Company History
In 1989, HoriPro Entertainment Group, Inc. (then known as Hori Productions America, Inc.) got its first foothold into the U.S. music publishing community by acquiring the publishing assets of the legendary rock band KISS. The acquisition would prove to be HoriPro’s most successful due to the fact that the original line-up of the group would reunite for the first time since early 1980’s and go on to release new material and tour in its trademark make up.
Clearly looking to build on the success of its first purchase, HoriPro set its sights in 1990 on its next catalog, Evergreen Entertainment Group. Evergreen, although young in its existence, had made a significant purchase of the Dick James Organization’s catalogs Nashlon Music and Dejamus Inc. These two companies were developed throughout the 1980’s by Dick James’ office in Nashville and contained not only a wealth of hit songs, but also a stable of extraordinary songwriters. Also that year, HoriPro bought a stake in Tickson Music, a company which historically was key in signing bands and singer/songwriters who would go on to define the “sound of Los Angeles”.
Simultaneously in 1990, HoriPro Entertainment Group, Inc. officially established a physical U.S. presence when it hired Bob Beckham to run its operation, located in Nashville, TN. Beckham was a seasoned veteran who had just come off a 25-year tenure as head of Combine Music Corp., when HoriPro approached him. Eager to hit the ground running Beckham hired Ronnie Gant, a well respected songman and producer who had enjoyed a long term association with Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, before joining the staff as head of the creative team.
Over the next 13 years, HoriPro would sign and develop songwriters who would go on to write songs for some of country music’s most recognizable artists. In addition, it would acquire an additional four catalogs, namely Merit Music Corp. (1991), Jerry Reed’s Vector Music Corp. (1992), Double J Music Group (1999), and the publishing assets of seminal arena rock legends, REO Speedwagon (1992). Combined with its partnership in Emerald Forest Entertainment and IN2N Entertainment Group, LLD, HoriPro Entertainment Group, Inc.’s catalog has expanded to include over 10,000 songs that are heard in every major genre. Today, HoriPro Entertainment Group, Inc. competes in the market place, dominated by major publishing conglomerates, by providing record labels, film and television producers, and advertising agencies with quality hit songs that sell records, enhance film and television projects and sell consumer goods. In addition, HoriPro’s catalog is in great demand by new technology services that sell ringtones, download or stream music, and as background music in video games, because of its diversity and extensive list of recordings.
Bob Becklam
Kaz Hori hired Bob to open a HoriPro publishing company in Nashville in November of 1990. Bob came to HoriPro with an amazing legacy, as he was President and co-owner of Combine Music Corp. prior to coming to HoriPro. Bob was a major influence in the development of Nashville as an entertainment center. His knowledge of the world of music has helped many of today’s and yesterday’s stars attain their success.
Two of Bob’s most successful protégés were Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson, who have gone from songwriters to world wide stardom and more.
Some of the songs from Bob’s Combine days are-“Why Me, Lord”, “Help Me Make It Through The Night”, “Me and Bobby McGee”, “Looking For Love”, “Burning Love”, “Had A Dream”, “You Decorated My Life”, “All The Gold In California”, “American Made”, “Little Rock”, “Wild and Blue”, “I’d Just Love To Lay You Down”, “I Can Help”, “Rainy Night In Georgia”, “Polk Salad Annie”, “Dream Baby”- the list is endless and so are the stars who have recorded these songs.
Ronnie Gant
The native Nashvillian has been in the music business for nearly 40 years. A 22 year veteran of world renown Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, Gant followed to the Opryland Music Group for a 3 year stint following the sale of the publishing giant. During his Acuff-Rose/Opryland tenure, Gant was responsible for signing such writers as Skip Ewing, David Chamberlain, the team of Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis, Patty Loveless and Donny Kees.
This world class “songman” was responsible for placing such songs as “Elvira”.. a 5 million selling single for the Oak Ridge Boys, “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” for George Strait, “Thank God For Kids” for the Oak Ridge Boys, and “Darlene” for T.Graham Brown.
Gant’s desire to work with more new songwriters led him to open his own publishing company in 1988. And in 1990, the R.Gant Music Group struck multi-platinum when Garth Brooks cut their song, “Friends In Low Places” and turned it into a smash single, that would go on to win CMA’s “Single Of The Year” in 1991 and set the pace for an album (No Fences) that has sold over 16 Million copies to date. In addition, Gant’s skills as a producer can be heard on recordings by artists, Eddie Raven, Lorrie Morgan, Don Gibson, and enigmatic songwriter, Mickey Newbury… a stellar group for a “part-time” producer.