Music News 10/7/2010

Songwriters Ken Johnson and Andi Zack recently spent some time at the Brown Owl Studio recording songs they wrote with Columbia Nashville’s Josh Thompson and Reprise/WMN’s Frankie Ballard.

(L-R): Ballard, Johnson, Zack, Thompson

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Bug Music CEO John Rudolph announces that the large independent publisher has acquired the worldwide rights to Saban Music Group’s music publishing catalog. Saban’s extensive catalog includes material from leading children’s franchises such as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers™, Digimon™, The Addams Family™ Reunion, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Generation, Princess Sissi and Walter Melon properties, and encompasses a slate of theme songs, cues and scores from more than 90 television series, 3,700 television episodes and 100 made-for-television films and specials.

Following Saban Capital Group, Inc.’s (SMG’s parent company) recent acquisition of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers™ property, Bug Music sees significant growth opportunities in the newly acquired catalog.

“Bug is focused on opportunities that provide growth for the company, as well as best practices for our film and TV clients across the world,” said Rudolph, Bug Music CEO. “This deal falls in line with our goals and will benefit our clients in real returns. The excellent work of the Saban team in managing the catalog and completing the deal has made the transition seamless.”

Bug represents significant songwriters of today (Kara DioGuardi, Kings of Leon, Bruno Mars, Three Six Mafia, Gordie Sampson, Lucas Secon, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Grizzly Bear, Pete Townshend, Paul Westerberg among others), the past (Johnny Cash, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Woody Guthrie, Townes Van Zandt and Stevie Ray Vaughan) and classics such as “What a Wonderful World,” “Fever” and “Happy Together.” The company maintains eight offices in the US and Europe.

Bug’s Nashville office is headed by Sr. VP Roger Murrah and VP John Allen.

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(L-R) BMI’s Clay Bradley, Hori Pro’s Amy Hendon, Barton, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, and Hori Pro’s Butch Baker. (Photo by Drew Maynard)

Songwriter Phil Barton recently inked a deal with Hori Pro Entertainment Group. The Australian native writes pop, country and children’s music.
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Ann Wilson Music Group Creative Director Margie Hunt has departed her position with the company after 15 months. Hunt previously spent 30 years with Sony Music, where she had instrumental roles in A&R, Marketing, Product Management, Film/TV, and in the production of compilations, re-packages and box sets. She can be reached at mhuntmusicservices@comcast.net or at 615-351-1156.