Publishing

30 Jan 2024

Coco Jones Signs With Warner Chappell Music

Piping-hot R&B singer and songwriter Coco Jones signs with Warner Chappell Music, just days out from the 66th annual Grammy Awards where she’s nominated in five categories.

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Announced today (Jan. 30), Jones strikes an exclusive publishing agreement with the major music publisher. “Music has been a constant in my life and the motivation that has anchored me since the very beginning,” she comments in a statement. “Discovering a team at Warner Chappell that shares that same passion and understands my voice and vision is very special to me.”

Born in South Carolina and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee, Jones is all-round entertainer. At age 12, she embarked on the path to tween stardom with roles on Disney Channel shows and films like So Random! and Let It Shine; appeared in the sitcom Good Luck Charlie; and more recently, she won the role of Hilary Banks on Peacock’s Fresh Prince reboot, Bel-Air.

In 2022, she signed with High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings, and the following year landed her breakthrough with the RIAA platinum-certified, Billboard Hot 100 hit single, “ICU.”

“Coco is a natural superstar,” comments Xavier Champagne, senior director, urban A&R, WCM, following the signing. “She’s a top-tier performer and has a special talent for songwriting that connects deeply with her fans.”

Now, industry plaudits await. At the 2024 Grammys this Sunday (Feb. 4), Jones will compete for best R&B song and best R&B performance (both for “ICU”), best new artist, best R&B album for What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe) and best traditional R&B performance for her collaboration with Babyface, “Simple.”

“Coco Jones has one of the most unique voices out there, and it’s great to see her having her moment as both a songwriter and artist,” enthuses Ryan Press, president, North America, WCM. “She’s helping pave an entirely new era of R&B and her hustle and work ethic have led to a year of breakthroughs. Now let’s go win some Grammys.”

29 Jan 2024

Country Songwriter Luke Laird, Creative Nation Sell Select Copyrights to Anthem Entertainment

Anthem Entertainment has acquired select copyrights in the catalogs of hit songwriter Luke Laird and Nashville-based music company Creative Nation, which is led by Luke and music industry executive (and Luke’s wife) Beth Laird. In an Instagram post, Beth Laird noted that Anthem has acquired the released songs in the Creative Nation catalog, alongside Luke Laird’s released songs.

The Creative Nation catalog includes more than 60 radio singles, including numerous chart-topping hits such as Sam Hunt’s “Hard to Forget” and Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” and “Adore You,” as well as songs recorded by Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, The Highwomen, Tim McGraw, Sara Bareilles, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Jordan Davis and Kacey Musgraves.

Pennsylvania native Luke Laird is a three-time Grammy-nominated songwriter, as well as the Academy of Country Music’s songwriter of the year in 2015. He has earned 24 chart-topping songs and six CMA Triple Play awards (with each CMA Triple Play honor recognizing three No. 1 songs within a one-year span). Among his hit songs are Kacey Musgraves’ “Space Cowboy,” Eric Church’s “Drink in My Hand,” Kenny Chesney’s “American Kids,” Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home” and Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools.”

Creative Nation was founded in 2011 and works in publishing, management, artist development and records. The company supports a roster that includes singer-songwriter Kassi Ashton, “Pontoon” songwriter Barry Dean, “Humble and Kind” songwriter Lori McKenna, “Riser” songwriter Steve Moakler, Travis Wood and Ben West.

“Luke and I have worked hard to sign quality people and songwriters and continue to commit to that,” Creative Nation co-founder/CEO Beth Laird said in a statement. “We are excited to announce that Anthem Music Publishing purchased Creative Nation’s exploited songs from the past 11 years. I’m grateful to Jason Klein, Sal Fazzari, Andrew Jamal, Adrian Battiston, and Gilles Godard, and everyone at Anthem who worked with our team (Derek Crownover, Megan Pekar, John Rolfe, Chris King and Kella Farris) for making this such a smooth and transparent process. It’s great to know our past copyrights are being taken care of by a great publisher and we are excited to continue building Creative Nation.”

Luke Laird added in a statement, “Over the years I have been fortunate to have songs recorded by so many incredible artists. I’m grateful that a company as renowned as Anthem sees the value in these songs, and I’m excited my exploited copyrights have been sold to Anthem alongside the Creative Nation songs.”

Anthem Music Publishing Nashville president Gilles Godard added, “I have watched Luke and Beth build a world class catalog over the last decade with iconic copyrights and amazing diversity from country to global pop hits. It is an honor and a privilege to now represent this impressive legacy body of work.”

Anthem Entertainment has deepened its country music interests in recent years, including acquiring a majority share of singer-songwriter Jordan Davis’s publishing catalog last year.

26 Jan 2024

Warner Chappell Music Promotes Lázaro Hernández to SVP Role

Warner Chappell Music has promoted Lázaro Hernández to senior vice president, A&R, U.S. Latin & Latin America. The Miami-based executive — who most recently helped sign Maria Becerra, Chencho Corleone and Gabito Ballesteros — will lead the U.S. Latin A&R team while expanding his responsibilities to shape the company’s overall A&R strategy in Latin America. He will continue reporting to Gustavo Menéndez, president, U.S. Latin & Latin America.

“I have so much gratitude for Warner Chappell,” Hernández said in a statement. “I get to work with a passionate team and help our songwriters get to the core of their creativity. There are more opportunities than ever before for Latino songwriters to share their music with the world, and I’m grateful for my role in that. I’m eternally thankful to Gustavo, Guy [Moot], and Carianne [Marshall] for believing in me and entrusting me with this opportunity.”

Hernández first joined Warner Chappell Music in 2008 as an A&R coordinator. Before being promoted to his new svp role, he had been the publisher’s vp of A&R for U.S. Latin and Latin America since 2020. Now, he oversees a roster of artists, songwriters and producers that includes Andres Torres & Mauricio Rengifo, Chris Jedi, Gaby Music, GALE, Natanael Cano, Paulo Londra, Rauw Alejandro and Villano Antillano, among others.

“Laz is one of the most talented A&R leaders in the industry, and I’ve had the fortune of working with him for over 15 years, witnessing not only his growth as an executive but also his ongoing commitment to our songwriters,” added Menéndez. “His drive is unstoppable, and he has such an intuitive approach to working with artists and songwriters, spotting hidden talent, and helping to develop their songwriting careers. I couldn’t be more excited for him as he takes on this next role.”

24 Jan 2024

Scott Weiland Estate Strikes Wide-Ranging Partnership With Primary Wave

The estate of late Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland has partnered with Primary Wave Music to mine new opportunities for the singer-songwriter’s music and overall legacy, it was announced on Wednesday (Jan. 24).

Under the deal, Primary Wave will partner with the estate to capitalize on Weiland’s publishing copyrights and recording royalties for all songs and recordings by Stone Temple Pilots, his later group, Velvet Revolver, and his solo output.

The agreement also gives Primary Wave a share of Weiland’s name, image and likeness rights, while the estate will be given access to the company’s marketing team and publishing infrastructure. The two entities will work closely on new marketing, branding, digital and synch opportunities along with film and TV projects.

Formed in 1989 by Weiland, Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz, Stone Temple Pilots released a total of six studio albums with Weiland as frontman, four of which hit the top 10 on the Billboard 200 and one of which (Purple) debuted at No. 1 on the chart. Velvet Revolver also saw success, with the band’s 2004 debut, Contraband, landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and its second and final album, Libertad, debuting at No. 5 on the tally. As a solo artist, Weiland released a total of three studio albums and one with his band the Wildabouts in 2015.

Weiland scored six Grammy nominations during his lifetime and won two — one for best hard rock performance with vocal for Stone Temple Pilots’ 1993 single, “Plush,” the other for best hard rock performance for Velvet Revolver’s 2004 single, “Slither.”

“There are few rock artists that had the impact that Scott Weiland did on music,” said Larry Mestel, CEO/founder of Primary Wave Music, in a statement. “We are honored to partner with Scott’s family on such a legendary catalog of music and career. Scott’s influence on music is unparalleled and he remains one of the most influential musicians in rock music. We are extremely grateful the estate has chosen to partner with us to continue to grow his incredible legacy.”

“We believe that Primary Wave are the perfect partners to secure Scott’s legacy as one of the great front men in rock history,” added Brian Harris Frank of Shelter Music Group and Dana Dufine of DBD Squared Entertainment, who manage Weiland’s estate. “We look forward to working with Larry, Natalia, Adam, and their teams and believe that their ability to connect artists with culture will ensure that Scott’s impact will be felt for generations.”

Natalia Nastaskin, chief content officer at Primary Wave, added, “Scott is the original influencer. The stories behind his undeniably authentic lyrics, effervescent performances, impeccable fashion sense, and meteoric rise to stardom are a filmmaker’s dream. I’m thrilled to work with Scott’s family, as well as Dana and Brian, on expanding and extending Scott’s legacy through new compelling IP projects across film, television, and stage.”

Weiland died of an accidental drug overdose on Dec. 3, 2015. He was 48.

24 Jan 2024

Country Hitmaker Dean Dillon Signs With River House Artists & Sony Music Publishing

Legendary songwriter and Country Music Hall of Famer Dean Dillon has signed a global publishing deal with River House Artists in partnership with Sony Music Publishing.

Dillon, who was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2021, is known for his long association with George Strait. He has written more than 70 Strait hits, including “The Chair,” “I’ve Come to Expect It From You,” “Easy Come, Easy Go” and “The Best Day.” Dillon was named the BMI Country Icon in 2013, and he has amassed a combined total of 31 BMI Country and Pop Awards. In 2011, he was nominated for a Grammy for country song of the year for Strait’s “Breath You Take.” Most recently, he was named a nominee for the 2024 Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction.

Dillon moved to Nashville in 1973. In addition to his songs for Strait, he also co-wrote such hits as Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius’ “Lying Here in Love With You,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart in 1979, and George Jones‘ “Tennessee Whiskey,” which has gone on to become a signature song for Chris Stapleton. Dillon’s songs have also been recorded by artists including Toby Keith (“It’s a Little Too Late”) and Kenny Chesney & Dave Matthews (“I’m Alive”).

“We are thrilled to have Dean Dillon join our River House roster. His songwriting is unparalleled, and this is such an exciting time for us,” Zebb Luster, vp/GM of River House Artists, said in a statement. “I have been a true fan of his songwriting for years and how it has forged a path in country music history. We are honored that he trusts us to continue to further his incredible songwriting legacy.”

Dillon added, “I’m so excited to be part of the River House family. The team has an excellent track record and are such thoughtful stewards of great songs. I’m looking forward to working with them to further my lasting legacy as a songwriter.”

24 Jan 2024

Spirit Music Group Moves Administration Services to Downtown

Spirit Music Group has entered an administrative services agreement with Downtown Music Publishing. Previously, Spirit handled its U.S. administration in-house. A representative for the company confirmed there were no layoffs made in relation to this deal.

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Through this new partnership, Spirit will benefit from Downtown’s global administration, registration and technology platform, and it will continue to honor its sub-publishing arrangements overseas.

“This move allows us to pair Spirit’s expertise at A&R, marketing, branding, digital and synchronization with Downtown’s extensive administration, technology, and registration capabilities to provide the best infrastructure available for our songwriters and partners. By uniting these strengths for Spirit clients, the sum is even greater than its parts,” says Jon Singer, chairman, Spirit Music Group. “As Spirit continues to grow, invest in new talent, and acquire repertoire, we want to continue to focus on what we do best—ensuring that our songwriters and artists are seen, heard and prioritized and driving growth for them through proactive, innovative song management. Linking arms with Downtown ensures that we stay ahead of the curve and in so doing allows us to maintain a laser focus on creating value for our copyrights as we continue to aggressively scale our business in the coming years.”

“We are pleased to be working with the amazing team at Spirit and to administer a catalog so filled with musical gems,” says Andrew Bergman, CEO of Downtown Music Holdings. “We designed Downtown and our suite of service offerings specifically with these types of deals in mind so it is immensely gratifying for Spirit to have chosen to work with us.

“Working with Spirit Music Group reinforces our dedication to fostering the success of legendary musical catalogs as well as supporting new talent, both abundantly represented in Spirit’s catalog,” says Emily Stephenson, president of Downtown Music Publishing. “Downtown is committed to providing the best services to our clients via investments in administration, rights management, data and technology and we are thrilled to be working with the Spirit team.”

18 Jan 2024

Publishing Briefs: Sharon Van Etten Signs to WCM; Reservoir and PopArabia Sign Nancy Ajram

Reservoir and PopArabia have signed In2Musica — the label, publisher and production house of Lebanese star Nancy Ajram — to a global publishing deal. This includes the Ajram’s owned full back catalog as well as future works.

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Warner Chappell has signed a global publishing deal with Sharon Van Etten. A renowned indie rock artist and songwriter, news of the deal arrives shortly after Van Etten was shortlisted for Best Original Song at the 2024 Academy Awards for “Quiet Eyes” from Past Lives.

Position Music has signed Austin Powerz to a worldwide publishing deal. A songwriter and producer to Drake, Meek Mill and Lil Durk, among others, Powerz is perhaps best known for working on Drake’s hit “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” ft. Rick Ross.

Just Isn’t Music, the publishing arm of Ninja Tune, has joined IMPEL, an international collective licensing agency that represents digital music publishing rights. The Just Isn’t Music roster includes Thundercat, The Cinematic Orchestra, ODESZA, Bonobo, Young Fathers, Flying Lotus, Andreya Triana, Nova Twins, Black Country, New Road, The Heavy and Roots Manuva.

Rogét Chahayed’s TruSauce Publishing has signed artist and producer Pale Jay to a global publishing deal. Along with releasing his own music, Jay also has cuts with Erick the Architect, Jenevieve and more on the way.

Warner Chappell has signed Brittney Spencer to a global publishing agreement. In 2021, the country singer-songwriter had a breakout hit with the independently released “Sober & Skinny” which amassed millions of streams, but she has been sharing the stage with acts like Willie Nelson, Jason Isbell, The Highwomen, Reba, Bobby Weir, Brandi Carlile, and Maren Morris for many years. “Signing my first publishing deal in my 10th year of living in Nashville has to be the biggest cliche, and I wear it like a badge of honor,” she jokes.

Spirit Music Nashville / Fluid Music Revolution has renewed its publishing deal with Nathan Barlowe. Though he is a successful writer, penning songs recorded by artists like Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, Ayron Jones and Newsboys, Barlowe is also the frontman of pop rock act Luna Halo.

Warner Chappell and Space Colonel Publishing have signed Joey Green to a global publishing deal. Though he is perhaps known as a contestant on The Voice, the country singer-songwriter has also shared the stage with artists like Lainey Wilson, Parker McCollum, Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers, Kevin Fowler, Sean McConnell, Sam Riggs, and Giovannie and the Hired Guns.

18 Jan 2024

NMPA Hires Chris Barkley as SVP of Government Affairs

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has hired Chris Barkley as its senior vice president of government affairs.

The NMPA’s new hire has two decades of experience working on Capitol Hill, including roles in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Most recently, Barkley served as deputy chief of staff for policy for Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) where he was active in advising on policy and legislation and supporting Romney’s role on the Whip Team. He has also served as the policy director for the Senate Republican Policy Committee under Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) and as senior policy adviser for former Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE).

Since 2022, Barkley has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law.

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“Chris joins NMPA with invaluable expertise from years of insight aiding policymakers and finding consensus to move critical legislation,” says NMPA president and CEO David Israelite. “Having him lead NMPA’s lobbying strategy across all facets of government will be hugely valuable to music creators. As AI and other evolving technologies threaten the value of music, it is more important than ever to have a strong voice in government on behalf of songwriters. As a critical advisor on influential committees and for senior lawmakers, his knowledge is virtually unmatched when it comes to understanding what it takes to make big things happen.”

“Songwriters face more government regulation than anyone else in the music industry,” says Barkley. “There is much work to be done to allow publishers and creators to achieve the full value of their work. My experience across Capitol Hill has primed me for this opportunity and I’m thrilled to advocate for people whose work I respect and admire.”

18 Jan 2024

The MLC Is Auditing Streaming Services for the First Time

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (the MLC) has issued notices of intent to audit all digital service providers (DSP) that operate under the compulsory blanket license administered by the MLC since its inception in 2021.

This includes a slew of different companies that license music, including on-demand streaming services (like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and Deezer), internet radio companies (like Pandora, Mixcloud and iHeart Radio) and music apps (like Ultimate Guitar, PianoTrax and WeavRun). The audits are intended to ensure the accuracy of reported and paid royalties beyond the measures already taken by the MLC.

A representative for the MLC says that it will update its members on the results of any DSP audits that it conducts and will “clearly identify any monies recovered in audits on the royalty statements it provides to members.”

The right for the MLC to audit (and to be audited itself) is stipulated in the Music Modernization Act (MMA). The landmark 2018 law created a new blanket license for musical work mechanicals, replacing the previous song-by-song licensing system that proved to be complicated and ineffective for both digital services and the music business. Because of issues with the old piecemeal licensing system, a pool of $427 million in unmatched and unpaid publishing royalties had formed. The MMA also established the MLC to divvy up these royalties — often nicknamed “blackbox” royalties — and administer the new blanket license moving forward.

The news of the MLC’s auditing plans arrives a month after Bridgeport Music, the company that represents George Clinton and Funkadelic, opted to exercise its right to audit the MLC. Bridgeport Music is best known for its bullish approach to copyright enforcement, once accusing more than 800 artists and labels of infringement in one lawsuit in the early 2000s. It was also a defendant in the controversial Blurred Lines lawsuit along with Marvin Gaye‘s estate, which is believed to have greatly widened what elements of a song are considered protected under copyright law.

“Ensuring DSPs have reported royalties accurately is one of the MLC’s statutory responsibilities under the MMA,” says Kris Ahrend, CEO of the MLC. “The MLC has tapped music industry audit veteran, Jane Bushmaker, a member of the MLC’s Analytics & Automation team, to oversee DSP audits, which will be conducted by experienced outside audit firms.”

“The MLC’s audit right is a first in the 115-year history of the U.S. compulsory mechanical license and provides enhanced protection for songwriters and music publishers,” adds Alisa Coleman, chair of the board of directors at the MLC. “The audit notices filed by the MLC mark the beginning of its fulfillment of this important function.”

See below for a full list of companies the MLC intends to audit:

  • Amazon Media Venture LLC (AMP)
  • Amazon.com Services LLC (Amazon Music)
  • Anghami FZ LLC (Anghami)
  • Appcompanist, LLC (Appcompanist)
  • Apple Inc. (Apple Music)
  • Artist Technology Group DBA PANTHR Music (PANTHR Music)
  • Audiomack Inc. (Audiomack)
  • Avail LLC (The Cover Foundry)
  • Beatport LLC (Beatport)
  • Bill Graham Archives, LLC (Wolfgang’s Music)
  • Boxine GmbH (Tonies)
  • Choral Tracks LLC (Choral Tracks)
  • Classical Archives, LLC (Classical Archives)
  • Da Capo Music, LLC (Yes! Fitness Music)
  • Deezer S.A. (Deezer)
  • Fan Label, LLC (FanLabel)
  • Global Tel*Link Corporation (GTL)
  • Google, LLC (Google Play Music/YouTube)
  • GrooveFox Inc. (GrooveFox)
  • IDAGIO GmbH (Idagio)
  • iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc. (iHeart Radio)
  • JPay LLC (JPay)
  • M&M Media, Inc. (Trebel)
  • Midwest Tape, LLC (hoopla)
  • Mixcloud Ltd (Mixcloud)
  • MONKINGME S.L. (MonkingMe)
  • Music Choice (Music Choice)
  • Napster Group PLC (Napster)
  • Naxos Digital Services US Inc. (NAXOS)
  • Nugs.net Enterprises, Inc. (Nugs.net)
  • Pacemaker Music AB (Pacemaker)
  • Pandora Media, LLC (Pandora)
  • PianoTrax LLC (PianoTrax)
  • Power Music, Inc. (Power Music)
  • PRIMEPHONIC B.V. (Primephonic)
  • Recisio SAS (Karaoke Version)
  • Saavn Media Limited (Jiosaavn)
  • Securus Technologies, LLC (Securus)
  • Slacker, Inc. (Slacker/LiveXLive)
  • Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings)
  • Sonos, Inc. (Sonos)
  • SoundCloud Operations Inc. (Soundcloud)
  • Spotify USA Inc. (Spotify)
  • TIDAL Music AS (Tidal)
  • Transsnet Music Limited (Boomplay)
  • TRIBL, LLC (Tribl)
  • Ultimate Guitar USA LLC (GuitarBackingTrack.com)
  • Weav Music, Inc. (Weav Run)
  • XANDRIE USA (QOBUZ)
  • Yoto Ltd (Yoto)

17 Jan 2024

Lana Del Rey Signs Publishing Deal With UMPG

Lana Del Rey has signed a publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group, sources tell Billboard. The singer-songwriter was previously affiliated with Sony Music Publishing.

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News of the UMPG deal arrives just a day after Del Rey was announced as one of the headliners for this year’s Coachella alongside Tyler, The Creator and Doja Cat. It also follows a banner year for Del Rey, who released her ninth studio album Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd? to critical acclaim on March 24, 2023. The album is now Grammy-nominated in five categories: album of the year, best alternative music album, best alternative music performance (“A&W”), best pop duo/group performance (“Candy Necklaces” with Jon Batiste) and song of the year (“A&W”).

A source says the publishing agreement was signed in 2023, but the deal was never formally announced. On Wednesday (Jan. 17), UMPG seemingly nodded to its platinum-selling signee in an Instagram post, featuring Del Rey with UMPG CEO and chairman Jody Gerson. The caption reads: “See you in the desert LDR ??.”

Since her first album, Born To Die, in 2012, Del Rey has released music with Polydor Records and Interscope Records. Her publishing agreement unites her publishing and recorded music under the Universal Music Group umbrella.

Throughout her career, Del Rey has notched 15 songs on the Hot 100 Chart, including two top 10s: “Snow On The Beach” by Taylor Swift (ft. Lana Del Rey) and “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey and Cedric Gervais. All nine of her studio albums have peaked in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Del Rey is managed by TaP music’s Ben Mawson and Ed Millet.