Music News (3/15/17)

Spirit Music Group Launches Production Music Division

Pictured (L-R): Front: David Renzer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group and Alan Ett, CEO, Spirit Production Music. Back: Schuyler Moore of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP Jon Singer, COO/CFO, Spirit Music Group; and Ross Cameron, Vice President of Acquisitions and Business Development.

Spirit Music Group has formed a new division, Spirit Production Music, and has acquired the production music divisions of Alan Ett Creative Group (AECG), including the prestigious Opus 1 Music Library, The Music Collective and Audio Horizons companies. Announced today (March 14) by David Renzer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group and Jon Singer, COO/CFO, Spirit has tapped Alan Ett to lead the new division, which will be based in Los Angeles.

Through the deal, Spirit will acquire over 150,000 high quality production music tracks and will represent over 40 unique music libraries. Employees from both AECG and Spirit Music Group will be part of the new organization going forward.

The creation of Spirit Production Music marks the latest in a series of significant acquisitions by this independent music publishing operation. In July 2014, Spirit Music Group acquired Cal IV Entertainment, marking the company’s first presence on Nashville’s Music Row and bringing top writers and 25 No. 1 copyrights and top 10 singles into the fold. In January 2016, Spirit continued to expand its footprint through a deal with Frank Rogers, bringing another 40 No. 1 hits along with a roster of top artists and writers. In recent years Spirit also opened a London office and established Spirit Music Latino.

Niko Moon Signs Publishing Deal With Warner/Chappell Nashville

Niko Moon has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Nashville. Moon frequently collaborates with the Zac Brown Band, having co-written 22 songs across their last three albums, including five No. 1’s. Their latest hit together, “My Old Man,” is currently climbing the charts and is the lead single off the band’s upcoming album, Welcome Home.

Moon recently received his first CMA Triple Play Award for three No. 1 singles in a calendar year: Zac Brown Band’s “Homegrown,” “Loving You Easy,” and “Beautiful Drug.” “Homegrown” also earned Moon and collaborator Wyatt Durette a SESAC Song of the Year Award.

His latest project, Sir Rosevelt, is a trio comprised of Moon, Zac Brown, and Ben Simonetti, with production by Pharrell Williams and Jamie Kenney. Moon also co-penned much of the debut album from Decca Records’ artist Betti.

NSAI Brings Streaming Royalties Fight To Congress

Pictured (L-R): NSAI Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow; songwriter Wendell Mobley; NSAI board member-songwriter Nicolle Galyon; Jana Miller and husband, NSAI President, songwriter Lee Miller; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) spent time last week meeting with Members of Congress to discuss low streaming royalties for songwriters, concerns over how a new Register of Copyrights should be appointed and others issues.

AIMP Hosts “Maximizing Your Independent Release” Panel

Pictured (Front row, L-R): Faithe Dillman Parker, David Ross, Donica Elliott, Nate Towne. (Back row, L-R): Brad Peterson, John Ozier, Emmanuel Zunz, Beth Laird, Tim Hunze, Ree Guyer, Kari Barnhart, Chris Van Belkom

The Association of Independent Music Publishers  (AIMP) and Regions Bank welcomed Donica Elliott (All Eyes Media), Faithe Dillman Parker (Marbaloo Marketing), David Ross (Reviver Records), and Nate Towne (WME) who spoke at the AIMP “Maximizing Your Independent Release” panel on March 10 at ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room. Sponsored by oneRPM and moderated by Beth Laird (Creative Nation) and Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music), the panelists discussed the roles played by each in a project release, timelines to follow and tips for success.