Music News (7/26/17)

ASCAP, BMI Reveal Comprehensive Musical Works Database

Performing rights organizations ASCAP and BMI have joined forces to create a single, comprehensive database of musical works from their combined repertories that will deliver an authoritative view of ownership shares in the vast majority of music licensed in the United States.

Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP and Mike O’Neill, President and CEO, BMI announced the database, which will feature aggregated song ownership data from both PROs and offer greater transparency in song ownership. ASCAP’s and BMI’s respective databases will continue to be available on each organization’s respective website during the creation and initial launch of the joint database.

The joint database will roll out in phases with Phase One expected to launch by the end of 2018, and include the majority of ASCAP and BMI registered songs. Future phases will explore customizable, interactive API solutions and the potential inclusion of other databases.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

BMI Renews Partnership With Music Festival Producer C3 Presents

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) has renewed its long-term partnership with C3 Presents, one of the world’s largest music festival producers. The multi-year agreement solidifies BMI as the only performing rights organization with stages at Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

ASCAP Showcases Songwriters At Forecastle Festival

Jeffrey James

This year’s ASCAP Hours at Forecastle Festival, held July 14-16 in Louisville, Kentucky, showcased new Nashville rock bands *repeat repeat, Jeffrey James, and FARRO. The event, which marked ASCAP’s 4th annual sponsorship, was curated by ASCAP Associate Creative Director Evyn Mustoe.

Sara Knabe Named VP/A&R At BBR Music Group

Sara Knabe

BBR Music Group has appointed Sara Knabe to the newly-created position of VP/A&R. In hew new role, she will be responsible for BBR Music Group’s roster of artists across imprints Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Red Bow Records, and Wheelhouse Records, as well as scouting, signing, and developing new talent for the roster. She will report directly to Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group and Zach Katz, BMG US President Repertoire & Marketing.

Knabe comes to BBR from BMG, where she started as Sr. Director, Creative and was elevated to VP, Creative in 2016.  She has worked with an impressive list of songwriters and artists including Jay DeMarcus, Ruston Kelly, Tony Lane, Jim Lauderdale, Gordie Sampson, Lucie Silvas, Wynn Varble, and many others. During her time at BMG she and her team secured an abundance of placements for BMG writers and chart-topping songs include “God, Your Mama, And Me” and platinum-certified “H.O.L.Y.” by Florida Georgia Line, as well as songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, and others.

Andrew Sparkler Upped To Sr/VP Business Development For Downtown Music Publishing

Downtown Music Publishing has promoted Andrew Sparkler to Senior Vice President, Business Development.

Sparkler joined Downtown in 2014 as Vice President, Business Affairs and Operations, and has been an integral part of the team sourcing, negotiating and closing new deals with Ryan Tedder, Benny Blanco, Nikki Sixx, Jason Isbell, RJD2, Fania and many more. He was also the main catalyst behind Downtown’s innovative direct partnership with YouTube. Andrew also is a frequent writer and speaker on issues surrounding technology, publishing and performing rights.

In his newly expanded position, Sparkler will manage all catalog acquisitions and strategic business development opportunities across the company’s global offices, reporting to Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Bergman.

Prior to joining Downtown, Sparkler was Vice President and Head of Business Affairs at ASCAP. He began his career in the industry at Beldock, Levine & Hoffman, and is a graduate of Brown University and Fordham School of Law.