SONG BIZ
—DAN KIMPEL dan@dankimpel.com
PEIRCE INKS TO DISNEY
SESAC IS LOVIN’ OTTO Disney Music Publishing, Nashville has signed Melissa Peirce to its growing writer roster in a partnership deal between Disney Music Publishing and Pat Higdon’s Patrick Joseph Music. Peirce, wrote two Top 10 singles: David Nail’s “Red Light” and Reba’s “I’m Gonna Take That Mountain,” and co-penned Eli Young Band’s “Say Goodnight.” Pictured (l-r, standing): Pat Higdon, Patrick Joseph Music; Kos Weaver, Disney Music Publishing; Austen Adams, Crownover Blevins, PC. Seated: Melissa Peirce.
Universal Music; and Ethiopia Habtemariam, Executive VP/head of urban music, Universal Music Publishing Group. Also cited in the pages of Billboard are three key players in Performing Rights: Lauren Iossa, Senior VP of Communications and Media, ASCAP; Alison Smith, Senior VP, Performing Rights, BMI; and Ellen Bligh Truly, VP of Corporate Relations, SESAC. Katy Perry was named the Billboard Woman of the Year, and Carly Rae Jepsen was honored as the Billboard Rising Star.
Diane Warren: Broadway Bound? The music of Grammy and Golden Globe winning songwriter Diane Warren will provide the bones for a new musical being developed for Broadway. Producer Dede Harris has optioned Warren’s music catalog from the composer’s selfowned publishing company. A creative team and timeline for the untitled project will be announced at a later date. Warren is the first songwriter in Billboard history to have seven hits by different artists charting at the same time. Her songs have been recorded by Elton John, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Carrie Underwood
SESAC has welcomed artist-songwriter James Otto for representation. Otto, who topped the charts with “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” is currently in the studio working on his next album, but took a minute to stop by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters to visit. Pictured (l-r): SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Otto and SESAC’s Tim Finnk.
and Jennifer Hudson, among many others. She has been nominated six times in the best original song category of the Academy Awards. To obtain additional details go to http://real songs.com.
Kobalt: Neighboring Rights Powerhouse Bob Dylan, Dr. Luke, Gotye, Max Martin, Paul Simon, Ryan Tedder and Shellback (aka Johan Schuster) are among the global superstar roster of talent who have recently concluded deals and chosen Kobalt to manage their neighboring rights. The company has unveiled the next generation in technology and services for Kobalt neighboring rights clients who can now view online all account details showing exactly where their income is coming from, and from which territory. KNRL is the first company to offer this level of transparency and detailed accounting with monthly statements for neighbouring rights. Accounts are continually updated and viewable 24/7. For complete information on this and other Kobalt activities, contact Rebekah Alperin, SVP Communications/Marketing, by emailing rebekah. alperin@kobaltmusic.com.
EBACH HEARS THE WORD
Elton and Bernie Prevail Pryor Cashman has won dismissal of all claims brought against Sir Elton John and his longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin in a music copyright infringement case. The federal court in Chicago dismissed a claim brought by Guy Hobbs. A photojournalist and aspiring songwriter, Hobbs claimed that the lyrics of John’s 1985 hit “Nikita” infringed Hobbs’ lyrics entitled “Natasha,” which he claimed to have circulated among publishers in 1984. Hobbs’ lyrics, never put to music, were inspired by his doomed cruise ship romance with a Russian waitress. Judge Amy St. Eve rejected Hobbs’ claim and granted John’s and Taupin’s motion to dismiss his complaint, finding that each of the elements which Hobbs alleged had been copied were “rudimentary, commonplace and standard,” making them unprotectable under copyright law. John, Taupin, and publisher Big Pig Music were represented by Tom J. Ferber, Ilene S. Farkas and Stephanie Kline of Pryor Cashman LLP. MICRO-BIO: Dan Kimpel’s new-est book, It All Begins with the Music, is penned with legendary A&R exec Don Grierson. Hear Dan’s audio interviews worldwide on Delta Airlines.
JOHNSON SIGNS WITH SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE Angie Johnson has signed a recording contract with Sony Music Nashville. The YouTube sensation was discovered after a video of her performing for troops in Afghanistan went viral. The St. Louis native spent six years in the Air Force. Honorably discharged, she moved to Nashville to pursue her dreams of becoming a country artist. Josh Leo (Love and Theft) has signed on as her producer. Pictured (l-r): Gary Overton, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Johnson; and Lisa Ramsey Perkins, Sr. Director A&R, Sony Music Nashville. See p. 27 for MC's Signing Story on this artist.
Word Music Publishing has announced the signing of SESAC-affiliated Justin Ebach for representation. Pictured (l-r): Chad Green, Word Music Publishing; John Mullins, SESAC; Justin Ebach; Tim Fink, SESAC; and Chad Segura, Word Music Publishing. January 2013
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