Music News (3/23/16)

Sony To Take Full Stake of Sony/ATV

Michael Jackson. Photo: Michael Jackson Facebook.

Sony Corporation of America has signed an agreement to obtain full ownership of Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC by acquiring the 50 percent interest in Sony/ATV held by the Michael Jackson Estate, for $750 million. The purchase includes a lump sum payment of $733 million, as well as distributions previously committed to by Sony/ATV to be paid to the Michael Jackson estate.

The purchase process began in September, as Sony exercised a right that has been in place since joint venture was formed between Jackson and Sony in 1995.

The transaction will not affect its continuing interests in other music assets, including all of Michael Jackson’s master recordings as well as Mijac Music, the publishing company that owns all songs written by Jackson, as well as songs by some of his favorite songwriters and artists that were acquired by Jackson during his life. The Jackson estate will also retain its ownership interest in EMI Music Publishing.

 Kobalt Nashville Finds New Leader

Jesse Willoughby. Photo: Laurie Dallriva

Jesse Willoughby has been promoted to General Manager Kobalt, Nashville, the company announced on March 15. Willoughby will report directly to Richard Sanders, President of Kobalt. In this new role, Willoughby will administer Nashville’s creative team and the office’s daily operations. Additionally, he’ll explore possibilities for new deals across the various Kobalt businesses. Previous Sr. VP, Creative, Whitney Daane, exited her position earlier this month.

Willoughby previously served as Director, Business Development for Kobalt Neighbouring Rights where he was the face of Kobalt’s North American operations for KNR and responsible for handling U.S.-based artist signings, including Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, Carly Rae Jepsen, Nico & Vinz, Aloe Blacc and Shakira among others. Willoughby launched his career in 2005 working in the membership department at ASCAP’s Nashville office. While at ASCAP, Willoughby transferred to the LA office where he focused on pop/rock memberships under Sue Drew, who is now GM Creative & Acquisitions at Kobalt.

Round Hill Music Promotes Three In A&R Team

Mark Brown

Mark Brown, formerly Vice President, has been promoted to Sr. Vice President, with an expanding role in asset acquisition, management and exploitation of newly acquired catalogs, and general management of Round Hill Nashville operations.

Josh Saxe

Josh Saxe, formerly Associate Director, has been promoted to Director, where he will continue to represent Round Hill Music’s active writer roster and catalog acquisitions.

Bob Squance

Bob Squance, formerly Senior Coordinator, has been promoted to Manager of A&R Administration, adding reporting, catalog management, and publicity responsibilities to his current position.

Warner/Chappell Music Signs Cale Dodds

Cale Dodds

Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Cale Dodds. Dodds has had recent success with his song “Drunk Dial,” which was recorded by A Thousand Horses and broke the Top 25 on U.S. Country Airplay charts.

As a performing artist, Dodds has opened for Sam Hunt, Brett Eldredge, Billy Currington, and Canaan Smith. He is currently working with writer/producer and ACM nominee Corey Crowder.

CRB Issues Final Decision On Royalty Rates Through 2020

The Copyright Royalty Board recently issued its final decision regarding webcasting, which set a rate of $0.0017 per play for free-to-consumer streaming services, and $0.0023 for paid subscriber streaming services from Jan. 1, 2016–Dec. 31, 2020. That decision has now been sent to the U.S. Copyright Office Register for review, Billboard reports.

The U.S. Copyright Office Register has 60 days to review the decision.

After the ruling is signed and published in the Federal Register, the parties have 30 days to appeal the ruling.

NMPA, Spotify Reach Agreement Regarding Unmatched Royalties

NMPA and Spotify have reached an agreement allowing independent and major publishers to claim and receive royalties for certain compositions used on Spotify in the United States where ownership information was previously unknown, also known as “Unmatched Works”.

In addition to identifying the rightful recipients of Spotify royalties, the agreement establishes a bonus compensation fund that is a substantial percentage of what is currently being held by Spotify for unmatched royalties, and creates a better path forward for finding the owners of publishing rights who should receive streaming royalties.

The deal will allow copyright owners to identify their works and receive the money Spotify has set aside for the past usage of unmatched works. It will allow the entire industry to benefit by filling in the gaps in ownership information, which help to ensure that royalties are promptly paid to their rightful owners in the future. Any royalties associated with works that remain unmatched after each claiming period will be distributed to publishers and songwriters who participate in the settlement, but the agreement will not affect the royalties owed to any publisher or writer who does not choose to participate.

AIMP Nashville Plans Inaugural Awards Show

The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) will host the inaugural AIMP Nashville Awards, presented by Spotify, on April 18, 2016 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Beginning at 6 p.m., the celebration will salute the top independent publishers, songs and songwriters of 2015.

Co-chaired by SMACKsongs’ Michael Baum and Wrensong’s Ree Buchanan, the AIMP created a planning committee to represent all sectors of the independent Nashville music community to conceptualize the event.

The invitation-only AIMP Nashville Awards will pay tribute to the top independent publisher, songwriter and song from 2015, as voted on by AIMP members. Top independent writer and publisher awards are calculated by the NEKST chart. The celebration will also honor the top-streamed country song on Spotify and Song Champion of the Year, recognizing a member of the industry whose actions exemplify him or her as a song/songwriter advocate.