SESAC Sells Majority Stake

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sesacPrivate-equity firm Rizvi Traverse Management, LLC has closed a deal to buy a majority stake in performance rights organization SESAC, Inc. for approximately $600 million, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The purchase will give Rizvi 75 percent ownership of SESAC, which has been on the block for months and received interest from various private-equity firms, the Journal said.
Based in Nashville, SESAC has the exclusive rights to the public broadcast or performance of such legendary artists as Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond.

Industry Ink (1/2/2013)

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Zmusicpublishing logoTerry and Wanda Seay recently announced the formation of ZMusic Publishing. Diane Untz has signed on with the company as a managing partner and creative director, while Frankie Lackey will serve as a managing partner and publishing director.
The company will focus on songwriter mentoring and development, song evaluations and new artist management. ZMusic Publishing will offer songwriters single song contracts and standard publishing contracts. Terry Seay can be reached at here. For more information, visit zmusicpublishing.com.

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AIMP111The Association of Independent Music Publishers will host the panel “YouTube: More Money From Your Music” on Monday (Jan. 14) from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at BMI’s Nashville offices. The panel will focus on how publishing companies can harness YouTube to increase awareness and revenue.
The panel will feature moderator David Crow, a partner with Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley PLC. Panelists will include RightsFlow co-founder Patrick Sullivan, also a Strategic Partner Development Manager with Google (RightsFlow was acquired by Google) and Scott Shellwood, a Strategic Partner Development Manager with YouTube. The reservation cutoff is Thursday (Jan. 10). For more information, visit aimp.org.

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LegacyChris Hollo, official photographer for the Grand Ole Opry, will launch the monthly web series LEGACY on Thursday (Jan. 3) via Facebook. The series focuses on a young woman who realizes she is part of an ancient plan to create a superior race of humans capable of surviving a global catastrophe.
At the end of each episode, Hollo gives viewers the ability to interact and choose which direction the next episode will take. For more information on the series, visit https://www.facebook.com/LegacyTheWebSeries.
 
 
 
 
 

Zac Brown Inks Admin Agreement

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Reach Music Publishing has entered a global administration, synch licensing, and creative support agreement with Zac Brown, other members of the Zac Brown Band and artists affiliated with the Southern Ground Label.

Under the terms of the deal, Reach Music will provide back-office functions for the Band’s entire catalog and affiliated Southern Ground Artists including Nic Cowan, Sonia Leigh and Levi Lowrey.

Michael Closter founded the Burbank, Calif. publishing and administration company in 1993. The independent company, which maintains catalogs for additional artists including John Mayer, was honored as AIMP’s Publisher of the Year during a ceremony held in Los Angeles last week (12/13).

For more information, visit www.reachmusic.com

Reach Music Staff. Pictured (L-R) Top: Michael Cusimano, Shilpa Das, Nancy Matalon, Scott Rubin, Megan Grosz. Bottom: Joe Mondry, Michael Closter, Mike Phegley, Jean Montiel

Industry Pics (12/19/2012)

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Standing (l-r): Noah C. McPike, Esq. of Almon Law, PLLC; Walter Campbell, Walter Campbell Music Publishing; Kos Weaver, VP, Disney Music Publishing, Nashville. Seated: Casey Wood

Disney Music Publishing, Nashville has signed Casey Wood to its expanding creative writer roster. The deal is a partnership between Disney Music Publishing and Walter Campbell Music Publishing.

Disney Music Publishing VP Kos Weaver says, “The minute I heard ‘This Is My Blood,’ a song Casey wrote by himself that was recorded by The Dirt Drifters (Warner Bros.), I knew I wanted to work with Casey. It’s great to have a trusted colleague like Walter Campbell along for the ride!”

“I’m very excited for this wonderful opportunity and I’m looking forward to being a part of the success of Disney Music Publishing! My three-year-old thinks it’s pretty awesome too!” added Wood. He is a native of Dallas, West Virginia who left his home of coal mines, steel mills, and farmland after high school graduation to pursue his dream of becoming a household name singer/songwriter in Music City.

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Photo: Pat Christenson (President, Las Vegas Events) presents Chris Young with an NFR jacket before his performance on the Rodeo Live Stage at Cowboy Fanfest. Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau

For the seventh consecutive year, the Academy of Country Music hosted musical performances at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), held in Las Vegas from Thursday (Dec. 6) through Saturday (Dec. 15). The ACM’s Rodeo Live Stage in the Las Vegas Convention Center featured Ryan Beaver, Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, Brett Eldredge, Jack Ingram, Chris Janson, Tracy Lawrence, David Nail, Aaron Watson and Chris Young.

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Photo (L-R): CSOS Board Member Amy Cranford, Belmont University's Tish Stewart, Morgan Swank, Caleb Kelly, Cassandra Lavoro, and CSOS Chairman of the Board John Barker. Photo: Bob Mather.

The Copyright Society of the South awarded three college students with the Excellence Scholarship this fall. Representing Nashville’s Belmont University is Morgan Swank, while Caleb Kelly and Cassnadra Lovoro are from Middle Tennessee State University. Included in the monetary scholarship is a 1-year membership to the Copyright Society of the South.

 

 

Industry Ink (12/18/2012)

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John Fullbright

Americana singer-songwriter John Fullbright has signed a co-publishing agreement with New York’s BMG Chrysalis offices. Fullbright’s From the Ground Up was released this year, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album. He has also been recognized with ASCAP’s Harold Adamson Lyric Award.

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Ticket Summit has announced its Spring 2013 series of educational webinars, to begin Feb. 20 with Mike Lorenc of Google with Go Mobile, for a discussion about mobile and tablet technology for event tickets. On March 20, Dan Pullium from TicketNetwork will discuss legal issues facing the industry. Ticket Summit’s Executive Director, Molly A. Mérez, will offer tips on drawing traffic at trade shows on April 17. The Spring series concludes May 22 with Improve Your Inventory Management, led by Scott Barrows of Symbioticks.

The Spring 2013 webinar series is a continuation of the year-round Ticket Summit Plus series. The organization’s 2013 conference and trade show will be held at Las Vegas’ Bellagio Hotel, July 17–19.

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Austin native Kyle Park has topped the Texas Music Chart and Texas Regional Radio Report this week with his lead single, “The Night Is Young.” The song, included in his forthcoming self-produced album set for release in March 2013, marks Park’s first No. 1.

Sony/ATV To Launch “Nashville Guitars & Bars” Initiative

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In January, Sony/ATV Music Publishing will launch the artist development initiative “Nashville Guitars & Bars.” As part of the initiative, Sony/ATV will send two singer-songwriters each month to perform at The Tin Roof locations in Cincinnati, Louisville, Ky., Indianapolis and Lexington, Ky.

Singer/songwriters Joey Hyde and Cheryl LuQuire will kick-off the tour with four performances: Jan. 22 at The Tin Roof in Cincinnati, Jan. 23 at The Tin Roof in Louisville, Jan. 29 at The Tin Roof in Indianapolis and Jan. 30 at The Tin Roof in Lexington.

Subsequent events in the music series will follow the same pattern each month: two artists traveling between the four cities (two cities per week), followed by a new pair of artists the next month.

“Sony/ATV is committed to developing artists, which benefits both them and our roster of talented songwriters,” said Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s President/CEO, Nashville, via a statement. “These events will allow our new artists to build their road chops, develop their fan base, and do what they do best – entertain music lovers. Fans will get to discover and connect in an intimate setting with artists who will one day take home our industry’s biggest awards.”

For more information, visit nashvilleguitarsandbars.com.

 

Bluewater Music Adds Creative Department Hire

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Christian Staehely

Bluewater Music Services Corp.’s Chief Operating Officer Peter A. Roselli has hired Christian Staehely as head of the company’s Creative Department. In his new role, Staehely will be responsible for pitching the catalog, signing new artist-writers, and managing Bluewater’s artist roster.

He formerly interned at Sony/ATV in Los Angeles. Staehely is a 2008 graduate of Princeton University and a former professional baseball player for the Seattle Mariners.

 

CMA Songwriters Series Returns to UK and Ireland

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The CMA Songwriters Series will return to the U.K. and Ireland with Kristian Bush, Brett James, Chris Young, and host Bob DiPiero from February 21-25, 2013.

Presented by BMI & Gibson Guitars, the series has expanded since 2005 to play in major cities across the U.S. In 2013, The CMA Songwriter Series will include performances on Feb. 21 in Dublin, Ireland, on Feb. 22-23 in Belfast, Ireland (featuring select Irish songwriting guests John Farry and Gary Quinn) and on Feb. 25 at London, England’s Bush Hall.

“With the successful debut of the CMA Songwriters Series in the U.K. and Ireland earlier this year, fans across the pond proved that they are passionate about Country Music,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, via a release. “We look forward to taking this Series overseas once again and introducing more of our fantastic songwriters to fans abroad.”

Tickets are currently on sale. For more information, visit CMAsongwritersseries.com.

BMG Chrysalis Renews Agreement with Producer busbee

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BMG Chrysalis US has renewed its exclusive, worldwide co-publishing agreement with songwriter and producer busbee.

Busbee, who is based in Los Angeles, has had success in multiple formats. He co-wrote “Our Kind of Love” with the members of Lady Antebellum and co-wrote “Summer Nights,” a hit for Rascal Flatts, with Brett James. Busbee co-wrote Hunter Hayes‘ “Storm Warning” with Hayes and Gordie Sampson. He has also worked with P!nk, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Backstreet Boys, Timbaland and many others.

BMG Chrysalis US also has a joint venture in place with busbee under which writers JP Clark, Luke Dick, Ben West and Deion Blaster are signed.

Darrell Franklin, Executive VP, Nashville said via a release: “busbee was one of the first writers that BMG signed in Nashville seven years ago. He always had his sights set on being a worldwide hit songwriter with cuts spanning all genres. His work ethic, determination and raw talent have helped busbee achieve his goal with hits in the pop world, film and TV, as well as hits in the country market both here and globally.”

“BMG is really approaching the business of music in a new way,” added busbee. “They work aggressively for their clients worldwide…and they truly feel and function like a boutique-major. I am incredibly excited to continue my partnership with them.”

Patrick Joseph Publishing Announces First Signing

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Pictured (L-R) Back: Pat Higdon, Matt Pincus, Casey Del Casino (Teren's attorney), Ron Perry (SONGS). Seated: George Teren

Pat Higdon of Patrick Joseph Music and Matt Pincus, CEO of SONGS Music Publishing, have announced Nashville-based George Teren as the first writer signed to Patrick Joseph Music/SONGS Music Publishing.

“I’ve been a huge fan of George’s songwriting for a long time and I’m so excited to finally get to work with him directly,” said Higdon. “He’s a talented professional who knows how to craft songs for today in timeless fashion.”

“George Teren is an incredible talent, with a rich career in creating music for the Nashville market and in many other genres,” said Pincus. “I am honored to have him join us as the inaugural member of the PJM/SONGS family, and look forward to working with Pat in making many more great things happen with George’s music.”

Teren’s catalog includes “Real Good Man” (Tim McGraw), “Homewrecker” (Gretchen Wilson), “When I get To Where I’m Going” (Brad Paisley) and “Ladies Love Country Boys” (Trace Adkins). Teren has also had cuts by Britney Spears, Nick Lachey, Tower of Power and Avalon, among others.

In 2012, Higdon relaunched the original Warner/Chappell joint venture with SONGS Music Publishing, containing catalogs from Matraca Berg, Tim Mensy, Troy Verges, Gary Harrison, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Brett James.