SCOTT GUNTER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING
PANELIST - PUBLISHING

Scott Gunter lived and grew up in the town of Dacula Georgia. While attending Dacula High school, Scott had played in several Country, Rock and Christian/Rock bands. It was during that time, he visited a friend who was in the Belmont University Music Business program. He drove back to his home to his various blue collar jobs (i.e., digging ditches and working on cars) all the while thinking of life in Nashville.

Scott moved to Nashville in August of 1984. He enrolled at Belmont University . He began to intern and work part time at various studios, record companies and management companies. His first full time job was RCA Records working in the mailroom. While working for RCA, Scott continued to do some engineering. One such job was at The Owen Bradley’s Studio (Music City Music Hall). He was the assistant engineer for artists like Keith Whitley, Charley Pride, Janie Frickie and many others. Scott then took a job working for legendary Mastering engineer Glen Meadows at the world famous Mastering facility, Masterfonics, all the while continuing to develop an ear for great music. During his 5th year, he got a call from a friend at Almo/Irving (Chris Oglesby) asking him if he wanted to work in publishing. Not knowing what it was, but tiring of the studio world he thought that he would give it a shot.

From day one Scott fell in love with songwriters and the songwriting process. Through the 10 years that he’s been at Almo/Irving, Scott has worked with songwriter greats like Kent Robbins (“Love Is Alive”-The Judds & “Write This Down”-George Strait), Craig Wiseman (“Another day In Paradise”-Phil Vasser & “Everywhere”-Tim McGraw), Annie Roboff (“This Kiss”-Faith Hill & ”Unbroken”-Tim McGraw) and Mike Reid (Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”). With his publishing feet firmly planted, Scott signed a writer that heard out at a writer’s night. His name was Anthony Smith (“Run”-George Strait, “I’m Tryin’” & “Chrome”-Trace Adkins). With songs placed at every major record label in Nashville, Scott set his sights on the international market. Through his contacts in London he met and began to work with writer/producers such as Steve Robson (“These Days”-Rachall Flats) , Wayne Hector (“Help Me Understand”-Trace Adkins & “All Or Nothing”- O’Town) and LA writer/producer Darrell Brown (“Raining On Sundays”- Keith Urban).

His years spent learning about songs, songwriters, and business ethics under David Conrad (now Executive V.P. of A&R for Mercury/MCA Records-Nashville) has been invaluable to his publishing background. His true passion lies in discovering new talent and helping them to realize their dreams.