year!

BMG has also had some break-out success with Canada’s The Glorious Sons who had the #1 Rock single with “S.O.S” last year. The label must be very excited with this band’s progress at Rock radio?

Absolutely. We are partners and having a partner that wants to dig in and do the work only drives us more to make opportunity happen. They’ve put in a lot of work on the road, touring, writing and recording; and we work hard for them. Our radio team (led by the imitable Nick Attaway) has had tremendous success in delivering the group’s hit singles at rock radio with back-to-back #1’s on “S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun)” and “Panic Attack.”

I also understand Rock stalwarts Tool have the #1 album on the BMG Publishing side. Please elaborate.

With someone like Maynard, we have a really unique relationship – he is so prolific. You can argue “yeah, but Tool releases records once a decade,” but through him we also have A Perfect Circle on both label and publishing sides. 14 years since their last album and (in 2018) it was a worldwide hit charting Top 5 around the globe. Truly a BMG global effort. There is also Puscifer who we work with on both our label and publishing sides, which we expect later this year, and Tool for publishing. We are certainly in business with him and, as I mentioned earlier, I understand the creativity. The timing. The desire. The different moods he creates with each project having its own identity. When it hits, it hits, and it has impact not only in the U.S. but internationally, and he is able to take full advantage of BMG’s global structure.

BMG also has the Motorhead catalog reissues. After they were nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, I’m sure you must have moved plenty of Motorhead product?

Motorhead is one of our crown jewels in catalog. One of the most revered, heaviest, loudest, and fastest….it is a true honor to represent Motorhead. Give it time and there is no denying them in the Hall. The nomination coincided nicely with the launch of our Motorhead 1979 campaign featuring two quintessential metal albums – Overkill and Bomber. We have more Motorhead projects coming later this year, as well as something really special for Record Store Day. And, don’t forget Iron Maiden. Our catalog team is constantly coming up with new and creative ideas for both reissues and new releases (2015’s The Book of Souls debuted Top 5 on the U.S. charts!) and they are still one of the greatest active rock bands from a golden era of hard rock. I recently saw their show at the Banc Of California Stadium and they continue to sell out venues, no matter how large, everywhere they go, around the world, and fans just cannot get enough.

Tell us about some of the BMG artists who were nominated for Grammy’s this year.

This is one question that truly showcases the broad spectrum, across all genres and platforms, of what we do. Truly. Unlike any other. Our clients had an amazing showing at the Grammy’s this year and were involved in some of the biggest songs, albums, and films of the year.

Our writers Lewis Capaldi and Hillary Lindsey were both up for Song of the Year, 21 Savage in Rap, India.Arie in R&B, Jessie Reyez, John Legend, The Chemical Brothers, Calexico, and everything in between.

Our film team has made great strides is putting BMG at the forefront of the conversation with our first-ever Grammy nominated documentary for David Crosby: Remember My Name. It’s worth noting David is not only with BMG for film, but also both recordings and publishing! BMG only officially launched dedicated film productions just a few years ago and has already reached the heights of success many work their entire lives to achieve.

In the Rock categories, BMG artists and songwriters accounted for 45% of all this year’s rock Grammy nominations including Karen O & Danger Mouse, Rival Sons, Tool, Bring Me The Horizon, Cage The Elephant, The Cranberries, and Killswitch Engage.

We’re very proud of all our artists and songwriters.

The Rock format has a history of passionate listeners and consumers. How important is this format to BMG in 2020?

The rock format is and will always be important to BMG and that goes for both sides – publishing and recordings. In publishing, we represent so many of the legendary songwriters from the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Kurt Cobain, Roger Waters, and many, many more …

We recently relocated our Portland-based rock label Rise Records (Dance Gavin Dance, Angels & Airwaves, At The Drive-In, AFI) to Los Angeles to bring them closer to us and the community, as we’ve begun work on a new state-of-the-art complex we intend to move into later this year.

The successes we have achieved in hip-hop/R&B is deserving of a story all to itself, so we’ll never turn away from all the wonderful genres of music being made today…our door is open. It’s time to take notice of who we are and what we deliver. Day in and day out, our team is second to none. As a fully integrated global group, we can and do offer more than anyone else. We cannot wait to announce some of the new projects coming from them and more of what we have in store for the future!