Music News (1/22/14)

SESAC is building a new $20 million home on Music Row. The 110,000-square-foot space will be located at 35, 37, 39 and 41 Music Sq. E., reports the Tennessean. Groundbreaking could take place in the next two months. SESAC is expected to use about 35,000 square feet of the complex and lease the remainder. Completion is scheduled for 2015.

The properties on Music Sq. E. were purchased from The BBR Music Group owner Benny Brown and his wife Carolyn for $3.5 million according to reports. In turn, the Browns bought a 25,000-square-foot property at 65 Music Sq. W., formerly home to Sony/ATV’s administration division, for $4.1 million and will move BBR operations there.

The admin arm of Sony/ATV recently moved downtown to the Fifth Third Center at 424 Church Street. Sony/ATV’s creative division remains at 8 Music Sq. W.

SESAC is currently in two buildings at 55 Music Sq. E and 66 Music Square W.

• • •

Universal Music Publishing Group has signed a license agreement with Pandora that will allow Pandora to play UMPG’s songs in the BMI catalog, reports Billboard.

In September, a judge ruled that UMPG (as well as other publishers) has the right to withdraw digital licensing from performance rights organizations, though they would have to pull all rights, not just digital. However, the judge also ruled that Pandora had an interim consent-decree license that would expire Dec. 31, 2015. On Dec. 18, 2013, the judge ruled that there was no interim consent-decree license. This ruling translated that if UMG withdrew from BMI after Dec. 31, Pandora’s BMI blanket license would no longer cover UMPG songs.

Afterward, UMPG and Pandora began direct negotiations for a license for the BMI repertoire; an agreement was reached on Dec. 31, 2013. Terms of that agreement were not disclosed. Currently, the license means that UMPG and its songwriters/composers will not be subject to Pandora/BMI rate court proceeding.

• • •

Round Hill Music, a full-service creative rights management company with a focus on music publishing, has opened a Nashville office at 1004 18th Ave. S.

Mark Brown has joined the team as VP and General Manager of the Nashville office. Brown previously spent three years as Chief Creative Officer at MPR Entertainment Group’s publishing arm, Root 49 Music. During his career, Brown has spent time as Creative Director for Universal Music Publishing Group, as well as Sr. Director of A&R for Sony Records.

Brown joins Director of A&R, Kari Smith, who joined Round Hill Music in Spring of 2013.

Round Hill Music has acquired the Big Tractor catalog, which includes the titles “Doin’ What She Likes” (Blake Shelton), “All Over The Road” (Easton Corbin), “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me” (Hunter Hayes), “I Saw God Today” (George Strait), and “Amazed” (Lonestar), among many others.

Also attached to the Big Tractor catalog is writer Wade Kirby, whose songs have been recorded by Kenny Rogers, Rodney Atkins and Faith Hill. Writer Rachel Proctor is also attached to the Big Tractor catalog; Proctor has penned songs for Jessica Simpson and Jesse Lee.

• • •

Standing (L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s Gary Overton, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson and manager Greg Hill; Seated: The Swon Brothers

Arista Nashville recording duo The Swon Brothers have signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville. They documented the event in the short clip below.

“My brother Colton and I wrote our first songs when we were just kids. Joining Sony/ATV opens the door to opportunities to write songs with some of our heroes,” added Zach Swon.

The brothers say they look forward to joining the ranks of the many legendary tunesmiths who have been associated with their new publishing home.

• • •

Another streaming service is vying for consumer dollars. Beats Music launched in the U.S. at midnight (Jan. 21) and hopes to differentiate itself by offering expertly curated playlists and features to help users find their perfect mix of songs. The subscription service, a spin off of headphone makers Beats Electronics, is developed and led by a team of executives including Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre, Luke Wood, Trent Reznor and Ian Rogers. The Santa Monica company is partially financed by billionaire Len Blavatnik. Country music writer Ken Tucker is part of the service’s curation team. The subscription fee is $9.99/month.

Lots of advertising and marketing is supporting the launch. A commercial will air during the Super Bowl on Feb. 2. There are exclusive agreements with Target and AT&T, as well as a free trial offer. Beats Music will be available to AT&T wireless customers on a multiline account for $14.99 a month. Up to five family members across 10 devices can access the service and get their own music on their own devices.

Beats Music offers a catalog of more than 20 million songs from Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and independent labels. The service is available on iOS, Android and Windows Phone as well as via the web. Fans can stream their music or download to listen offline.

Led by radio programming vet Julie Pilat, the Beats Music curation team includes Tucker, former Pitchfork Media editor-in-chief Scott Plagenhoef, former digital content director at XXL Carl Chery, veteran Detroit radio music director Suzy Cole, Recording Academy music blogger Arjan Writes, former Rhino Records A&R Director Mason Williams, Los Angeles hip-hop radio personality Fuzzy Fantabulous, and former Programmer of L.A.’s hugely successful Latino 96.3, Jerry Pullés. The Academy of Country Music, Country Weekly and the Grand Ole Opry are country music curator partners.