CFO$: Difference between revisions

CFO$
CFO$
Also known as	Arcadia; Kromestatik
Origin	Long Island, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Producers, songwriters, composers, mix engineers
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, drums, piano, production
Years active	2012–2020
Labels	WWE Music Group, Arcade Songs

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CFO$ (/ˌsiːɛfˈoʊs/) was an American songwriting and production duo consisting of John Paul Alicastro and Michael Conrad Lauri. They were primarily known for creating entrance music and program themes for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Career

CFO$ joined forces with the WWE through Arcade Songs, a record label owned by Gregg Wattenberg, when it was named Wind-Up Records back in 2012.^[1] They made their musical debut on the special 1,000th episode edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, named WWE Raw 1000, which aired on July 23, 2012, when their song "The Night" was selected as the show's official main theme.^[2] Shortly after, they began contributing themes for main roster WWE talent.^[3]

The duo acted as WWE Music Group's executive producers and were the driving creative force behind the WWE's music department until early 2020. During their tenure, they secured two number one singles in the iTunes Soundtrack category with "The Rising Sun" for Shinsuke Nakamura^[4] and "Glorious Domination" for Bobby Roode.^[5] They further contributed theme songs and original scores to shows and programming which aired on the WWE Network.^[6]

In February 2020, it was publicly reported that CFO$ had been in a dispute with their publisher over the previous month, due to money CFO$ states was owed to them per their publishing deal. CFO$ attempted to have WWE buy them out of their publishing deal and have them work in-house but the publisher rejected the proposal. In August 2020, CFO$ were released from their recording contract and disbanded shortly afterwards. All of the production input has since been replaced by def rebel.^[7]

Television appearances

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2015	Total Divas	Themselves; Alicastro and Lauri	Episode: "It's a Beautiful Life?"

Web

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2018	WWE Ride Along	Themselves; Alicastro and Lauri	Episode: "Ballad of Elias and Balor Club"
2018	Walk with Elias: The Documentary	Themselves; Alicastro and Lauri	WWE Network mockumentary

WWE discography

References

^ Hyman, Dan (September 15, 2017). "When WWE Wrestlers Need Music, They Call This Industry Insider (And No. 1 Hitmaker)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
^ Melok, Bobby (August 17, 2016). "Meet CFO$, the musical masterminds behind your favorite Superstar's entrance music". WWE. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
^ Pasbani, Robert (August 18, 2017). "WWE Music Composers CFO$ Talk Favorite Metal Bands, How They Created Some Of Your Favorite Entrance Themes". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
^ WWE.com Staff (April 7, 2016). "Nakamura's entrance theme is the No .1 iTunes soundtrack song". WWE. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
^ Peterborough Examiner (August 23, 2016). "Bobby Roode's music No. 1 on iTunes chart". Peterborough Examiner. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 3, 2018). "CFO$ Discuss Their Process In Creating Music For WWE". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
^ Sapp, Sean Ross (February 20, 2020). "Exclusive: Why CFO$ Isn't Working With WWE". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

External links

[1] Hyman, Dan (September 15, 2017). "When WWE Wrestlers Need Music, They Call This Industry Insider (And No. 1 Hitmaker)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2020.

[2] Melok, Bobby (August 17, 2016). "Meet CFO$, the musical masterminds behind your favorite Superstar's entrance music". WWE. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

[3] Pasbani, Robert (August 18, 2017). "WWE Music Composers CFO$ Talk Favorite Metal Bands, How They Created Some Of Your Favorite Entrance Themes". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

[4] WWE.com Staff (April 7, 2016). "Nakamura's entrance theme is the No .1 iTunes soundtrack song". WWE. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

[5] Peterborough Examiner (August 23, 2016). "Bobby Roode's music No. 1 on iTunes chart". Peterborough Examiner. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

[6] Lambert, Jeremy (October 3, 2018). "CFO$ Discuss Their Process In Creating Music For WWE". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

[7] Sapp, Sean Ross (February 20, 2020). "Exclusive: Why CFO$ Isn't Working With WWE". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Tone|date=August 2024}}
-{{Infobox musical artist  <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians. -->
+{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
-| name                = CFO$
+{{short description|American musical duo}}
-| alias                 = Kromestatik<ref>https://twitter.com/CFOSofficial/status/754746436177321985 "That [Kromestatik] was a name we very briefly went under before we settled on CFO$, CFO$ on Twitter".</ref><br>CFO$<ref>http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwemusic/article/cfos-wwe-entrance-music "CFO$ are involved in the creation of Superstar entrance music from the moment the talent signs a WWE contract. - WWE.com"</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz7UusXAFSg "Meet CFO$, the masterminds behind your favorite WWE Superstar's entrance music", WWE on YouTube.</ref><br>Arcadia<ref>http://arcadesongs.com/songwriter/arcadia/ "ARCADIA is a New York-based writing and production duo consisting of John Alicastro and Mike Lauri".</ref><ref>http://arcadesongs.com/songwriter/arcadia/ "Under the alias CFO$, John and Mike serve as executive producers for WWE Music Group and have been the creative force behind the music of the WWE’s extensive array of programming since 2012."</ref>
+{{Infobox musical artist
-| background          = non_performing_personnel
-| image               =
+| name             = CFO$
-| caption             =
+| alias            = Arcadia<br />Kromestatik
-| origin              = [[Long Island]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
+| image            =
-| genre               =
+| caption          =
-| occupation          = [[Record producer|Producers]], [[Songwriter]]s, [[Composer]]s, [[Mix Engineer]]s
+| origin           = [[Long Island]], New York, U.S.
-| instrument          = Vocals, guitar, drums, piano, production
+| genre            =
+| occupation       = Producers, songwriters, composers, mix engineers
-| years_active        = 2012–present
+| instrument       = Vocals, guitar, drums, piano, production
-| label               = [[WWE Music Group]]<br/>Arcade Songs<ref>{{cite web|title=ARCADIA – Arcade Songs|url=http://arcadesongs.com/songwriter/arcadia/|website=arcadesongs.com|accessdate=9 April 2017|quote=Since joining the Arcade Songs family.}}</ref><br>Egg Songs Publishing II<ref>{{cite web|title=Publishers {{!}} Egg Songs Publishing II - IPI Code: 681715430|url=https://repertoire.sacem.fr/en/work-detail/2947626611/AMAZING?query=alicastro%20john%20paul&filters=parties#searchBtn|website=repertoire.sacem.fr|accessdate=4 June 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>Also known as "Egg Yolks Publishing II" on BMI's repertoire.</ref><br />Screech Music<ref>{{cite web|title=ACE Repertory {{!}} Publishers: Screech Music|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/892317632|website=www.ascap.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Publisher: Screech Music - Code IPI: 763725714|url=https://repertoire.sacem.fr/en/work-detail/2947626611/AMAZING?query=alicastro%20john%20paul&filters=parties#searchBtn|website=repertoire.sacem.fr|accessdate=4 June 2017|language=en}}</ref>
+| years_active     = 2012–2020
-| current_members     = John Alicastro<ref>{{cite web|title=ACE Repertory - ALICASTRO JOHN PAUL|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/887809136|website=www.ascap.com|accessdate=20 May 2017}}</ref><br/>Michael Lauri<ref>{{cite web|title=ACE Repertory - LAURI MICHAEL CONRAD|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/887809136|website=www.ascap.com|accessdate=20 May 2017}}</ref>
+| label            = [[WWE Music Group]], Arcade Songs
 }}
-'''CFO$''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|s|iː|ɛ|f|ˈ|oʊ|s}}) is an American songwriting and production duo consisting of '''John Paul Alicastro''' and '''Michael Conrad Lauri'''. They are primarily known for creating entrance music and program themes for [[WWE]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwemusic/article/cfos-wwe-entrance-music|title=WWE.com|last=|first=|date=August 2016|website=Meet CFO$, the musical masterminds behind your favorite Superstar’s entrance music|publisher=|language=English|access-date=|accessdate=}}</ref> The two have also garnered credits for [[The Unlikely Candidates]], [[Wolfgang Gartner]],<ref>{{cite web|title=ACE Repertory - ALICASTRO JOHN PAUL, LAURI MICHAEL CONRAD|url=https://www.ascap.com/Repertory#ace/search/workID/890091769|website=www.ascap.com|accessdate=27 May 2017}}</ref> [[Rozes (musician)|Rozes]], [[Phillip Phillips]], [[Goo Goo Dolls]], [[Young Guns (band)|Young Guns]],<ref>{{cite web|title=ACE Repertory - ALICASTRO JOHN PAUL, LAURI MICHAEL CONRAD|url=https://www.ascap.com/Repertory#ace/search/workID/886457291|website=www.ascap.com|accessdate=27 May 2017}}</ref> Will Roush,<ref>{{cite web|title=ACE Repertory - ALICASTRO JOHN PAUL, LAURI MICHAEL CONRAD|url=https://www.ascap.com/Repertory#ace/search/workID/890215731|website=www.ascap.com|accessdate=27 May 2017}}</ref> [[KIT Walters]], [[Train (band)|Train]],<ref>http://arcadesongs.com/songwriter/arcadia/ "Since joining the Arcade Songs family, the two have garnered credits for Wolfgang Gartner, Phillip Phillips, Train, Goo Goo Dolls, Young Guns, and Filter."</ref> and [[Filter (band)|Filter]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-alicastro-mn0002035299|title=John Alicastro Credits|last=|first=|date=|website=AllMusic.com|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/michael-lauri-mn0003027864|title=Mike Lauri Credits|last=|first=|date=|website=AllMusic.com|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>
+'''CFO$''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|s|iː|ɛ|f|ˈ|oʊ|s}}) was an American songwriting and production duo consisting of '''John Paul Alicastro''' and '''Michael Conrad Lauri'''. They were primarily known for creating entrance music and program themes for World Wrestling Entertainment ([[WWE]]).
 == Career ==
+CFO$ joined forces with the WWE through Arcade Songs, a record label owned by [[Gregg Wattenberg]], when it was named Wind-Up Records back in 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hyman |first1=Dan |title=When WWE Wrestlers Need Music, They Call This Industry Insider (And No. 1 Hitmaker) |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/7965820/wwe-wrestler-music-gregg-wattenberg-interview |access-date=December 26, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |date=September 15, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> They made their musical debut on the special 1,000th episode edition of [[WWE Monday Night Raw]], named [[WWE Raw 1000]], which aired on July 23, 2012, when their song "The Night" was selected as the show's official main theme.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Melok |first1=Bobby |title=Meet CFO$, the musical masterminds behind your favorite Superstar's entrance music |url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/wwemusic/article/cfos-wwe-entrance-music |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=[[WWE]] |date=August 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818165009/https://www.wwe.com/inside/wwemusic/article/cfos-wwe-entrance-music |archive-date=August 18, 2016}}</ref> Shortly after, they began contributing themes for main roster WWE talent.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pasbani |first1=Robert |title=WWE Music Composers CFO$ Talk Favorite Metal Bands, How They Created Some Of Your Favorite Entrance Themes |url=https://metalinjection.net/wrestlemetal/wwe-music-composers-cfo-talk-favorite-metal-bands-how-they-created-some-of-your-favorite-entrance-themes |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=[[Metal Injection]] |date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820163638/https://metalinjection.net/wrestlemetal/wwe-music-composers-cfo-talk-favorite-metal-bands-how-they-created-some-of-your-favorite-entrance-themes |archive-date=August 20, 2017}}</ref>
-CFO$ made their musical debut during ''[[WWE Raw 1000]]'' on July 23, 2012 as Kromestatik when their song "The Night" was selected as the show's official main theme. Shortly after, they began contributing themes for main roster WWE talent such as [[Jack Swagger]], [[Seth Rollins]], [[Dean Ambrose]], [[Sheamus]],  and [[A.J. Styles|AJ Styles]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/cfo$/id631705338|title=CFO$ iTunes Store|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref> Today, CFO$ serve as the executive producers for the WWE Music Group and the duo has been the driving creative force behind the music of [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]],<ref name=":0" /> securing #1 singles in the iTunes Soundtrack category with "The Rising Sun" ([[Shinsuke Nakamura]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CFOSofficial/status/718141785395036160|title=CFO$ Nakamura Tweet|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref> and "Glorious Domination" ([[Bobby Roode]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CFOSofficial/status/767440177367224324|title=CFO$ Roode Tweet|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>  In addition, CFO$ have developed and contributed musical content for the WWE's streaming service, the [[WWE Network]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Music of the WWE Network by CFO$ & Jim Johnston on Apple Music|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-music-of-the-wwe-network/id861161345|website=iTunes|accessdate=20 May 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ACE Repertory - OVER THE TOP|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/886475312|website=www.ascap.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1. Over the Top (WWE Network) - iTunes|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-music-of-the-wwe-network/id861161345|website=www.itunes.com|accessdate=20 May 2017|language=en}}</ref> CFO$ also contribute themes to WWE Network original shows such as ''[[Swerved]]'', ''[[The Edge and Christian Show|The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness]]'', ''Legends House''<ref>{{cite web|title=6. Under Pressure (Legends House) - iTunes|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-music-of-the-wwe-network/id861161345|website=iTunes|accessdate=20 May 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Under Pressure - (Alternate Title: Legends House)|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/885905905|website=www.ascap.com|accessdate=20 May 2017}}</ref> and ''[[Camp WWE]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=ACE Repertory - NO PLACE LIKE CAMP|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/890035102|website=www.ascap.com|accessdate=20 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Camp WWE - No Place Like Camp (Official Theme)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Q67WDSZiI|website=www.youtube.com|accessdate=20 May 2017|date=29 April 2016}}</ref>
+The duo acted as [[WWE Music Group]]'s executive producers and were the driving creative force behind the WWE's music department until early 2020. During their tenure, they secured two number one singles in the [[iTunes]] [[Soundtrack]] category with "The Rising Sun" for [[Shinsuke Nakamura]]<ref>{{cite news |author1=WWE.com Staff |title=Nakamura's entrance theme is the No .1 iTunes soundtrack song |url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/wwemusic/article/nakamuras-entrance-theme-hits-no-1-itunes |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=WWE |date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410033930/https://www.wwe.com/inside/wwemusic/article/nakamuras-entrance-theme-hits-no-1-itunes |archive-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> and "Glorious Domination" for [[Bobby Roode]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Peterborough Examiner |title=Bobby Roode's music No. 1 on iTunes chart |url=https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/sports/bobby-roodes-music-no-1-on-itunes-chart/article_33e52a30-a85e-5c49-8c6b-389d619a99c2.html |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=[[Peterborough Examiner]] |url-access=limited |date=August 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819230554/https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/sports/bobby-roodes-music-no-1-on-itunes-chart/article_33e52a30-a85e-5c49-8c6b-389d619a99c2.html |archive-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref> They further contributed theme songs and original scores to shows and programming which aired on the [[WWE Network]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lambert |first1=Jeremy |title=CFO$ Discuss Their Process In Creating Music For WWE |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/cfo-discuss-their-process-creating-music-wwe |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Fightful |url-access=limited |date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511155643/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/cfo-discuss-their-process-creating-music-wwe |archive-date=May 11, 2021}}</ref>
+In February 2020, it was publicly reported that CFO$ had been in a dispute with their publisher over the previous month, due to money CFO$ states was owed to them per their publishing deal. CFO$ attempted to have WWE buy them out of their publishing deal and have them work in-house but the publisher rejected the proposal. In August 2020, CFO$ were released from their recording contract and disbanded shortly afterwards. All of the production input has since been replaced by [[Doug Davis (businessman)|def rebel]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sapp |first1=Sean Ross |title=Exclusive: Why CFO$ Isn't Working With WWE |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/exclusive-why-cfo-isn-t-working-wwe |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Fightful |url-access=limited |date=February 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929212914/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/exclusive-why-cfo-isn-t-working-wwe |archive-date=September 29, 2023}}</ref>
 == Television appearances ==
-===Television===
+=== Television ===
 {| class="wikitable sortable"
 ! Year
@@ Line 33: / Line 39: @@
 |}
-===Web===
+=== Web ===
 {| class="wikitable sortable"
 ! Year
@@ Line 41: / Line 47: @@
 |-
 | 2018
-| ''[[WWE_Network#Current_shows|Ride Along]]''
+| ''[[WWE Network|WWE Ride Along]]''
 | Themselves; Alicastro and Lauri
-| Episode: "Ballad of Elias and Bálor Club"
+| Episode: "Ballad of Elias and Balor Club"
 |-
 | 2018
-| ''[[WWE: Walk With Elias|Walk With Elias]]: The Documentary''
+| ''[[WWE: Walk with Elias|Walk with Elias]]: The Documentary''
 | Themselves; Alicastro and Lauri
-| [[WWE Network]] [[kayfabe]] [[mockumentary]]
+| [[WWE Network]] [[mockumentary]]
 |-
 |}
 == WWE discography ==
-{{main|WWE Music Group discography#Themes by CFO$}}
+{{Main|WWE Music Group discography#Themes by CFO$}}
 == See also ==
@@ Line 62: / Line 68: @@
 == External links ==
-* [http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwemusic/article/cfos-wwe-entrance-music WWE.com Feature Article on the CFO$]
 * {{twitter}}
 * {{instagram}}
@@ Line 68: / Line 73: @@
 {{WWE Albums}}
-{{WWE personnel}}
 {{Authority control}}

v t e WWE Music Group: List of music albums produced by WWE Music Group
WWE Music Group's compilations	The Wrestling Album Piledriver: The Wrestling Album 2 WrestleMania: The Album WWF Full Metal: The Album WWF The Music, Volume 2 WWF The Music, Volume 3 WWF The Music, Volume 4 WWF Aggression WWF The Music, Vol. 5 WWF Forceable Entry WWE Anthology WWE Originals ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol. 6 WWE Wreckless Intent WWE The Music, Volume 7 Raw Greatest Hits: The Music WWE The Music, Vol. 8 Voices: WWE The Music, Vol. 9 WWE The Music: A New Day, Vol. 10 WWE: Uncaged WWE: Uncaged II WWE: Uncaged III WWE: Uncaged IV WWE: Uncaged V WWE: Uncaged VI WWE: Uncaged VII WWE: Uncaged VIII WWE: Uncaged IX WWE: Uncaged X WWE: Uncaged XI WWE: Uncaged XII WWE: Uncaged XIII WWE: Uncaged XIV
One-off albums	You Can't See Me (John Cena and Tha Trademarc) A Jingle with Jillian (Jillian) Walk with Elias (Elias) Universal Truth (Elias)
Related articles	Jim Johnston CFO$ Music in professional wrestling Stone Cold Metal