Today we’d like to introduce you to Ritch Esra.
Ritch, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have dedicated nearly five decades to the music industry, a journey that began in 1978 when I joined Record World, a leading trade publication covering the business of music. Just two years later, in 1980, I transitioned into the world of radio promotion at A&M Records. This role was pivotal in shaping my understanding of how records became hits, allowing me to develop an acute ability to identify potential breakthroughs—both for established superstars and emerging talent. It also laid the foundation for the next chapter of my career.
In 1981, I joined Arista Records as Manager of A&R, a position I held until 1987. During this time, I played an integral role in identifying and securing songs for some of the label’s most iconic artists, including Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Tanya Tucker, and Barry Manilow. Beyond song selection, my tenure at Arista deepened my understanding of artist development, an essential discipline in an industry undergoing rapid transformation.
From 1987 to 1992, I shifted my focus toward music business education, driven by a desire to share my industry expertise with the next generation of professionals. I taught full-time at prestigious institutions such as UCLA, USC, and the Trebas Institute, covering a wide array of topics—from record label operations to the emerging digital landscape of music distribution. My courses were designed to prepare students for the complexities of a constantly evolving industry.
In 1992, I founded The Music Business Registry (www.musicregistry.com), a groundbreaking company that revolutionized the way industry professionals connect and communicate. Now approaching its 33rd anniversary in September 2025, the Registry remains the premier source for up-to-date contact information across all sectors of the music business. This indispensable resource continues to empower thousands of artists, executives, and industry insiders by facilitating vital connections and advancing careers. In addition to the Registry, I also publish SCORE, a leading weekly music business newsletter that curates and delivers 12 of the most significant industry news stories that professionals may have missed.
In 2002, I returned to academia, joining the faculty at the Musicians Institute (MI) in Los Angeles, where I continue to teach in the Music Business Program. My courses—The Record Company, Your Music Business Career, A&R, and Music Business News & Current Events—are designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights, preparing them for success in an ever-evolving industry.
In 2012, I co-founded MUBUTV (Music Business Television) alongside my business partner Eric Knight, a fellow graduate of MI’s Music Business program. MUBUTV is a dynamic YouTube platform dedicated to educating, empowering, and providing high-quality, accessible information for artists, songwriters, and bands committed to building sustainable careers in today’s highly competitive and rapidly changing music industry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t call it a ‘smooth road’, that would be a profound understatement. Navigating a career pivot while witnessing the seismic shift where we went from a music ownership model to an access-driven ecosystem has been a relentless gauntlet. This transformation wasn’t merely an evolution; it was a revolution, and revolutions always produce two critical outcomes. The first is an obvious change in habits – the transition from passive radio consumption to the active, curated experience of streaming. However, the second is a far more profound and transformative and that is a shift in values. The core struggle we face – personally and professionally, across all media – is that success in marketing music is no longer dictated by corporate power, market share dominance, or sheer financial investment. Instead, it hinges on a far more fundamental and elusive quality and that’s the ability to get someone’s attention. This is where the true challenge lies, because in today’s hyper-saturated landscape, attention can no longer be bought; it must be earned. The sheer volume of choice in the modern music marketplace demands nothing less and this has transformed our entire industry. Today, music consumers when choosing artists to listen to care about the following; who are you, where are you coming from, what are you about, what do you stand for, what don’t you stand for, etc. The sheer volume of choice in the modern music marketplace demands nothing less.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about MUBUTV?
📺 MUBUTV: Taking Music Business Education Out Of The Classroom
MUBUTV is a streaming platform dedicated to music business education. What sets us apart is our commitment to providing real-world insights and practical knowledge directly from industry leaders, not just academic theory. We specialize in offering insider perspectives on artist development, mental health, marketing, A&R, music publishing, touring, and more.
🎤 What We Do and What We’re Known For
We deliver a variety of content, including the ‘MUBUTV: Insider Video Series,’ a ‘How-To’ instructional series for artists, weekly music business news, and the ‘MUBUTV: Insider Podcast’ featuring conversations with top executives, producers, and artists. We are known for deep dives into the challenges and nuances of building a sustainable music career today.
🌟 What We’re Most Proud Of
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application in the music industry. We aim to educating, empowering and engaging artists and industry professionals with the knowledge they need to navigate the complexities of the modern music business landscape.
📣 What We Want Readers to Know
MUBUTV is for artists and industry professionals who are committed to learning what it takes to put their music to work. In today’s music industry, artists have more power than ever to reach their audience. MUBUTV is here to provide the knowledge and insights needed to navigate this new landscape. With MUBUTV, you’re not just learning about the music business, you’re learning how to succeed in it in a time where the whole music landscape is radically transforming.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Books, The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Blog/Newsletter – The Lefsetz Letter
SCORE
Podcasts: The Bob Lefsetz Podcast,
The New Music Business Podcast with Ari Herstand,
Publications: Music Business Registry – which offers all of the contact information you need to contact labels, music publishers, music supervisors and Music Attorneys
Pricing:
- $100.00 for The A&R Registry (1 Issue)
- $100.00 for The Music Publisher Registry (12 Issues – 1 Per Month)
- $100.00 for The Music Attorney Registry
- $150.00 for The Film/Television Music Guide (12 Issues – 1 Per Month)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mubutv.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mubutv/?locale=uken1&hl=am-et
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MUBUTV
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mubutv/posts/?feedView=all
- Twitter: https://x.com/MUBUTV
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mubutv
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@mubutv
Image Credits
Ivan Copelli
