Publishing Briefs: UMPG Signs Jeff Bhasker, Warner/Chappell Music Extends Muse Deal & More
— The Universal Music Publishing Group has signed producer/songwriter Jeff Bhasker to a worldwide music publishing agreement.
Bhasker’s credits include “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson, “We Are Young” by Fun., “Run This Town” by Jay Z, “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars, “Headlights” by Eminem, “All of the Lights” by Kanye West, “Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink, “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys and “Find Your Love” by Drake, among others.
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In signing with UMPG, Bhasker noted in a statement that the company’s chairman/CEO Jody Gerson “has been instrumental in my songwriting career… I’m very excited to continue writing songs that unite, uplift and challenge convention with her at Universal Music Publishing.”
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— Round Hill Music has signed hit songwriter/producer Phil Galdston to a publishing deal. Galdston’s songs and productions include such hits as Vanessa Williams “Save the Best For Last,” Eddie Rabbitt’s “A World Without Love” and Celine Dion’s “The Last To Know”. The deal covers both catalog and future songs. “Phil is a multi-talented creative powerhouse who has an impressive body of high craft work,” Round Hill Music president Neil Gillis said in a statement. “The variety of what he has contributed to is quite staggering. Most importantly, the songs and production continue to shine on new work and projects that are very exciting.”
— Warner/Chappell Music has extended its publishing agreement with Muse and songwriter/frontman Matthew Bellamy in a deal that covers all their songs on all their albums. “Muse are one of the greatest rock acts in the history of the genre,” Warner/Chappell Music U.K. managing director Richard Manners said in a statement. “Matthew is a brilliant songwriter and as a touring band they consistently push the boundaries of their amazing live show. We’re very proud to have worked with them for so long and thrilled to be able to extend and broaden our relationship.”
— Downtown Music Publishing has signed Songwriter and Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee John Sebastian to a worldwide publishing agreement. The deal covers selected works from his catalog including the them to the television show, Welcome Back, Kotter.
In another deal, Downtown has signed the BoDeans to a worldwide publishing agreement. The deal covers the bulk of the band’s catalog, beginning with the band’s third album 1989’s Home, and includes their song “Closer To Free.”
“BoDeans are an American rock and roll institution,” Downtown’s executive VP Jedd Katrancha said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work for them and sing their praises while they continue to tour the land, writing great songs all the while.”
— SESAC has signed on to represent George Clinton, the pre-eminent dispenser of funk. “There’s no disputing that George Clinton is one of the most unique musicians of the past four decades,” SESAC chairman CEO John Josephson said in a statement. “His creative genius has informed multiple generations of music lovers and he has left an indelible mark on the international music scene.”
Clinton, whose well-known songs include “One Nation Under A Groove,” “(I Wanna) Testify,” and “Atomic Dog, is currently touring in support of his newest album, First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate.
“Me and SESAC are a good match,” Clinton said in a statement. “I’ve never been satisfied doing the same ole thing over and over. You need to look for new ways to do things, make the most of a situation or a copyright, in this case. And that’s why I am excited to be a partner with SESAC. I like that they take charge of this business, making things happen for their songwriters and publishers.”
— Sony/ATV Music Publishing has formed a music publishing joint venture with artist manager Charles Chavez and his company Latrium Entertainment.
During his career, Chavez has looked after such artist as Pitbull and Chamillionaire, while his current roster includes Danny Mercer, Benji the Rapper, Shy Carter and Kat Dahlia. The publishing joint venture follows on the heals of a label joint venture between Sony Music International and RCA.
“Charles has an undeniable talent and energy for developing and breaking artists,” Sony/ATV co-president Danny Strick said in a statement. “We are very excited to be working with him to build his brand in the world of music publishing.”
— In separate deals, Canadian indie publisher ole has signed country music artists/songwriters Meghan Patrick, Phil O’Donnell and George Canyon to worldwide co-publishing deals.
The latter deal with Canyon expands his relationship with ole. In addition to future copyrights, the deal also includes purchasing a 50% stake in his publishing catalog as well as ownership of his recorded masters going forward, including a forthcoming album.
“George is a superstar in the Canadian country music scene, and ever since joining ole in 2012, we have expanded that legacy through tireless promotion of his music and ongoing support, ” ole GM of Nashville creative John Ozier said in a statement.
The Patrick agreement, which covers existing and future music copyrights, augments her previous association with ole through the company’s co-venture partner Jackoby Music.
Patrick has written with such songwriters as Brian Howes, Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace, Phil Barton, and current ole songwriters such as Marty Dodson, Bruce Wallace, Matt Rogers, Jason Massey, Sam Grow and Frank Myers.
Ozier said that the company would use its recourses to ensure Patrick gets worldwide exposure. He also noted that ole has experience in helping to build the careers of Charlie Worsham and Josh Door and now “look forward to applying the lessons we have learned to Meghan’s music as we spread her work throughout Canada and beyond its borders.”
The deal with O’Donnell, who has written hit singles for Blake Shelton, George Strait and Montgomery Gentry, includes both current and future songs. “ole has their finger on the pulse of the country music scene, and I’m excited to get to work with them and their stable of songwriters,” O’Donnell said in a statement.
— Mothership Music, the publishing company founded by Epitaph founder/owner Brett Gurewitz and veteran publishing executive Lionel Conway, have signed, in separate deals, Braden Barrie, who performs as SayWeCanFly; and Andy Shauff.
With one album already under his belt, Schauf is scheduled to release his debut on Epitaph imprint ANTI- in October. “When I first heard Andy, I knew that he could be one of the most important writers for the new generation of music lovers,” Gurewitz said in a statement. “I’m excited that he has joined the Mothership family.”
SayWeCanFly recently released its debut album Between The Roses on its own label, PureWolf Records. “Braden’s ability to connect with a new generation of fans gives him an incredible edge in the current music scene,” Conway said in a statement. “I can’t wait to see where he’s headed, and we’re honored to be part of his journey.”
— Reservoir Media Management have signed rap artist Joey Bada$$ to an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement. After a slew of mixed-tapes, Bada$$, whose name is Jo-Vaughn Virginie, released his first studio album B4.DA.$$ in January. “I believe Joey Bada$$ has the potential to be of the caliber of a Kendrick Lamar, or a J. Cole, or a Nas for that matter,” SVP of creative and business development Faith Newman said in a statement. “Over the years, I’ve seen how he’s refined his message to become even more conscious and bold. His point of view is important, and we’re humbled to help support him in any way that we can.”
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