HAL POLLOCK

Hal Pollock is a Cleveland-based lawyer, author and entrepreneur, and one of the most prolific lyricists working today. The founder of Esquire Records, music runs deep in his family. Hal was infected with the music bug when at age 15 he was the last person allowed with the Beatles in their trailer at Cleveland Stadium in 1966 when thousands of fans chased the Beatles off stage during the concert. It was  a life changing experience made even more remarkable when footage of that moment resurfaced decades later. 

Hal’s father Al helped arrange the Beatles’ 1966 Cleveland concert and owned The In Spot, a legendary local teen club where Wilson Pickett, Eric Carmen, and the James Gang all performed. Hal credits his songwriter gene to his uncle Jack Kohen, a Hollywood songwriter of the late 1950s.

That early spark led Hal to begin writing lyrics in 1999, a passion he set aside before returning to it full throttle in 2019. Since then, the music hasn’t stopped.

Hal has built an independent label and an extraordinary catalog of over 300 original songs spanning pop, country, Broadway-style ballads, patriotic anthems, and everything in between.

That early spark led Hal to begin writing lyrics in 1999, a passion he set aside before returning to it full throttle in 2018. Since then, the music hasn’t stopped.

Hal writes from life. His songs have been inspired by Columbine, the events of 9/11, the courage of the Ukrainian people, and the quiet moments that define us — loss, love, humor, and hope. Central themes are world peace, overcoming adversity and the maintaining a positive outlook.  Hal has a rare gift for moving between the profound and the playful, from a heart-stopping ballad to a song that makes you laugh out loud. His American Pie parody tribute Ukrainian Pie became a global sensation and other songs developed by him like his Robert Redford tribute, One Man’s Legacy, have gone quickly viral. His songs now have millions of views on social media and great artists are recording them.

Set the World to Music is more than a songbook — it is the first ever multimedia lyric anthology.
It is an invitation to sit down, slow down, and immerse yourself the way we used to do with a great album. Remember holding that record sleeve, reading every word while the music filled the room? That’s the spirit here. Browse the songs, take in the visuals, read the lyrics, and let the music find you. Hal’s life’s work is yours to explore. And like was said about  the Beatles so many years ago “a good time is guaranteed for all.”