In 1989…

HORIPRO Entertainment Group, Inc., then known as Hori Productions America, Inc., got its first foothold into the U.S. music community by acquiring the publishing assets of the legendary rock band, KISS.  Looking to build on its initial success, HORIPRO set its sights on the next purchase, which would be found in a young company known as Evergreen Entertainment Group.  Developed throughout the 1980’s by Dick James’ office in Nashville, TN, Evergreen contained not only a wealth of hit songs in it’s Nashlon and Dejamus Inc. catalogs, but a stable of extraordinary songwriters. Completing it’s initial round of investments, HORIPRO bought a stake in Tickson Music, a company which housed singer/songwriters such as Gram Parsons and Chris Hilman of the Byrds, songwriters who would go on to define the “Sound of Los Angeles.”  With these acquisitions, HORIPRO had already begun to establish itself as an important player in music communities in both Nashville and Los Angeles.

In 1990…

One year after it’s first investment, HORIPRO Entertainment Group, Inc. officially established a physical U.S. presence in Nashville, TN.  Bob Beckham, a seasoned music veteran who had just completed a 25-year tenure as head of Combine Music Corp., was brought on to head US operations.  Beckham hit the ground running with HORIPRO, hiring Ronnie Gant as the head of the HORIPRO creative team.  Gant, a well respected songman and producer who had enjoyed a long-term association with Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, gave HORIPRO the creative leverage to sign some of Nashville’s best talent.

Over the next 13 years…

HORIPRO’s Nashville songwriters would go on to write songs for some of Country music’s most recognizable artists.  HORIPRO would also continue it’s path of publishing asset acquisition, purchasing 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 13,000 songs 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 music, enhance film and television projects and sell consumer goods.  HORIPRO’s diverse and extensive catalog is in great demand by traditional outlets and new technology services, alike.