Music News (6/11/14)

The first of two committee hearings regarding music licensing took place June 10 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

The sides presented during these hearings will aid in crafting changes to copyright law, changes that will affect, among other things, emerging business models, how much digital services will pay for music licenses, and whether songwriters and publishers will be paid higher royalty rates.

“We can create a better system for radio competitors, for artists and songwriters, and for fans, all of whom depend on a vital healthy market for music and music services,” Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Jerrold Nadler (NY) said.

Among those appearing to testify were Lee Thomas Miller, NSAI Songwriter and President; Neil Portnow, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Recording Academy; David Israelite, President and Chief Executive Officer of the NMPA; Lee Knife, Executive Director of the Digital Media Association; Michael O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer of BMI; Jim Griffin, Managing Director of OneHouse LLC; and Will Hoyt, Executive Director of the TV Music License Committee.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

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Pictured (L-R): Ben Strain, ole Creative Director; Emily Mueller, ole Creative Manager; Sam Brooker of Artist Revolution; Jesse Rice; and John Ozier, ole GM of Creative.

ole has finalized a worldwide administration deal with Nashville-based music publishing/artist development company Artist Revolution.

The deal includes the catalog and futures of Country songwriter Jesse Rice, who has been signed to Sam Brooker’s Artist Revolution since 2008. Included in the agreement is Rice’s co-written Florida Georgia Line single “Cruise.”

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Deric Ruttan

THiS Music and Warner/Chappell have extended their publishing agreement with hit singer/songwriter Deric Ruttan. His recent No. 1 single, “Mine Would Be You” recorded by Blake Shelton, earned both Grammy and ACM nominations for Country Song Of The Year.

The song, which he co-wrote with Jessi Alexander and Connie Harrington, helped Ruttan win Songwriter Of The Year honors at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards. At that event he also took home the award for Single Of The Year for “Take The Week Off,” which he wrote and recorded.

Ruttan has songs on upcoming projects by Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Terri Clark and The Railers.