Peter Zizzo


Peter Eric Zizzo is an American songwriter, music producer, musician and writer. Zizzo has written hits for artists such as Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez, Marit Larsen, O.A.R, Jason Mraz, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, M2M, Sir Cliff Richard, Clay Aiken, Howie Day, Kate Voegele, Jackie Evancho, Pixie Lott, Vanessa Carlton, and many others. He has been considered instrumental in developing the careers of artists Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton in the US, and Pixie Lott in the UK. Recordings of his songs have collectively sold in excess of 100 million copies worldwide.

Early life

Born in New York to musical parents, Peter Zizzo was initially a teen rock guitar prodigy, featured in Guitar Player magazine. As a songwriter, he got his first cut, "March", by The Weather Girls, at age 18. He attended college at Tufts University, graduating with a Bachelor's in English. Shortly thereafter, he won BMI's "Best New Songwriter" award on the heels of his first hit, the dance track "Whispers" by Corina. Zizzo found more success working alongside top 80s producer Ric Wake on records by Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez. It was through Wake's company that he signed his first developing artist, Billy Porter, whose A&M debut Untitled was largely written and produced by Zizzo, and featured "Love Is On The Way", the central ballad from the hit film The First Wives Club. Porter went on to win a Tony award for his starring role in Broadway's Kinky Boots.

Entrepreneurial ventures

In his role of Artist Development, Zizzo discovered, developed, produced, and helped launch prominent artists such as Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton, Pixie Lott, and more recently, People Magazine's "One To Watch, 2017" Hailey Knox. Zizzo has also spoken and led seminars at South by Southwest and other music industry events. Peter Zizzo's songs and productions have sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
In 2010, Peter's production and writing on BeBe and CeCe Winans "Still" won a Grammy for Best Gospel Album
Peter has also written and produced songs for several shows on Nickelodeon, including "The Fresh Beat Band", which in 2013 won him an Emmy Award for best musical composition. He was nominated again the following year for Outstanding Original Song for "Spring Has Sprung", from the show "Peter Rabbit".
Peter is also a published author of short fiction and has written several screenplays, one of which, "Timmy Tilson", placed in the finals in The Creative World Awards international screenplay competition.

Partial Discography

YearArtistAlbum/SinglesChartsCertifactions/AwardsCredits
2012Elizabeth GilliesWinx Club
  • "We Are Believix"
––Producer, writer
2011The Fresh Beat BandA Friend Like You
  • "A Friend Like You"
    		• #1 on iTunes Kids Chart 5 Album–Producer, writer, arranger
    2009Pixie LottTurn It Up
  • "Jack"
  • "The Way The World Works"
    		• UK Top 5 Album−2x platinum Producer, writer, arranger
    2009BeBe & CeCe WinansStill
  • "Things feat. Marvin Winans"
  • "Never Thought"
    		• US #14 Billboard Top 100US #1 Gospel Album

    US #2 R'n'B Album    		Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album 2011Producer, writer, arranger
    2009Blake LewisHeartbreak on Vinyl
    • "The Point"
    		US #7 Dance & Electronic Album––
    2006Stephanie McIntoshTightrope
  • "Overcome"
    		• #4 AUSGold Producer, co-writer
    2005Toby LightmanLittle Things
  • "Devils & Angels"
  • "The River"
  • "Don't Wanna Know"
    		• Top 15 Hot AC, Top 40 Pop–Producer, writer, arranger
    2002Avril LavigneLet Go
  • "Nobody's Fool"
  • "Why"
    		• –18 Million WorldwideRIAA Diamond AwardProducer, writer, arranger
    2000M2MShades of Purple
    		US Top 20 RadioUS Sales #1 2 Million WorldwideProducer, writer, arranger
    1999Jennifer Lopez"On The 6"
    • Promise You'll Try
    		–7 Million WorldwideProducer, writer, arranger
    1997Celine DionThese Are Special Times
  • "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day"
    		• –14 Million WorldwideWriter, arranger
    1996Celine DionLet's Talk About Love
  • "Love Is on the Way"
    		• Top 4033 Million WorldwideRIAA Diamond AwardWriter, arranger
    1994Celine Dion"The Color of My Love''
    		Top 10 USTop 5 UK16 Million WorldwideWriter, arranger

    Acting career

    In 2009 Peter played a character named after himself in the Steven Soderbergh film The Girlfriend Experience starring adult film star Sasha Grey. "Girlfriend Experience" was written by Peter's lifelong friends Brian Koppelman and David Levien who also named a character after him in the poker classic Rounders.