SESAC has announced the merger of its 2015 Harry Fox Agency (HFA)-acquired administration system, Slingshot, with Rumblefish, a music micro-licensing, monetization network for platforms such as YouTube, which it acquired in 2013.

The combined team will be led by Michael Simon, HFA’s President and CEO, and will operate under the Rumblefish brand, with participation from the senior management teams of both companies. Paul Anthony Troiano, Rumblefish’s Founder and CEO will be departing the company but will remain as an active advisor to the combined company.

Slingshot’s services and Rumblefish’s industry leading Content ID administration, Micro-licensing and RADKey offerings will continue uninterrupted for its clients and content providers as part of an expanded portfolio of services to be offered by the combined company.

The announcement was made by John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC, today (Oct. 15).

“Merging the Rumblefish and Slingshot teams will focus our integration efforts, eliminate any overlaps in customer coverage and enable the combined team to maximize the power of a unified service offering, thereby allowing us to accelerate the introduction of an innovative, expanded suite of services,” Josephson said. “The expanded service portfolio we are developing will streamline the licensing process and enhance the efficiency of our administration activities, driving value for both creators and users of music.”

The acquisition of HFA provides SESAC with the ability to offer singular licenses for the works of its affiliated writers and publishers that aggregate both performance and mechanical rights. Slingshot, HFA’s next generation rights management business unit, includes a suite of information management and technology solutions designed to simplify and facilitate the administration of intellectual property rights.

Steven Tyler. Photo: Zack Whitford.

BMLG artist and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler penned an open letter featured on The Huffington Post, aimed at raising awareness for copyright reform and urging politicians to support fair pay for songwriters.

An excerpt from Tyler’s open letter:

The laws need to change. We have so many laws in America that control how we get paid for our music. Seventy-five percent of songwriters’ income in the U.S. is regulated by the government? Too much government intervention in art and music is a bad thing.

Just as my record label sister, Taylor Swift, wrote her letter to Apple in June, this is my open letter to everyone. We need change. Songwriters, producers and artists can’t survive on what they are being paid.

I received a real lesson on this a couple years ago when I started to look into laws surrounding copyright. I found out that there was an effort underway in Washington to strip certain important approval rights of artists and songwriters for derivative use of their work. When I heard about this crazy idea, I submitted an official comment paper to the folks in Washington D.C. along with a few of my friends like Don Henley and Joe Walsh of the Eagles, deadmau5, Britney, Dr. Dre and Sting explaining why this was a bad idea. It’s not about Wall Street derivatives; it’s about artists and songwriters losing control of their work and not getting paid fairly when it is used. More of the same, I thought. It taught me that creators have to be vigilant and fight for their rights.

Tyler also urged fans to join in the fight, by supporting copyright reform as well.

We know you love our music. Now is the time to show us some love by supporting the effort to reform outdated copyright laws, do away with government standard for artist compensation, and make sure creators are paid fairly when other business use our work.

For the full open letter, visit huffingtonpost.com.

Warner/Chappell Inks Deal With Singer-Songwriter Courtney Cole

Courtney Cole and her management team at Shopkeeper Management recently celebrated Cole’s signing with Warner/Chappell.

“As a singer-songwriter the music you record is so important for your journey,” said Cole, “to be able to collaborate with someone as innovative as the Warner/Chappell family is a dream come true. I can’t wait to see what we can create together!”

Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn adds, “Have you heard Courtney sing? Have you heard how she puts together infectious hooks and melodies that you can’t get out of your head? Everyone at W/C is thrilled to be a part of Courtney’s developing career and work closely with our friends at WME & ShopKeeper Management to support her talent.”

Cole is currently on the road as part of Miranda Lambert’s Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour.

Courtney Cole (center) with her team, Warner/Chappell’s Alison Junker and Ben Vaughn and ShopKeeper Management’s Crystal Dishmon and Marion Kraft.

Big Loud Mountain’s Director of Tour Marketing/Operations Exits

Big Loud Mountain’s Director of Tour Marketing/Operations Manager Christina Sharpe has left the company today after nearly two years and is looking for her next opportunity.

“Christina is an incredible talent and we’re sad to lose a valued member of our team. We wish her luck in her next endeavor,” shared Big Loud Mountain partner Seth England.

Sharpe joined Big Loud Mountain in 2013 and previously worked at Buddy Lee Attractions. Sharpe can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (818) 384-8562.

For additional information on Big Loud Mountain, please visit bigloudmountain.com.

Kentucky-based Tech Company Opens Nashville Office

Hugh Kirkpatrick

Hugh Kirkpatrick has been tapped to head the Nashville office of Kentucky-based tech company iDitty, which manufactures a fan-oriented digital ecosystem. Kirkpatrick will serve as Sr. VP of Business Development. The company’s Nashville office is located at 4322 Harding Pike, Ste. 417.

“I’m pleased to join a company dedicated to helping provide the ultimate fan experience,” states Kirkpatrick. “Nashville has become an epicenter for ‘all-things-entertainment’ and iDitty is innovative in advanced technology to present a physical asset which delivers digital content that brings its clients (artist, celebrity, sports figure or charity) front and center. Music City is the ultimate home for iDitty.”

The newly created iDitty model delivers complete albums (reporting to SoundScan), real-time photos and videos (as well as one-of-a-kind unique specialty content) to fans, supports artist awareness and aids social media campaigns.

Kirkpatrick’s career includes time at MCI, WorldCom, WNAB-TV, Cumulus Media, The Country Network, and iHeart Media. He can be reached at [email protected].