TERESA
Teresa LaBarbera-Whites brings decades of passion for the music business, a long view of career building, a strong work ethic, and a woman’s sensibility to a rough and tumble industry.
As Senior Vice President of A&R for Jive Records, she currently oversees the recording careers of Britney Spears, Pink, The Backstreet Boys, Nick Lachey and Bowling For Soup. As the A&R person, she works daily with songwriters and producers to tailor the songs for each artist. She was also Executive Producer on Britney Spears’ current album “Circus”.
The creator and CEO of her newly formed BellaSonic Records, Teresa’s focus is the Artist and their creativity as it relates to today’s commercial market. She is developing the careers of Amie Miriello, The Dares and Ry Cuming.
Prior to working at Jive Records, LaBarbera-Whites discovered Destiny’s Child when the young girls were 9 and 10 years old, signed them to Columbia Records and was instrumental in developing the group and making their records.
She also nurtured Beyonce’s solo career with the her first solo album “Dangerously In Love,” which went on to win five Grammys, which also topped Billboard magazine’s Top 200 and R&B Hip Hop charts.
LaBarbera-Whites also recognized the potential of a young, 17yr old Jessica Simpson after hearing the young star sing “Amazing Grace” acapella in a hotel room.“ Simpson’s single “With You, hit No. 1 on the Mainstream Top 40 charts.
LaBarbera Whites’ projects have sold over seventy five million records worldwide. That she has accomplished so much is notable. That she did it from a relatively remote outpost in Texas, where she lives with her husband and three children, is astonishing.
To keep up with her many bi-coastal commitments and keep her family with her as much as possible, LaBarbera-Whites and her husband keep their own small plane, which he pilots. She doesn’t think distance works against her in this job. “Not being based in New York or LA, my perspective on music and how I make records is different,” she says. “I don’t get caught up in what everyone else is because I’m not in the middle of it like my colleagues are.”
In fact, LaBarbera-Whites isn’t in the middle of anything these days. She’s way ahead of the pack.