Herb Trawick — creator, executive producer and co-host of the audio-tech podcast and YouTube series Pensado’s Place and former manager of singer-songwriter Brian McKnight — passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Calabasas, Calif. on Feb. 22. Trawick was 69 years old.
A statement from Trawick’s family that was sent Billboard says in part, “Herb lived a remarkable life defined by creativity, vision and a profound commitment to people and music … Throughout his distinguished career, Herb brought together creativity, taste and relentless execution — a philosophy that guided his work as a manager, label executive, Broadway producer, executive producer, talent scout and advisor.
“Beyond his extraordinary professional accomplishments, Herb was a beloved mentor, trusted friend and guiding presence whose generosity, wisdom and encouragement touched countless lives. He approached his work with humility and gratitude, remaining in awe of the journey and the people who inspired him along the way. The family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support .. Herb’s legacy of leadership, compassion and musical influence will continue to live on through all who knew and loved him.”
Born in Montreal, Canada on April 7, 1956, Trawick moved with his family to Ashland, Kentucky in 1965. The former college radio DJ attended Eastern Kentucky University, where his earned a B.A. in communications in 1977.
Trawick’s first music industry gig was as a promoter and A&R rep for Dick Griffey’s Los Angeles-based SOLAR Records in the early ‘90s, where he advanced to head of the indie label’s marketing and promotion department. Trawick next pivoted into artist management in 1996. Under The Trawick Group banner, he managed 17-time Grammy Award-nominated R&B/pop star Brian McKnight, R&B/hip-hop quartet Portrait and Grammy-winning recording engineer Dave Pensado (Kelly Clarkson, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey).
Seven years later he partnered with Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White in Kalimba Entertainment. During that period, Trawick produced the 2006 jukebox musical Hot Feet. Featuring the music of EWF, the Broadway show was a modern revamp of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Red Shoes.”
A self-described serial entrepreneur, Trawick recognized the need to provide a community for producers and engineers within the music industry. That recognition led him to partner with Pensado and create/executive produce the popular online series Pensado’s Place in 2011 with both gentlemen serving as co-hosts. Since launching, the show became a global platform reaching audiences in more than 200 countries. The series most recently signed with Red Light Management in 2022 to pursue expansion through distribution, live events and brand partnerships.
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Asked by Music Connection in 2024 to provide advice for those aspiring to be entrepreneurs in entertainment, Trawick said, “Put stock in dreaming. That’s not a wasted exercise. Imagine the unimaginable. And then figure out the process of making it real. Remember, we’re in the dream-making business.”
In addition to signing and developing artists such as McKnight, Robin Thicke and Tyrese Gibson during his dual tenures as a producer and record executive, Trawick was a consultant for other labels including Interscope, Motown, and Def Jam Recordings. He also served as an advisor to the music publishing and talent management firm Primary Wave. At the time of his death, Trawick was working to break a new group called NIGI NAXION.
Trawick’s multi-faceted career didn’t stop there. Deeply committed to paying it forward via mentorship and education, he served as a board member and advisor for several organizations, including Girls Make Beats, 1500 Sound Academy, The Blackbird Academy, the Abbey Road Institute Miami and the Guitar Center Music Foundation. In regards to the latter, Trawick helmed the foundation’s fourth annual benefit gala last September which honored three icons: sound engineer John McBride and songwriting/production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
Among the industry accolades Trawick received are the Creative Visionary Award from the Living Legends Foundation, induction into the Technical Excellence and Creativity Hall of Fame from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and induction into the African American video oral history archive The HistoryMakers housed at the Library of Congress. Trawick joined prior inductees such as Barak Obama, Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy and Maya Angelou.
Information regarding funeral services for Trawick will be announced soon.
