BMI Live Offers Royalties For Any Size Show

/by

BMI has launched BMI Live, a program enabling songwriters to register their concerts, regardless of venue size, to be considered for payment.
Mike O’Neill, BMI Senior Vice President, Repertoire and Licensing, says the program is designed to ensure that performing songwriters in any stage of their careers receive payment for concerts of all sizes, from coffee shops to football stadiums.
Available only online, BMI Live is open to all of the organization’s affiliates. To qualify, songwriters need to enter their live musical performances on www.bmi.com. Songwriters can submit performances up to six months after the show date.
BMI will pay royalties to both writers and publishers via direct deposit in its June distribution for performances occurring July 1 through December 31, 2010. Concert performances eligible for the June royalty distribution must be entered by March 31, 2011. The distribution from BMI Live will be made quarterly after this initial June 2011 launch.

“All About Tonight” Goes No. 1

/by

The Georgian songwriting trio of Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip, also known as the “Peach Pickers,” celebrated their third No. 1 song in a year at a party held at BMI on January 7. Recorded by Blake Shelton, “All About Tonight” hit No. 1 in 2010 as did “All Over Me,” recorded by Josh Turner and “Gimmie That Girl” by Joe Nichols. “All About Tonight” also marks the 45th No. 1 single produced by Scott Hendricks.

(L-R) back: BMI’s Jody Williams; Warner Music Nashville’s Chris Stacey and John Esposito; BMI’s Leslie Roberts; EMI Music Publishing Nashville’s Ben Vaughn; producer Scott Hendricks; and BMI’s Perry Howard. Front: Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Ben Hayslip. Photo: Steve Lowry

Big Yellow Dog Re-ups Kear, Signs Anderson

/by

Big Yellow Dog Principals Kerry O'Neil and Carla Wallace with Josh Kear (center).


Big Yellow Dog Music has re-signed hit songwriter Josh Kear, and added songwriter “Big Al” Anderson to its roster. The company’s principals Carla Wallace and Kerry O’Neil have also promoted Brooke Arrington to Creative Director, assisting Wallace with songplugging and creative duties. The end of 2010 marked the publishing house’s 13th year in business, during which time it celebrated its 13th No. 1 single.

Creative Director Brooke Arrington


Among Kear’s hits is Lady Antebellum’s multi-award-winning smash “Need You Now.” The title track from the band’s current album was the most played song of 2010 across all formats, and is nominated for a 2010 GRAMMY Award for Song of the Year and Best Country Song. Kear won a GRAMMY in 2007 for Best Country Song for Carrie Underwood’s charttopper, “Before He Cheats.” Both songs have been awarded ASCAP Song Of The Year.
“Big Al” Anderson is a renowned songwriter and former member of the college of musical knowledge known as The New Rhythm and Blues Quartet, or more simply, NRBQ. He is behind hits for artists ranging from George Jones to Etta James to the Allman Brothers.
Additional staff writers at Big Yellow Dog Music include Shawn Camp, Daniel Tashian, Karyn Rochelle, Madeleine Slate, Pat McLaughlin, Logan Mize and Nikki Williams.
Brooke Arrington can be reached at 615-385-3130 or [email protected].

Carla Wallace, "Big Al" Anderson and Brooke Arrington

DiPiero and Kinney Team Up

/by

Brandon Kinney recently inked a new publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Love Monkey Music, while he also re-signed with Tom-Leis Music. The 2010 BMI Award-winning songwriter co-wrote Randy Houser’s smash “Boots On.” (L-R) back: Love Monkey Music’s Penny Everhard, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Terry Wakefield, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Front: Love Monkey Music owner Bob DiPiero, Kinney, and Tom-Leis Music’s Leslie T. DiPiero.

peer Acquires Foster Catalogs

/by

Ralph Peer II (Chairman and CEO, peermusic) and David Foster.


peermusic has announced it will acquire over 500 songs, the majority of songwriter/producer David Foster’s works. The acquisition encompasses all of Foster’s songs in Foster Frees Music, Air Bear Music and One Four Three Music. peermusic has been administering most of Foster’s publishing for more than fifteen years. The new agreement also includes exclusive publishing representation for the writer’s future works.
Included in the deal are hits such as “I Have Nothing,” “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “Glory Of Love,” “The Power Of The Dream,” “My Grown Up Christmas List” and “Color Of My Love.”
“David Foster is one of the great American songwriters and a special colleague. We are thrilled to acquire the works of such a noted talent as working with him is truly a gift,” said Ralph Peer, II. “It is a joy and privilege to continue our longstanding relationship with a much valued friend, and we look forward to many future endeavors with him.”
Kathy Spanberger, peermusic President Anglo American Region commented, “This agreement was not only propelled by passion for great music, but also because of a close personal relationship between two great musical families. I am proud to have played a role in bringing the deal to fruition as I know it will benefit the Foster and Peer families for generations to come.”
David Foster was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2010. He has earned 15 Grammy Awards plus a remarkable 47 Grammy Nominations, including one this year for his work on Michael Bublé’s album, Crazy Love. He has helped to shape and sustain careers of the music industry’s brightest stars including Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Celine Dion, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli and Barbra Streisand. Foster has also worked with talents such as Josh Groban, and new Filipina singing sensation and “Glee” star, Charice.
peermusic was founded by Ralph Peer in 1928 and has 35 offices in 28 countries.

Warren Brothers Sign With EMI Music Publishing

/by

The EMI Music Publishing team welcomes new signees the Warren Brothers. Back Row (L-R): Sarah Pearson, Missy Wilson, Laura Wright, Hannah Post, Josh Van Valkenburg. Front Row (L-R): Ben Vaughn, Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Tom Luteran


Brad and Brett Warren, the Warren Brothers, have signed with EMI Music Publishing. The long-term deal covers their back catalog as well as new material. Among the pair’s numerous hits are Martina McBride’s “Wrong Baby Wrong,” and “Anyway;” Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips” and “If You’re Reading This;” Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Red, White and Blue;” Faith Hill’s “The Lucky One;” and Dierks Bentley’s “Feel That Fire.”
As well as being hit country writers, the Warrens are accomplished rock and pop songwriters. They co-wrote nine tracks on Hinder’s forthcoming album, including lead single “All American Nightmare.” Lately they have been writing with artists as diverse as Lady Antebellum, Daughtry and Ne-Yo.
EMI Music Publishing Nashville’s Executive Vice President Ben Vaughn announced the signing. “Brett and Brad are great guys and two of Nashville’s most unique talents and personalities,” he said. “There aren’t many people capable of writing a country single one day, and then working with an rock or pop act the next, and being equally successful with both of them. We are so proud to have them as part of our Nashville family and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Cameron Strang Named CEO Warner/Chappell

/by

Cameron Strang


Warner Music Group Corp. announced today the appointment of veteran music industry entrepreneur, Cameron Strang, as CEO of Warner/Chappell Music. The appointment was announced jointly by Warner Music Group’s Chairman & CEO, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., and Warner/Chappell’s Chairman & CEO, David H. Johnson.
Strang, the founder of New West Records and Southside Independent Music Publishing, will serve as Warner/Chappell’s CEO effective January 1, 2011 and will be based in Los Angeles. Johnson will continue as Warner/Chappell’s Chairman until July 1, 2011, at which point Strang will assume the additional role of Warner/Chappell’s Chairman. Johnson, who had served as WMG’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel since 1999, was initially elevated to serve as interim CEO of Warner/Chappell in 2006, and was subsequently promoted to Warner/Chappell’s Chairman & CEO in 2007.
Warner/Chappell has also acquired Strang’s Southside Independent Music Publishing, a leading independent music publishing company that was behind some of the biggest hits of 2010 including two of the songs nominated for the 2011 “Record of the Year” Grammy Award—B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ on You” and Cee Lo Green’s “F*** You.” Other recent hit songs on Southside include Brad Paisley’s No. 1 “American Saturday Night” and Uncle Kracker’s hit “Smile.”
Strang is the founder of both Southside Independent Music Publishing and New West Records, and co-founder of DMZ Records, a joint venture record label he launched with producer T-Bone Burnett, and filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen.
With the acquisition of Southside, Warner/Chappell gains a roster including Nashvillians Ashley Gorley, Blair Daly and Matthew West, as well as Bruno Mars, and producer Brody Brown. In 2009, Southside acquired Nashville publisher Combustion Music, and the catalog of multi-Platinum rock act Kings of Leon.
Other top Southside songs include Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” “All American Girl” and “Just A Dream;” Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This;” Brad Paisley’s “Then” and “American Saturday Night;” Kenny Chesney’s “Where I Grew Up;” Darius Rucker’s “It Won’t Be Like This For Long;” Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” and “Sex on Fire;” and Flo Rida’s “Right Round.”
Strang launched New West Records in 1995 with the signing of singer/songwriter Billy Joe Shaver. In 1998, he moved the label’s home to Los Angeles. During the last decade, Strang and New West have released numerous award-winning albums and built an impressive roster including Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam, Kris Kristofferson, Rickie Lee Jones, Drive By Truckers, Ben Lee, Old 97’s, and Buddy and Julie Miller. Recently New West acquired the Texas Music Group, and released the award-winning soundtrack to the film Crazy Heart.
Read about changes at New West following Strang’s exit here.

Artist Co-Writes Feed Songwriter Slump

/by

Everyone knows the music business is going through a downturn, but an article in the Tennessean shows just how hard it is hitting songwriters.
NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison tells the newspaper that the number of Nashville songwriters making a living from their craft has dropped a drastic 75% in the last five years. Essentially, the songwriting middle class is now non-existent.
A major factor contributing to this songwriter slump is the popularity of artist co-writes. The lack of singers cutting outside songs is partially fueled by the decline in music sales and the resulting decline in mechanical income for the artist. Critics suggest this trend has had a negative effect on the quality of songs coming out of Nashville.
Among those who talked to the paper about the topic are songwriter Liz Rose, BMI Nashville chief Jody Williams and UMPG Sr. VP Creative Kent Earls. More here.

Publisher Terrell Tye Passes

/by

Nashville music industry veteran Terrell Tye, 58, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning at 7 a.m. She is survived by her loving sons Josh and Zack Allen and brother Dowell Tye. Tye was also the former wife of Grand Ole Opry member Hal Ketchum.

Terrell Tye was a partner in Forerunner music, an innovative publishing partnership that included producer Allen Reynolds, singer-songwriter Jim Rooney and engineer Mark Miller. The company was purchased in 2000 by Universal Music Publishing and its catalog included hits by Ketchum, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and many others.

Josh and Zack Allen have invited their mother’s friends to a memorial service on 12/31 at 12 p.m. “Terrell was an exceptional woman and Zack and I ask that you join us in remembering her on Friday 12/31 at 12p.m. The service is being held at Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home at 201 25th Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203 with a wake afterwards at the home of Todd & Laurie Hilbert at 1703 Warfield Drive in Green Hills. If you would like to bring a covered dish for the wake it will be appreciated. Also, please reach out to any of her friends who you believe might not have this information, and keep her and her family in your prayers during these difficult times. Thank all of you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on Friday.”

SoundExchange Reports Record Distributions, New Rates

/by

SoundExchange reports its distributions to rights holders increased 55% in 2009 to $156 million. Total revenues rose 20% to 204.2 million.

SoundExchange is a non-profit performance rights organization that collects statutory royalties from satellite radio (such as SIRIUS XM), Internet radio (like Pandora), cable TV music channels and similar platforms for streaming sound recordings on behalf of featured and non-featured recording artists, master rights owners (usually record labels), and independent artists who record and own their masters. (Webcaster royalties for publishers and songwriters are collected by performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.)

The collection of streaming digital royalties is growing rapidly. SoundExchange has said it expects 2010 payments to again jump, over 2009 almost 60%.

One issue for which the collection agency has received criticism has been its total of unpaid royalties. However, this issue seems to have improved in 2009. However, according to the report, as of Dec. 31, 2009 SoundExchange had a balance of $294 million it its unpaid account. To provide greater understanding of the problems this relatively new organization is facing, it provided detailed analysis of these unpaid funds. For example, $88 million was “pipeline” funds in transit and $111 million is “unpayable funds”—$23 million unclaimed by foreign societies, $23 million due to problematic data, $43 million in unclaimed royalties and $22 million of account issues.

Average 2009 payments to SoundExchange’s 5,335 artists and copyright holders increased 57% to artists from $986 to $1,550, and 35% to copyright holders from $7415 to $10,040.

New Rates Approved
The CopyrightRoyalty Board (CRB) recently ruled on new rates for 2011-2015 for non-interactive webcasting services. Currently, CRB commercial rates for 2010 are $0.0019 “per performance” (the rate that is charged per listener, per track)—royalties which are distributed by SoundExchange to the artists and rights owners who helped to create that recording. The new rates that were set for commercial webcasters who are not broadcasters begin at $.0019 per performance in 2011, with gradual increases to $.0023 by 2015. The Copyright Royalty Judges also adopted the “broadcaster” rates that were the subject of SoundExchange’s settlement with the NAB in 2009. Under that settlement, broadcasters’ per-performance rate starts at $.0017 in 2011 and rises to $.0025 by 2015.