Ron Burkle-Controlled Music Manager Merges With Talent Agency

Billionaire investor Ron Burkle is merging his Artist Group International, which represents music stars, with Agency for the Performing Arts, a Hollywood talent agency, to form a new management company for entertainers.

Independent Artist Group, as the new business will be called, will be led by Jim Osborne, the president of APA. Artist Group founder Dennis Arfa will lead the music division.

Artist Group handles tours for music superstars such as Billy Joel and Metallica. APA represents actors, including Gary Oldman; writers, such as Margaret Atwood; as well as musicians, like Mary J. Blige.

Burkle, who ...