JULY/AUGUST 2004
© Copyright 2004 by SLI - SongLink International
Editor & Publisher: David Stark
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Tel: +44 (0)207 794 2540 - Fax: +44 (0)207 794 7393
BMG Music Publishing MD Paul Curran was elected as new Chairman of the MPA at its recent AGM. Nicholas Riddle, MD of Peters Edition Ltd, becomes his deputy. Pop publishers elected to the board are Peter Cornish (Fairwood Music), Charlie Pinder (Sony/ATV Music), Nigel Elderton (peermusic) and Ian Wright (Reverb), while Mark Anders (Bug) and David Kassner (Kassner) were re-elected after retiring by rotation. A special MPA Gold Badge Award was made to outgoing chairman Andrew Potter for his services to the music publishing industry.
BACS chairman David Ferguson and Francis Shaw were elected at as new writer directors at the PRS AGM last month, while Guy Fletcher, Peter Callander, Nicky Graham, Edward Gregson, Mitch Murray and Andy Neve have been re-appointed to the board. William Booth (EMI Music) Richard King (Faber Music) become new publisher directors, with Ellis Rich (International Music Network) re-appointed.
In celebration of the 50th Ivor Novello Awards, taking place May 2005, the Britsh Academy of Composers & Songwriters is awarding five new Fellowships, one for each decade in which the awards have taken place. The first will be given to Sir Elton John during the first of a series of 'Ivors Tributes' on BBC, the result of a link up between the Academy and BBC Entertainment Events. Currently the Academy has three Fellows: Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Malcom Arnold and John Barry.
The British Government's Music Manifesto was launched by the DfES and DCMS at Abbey Road Studios. The manifesto outlines priorities for music education for the next 3-5 years, with British Music Rights having contributed and signed to it on behalf of the creator community. BMR GM Henri Yoxall said, "The manifesto will help to unite all those with an interest in music education and ensure that we have a common goal."
Musicians and songwriters are being offered free copyright advice by Creative London, part of the Mayor's initiative to support the capital's creative industry. Branded 'Own It,' a pilot service of four copyright seminars will tie in with the London Design Festival in September at a number of venues. Visit www.creativelondon.org.uk.
Kobalt Music Group has signed an exclusive administration agreement with US-based Intergrated Copyright Group to represent its 40,000-strong catalogue in Europe, including works by Roy Orbison, Loretta Lynn and Robert Johnson among many others.
Chrysalis Music GM Catherine Bell has been appointed to the new post as director of rights, to represent the company in all areas relating to rights and collection society issues. Former Warner Chappell executive Josh Smith replaces her as business affairs manager.
Former Perfect Songs creative manager Rob Adamson has joined west London indie publisher Reverb Music... Dominic McGonigal becomes director, government relations at PPL, with responsibility for lobbying.
Apple's recently-launched European iTunes service has received a joint online licence from the MCPS and PRS. The licence allows the use of global repertoire in the UK and ensures that composers, songwriters and publishers will be paid for their work.
Actress Minnie Driver has signed to EMI Records, following her well-received performance at SXSW in March. Driver's self-written material has a country/MOR feel, along the lines of Shania Twain. First single Everything I've Got In My Pocket will be released in September.
Sanctuary Urban Management has added Eve, Sleepy Brown and Angie Stone to its roster after buying US company Erving Wonder. J Erving and Troy Carter become executive VPs., reporting to Sanctuary Urban president Matthew Knowles. Erving Wonder will keep its Philadelphia office, moving its west coast team to Sanctuary's LA office.
Dance music label Beechwood Music has been put up for sale by administrators BDO Stoy Hayward who hope to attract interest through the strength of its catalogue, including many Ibiza and chillout compilations, plus various jazz, funk, hip hop and classical works.
'Produced By Trevor Horn - A Concert For The Prince's Trust' will take place at London's Wembley Arena on Novemeber 11, with such acts as ABC, Art Of Noise, Lisa Stansfield, Pet Shop Boys and Yes all booked to play the event, which celebrates Horn's 25 years as a producer.
HMV boss Brian McLaughlin is the new chairman of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy's fundraising committee, succeeding Derek Green and Jeremy Marsh who become joint-vice chairmen. NRMT celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, having raised over £20 million to date.
Black Eyed Peas' Where Is The Love was the UK's most popular ringtone of 2003 in a new MCPS and PRS survey, which has the Muppet Show theme at No. 2 and Mission Impossible theme at No. 3.
Jeff Fenster has joind Arista Records in New York as Senior VP of A&R... Kevin Williamson joins Maverick Records in LA as A&R manager... Tony Ferguson moves from Interscope to A&M Records A&R in LA... Label boss Jim Ed Norman has left Warner Bros in Nashville.
The latest American Idol winner Fantasia has ended Usher's 19-week domination of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with a rare debut at No. 1 for I Believe (J), the first since Clay Aiken's This Is The Night last year.
The Rev. Al Green will be honoured as a BMI Icon at the rights group's fourth annual Urban Awards on Aug. 27 in Miami. Green joins past honorees Bill Anderson, Dolly Parton, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Brian Wilson and Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland.
Warner/Chappell Music in Sydney will be closed by the end of August. Some members of the staff have left and rest will go by then, including MD Adam Lang, leaving two people to handle licensing. Copyright and royalties will be handled by the Malaysian office out of Kuala Lumpur.
RIP: Gospel and soul legend Ray Charles (73), at his Beverly Hills home on June 10, of complications related to liver disease. His last album is released posthumously soon. New York Dolls bassist Arthur Kane (55), in Los Angeles on July 13 from leukemia. The band just recently reformed to play dates in the UK and have a new album ready.
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