SESAC, Inc. today (July 7) announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Harry Fox Agency (HFA), the leading U.S. mechanical rights organization. The Harry Fox Agency is owned by the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA). The proposed transaction has been approved by the NMPA Board and is subject to NMPA member approval.
The New York Times reports the purchase price is upwards of $20 million.
According to SESAC, this transaction positions it to be the only music rights organization in the United States with the ability to offer singular licenses for the works of its affiliated writers and publishers that aggregate both performance and mechanical rights. This would allows greater efficiency in licensing for music users, as well as enhanced value for music creators and publishers.
According to SESAC Chairman and CEO John Josephson, “Licensing is fragmented across both multiple types of rights, as well as multiple territories for the streaming services that represent the future growth opportunity of the music industry. The result is a complex, opaque and currently inefficient licensing regime that fails to deliver the best outcomes for creators and publishers, as well as end users What excites us about this transaction is the ability it provides to make the licensing process both simpler and more efficient, and in so doing create additional value for music creators and publishers, as well as the digital music platforms.”
SESAC’s acquisition of HFA is part of a previously announced strategy under its new leadership team to pursue a simplified and more efficient, multi-right, multi-territory licensing model utilizing an ongoing focus on information technology and data science to meet the developing needs of music users, distributors, writers, composers, publishers and other stakeholders. The transaction enables SESAC to offer music streaming and other digital platforms greater efficiency and transparency in the music licensing process.
“I am thrilled that we have found the perfect strategic buyer in SESAC given their forward-looking approach to rights management and commitment to servicing publishers and songwriters efficiently in the new digital music economy,” said NMPA President & CEO, David Israelite. “Not only will this transaction ensure that mechanical licensing continues in the method best for creators, it will also strengthen NMPA for the many battles we are fighting on behalf of all songwriters and music publishers.”
Through its commercial relationships with over 48,000 music publishers, HFA has created one of the largest and most comprehensive databases of musical works in the world, including metadata on over 6.7 million compositions and 21.4 million unique master recordings. SESAC will integrate this database with its own. In addition, SESAC plans to introduce an expanded suite of services for publishers on the HFA platform including micro-licensing on social video networks, automated license verification with RADKey™ and premium YouTube Content ID administration services via its Rumblefish subsidiary.
HFA’s Slingshot platform provides royalty tracking, administration and payment services and solutions to virtually every digital music service of scale in the market today. SESAC plans to invest heavily in this segment of HFA’s business in order to create a best of breed suite of data and administration services to digital service providers.
A rep for SESAC tells MusicRow there are no immediate plans for HFA to relocate to Nashville, where SESAC is headquartered.
WSIX’s Guitar-B-Que Benefit Lineup Announced
/by Lorie HollabaughLee Brice, Eli Young Band, A Thousand Horses, Cam and Jon Pardi will perform at the star-studded event August 12 at Losers Bar in Nashville.
Tickets for the benefit are $20 advance, $25 at the door and will go on sale July 10, and some lucky early listeners purchasing the tickets will get an extra free ticket.
For more information on the show go to thebig98.com.
Easton Corbin Hosts Listening Party For ‘About To Get Real’
/by Kelsey_GradyPictured (L-R): Easton Corbin and Kelly Sutton. Photo: Alan Poizner
Mercury Nashville’s Easton Corbin discussed and previewed songs from his new album, About To Get Real, yesterday (July 6) at the Johnny Cash Museum in downtown Nashville. During the event, the singer/songwriter spoke to media personality Kelly Sutton about the record-making process, his current hit single “Baby Be My Love Song” and his career overall.
On June 30 Corbin marked release day with a visit to NBC’s TODAY for an interview and performance of “Baby Be My Love Song.” That night he gave a pregame concert at Citi Field before the New York Mets played the Chicago Cubs.
About To Get Real, produced by Carson Chamberlain, includes 11 tracks including three co-written by Corbin. It is the Florida native’s third album.
Pictured (L-R): UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe, Mercury Nashville’s Easton Corbin, Turner & Associates’ Trey Turner. Photo: Alan Poizner
Seth Mosley Launches Full Circle Production House
/by Eric T. ParkerSeth Mosley
Christian music producer and songwriter Seth Mosley has launched Nashville-based Full Circle Music—a production house offering songwriting, production, engineering, editing, mixing, instrumentation, arrangement, programming, vocals and mastering.
Mosley is a GRAMMY ® winner and has been honored by SESAC and Billboard.
Comprised of a team of producers, engineers, songwriters, editors, studios and creators working with signed and independent artists, the group includes Mosley (Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, For King & Country), Michael O’Connor (Phil Wickham, MercyMe), Jerricho Scroggins (TobyMac, Colton Dixon) and Brad Rempel (Trisha Yearwood, High Valley).
“The longer I’m in this industry, the more evident the importance of a team is,” explains Mosley, whose journey began as a signed touring artist, turned songwriter and producer. “This is the start of my dream for making a big wave in music and riding it into the new era.”
The company also offers a state of the art facility, outfitted with top gear and instruments.
For more information, click here.
All For The Hall New York To Feature Paisley, Underwood, Gill, Harris
/by Troy_StephensonL-R: Paisley, Underwood, Harris, Gill
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, as well as Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris will perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum fundraiser, All for the Hall New York. The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Times Square Best Buy Theater in New York City.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s All for the Hall campaign launched in 2005. This year, the proceeds will support the museum’s educational programs, which teach audiences about the enduring beauty and cultural importance of country music. In 2014, the Hall’s educational programs reached over 160,000 people.
All for the Hall New York is produced by CAA’s Rod Essig, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and BMI’s Jody Williams. The event is made possible by the generosity of AEG Live and the Best Buy Theater. All table and ticket purchases are a tax deductible charitable contribution to support the preservation of country music’s heritage.
VIP tables and tickets are available now, and patrons have the option of purchasing a full table of 10 for $10,000, a half table for $5,000, or an individual floor level seat for $1,000. Details on the VIP tickets can be found here. To purchase tickets, contact Rachel Shapiro at 615-416-2069 or rshapiro@countrymusichalloffame.org.
Artist Pics: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Krystal Keith, Old Dominion, Sarah Dunn and Charlie Daniels
/by Lorie HollabaughNitty Gritty Day at the Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted two events with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band last week (July 2), a panel discussion led by Museum Editor Peter Cooper where band members discussed their influences and the impact of their three Circle projects, and a performance later that evening as part of the museum’s summer membership appreciation program titled The Big Gig, in the Hall’s CMA Theater.
Pictured backstage at the CMA Theater are (L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper; The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s John McEuen; The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Lisa Purcell; The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna, Bob Carpenter, and Jimmie Fadden; and The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia and Amanda Richards. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Krystal Keith Shares Fave Plates From the Road
Show Dog Nashville recording artist Krystal Keith has amassed a following on her Barnyard Bistro blog. Now GreatAmericanCountry.com and ULIVE.com partnered to film the original Plate By Plate series, starring Keith as she recreates favorite dishes from five restaurants she has visited across the country. Recipes vary from blueberry lasagna inspired by Keith’s favorite Nashville restaurant to puka dogs, a Hawaiian take on the classic hot dog. She is also currently writing and recording her sophomore album.
Krystal Keith hosts Play By Plate.
Old Dominion Become ACM Members
Old Dominion stopped by the ACM offices while in Los Angeles recently to perform their current single, “Break Up With Him,” and sign up for membership as part of the Academy’s complimentary one-year membership offered to support emerging artists. The band is currently on the road with Kenny Chesney for a run of 18 stadium dates on The Big Revival Tour, as part of over 130 dates scheduled for the year.
Old Dominion signs up for ACM membership at the Academy of Country Music office in Encino, CA.
Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Sarah Dunn And Charlie Daniels Duet on “The Devil”
The Sarah Dunn Band opened for Charlie Daniels this past weekend in Oklahoma City where following the band’s performance, Charlie invited Sarah up to play fiddle with him on his classic, “Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
Pictured (L-R): Sarah Dunn Band’s David Montgomery, Charlie Daniels and Sarah Dunn
Mike Meade Adds VP Stripes at Buddy Lee Attractions
/by Lorie HollabaughMike Meade
Buddy Lee Attractions has promoted Mike Meade to Vice President of the agency. Meade heads up the agency’s speaker and guest appearances division and under his direction the company has inked Pete Rose, Naomi Judd, Brooke Hogan, Sonia Leigh, and many others.
“Mike has been a contributing member of the BLA staff for almost twenty years; he’s been instrumental in the agency’s growth and become a mentor for the younger agents,” stated CEO/President of Buddy Lee Attractions Donna Lee. “His loyalty, dedication and experience are fitting for this role. As a seasoned industry veteran, he’s grown with the changes and has successfully incorporated new approaches to assist the agency in keeping current with the trends and ahead of the curve.”
Meade started with the agency as an intern in 1996 and over the course of his initial 10-year term with the company helped launch the careers of the Dixie Chicks, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Tracy Lawrence, and more. In 2006 he joined TLE, Lawrence’s management company, then worked at New Frontier Touring representing artists like the Avett Brothers and Monty Montgomery before forming his own company, The Meade Group, in 2009. In 2012, Meade returned to Buddy Lee as an agent and spearheaded the newly-formed special appearances division.
“Buddy Lee Attractions became ‘home’ during my first internship,” said Meade. “BLA continues to embrace its ‘family’ business strategy and that alone lends itself to the successful foundation this company was built upon. BLA is historically characterized by its passion to invest in, and develop, an artist and his/her career. That’s the philosophy I cut my teeth on and I am extremely proud to be part of this organization of heart.”
UMPG Extends Deal with Striking Matches
/by Eric T. ParkerBefore the Striking Matches show at the Bud Light stage during CMA Music Fest 2015. Pictured (L-R): Missy Wilson, UMPG Nashville Sr. Creative Director; Kent Earls, EVP/GM UMPG Nashville; Justin Davis; Sarah Zimmermann; Cyndi Forman, UMPG Nashville VP Creative; and Ron Stuve, UMPG Nashville VP A&R.
Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis of I.R.S. Nashville duo Striking Matches have extended their exclusive global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville. The announcement was made by Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville.
“From the moment we met Striking Matches, we knew they were the true triple threat…great singers, great songwriters and great musicians,” said Earls.
Since 2011, UMPG has dedicated significant resources to develop and help advance the career of Striking Matches through releasing their debut EP, securing multiple high-profile synch placements, and promoting their repertoire. The company arranged for the then-unknown songwriters to perform for Frankie Pine, music supervisor for ABC’s Nashville, who featured their song “When the Right One Comes Along” on the show. Eight of their songs have since appeared on the series in its first three seasons.
In March, the band released a debut album Nothing But the Silence, produced by T Bone Burnett. Striking Matches are currently on tour to support the record, with multiple dates scheduled in the U.S. and U.K. throughout the summer and into the fall.
“UMPG has become a family to us and we are so excited to continue our journey with them. The support they have given us is immeasurable and we can’t wait to see where this next chapter leads us,” said Davis and Zimmermann.
Erin Enderlin, Alex Kline Team For Cotton Gin Productions, Scott Stevens EP
/by Lorie HollabaughA Knoxville native, Stevens first began playing guitar and singing after being laid up by a snowboarding accident at 16. He is celebrating the release of his new EP with a free, full-band show at The Basement in Nashville on July 21.
Cotton Gin’s Enderlin and Kline are both accomplished writers and performers in their own right. Enderlin’s songs have been recorded by Lee Ann Womack, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Tyler Farr and more and she has received multiple honors from the Nashville Songwriters Association International for songs including “Monday Morning Church” and “Last Call.”
Kline was a founding member of the Sony Nashville band The Lunabelles. She has penned two hits for artist Jess Moskaluke and co-wrote the Lonesome River Band’s current bluegrass single, “Lyla Mae.” Kline builds her own tracks by playing, recording and programming everything on her demos and has produced albums for new artist Tara Thompson, the second CD from musical partner Enderlin, and Stevens’ self-titled debut.
Scott Stevens track listing:
1) “Rent Money” (Erin Enderlin, Steph Jones and Alex Kline)
2) “Hands On” (Oscar Charles, Erin Enderlin and Scott Stevens)
3 “Bad Ideas” (Erin Enderlin, Alex Kline and Scott Stevens)
4) “Keep On Doin’ It” (Phil Barton, Alex Kline and Scott Stevens)
5) “Around A Bonfire” (Ryan Beaver and Erin Enderlin)
6) “Call Me When You’re Drunk” (Alex Kline, Scott Stevens and Mike Sprinkle)
Former WSM-AM PD Al Wyntor Passes
/by Lorie HollabaughBorn Irvin Rusley in Carrington, ND, Wyntor became a Music City TV staple in the late ‘80s as co-host of TNN’s Video Morning show. He later hosted the syndicated radio show Nashville Insider, which aired on dozens of country stations around the country.
He is survived by his children, Jim (Amy) Rusley, Jeni Rusley, Chris (Brandy) Rusley, and Lindie Rusley, and nine grandchildren. The family will receive friends on July 9 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. at Hillsboro Church of Christ, 5800 Hillsboro Pike in Nashville and a celebration of life will be conducted at 12 p.m. Interment will follow in Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
SESAC To Acquire Harry Fox Agency From NMPA
/by Sarah SkatesThe New York Times reports the purchase price is upwards of $20 million.
According to SESAC, this transaction positions it to be the only music rights organization in the United States with the ability to offer singular licenses for the works of its affiliated writers and publishers that aggregate both performance and mechanical rights. This would allows greater efficiency in licensing for music users, as well as enhanced value for music creators and publishers.
According to SESAC Chairman and CEO John Josephson, “Licensing is fragmented across both multiple types of rights, as well as multiple territories for the streaming services that represent the future growth opportunity of the music industry. The result is a complex, opaque and currently inefficient licensing regime that fails to deliver the best outcomes for creators and publishers, as well as end users What excites us about this transaction is the ability it provides to make the licensing process both simpler and more efficient, and in so doing create additional value for music creators and publishers, as well as the digital music platforms.”
SESAC’s acquisition of HFA is part of a previously announced strategy under its new leadership team to pursue a simplified and more efficient, multi-right, multi-territory licensing model utilizing an ongoing focus on information technology and data science to meet the developing needs of music users, distributors, writers, composers, publishers and other stakeholders. The transaction enables SESAC to offer music streaming and other digital platforms greater efficiency and transparency in the music licensing process.
“I am thrilled that we have found the perfect strategic buyer in SESAC given their forward-looking approach to rights management and commitment to servicing publishers and songwriters efficiently in the new digital music economy,” said NMPA President & CEO, David Israelite. “Not only will this transaction ensure that mechanical licensing continues in the method best for creators, it will also strengthen NMPA for the many battles we are fighting on behalf of all songwriters and music publishers.”
Through its commercial relationships with over 48,000 music publishers, HFA has created one of the largest and most comprehensive databases of musical works in the world, including metadata on over 6.7 million compositions and 21.4 million unique master recordings. SESAC will integrate this database with its own. In addition, SESAC plans to introduce an expanded suite of services for publishers on the HFA platform including micro-licensing on social video networks, automated license verification with RADKey™ and premium YouTube Content ID administration services via its Rumblefish subsidiary.
HFA’s Slingshot platform provides royalty tracking, administration and payment services and solutions to virtually every digital music service of scale in the market today. SESAC plans to invest heavily in this segment of HFA’s business in order to create a best of breed suite of data and administration services to digital service providers.
A rep for SESAC tells MusicRow there are no immediate plans for HFA to relocate to Nashville, where SESAC is headquartered.