NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 16, 2006) — Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs has signed singer/songwriter/producer Richard Marx to its
Piano Artist Roster. Marx has sold more than 30 million records, written 13 number one songs, and has 19 top 20 singles as an artist, including seven number one hits.
"We are very fortunate to have an artist of Richard's caliber join the Yamaha family. He has achieved the kind of success and received accolades that many only dream of," comments Chris Gero, corporate director, Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs.
With his debut single "Don't Mean Nothing" and self-titled debut album, Marx kicked off his career as a solo artist in 1987. Over the next three years, he became the first male solo artist to have his first seven singles reach the top five on Billboard's singles chart, including the number one hits "Hold On to the Nights," "Satisfied," and the worldwide classic "Right Here Waiting."
He remained a fixture on pop and adult contemporary radio for years, even as he emerged as a top producer working with some of the biggest names in the music business. Among those artists are, *NSYNC, Keith Urban, Barbra Streisand,
Josh Groban, Vince Gill, Leann Rimes, 98°, Luther Vandross, Kenny Rogers, Sarah Brightman, Lara Fabian, Sister Hazel, The Tubes and SHeDAISY. More recently, he has written and produced records for Emerson Drive,
Natalie Cole, Paulina Rubio, Kenny Loggins, Chris Botti, Michael Bolton, Chely Wright, Meredith Edwards, Hugh Jackman and Sissel.
The new Keith Urban CD
Love, Pain and The Whole Crazy Thing, released Nov. 7, includes a new song written by Marx and Urban entitled "Everybody." Their last collaboration, "Better Life," from Keith's multi-platinum Be Here, spent six weeks at number one on Billboard's Country Singles chart and is one of ASCAP's most played songs of the year.
As Marx readies his next CD, the follow up to 2004's
My Own Best Enemy which contained the hits "When You're Gone" and "Ready To Fly," he's also been back on the road. Marx just concluded a tour of Australia, his first time there in eight years, and plans many more tour dates around the globe in 2007.
