Business Manager & Director of West Coast Operations
Los Angeles, CA
Paul Barnabee joined FBMM in spring of 2018 as a senior staffer and was tapped to lead the Los Angeles office when it opened in 2020. He has more than 30 years of music industry experience with a diverse background, having worked in many divisions of Polygram Records, Sony Music and now FBMM. Paul is known for his fierce dedication to his team and his clients and is driven to help artists achieve their career and financial goals.
Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University at Albany – SUNY, where he also earned his CPA license.
Behind the Scenes
Paul is treasurer of the ACM Lifting Lives® for the 2023–2024 term and served as chairman of the board for the 2020–2022 term. In 2022, he received the ACM Lifting Lives Award for his role in the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, which raised and distributed nearly four million dollars to Country Music workers impacted by the pandemic. He was also chairman of the board for the Academy of Country Music in 2015–2016. He served on the board of directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee for five years. Paul has been recognized as a top business manager by Variety and Billboard.
Did you know?
• Paul is native to East Islip, N.Y., but called Nashville home for 25 years before relocating to Los Angeles for his current position.
• He has overseen the creation and execution of strategic marketing initiatives for numerous global music artists.