Nevins-Kirshner

Production firm composed of publishing, managerial, talent locating and record production departments with Aldon Music as a subsidiary and Emile La Viola as Aldon Music's professional manager. Managers Al Nevins and Donnie Kirshner, who joined forces back in 1958, managed artists who developed through their songwriting association with Aldon. Nevins-Kirshner's main work, in addition to their publishing arm, was the production of records as outside producers. They had deals with ABC-Paramount, Columbia and Epic, but they still did outside production for such labels as Liberty, Mercury, Colpix and others. Before placing talent on a label, the duo made sure that the firm would go all-out on advertising, promotion and a good percentage. On the latter point the Nevin-Kirshner firm received a royalty from 10 per cent on records they produced for a diskery. Composers working for the firm included Neil Sedaka, Howie Greenfield, Jack Keller, Barry Mann, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Paul Kaufman, Cynthie Weil, Mike Anthony, Art Kaplan, Brooks Arthur, Helen Miller, Freddie Scott, Lou Stallman, Sid Jacobson, Don Rubin and Charles Cottman. The firm also had two staff arrangers, Alan Lorber and Charlie Albertine. These writers were often assigned material to fit a specific artist, and the competition between them was strong. The A&R work was usually handled by Nevins-Kirshner themselves, although now and then one of the writers would handle a date.