Music News (9/18/13)

A ruling has been made in the Southern District of New York’s federal rate court requiring all publishers licensed by ASCAP to remain subject to the organization’s Pandora license through Dec. 31, 2015. The decision, announced Sept. 18 allows Pandora to resume using the PRO’s collective works regardless of publishers’ attempts to “withdraw” new media licensing. Further, a rate trial date has been set to begin on Dec. 4 to determine the rate Pandora will pay going forward.

EMI was the first to begin withdrawing its catalog in April 2012, followed by the remaining Sony/ATV copyrights in January when it successfully negotiated a 25 percent higher royalty rate. Universal Music Publishing Group and BMG withdrew respective digital rights from ASCAP in July, while Kobalt was scheduled to do so in October. Warner/Chappell had postponed withdrawing until 2014.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

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Diarmuid Quinn

Kobalt Label Services has named Diarmuid Quinn as President of Kobalt Label Services – North America, according to Richard Sanders, Chairman of Kobalt Label Services and President of Kobalt Music Group.

Reporting to Sanders, Quinn’s role will include leading and staffing up Kobalt’s growing label services operations in the U.S., signing artists for global release campaigns, as well as developing North America marketing campaigns for international KLS clients.

Most recently, Quinn was Chief Executive of management/marketing company TourDForce Productions, which worked with Martina McBride, Richard Marx, the Beach Boys, Mark Knopfler and others. Previously, Quinn served as COO of Warner Bros. Records/President of Reprise Records until a company restructuring in 2010.

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Pictured (L-R): Alex Orbison, President, Still Working Music; Noah McPike, Almon Law, PLLC.; Tommy Lee James, Chief Creative Officer, Still Working Music; Kendall Lettow, Creative Director, Still Working Music; Derrick Southerland; Kevin Lane, Creative Director, BMG Chrysalis; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Chrysalis.

Still Working Music/BMG has signed writer Derrick Southerland. Southerland, a Georgia native, moved to Nashville in 2010 after working in various studios in the Atlanta area. Most recently, he has had cuts on the Major Bob duo John & Jacob, including the single “Be My Girl.” He joins the growing Still Working team with present writers Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride, Chase Bryant, Matt Nolen and Ryan Lafferty.

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BMI has revealed the dates for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s 19th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival presented by BMI. The 2014 dates are set for May 7-11. The Key West Songwriters Festival will again feature five days of one-of-a-kind showcases and concert events from its base operations at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon to over 30 different venues across the island.

An official lineup and additional information for the 2014 Key West Songwriters Festival will be announced in the coming months.

More information is available at keywestsongwritersfestival.com.

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Pensacola Beach will become a haven for music lovers in October, when the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival will bring more than 100 songwriters to 17 venues throughout the city.

Slated to run from Oct. 1 through Oct. 6, the lineup features numerous songwriters. Entrance to special events, including listening room shows and the Sunset Cruise, require a cover charge. An “All-Access Weekend Pass” is available for $50.00 and grants the patron entrance to all listening room venues during the week (except the cruise).

Additional events include “Sail With The SESAC Crew,” which include Ken Will Morton, Katie Armiger, Roxie Dean and Joe West. “Hits and Grins” includes Lisa Schaffer, Steve Dean and Bill Whyte.

For more information, visit pensacolabeachsongwritersfestival.com.

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U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander donated the priceless original manuscript of “The Tennessee Waltz” to the University of Tennessee during ceremonies on Friday, Sept. 13. The donation occurred during the dedication of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center at U.T. “The Tennessee Waltz” is one of the state’s official state songs. It has sold more than 10 million records, been recorded by an estimated 500 artists, was the last song to sell a million copies of sheet music and is said to be the most popular composition in the history of country music.

Read more at MusicRow.com.