Sony/ATV Introduces Pan-European Licensing Endeavor Solar

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sonyatv11Sony/ATV Music Publishing, UK collection society PRS for Music, and German society GEMA have partnered for the joint venture, SOLAR, which will administer licenses for Sony/ATV and EMI’s pan-European digital rights for Anglo-American catalogs. SOLAR will exploit the catalogs of Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing, and will provide administration services online and mobile licensing in Europe and other regions.
The move, in addition to previous licensing processes CELAS and PAECOL, aims to offer a one-stop shop for licensees to obtain access to both repertoires. The new arrangement replaces existing processes, where Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing’s Anglo-American catalogs have operated under separate arrangements for pan-European digital use. Sony/ATV’s Anglo-American catalog has been managed by PAECOL (a subsidiary of GEMA), while digital licensing for EMI Music Publishing’s Anglo-American catalog has been managed by CELAS, a joint venture between GEMA and PRS for Music.
Martin Bandier, Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: “This agreement not only builds on our already successful relationships with PRS for Music and GEMA, but makes the licensing process in Europe more straight-forward as services will now have only one place to go for both Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing repertoire. It is also great news for our songwriters as we look to continue to facilitate licensing in this rapidly-evolving and expanding sector.”
Sony/ATV has pan-European deals with many services including Amazon, Deezer, Google, iTunes and Spotify.

Warner/Chappell, Cornman Music Sign Mirenda

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Warner/Chappell Music and Cornman Music have signed a worldwide co-publishing deal with Country singer-songwriter Josh Mirenda. The Nashville native’s blend of Country, pop and urban sounds are inspired by artists including Dave Barnes, Justin Timberlake, and Keith Urban. Mirenda has opened for artists including American Idol‘s Bucky Covington.

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Brett James (Cornman Music), Ben Vaughn (W/C), Phil May (W/C), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Nate Lowery (Cornman Music), Shea Fowler (Cornman Music), BJ Hill (W/C), Kathy Knippel (JM’s Grandmother), Dan Keen (Belmont University), Kenny Knippel (JM’s Grandfather), and Eugene Crumpton (JM’s Uncle). (Front Row, L-R): Steve Mirenda (JM’s Father) Kelly Mirenda (JM’s Mother), Josh Mirenda, Kayla Joslin (JM’s Girlfriend), and Gina Crumpton (JM’s Aunt)

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Brett James (Cornman Music), Ben Vaughn (W/C), Phil May (W/C), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Nate Lowery (Cornman Music), Shea Fowler (Cornman Music), BJ Hill (W/C), Kathy Knippel (JM’s Grandmother), Dan Keen (Belmont University), Kenny Knippel (JM’s Grandfather), and Eugene Crumpton (JM’s Uncle). (Front Row, L-R): Steve Mirenda (JM’s Father) Kelly Mirenda (JM’s Mother), Josh Mirenda, Kayla Joslin (JM’s Girlfriend), and Gina Crumpton (JM’s Aunt)

Industry Ink: Warner Music Nashville, Copyright Society of the South, Integrity Music Publishing

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Jana Kramer

Jana Kramer

Warner Music Nashville will host its final summer 2014 Pickin’ On The Patio tomorrow (Sept. 24), featuring Elektra Records artist Jana Kramer. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with the show beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Sponsors include GiGi’s Cupcakes, Aramark, and Ajax Turner/Bud Light, Jackson’s and Patron. The party will be held at Warner Music Nashville, located at 20 Music Square E. The show is 21+.

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The Copyright Society of the South’s monthly member luncheon was held at BMI recently, and included a conversation with Made In Network’s Kevin Grosch. He discussed creative ways to develop channels and content on YouTube’s platform.

Pictured (L-R, front row): Karl Braun and Ted Goldtrhope, CSOS board members; (back row): Wendi Crosby, CSOS board member, Jill Napier, Vice Chairman of CSOS, Denise Stevens, CSOS Treasurer, Kevin Grosch, Kele Currier, Secretary of CSOS, and Misha Hunke CSOS board member) Photo: Kathryn Graham

Pictured (L-R, front row): Karl Braun and Ted Goldtrhope, CSOS board members; (back row): Wendi Crosby, CSOS board member; Jill Napier, Vice Chairman of CSOS; Denise Stevens, CSOS Treasurer; Kevin Grosch; Kele Currier, Secretary of CSOS; and Misha Hunke CSOS board member. Photo: Kathryn Graham

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michael neale1Integrity Music Publishing has signed songwriter Michael Neale, writer of “You Amaze Me,” “I Am Yours,” “Your Great Name” and more. His songs have been recorded by Natalie Grant, Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, and others.
 

 

Round Hill Music Launches Round Hill Records

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Pictured (L-R): John Sadocha, Josh Gruss (CEO/Chairman, RHM), Bob Morelli (President, RED), Jonnie Davis (Sr. Vice President, A&R/ Head of Label Services, RHM), Alan Becker (SVP Product Development, RED), Michael Lau (COO, RHM)

Pictured (L-R): John Sadocha, Josh Gruss (CEO/Chairman, RHM), Bob Morelli (President, RED), Jonnie Davis (Sr. Vice President, A&R/ Head of Label Services, RHM), Alan Becker (SVP Product Development, RED), Michael Lau (COO, RHM)


Round Hill Music has launched Round Hill Records, with an exclusive distribution deal with Red. Initial releases include recordings from Bush, Spacehog and Howie Day. The announcement comes on the heels of a co-ownership deal with Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, who worked with Round Hill Music to acquire the first four Bush albums from Kirtland Records. The platform was created to manage various master recordings that Round Hill Music acquires.
“While we are a music publisher at our core, expanding into the world of master ownership and exploitation is a natural and organic next step. Thus, Round Hill Records was born,” explains Round Hill Music president, Neil Gillis.
​”We intend to grow our master recording assets in the next few years,” adds Round Hill Music’s CEO and Chairman, Josh Gruss. ​
Round Hill Music opened a Nashville office in January 2014, led by Mark Brown and Kari Smith.

BMI Royalties Reach All-Time High

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BMI logoBMI today (Sept. 18) reported that it had achieved the highest revenues and royalty distributions in its 75-year history for its fiscal year ended June 30. BMI generated revenues of $977 million, and distributed and administered more than $840 million to its songwriters, composers and music publishers.
For the 2013 fiscal year, BMI reported revenues exceeding $944 million and royalty distributions of $814 million.
This year, the largest category of the company’s domestic revenue was delivered by cable and satellite distributed entertainment. Licensing income from digital services, international sources and from businesses such as bars, hotels, fitness facilities and restaurants all posted significant gains.
BMI singer/songwriters including Taylor Swift, Adam Levine, Shakira, Miranda Lambert, P!nk and Nicki Minaj contributed some of the most-performed songs of the year. Income was received from the mega-smash “Let It Go,” by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, from the highest-grossing animated film of all time, Disney’s Frozen. Also adding to the tally were Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Daft Punk and Nile Rodgers, Kacey Musgraves, Imagine Dragons, and film and television composers James Newton Howard, Steve Jablonsky, Mark Mothersbaugh, Brian Tyler, and John Williams.
This year’s results cap a ten-year period during which BMI has generated more than $8 billion in revenues and distributed royalties of more than $7.5 billion. BMI operates on a non-profit-making basis and returns more than 85% of all revenue to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.
BMI Pres. and CEO Michael O’Neill said, “We are extremely pleased with these results and are already hard at work trying to better them this year. BMI has a well-earned reputation as a trusted broker between the creative community and businesses that perform music to enhance their customer experience. In an ever-evolving marketplace for music rights, our leadership, operational expertise and ability to deliver value at so many different levels to our songwriters, composers, publishers and licensees, enables us to maximize royalties for the creative community.”

Kennedy's Glennjoy Music Signs With Music Services, Inc.

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Pictured (Seated, L-R): Phil Perkins (President/Music Services, Inc.); Gordon Kennedy. (Standing, L-R): Traci Bishir (Catalog Manager/Music Services, Inc.); Don Cason (VP/Music Services, Inc.)

Pictured (Seated, L-R): Phil Perkins (President/Music Services, Inc.); Gordon Kennedy. (Standing, L-R): Traci Bishir (Catalog Manager/Music Services, Inc.); Don Cason (VP/Music Services, Inc.)


Glennjoy Music, a publishing company owned by songwriter-producer Gordon Kennedy, has signed an exclusive administration deal with Brentwood-based Music Services, Inc. Under the new arrangement, Music Services will oversee the licensing and collection of Kennedy’s catalog, including upcoming cuts on Bonnie Raitt, Peter Frampton, and additional recordings by Ricky Skaggs and Mark Collie.
Kennedy became nationally recognized when he earned the Song of the Year honor at the 1997 Grammy awards for Eric Clapton‘s “Change The World,” which he co-wrote with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims.
Other artists who have recorded Kennedy’s songs include Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Bruce Hornsby, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Alison Krauss, Nickel Creek, Peter Frampton, George Strait, Martina McBride, Ricky Skaggs, Joan Osborne, Wynonna, and Jerry Reed.
Music Services, Inc. also represents Centricity Records and Publishing, Fair Trade Records and Publishing, Gaither Records, Gotee Records, LifeWay, Reach Records, SeeSeeBubba Songs, Simpleville Publishing, Spring Hill Records, Tooth and Nail Records and Publishing, Wondrous Worship, Word Entertainment among many others.
 

Staff Changes, New Location for Patrick Joseph Music

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pjmPat Higdon‘s Patrick Joseph Music has promoted Stevie Erickson to the role of Sr. Creative Director. Erickson joined PJM in 2013. Additionally, Christina Wiltshire has been hired as Creative Assistant. Wiltshire previously served internships at Warner Bros. Music and Cornman Music.
PJM recently relocated to 1012 18th Avenue South in Nashville. “With the new facility, as well as the staff promotion and new hire, Patrick Joseph Music continues to refine the level of service we provide for our writers in a boutique creative relationship,” says Higdon.
PJM was originally founded in 1989 by Pat Higdon. It was relaunched in 2012 as a partnership between Higdon and New York-based Songs Music Publishing. The roster features Matraca Berg, George Teren, Ben Carver, Kat Higgins, Jake Mitchell and Melissa Peirce.

Nathan Nicholson joins Ten Ten Music Group

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Nathan Nicholson

Nathan Nicholson


Ten Ten Music Group has named Nathan Nicholson to lead their creative department as VP, Creative. Nicholson’s chart successes include David Nail’s current single, “Kiss You Tonight.” He will continue to handle Tim McGraw‘s StyleSonic Music, whose recent chart toppers include McGraw’s “Highway Don’t Care” and Jerrod Niemann‘s “Drink to That All Night.”
Nicholson’s previous placements include Toby Keith‘s “Red Solo Cup” and Montgomery Gentry’s “She Couldn’t Change Me,” as well as cuts by George Strait, Reba, Patty Loveless, and several others. Nicholson is a graduate of MTSU’s Recording Industry Management program and holds an MBA from Belmont’s Massey School of Business.

Spirit Music Group Obtains $50 Million in Funding

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spirit music group1111Spirit Music Group has obtained $50 million in new capital commitments from Fortress Credit Corp. This brings Spirit’s total capital raised since 2012 to more than $100 million. The company plans to use the capital to acquire additional music rights, including publishing and masters, as well as to increase its roster of catalogs, A&R activities and to further expand internationally.
“Spirit Music Group is on an aggressive growth path. We are pleased that Fortress has shown confidence in Spirit’s current business, staffing and vision to partner with us as we enter this exciting next phase of Spirit’s growth,” said Spirit Music Group Chairman David Renzer.
Spirit Music Group’s global network currently includes offices in New York, London, Los Angeles, Nashville and the Netherlands.

Publishing Notes: The High Cost of Synch, 'Blurred Lines' Deposition Released

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the eagles11What does it cost for a synch license to play a musical title on national television? David Letterman revealed his “no play” list for The Late Show recently, and told viewers the cost per performance of at least one musical classic.
In addition to “no play” songs from Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen, titles from The Eagles catalog are restricted. Letterman revealed The Eagles’ licensing fee for one song on the national broadcast is $250,000.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuVM2T–jg4&feature=youtu.be

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Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke


The Los Angeles Times released the deposition about the copyright infringement suit from the 2013 summer smash “Blurred Lines.” Writer credits include Pharrell Williams, T.I., and singer Robin Thicke, with the latter retaining about 18-22 percent of publishing and writer royalties, despite testifying that Williams made the song without him. Thus, Thicke believed he has a larger piece than he deserves. Thicke stated he had “nothing to do” with the most successful song of his career.
Thicke also noted he hoped to sell more records by taking the writer credit to claim it was his idea, in order to play off public perception that the song was more personal to him.
Williams, co-writer and producer of the song, noted in his own deposition, “This is what happens every day in our industry. You know, people are made to look like they have much more authorship in the situation than they actually do. So that’s where the embellishment comes in.”