JUNE 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

Turkey won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in Latvia on May 24th with Everyway That I Can, performed by local star Sertab Erener (Sony Music), co-written by her and Demir Demirkan who also wrote the orginal version of Holly Valance's Kiss Kiss by Tarkan. In second place was Belgium with Sanomi by Urban Trad, third was Russia with t.A.t.U's entry, while the UK came last with its first ever 'nul points' placing for Cry Baby by Jemini. From May 2004 the contest will be expanded to a two-night show, with a qualifying round on the Friday giving more countries a chance to compete. A Junior Eurovision is also set to be launched in Denmark this October.7393

BMG UK chairman Tim Bowen has also become chairman of Zomba Records UK, with MD Steve Jenkins continuing to run the company, reporting to Jive Records president Barry Weiss. In most other markets, Zomba has been absorbed into BMG operations following last year's sale by Zomba founder Clive Calder.7393

Korda Marshall has been appointed MD of East West Records, following completion of the label's $15m takeover of Mushroom Records after 22 months of negotiations.He is joined by A&R head Max Lousada and executives Hugo Bedford and Joel De'ath, along with the entire mushroom roster and new signings The Darkness and Welsh band Funeral For A Friend.7393

Former East West MD Christian Tattersfield has launched Warner-backed label 14th Floor Recordings with Ben Khan as A&R head and Alex Gilbert as A&R manager. First signings include Irish singer/songwriter Damien Rice and hotly-tipped UK band Longview.7393

Guy Moot has been promoted to executive VP and head of UK and European A&R at EMI Music Publishing, following the promotion of Sally Perryman to executive VP, creative and general manager.7393

Tracie London-Rowell has joined Universal Music as director of film, TV and advertising, having left Chrysalis Music after 10 years, along with her her deputy Marc Robinson who was at Chrysalis five years.7393

Steve Tannett has left the Copeland Group to set up a new management company, Blujay, in partnership with music industrry finance experts Martin Greene Ravden. First clients include singer/songwriter Chris Sheehan and seven piece band Delrosaria.7393

Craig David and Artful Dodger collaborator Mark Hill has signed a sub-publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music for his Stop, Drop and Roll catalogue. He has been working with Britney Spears recently and has also signed as a producer to Zomba Management.7393

Pete Waterman has opened Open Studios in conjunction with County Hall owner Mac Okamoto. The Thams-side complex will open in three stages, with four programming rooms already up and running, while further studios planned include one capable of hosting a full size orchestra. The complex will also offer training for new producers, while Waterman is also moving his PWL operation into County Hall.7393

The UK's Minder Music, headed by John Fogarty, was awarded $1.5m in damages when the Los Angeles Federal District Court ruled that Dr Dre and associates had infringed the copyright of the Fatback Band's Backstrokin' on their track Let's Get High.7393

BBC Radio 2 is broadcasting an entire evening of panels and discussion in The Great British Music Debate which takes place on July 2nd, covering topics ranging from piracy, downloading, the future of singles, A&R and other issues. Meanwhile at the Albany in Deptford on Saturday 14th June, R2's Sold on Song venture is running a Q&A and workshop programme with Chris Difford, with live performances.7393

Ex-Universal Music Germany marketing director Ornela Tomas has been appoined head of Tommy Boy's new European operation, based in Berlin and liaisng with distributors in 10 territories.7393

William Morris has joined Reed Midem as marketing director and will oversee the marketing of all international exhibitions.7393

Jazz composer Keith Jarrett was this year's recipient of the Polar Music Prize, awarded by Sweden's King Carl Gustaf XVI in Stockholm on May 12th.7393

BMG Music Publishing has formed a new film and TV music department to license the combined copyrights of BMG and Zomba records and publishing, headed by film/TV VP Ron Broitman.7393

Writer/producer 7 Aurelius has launched a joint-venture label with Island Def Jam. First signings to Aurelius Records are female acts M and Cree.7393

Producer Mark Wright has been appointed executive VP of Sony Music Nashville, reporting to new company president John Grady. He was previously VP of A&R at Universal Nashville.7393

Dan Carlin, VP of film music for Zomba Music, has been appointed chairman of the Recording Academy's board of trustees, replacing Nashville producer Garth Fundis who becomes chairman emeritus.7393

Robert Beeson is named as senior A&R VPO at Nashville-based Provident Music Group, which includes Christian labels Brentwood, Essential, Reunion,Verity and Benson, headed by president/CEO Terry Hemmings.7393

Soul balladeer Ruben Studdard won the second series of Fox TV's American Idol, beating runner up Clay Aiken by just 130,000 votes in a total vote of over 24 million. His first single for RCA will be a cover of Westlife's Flying Without Wings (Steve Mac/Wayne Hector), while Aiken's debut will be his self-penned song This Is The Night.7393

Nelly and producer Seven Aurelius were jointly named songwriters of the year at ASCAP's 20th Pop Awards in LA. Song of the year was Puddle of Mudd's Blurry, with EMI Music named publisher of the year. Elvis Costello was presented with the Founders Award.7393

Toby Keith was named Entertainer of the Year at the 38th annual Academy of Country Awards in Las Vegas on May 21st. Other winnners included Kenny Chesney (male vocalist and single of the year for The Good Stuff), Alan Jackson (album of the year - Drive, and top video Drive (For Daddy Gene), Rascall Flatts (top vocal group and song of the year - I'm movin' On), Martina McBride (pop female), and Brooks & Dunn (vocal duo).7393

The Country Music Association has honoured Australia's Lee Kernaghan as the recipient of the first ever CMA Global Artist Award during Fan Fair week in Nashville.7393

RIP: Record producer Mickie Most (65), from cancer...Noel Redding (57), bass player with the Jimi Hendrix Experience...Our Price Records and MVC founder Garry Nesbitt (61), from leukaemia...Glitter Band guitarist and writer Gerry Shepherd (51), from cancer.7393