Aaron Bay-Schuck on Zach Bryan, Warner Records' resurgence, and why you 'can't microwave artist development'

On this Music Business Worldwide Podcast, MBW founder, Tim Ingham, interviews Aaron Bay-Schuck, the CEO and co-Chairman of Warner Records in Los Angeles.

Right now, Warner Records is on fire like no other time in its recent history. It's seeing blockbuster success from several artists who, according to Bay-Schuck, are all true artist propositions – in this industry for the long-term, rather than just a quick streaming or TikTok hit.

These artists include the likes of Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, Dua Lipa, and – not least – country star Zach Bryan, whose No.1 US single, I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves), continues to bounce around the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100... despite being released last summer.

Alongside his fellow co-Chairman, Tom Corson, Aaron Bay-Schuck last year led Warner Records to become the fourth biggest frontline record company in the US. According to Billboard, Warner Records 'current' US market share jumped by 110 basis points in 2023, up to 5.96% from 4.86% in 2022.

Bay-Schuck's industry story before Warner was an interesting journey – from being a junior at the A&R team of Atlantic Records, where he signed Bruno Mars, through to becoming President of A&R at Interscope, where he worked with the likes of Imagine Dragons, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, and Selena Gomez.

For Bay-Schuck, his more recent success with Zach Bryan and co. isn't evidence of Warner Records suddenly becoming a ‘hot’ label. 

In his eyes, it’s evidence of a patient, long-term, and consistent A&R strategy…