MARCH 2003

© Copyright 2003 by SLI - SongLink International
Editor & Publisher: David Stark
23 Belsize Crescent - London NW3 5QY, UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 794 2540 - Fax: +44 (0)207 794 7393

EMI Music Publishing scooped the major publisher award at the Music Week Awards on March 6th, with Chrysalis Music named top independenet publisher for 2002. Other winners included Ken Nelson (top producer, for Coldplay), XL Recordings (A&R award), Tim Clark and David Enthoven of IE Music (managers), and Sanctuary's Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor (Strat award).

Winners at the Brit Awards on February 20th were Robbie Williams (male artist), Ms. Dynamite (female artist and urban act), Coldplay (British album & group), Liberty X - Just A Little (Best British single), Sugababes (dance act), Will Young (breakthrough artist), Blue (pop act), Eminem (Int'l male & album), Pink (Int'l female), Red Hot Chili Peppers (Int'l group), Norah Jones (Int'l breakthrough artist) and Tom Jones (outstanding contribution).

East West Records managing director Christian Tattersfield is stepping down to form a new unnamed joint-venture label within the Warner Music Group.

Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee have launched Modest! Management following US-backed The Firm's decision to shut its European operations after just 12 months. Griffiths will continue to manage the BBC/Universal's Fame Academy acts, and plans to develop other divisions within the company.

Liquidated label Relentless Records, which had hits with Daniel Bedingfield, DJ Pied Piper and So Solid Crew, has been revealed as owing over £3 million to creditors, including Ministry of Sound, Royal Bank of Scotland and 172 others.

Ex-London Records head Laurie Cokell is running a new label for film group Classic Pictures which will release new and old product from classic artists, including Rick Wakeman, JJ Cale, Edgar Winter and Runrig.

Andrew Jenkins has been promoted from senior VP to executive VP at BMG Music Publishing International.

Emma Kamen now heads Perfect Songs reporting to Jill Sinclair, following the recent exit of Liam Teeling who has not announced his future plans as yet. Creative manager Rob Adamson has also left Perfect/ZTT to form a new company in associaiton with Global Talent Group.

Strongsongs has signed a sub-publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music to represent its catalogue outside the UK. Strongsongs is part of the Telstar group, with writers including Pete Kirtley of Jiant Productions, and Fraser T. Smih, guitarist for Craig David. Meanwhile Telstar A&R manager Jill Anderson has been made redundant along with four other staffers.

A revamped version of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's classic "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" is the new theme for ITV's Formula One coverage, with a single expected through Serious/Universal. The song may also be updated shortly by a major US hit act, according to composer and subscriber Randy Bachman.

Universal Music International has launched a second anti-trust complaint against BIEM, the international collection societies' trade body, claiming that it acts as a cartel in the licensing sector and dictates unfair terms to record companies.

Song Expo 2003, the Benelux International Song & Culture Festival, is open for entries from all professionals and amateurs, who can enter up to 5 entries in 12 categories. Closing date is September 1st, entry forms available from Wilhelminaplein 20, 5171 KX Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands. Tel/Fax: +31 (416) 273270.

Blue Note/EMI artist Norah Jones scooped five Grammy Awards on February 23rd, including Record and Song of the Year for Don't Know Why, Album of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Other multiple winners on the night included Bruce Springsteen, Dixie Chicks, Eminem, Nelly, Coldplay and B. B. King. Country song of the year was Faith Hill's "Fly."

Alexandra Robertson has been appointed director of film and TV music at Warner/Chappell in Los Angeles, reporting to senior VP Brad Rosenberger.

Kevin Williamson has departed from Atlantic Records' A&R dept in Los Angeles... Jade McQueen has exited Dreamworks in New York.

Sharon Cohen has joined Lava Records in LA as A&R and creative marketing manager... Daniel Shulman has joined Island/Def Jam as A&R Director.

Donna Caseine is promoted from director to VP of creative affairs at Universal Music Publishing in LA, reporting to Tom Sturges. She has also been appointed an A&R director at MCA Records.

The Police reunited for their first public performance in 18 years, celebrating their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with The Clash, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, the Righteous Brothers and AC/DC.

BMG Entertainment is dividing its RCA Victor label group into two units: BMG Classics, headed by BMG Music chairman Nick Firth, who will continue his publishing duties; and Arista Associated Labels, headed by David Weyner.

Ringo Starr and writer/producer Mark Hudson have formed a new label, Pumkinhead Records. First signing is Liam Lynch, whose United States of Whatever is the tope requested single at LA's KROQ. Marketing and promotion will be via S Curve/EMI Records.

Gary Chan has been named MD of Warner Music Hong Kong, reporting to Warner Music Asia president Lachie Rutherford. Chan was previously MD of EMI Hong Kong.

NEW SIGNINGS: Popstars: The Rivals finalist Javine Hylton to Innocent Records; Irish boy band D'Side to WEA via Edel... The Crimea to Warner/Chappell Music... The Crusaders' song catalogue to Chrysalis Music... pop writer/producer Walter Turbitt to Rive Droite Music... Toni Braxton to Blackground Records... Fountains Of Wayne to S-Curve/EMI Records... Michael McDonald to Universal Music International, with a new album 'Motown' due on May 6th... Massive Attack co-writer/producer Neil Davidge to BMG Music Publishing... the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Interscope Records.

RIP: British pioneer pop star and actor Adam Faith (62), from a heart attack... songwriter and producer Ian Samwell (66), writer of Cliff Richard's first hit Move It and later producer for America, from heart failure... Sony artist Alice Martineau (31), from cystic fibrosis... Hyperions Records founder Ted Perry, from lung cancer... Hank Ballard, originator of The Twist... US folk singer/songwriter Tom Glazer (88), best known for 1963 hit On Top of Spaghetti plus songs for Sinatra, Perry Como and others... Howie Epstein (47), bassist for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers... country singer Johnny Paycheck (64), best known for "Take This Job And Shove It."

SongLink sends sincere condolences to subscriber Nick Battle of StarStreet Music, whose wife Lynn died on February 20th after a long and brave battle with cancer.