Music News (8/3/16)

BMI, ASCAP Reveal Standardized Cue Sheet Template

Following the development of the joint venture RapidCue, BMI and ASCAP have announced the co-development of a new standardized cue sheet template that will allow both organizations to more quickly process music usage data from the film and television composers, songwriters and publishers each represents.

RapidCue was the first secure website through which TV, cable and film production companies could enter cue-sheet data. This improved template, which has been built based on the feedback from dozens of broadcasters, production companies, digital service providers and studios, further increases the efficiencies of RapidCue.

The standardized cue sheet enables data to be submitted once through a single point of entry to cuesheets@rapidcue.com, instead of separately to each PRO. The data will then be automatically ingested into BMI and ASCAP’s respective databases. This means less work for those submitting the information and eliminates the need for the PROs to re-key cue sheets submitted in Excel, Word or via PDF, resulting in faster, more accurate and more cost-effective processing.

SESAC Reveals Online Tool To Accelerate Revenues, Expedite Clearances

SESAC unveiled a new online tool to accelerate revenues and expedite clearances for publishers and distributors. The tool integrates with the combined database of SESAC Performing Rights, Rumblefish and The Harry Fox Agency, allowing publishers to link their compositions to recordings.

The new secure web application is available immediately through the Online Account of publishers that license streaming services through HFA. In the coming months, SESAC will expand the tool’s user group to include clients of Rumblefish, SESAC Performing Rights affiliates, the broader HFA publisher affiliate community and, finally, publishers and writers that are not affiliated with HFA or SESAC. Uniquely, this app is neither rights-type nor distributor-specific.

Additionally SESAC Holdings has formed Mint Digital Licensing with Swiss collecting society SUISA, for the first transatlantic alliance between organizations that represent musical works on behalf of music publishers, songwriters and composers.

Starting in January 2017, the two companies will work closely together to license and administer the rights to use musical compositions in online music services under a joint venture. The collaboration aims to strengthen the competitive position and value of the music entrusted to SUISA and SESAC Performing Rights by copyright owners in the international online music market.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

Big Yellow Dog Music Inks Deal With Keelan Donovan

Pictured (L-R): Carla Wallace, co-owner, Big Yellow Dog; Devon Devries, VP of Film and TV A&R, Big Yellow Dog; Keelan Donovan; Alex Stefano, Film and TV Music Manager, Big Yellow Dog; Noah McPike, Partner, Almon & McPike, PLLC; Matt Lindsey, VP Creative, Big Yellow Dog

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed singer/songwriter Keelan Donovan to its roster, with plans to release an EP.

Keelan is just finishing a new EP produced by Dan Agee and Daniel Tashian.

Creative Nation Adds Belmont Student Kassi Ashton To Roster

From (L-R): Beth Laird, Creative Nation; Matthew Beckett, Beckett Law Office; Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright; Kassi Ashton; Johnny Ellett, Ten Four Management; Luke Laird, Creative Nation; Carrie Murphy, WME.

Creative Nation has signed songwriter Kassi Ashton to its roster. Ashton is a senior at Belmont University in Nashville, and is slated to graduate in December.

Creative Nation is an independent music publishing and management company owned by songwriter Luke Laird and CEO Beth Laird, and includes writers Barry Dean, Lori McKenna, Luke Laird, Maggie Chapman, Natalie Hemby, Native Run, Steve Moakler and Tyler Johnson.

CTM Writer’s INK Signs Paige Blue

Paige Blue

CTM Writer’s INK has signed writer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Paige Blue to an exclusive songwriting agreement.

The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, native starting writing in Nashville in 2015 and already has accrued a list of TV and film placements, including The Vow (Sony), Delivery Man (Disney), The Brass Teapot (Magnolia Pictures), Beauty is Embarrassing (Future You Pictures), Makers (PBS/AOL Initiative), The Words (CBS Films), and multiple placements on MTV’s The Real World.

Blue was also the drummer and vocalist for the indie-rock band Avian Sunrise, who released two records produced by Paul Leavitt (The Used, Yellowcard, All Time Low) and toured the U.S. for several years.

CTM’s roster also includes Scott Stevens, Faren Rachels, Autumn McEntire, Ella Mae Bowen, Chris Roberts and catalog of Marcus Hummon.

Rezonant Music Publishing Opens With Wipperman, Velletri, Walter

Pictured (L-R): Tim Wipperman and Garry Velletri

Rezonant Music Publishing has opened offices in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles. The company is led by CEO Tim Wipperman, Exec. VP Creative Garry Velletri, and financial consultant Alan Walter.

Wipperman, a former executive at Warner Bros. Music (now Warner/Chappell Music), will be based in Nashville, while longtime Bug Music executive Velletri will be based in New York. Walter will be based in Los Angeles. His career stops have included Bug Music, Famous Music, and MCA Publishing.

The company has entered into a catalog, co-publishing and joint venture deal with hit songwriter Kevin Kadish and will represent his music moving forward. Kadish’s previous success includes co-writing and producing Meghan Trainor, including the hit “All About That Bass.” Under this joint venture, Kadish has signed writer/artist Jake Scherer to his new publishing venture.

Rezonant has also acquired rights to songwriter Matt Jenkins’ catalog and will be working in conjunction with Combustion Music and Warner/Chappell to exploit his catalog.

Lynn Oliver-Cline Launches Label and Publishing Company

Lynn Oliver-Cline

Thirty Tigers and former Southern Ground executive Lynn Oliver-Cline has launched River House Artists (RHA), an independent record label and publishing company developing new talent in Nashville.

RHA’s first artist signing is country newcomer Luke Combs. Combs just finished recording his debut album, which is set to be released this fall with at least eight of the tracks being co-written with Ray Fulcher. Fulcher will be the first songwriter to sign to Oliver-Cline’s publishing division.

Oliver-Cline’s previous experience includes interning for Hootie & The Blowfish and Fishco Management in 1994. Over the next 10 years she served as a talent scout and A&R Director for producer Matt Serletic (Matchbox 20, Gloriana) in Los Angeles and New York. In 2007 she joined ROAR as Zac Brown Band’s day-to-day manager. She then moved to Nashville from Atlanta to work with Southern Ground Artists, where she oversaw the organization’s publishing company and label. She was most recently VP of Marketing at Thirty Tigers, serving as project manager for Lucinda Williams as well as Jason Isbell’s Grammy Award-winning album Something More Than Free.