Several high-profile songwriters including Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Desmond Child will take to Capitol Hill this week to push lawmakers to protect musicians’ copyrights amid the rapidly developing rise of artificial intelligence.
Part of the performing rights organization ASCAP’s’ “Stand with Songwriters” advocacy day, the writers’ push — expected Thursday morning — marks the latest effort from the industry to rein in AI and ensure that recording artists’ and musicians’ well-being is prioritized as the technology advances.
“We would like to see lawmakers show the well deserved respect to the...
Part of the performing rights organization ASCAP’s’ “Stand with Songwriters” advocacy day, the writers’ push — expected Thursday morning — marks the latest effort from the industry to rein in AI and ensure that recording artists’ and musicians’ well-being is prioritized as the technology advances.
“We would like to see lawmakers show the well deserved respect to the...
- 9/20/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
LeAnn Rimes, Pharrell Williams and Jon Bon Jovi will be keynote speakers next week at a Justice Department workshop on the future of the nearly 80-year-old consent decrees that have governed how works are licensed.
The virtual event on July 28 and 29 comes as the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division reviews the ASCAP and BMI decrees, a move that would have huge implications on songwriters, artists and publishers. The workshop will be open to the public.
The event also will include panels on an array of issues related to music licensing and industry competition. Makan Delrahim, chief of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, will deliver opening remarks, and others speaking include David Israelite, president and CEO, National Music Publishers’ Association; Michelle Lewis, Executive Director, Songwriters of North America; Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of ASCAP; Michael O’Neill, president and CEO of BMI; and Gordon Smith, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters.
The virtual event on July 28 and 29 comes as the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division reviews the ASCAP and BMI decrees, a move that would have huge implications on songwriters, artists and publishers. The workshop will be open to the public.
The event also will include panels on an array of issues related to music licensing and industry competition. Makan Delrahim, chief of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, will deliver opening remarks, and others speaking include David Israelite, president and CEO, National Music Publishers’ Association; Michelle Lewis, Executive Director, Songwriters of North America; Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of ASCAP; Michael O’Neill, president and CEO of BMI; and Gordon Smith, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters.
- 7/24/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmaker Cameron Crowe has joined the lineup for Variety‘s second annual Music for Screens Summit, where he’s set for a keynote interview to discuss adapting his Oscar-winning “Almost Famous” into a newly premiered and already highly praised stage musical.
Crowe, who’s also responsible for directing and/or writing such music-heavy films as “Say Anything” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” wrote the book and co-wrote the lyrics (with Tony winner Tom Kitt) for the new adaptation of “Almost Famous,” which premiered at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in late September. The show will have just wrapped up its limited Southern California run when Crowe appears at the summit, with a move to Broadway believed to be on the horizon.
Crowe joins previously announced keynote speaker Robbie Robertson at the day-long conference, which will take place at Neuehouse in Hollywood Oct. 29. Ticket information for the summit, which...
Crowe, who’s also responsible for directing and/or writing such music-heavy films as “Say Anything” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” wrote the book and co-wrote the lyrics (with Tony winner Tom Kitt) for the new adaptation of “Almost Famous,” which premiered at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in late September. The show will have just wrapped up its limited Southern California run when Crowe appears at the summit, with a move to Broadway believed to be on the horizon.
Crowe joins previously announced keynote speaker Robbie Robertson at the day-long conference, which will take place at Neuehouse in Hollywood Oct. 29. Ticket information for the summit, which...
- 10/9/2019
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Siddhartha Khosla, one of the busiest composers in TV with ongoing assignments for “This Is Us,” “The Kids Are Alright” and “Marvel’s Runaways,” has made the move to Ascap, the performing-rights organization announced Wednesday.
For all of his steady television gigs, “This is Us” remains by far the most prominent, partly because he provides prominent acoustic scoring for so many emotional moments— or, as NPR put it, “Siddhartha Khosla has tiptoed into the tear ducts of millions of Americans.”
But “This is Us” also stands out because Khosla is able to exercise his songwriting chops there, too, in addition to scoring. Mandy Moore sang “Invisible Ink” on the show this season. Another original song written for the series, “We Can Always Come Back to This,” topped the blues chart and recently picked up a nomination from the Guild of Music Supervisors for best song/recording for television.
“Siddhartha is...
For all of his steady television gigs, “This is Us” remains by far the most prominent, partly because he provides prominent acoustic scoring for so many emotional moments— or, as NPR put it, “Siddhartha Khosla has tiptoed into the tear ducts of millions of Americans.”
But “This is Us” also stands out because Khosla is able to exercise his songwriting chops there, too, in addition to scoring. Mandy Moore sang “Invisible Ink” on the show this season. Another original song written for the series, “We Can Always Come Back to This,” topped the blues chart and recently picked up a nomination from the Guild of Music Supervisors for best song/recording for television.
“Siddhartha is...
- 3/20/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will keynote Variety’s inaugural Music for Screens Summit, held at Neuehouse in Hollywood on Oct. 30.
The day-long event, with ambient music exclusively provided by iHeartMedia, will focus on the latest trends in composing for film and television, music supervision, commercial synchs in the digital age, legacy act management, soundtracks’ enduring popularity, and more.
Interviewed by Kcrw’s Elvis Mitchell, Reznor and Ross will discuss their work together as composers, producers and songwriters. The two collaborated on the score for David Fincher’s “The Social Network,” and have since worked on composing for such projects as “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Gone Girl,” and “Patriot’s Day.” The duo entered the documentary realm in 2016, working alongside Gustavo Santaolalla and Mogwai on the score for the environmental advocacy film “Before the Flood” and collaborating with acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on 2017’s “The Vietnam War.
The day-long event, with ambient music exclusively provided by iHeartMedia, will focus on the latest trends in composing for film and television, music supervision, commercial synchs in the digital age, legacy act management, soundtracks’ enduring popularity, and more.
Interviewed by Kcrw’s Elvis Mitchell, Reznor and Ross will discuss their work together as composers, producers and songwriters. The two collaborated on the score for David Fincher’s “The Social Network,” and have since worked on composing for such projects as “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Gone Girl,” and “Patriot’s Day.” The duo entered the documentary realm in 2016, working alongside Gustavo Santaolalla and Mogwai on the score for the environmental advocacy film “Before the Flood” and collaborating with acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on 2017’s “The Vietnam War.
- 9/25/2018
- by Rachel Yang
- Variety Film + TV
Following tension over the Music Modernization Act, performance rights organization Sesac and songwriter groups have reached a compromise that will allow for the legislation’s passage.
On August 2, the performing rights organization in a joint press release with Nashville Songwriters Association International, the National Music Publishers Association, and Songwriters Of North America, stated: “At the encouragement of Senators closely involved in this legislation, all parties came together to agree on outstanding items related to the Mma including the reform of the Section 115 compulsory license and other important related matters. We share a collective responsibility to help ensure that the Mma benefits all stakeholders in the industry and look forward to the Senate’s consideration of the bill.”
Before Sesac’s July 17 proposal, it had been smooth sailing for the Mma, which in June was approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee following its passage, also by unanimous vote, in the House of Representatives in May.
On August 2, the performing rights organization in a joint press release with Nashville Songwriters Association International, the National Music Publishers Association, and Songwriters Of North America, stated: “At the encouragement of Senators closely involved in this legislation, all parties came together to agree on outstanding items related to the Mma including the reform of the Section 115 compulsory license and other important related matters. We share a collective responsibility to help ensure that the Mma benefits all stakeholders in the industry and look forward to the Senate’s consideration of the bill.”
Before Sesac’s July 17 proposal, it had been smooth sailing for the Mma, which in June was approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee following its passage, also by unanimous vote, in the House of Representatives in May.
- 8/2/2018
- by Shirley Halperin
- Variety Film + TV
The Newman scoring stage at 20th Century-Fox was overflowing with people – and good will – as Ascap last night celebrated the 30th anniversary of its Film Scoring Workshop with a studio recording session for the 12 lucky young composers chosen to participate.
“This is like a window into the time continuum, where you can look into the future and see those who are going to make a real contribution to film music,” Ascap president and chairman Paul Williams said. “It’s a cultural gift in one sense, but on another level it’s a really smart business investment.”
The performing-rights society sponsors this four-week event for emerging film and TV composers every summer, with Emmy winner Richard Bellis at the helm. Ascap arranges meetings with agents, lawyers, studio executives and experienced composers; this year’s field trips included visits to the studios of Junkie Xl (“Mad Max Fury Road”), Matthew Margeson...
“This is like a window into the time continuum, where you can look into the future and see those who are going to make a real contribution to film music,” Ascap president and chairman Paul Williams said. “It’s a cultural gift in one sense, but on another level it’s a really smart business investment.”
The performing-rights society sponsors this four-week event for emerging film and TV composers every summer, with Emmy winner Richard Bellis at the helm. Ascap arranges meetings with agents, lawyers, studio executives and experienced composers; this year’s field trips included visits to the studios of Junkie Xl (“Mad Max Fury Road”), Matthew Margeson...
- 8/2/2018
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to approve the Music Modernization Act on Thursday, paving the way for improved royalty payments to songwriters, artists and creatives in the digital era. The vote follows last month’s unanimous approval of similar legislation by the House of Representatives, and clears the way for the full Senate to consider the act.
As in the House, the new Senate bill combines three separate pieces of legislation:
– The Music Modernization Act of 2018, S.2334, introduced by Hatch and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-tn) in January, which updates licensing and royalties as pertains to streaming.
– The Classics Act, introduced in February by Chris Coons (D-de) and John Kennedy (R-la) to ensure that songwriters and artists receive royalties on pre-1972 songs.
– The Amp Act (or Allocation for Music Producers Act), introduced in March by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley(R-la) and ranking committee member Dianne Feinstein (D-ca.) with...
As in the House, the new Senate bill combines three separate pieces of legislation:
– The Music Modernization Act of 2018, S.2334, introduced by Hatch and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-tn) in January, which updates licensing and royalties as pertains to streaming.
– The Classics Act, introduced in February by Chris Coons (D-de) and John Kennedy (R-la) to ensure that songwriters and artists receive royalties on pre-1972 songs.
– The Amp Act (or Allocation for Music Producers Act), introduced in March by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley(R-la) and ranking committee member Dianne Feinstein (D-ca.) with...
- 6/28/2018
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-ut) today introduced the Music Modernization Act. The fact that the Senate bill, S.2823, is virtually identical to Hr 5477 – the House Mma bill passed unanimously on April 25 – signals all systems go for smooth passage and an update to music laws that the industry has been laboring to update for the past decade.
The bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been scheduled for hearing Tuesday.
Having opposed the House version, background music company Music Choice as well as SiriusXM are those expected to oppose Senate passage, but they are among a small minority; the industry overwhelmingly supports the bill Hatch called “crucially important” earlier this year, stating, “our music licensing laws are convoluted, out-of-date, and don’t reward songwriters fairly for their work. They’ve also failed to keep up with recent, rapid changes in how Americans purchase and listen to music.”
The...
The bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been scheduled for hearing Tuesday.
Having opposed the House version, background music company Music Choice as well as SiriusXM are those expected to oppose Senate passage, but they are among a small minority; the industry overwhelmingly supports the bill Hatch called “crucially important” earlier this year, stating, “our music licensing laws are convoluted, out-of-date, and don’t reward songwriters fairly for their work. They’ve also failed to keep up with recent, rapid changes in how Americans purchase and listen to music.”
The...
- 5/10/2018
- by Paula Parisi
- Variety Film + TV
Diversity avengers assemble! Grammys inclusion task force includes Common, Sheryl Crow and many more
Lately the Grammys have gotten a lot of flak for their treatment of women and people of color: in 2018 Lorde was denied an opportunity to perform solo during the telecast despite being an Album of the Year nominee, and though Bruno Mars (of Filipino and Puerto Rican descent) swept the top awards, black hip-hop artists were once again shut out in the general field. Making matters worse, recording academy president Neil Portnow told women to “step up” if they want recognition. So the Grammys announced a task force on diversity and inclusion to be led by Tina Tchen, the former chief of staff for First Lady Michelle Obama. And now that task force has just announced its other members.
Several recording artists will join Tchen in her effort to improve diversity in the academy and at the Grammys, including Common, Sheryl Crow, Cam, Andra Day and Jimmy Jam. The task force also includes Stephanie Alexa,...
Several recording artists will join Tchen in her effort to improve diversity in the academy and at the Grammys, including Common, Sheryl Crow, Cam, Andra Day and Jimmy Jam. The task force also includes Stephanie Alexa,...
- 5/9/2018
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Tina Tchen, chair of the Recording Academy’s newly formed task force on diversity and inclusion, announced the names of the 16 members joining her in examining barriers and biases affecting women and other underrepresented voices in the music industry and, specifically, the Recording Academy, according to an announcement from the organization.
The members — which span several musical genres and include artists, label and publishing executives, managers, a television executive and television journalist, as well as the founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which was cited in studies of diversity in the music industry — comprise 13 women and three men.
The announcement comes in the wake of a torrent of criticism after January’s Grammy Awards due to the low representation of female artists in the show and for Academy chief Neil Portnow’s unfortunately-worded post-show comments to a Variety reporter that female artists and executives need to “step up” in...
The members — which span several musical genres and include artists, label and publishing executives, managers, a television executive and television journalist, as well as the founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which was cited in studies of diversity in the music industry — comprise 13 women and three men.
The announcement comes in the wake of a torrent of criticism after January’s Grammy Awards due to the low representation of female artists in the show and for Academy chief Neil Portnow’s unfortunately-worded post-show comments to a Variety reporter that female artists and executives need to “step up” in...
- 5/9/2018
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
The Tj Martell Foundation for Cancer Research will hold its annual 2018 Women of Influence Awards which will be held Friday, May 11, 2018 at The Plaza Hotel, Grand Ballroom located at 768 5th Avenue in New York.
T.J. Martell Foundation 2018 Women of Influence Awards in New York
The reception will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon and awards to follow from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The awards celebration will honor five outstanding women who have achieved tremendous goals in business and inspire other women around the globe to live their dreams while balancing work, family, home and health.
The 2018 Women of Influence honorees include Mindy Greenstein, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Psycho-Oncologist and Author; Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, Ascap; Dana Miller, Cmo, The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard; Mary Pierson, Vice President of Denim Design, J Crew; and Rachael Ray, Television Host and Philanthropist. The event will be hosted Mary Calvi,...
T.J. Martell Foundation 2018 Women of Influence Awards in New York
The reception will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon and awards to follow from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The awards celebration will honor five outstanding women who have achieved tremendous goals in business and inspire other women around the globe to live their dreams while balancing work, family, home and health.
The 2018 Women of Influence honorees include Mindy Greenstein, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Psycho-Oncologist and Author; Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, Ascap; Dana Miller, Cmo, The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard; Mary Pierson, Vice President of Denim Design, J Crew; and Rachael Ray, Television Host and Philanthropist. The event will be hosted Mary Calvi,...
- 5/1/2018
- Look to the Stars
Winners of the Ascap Pop Music Awards, handed out on April 23 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, included songwriters of the year Steve Mac, Starrah and Drew Taggart.
Ascap president Paul Williams remarked from the stage that Starrah is the first female recipient in 16 years to win the songwriter of the year award.
In addition, hitmaker Max Martin was recognized for the 11th time for “Side To Side” (Ariana Grande), “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” (Justin Timberlake), ”Send My Love” (Adele) and “Just Like Fire” (P!nk). No doubt he will make an encore appearance in 2019 having written four tracks for the forthcoming Ariana Grande album, including insta-hit “No Tears Left to Cry.”
Song of the Year went to “Shape of You,” co-written by Mac, Kandi Burrus and Tameka Harris. The top streamed song was “Despacito,” co-written by Ascap members Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd and Daddy Yankee.
Ascap president Paul Williams remarked from the stage that Starrah is the first female recipient in 16 years to win the songwriter of the year award.
In addition, hitmaker Max Martin was recognized for the 11th time for “Side To Side” (Ariana Grande), “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” (Justin Timberlake), ”Send My Love” (Adele) and “Just Like Fire” (P!nk). No doubt he will make an encore appearance in 2019 having written four tracks for the forthcoming Ariana Grande album, including insta-hit “No Tears Left to Cry.”
Song of the Year went to “Shape of You,” co-written by Mac, Kandi Burrus and Tameka Harris. The top streamed song was “Despacito,” co-written by Ascap members Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd and Daddy Yankee.
- 4/24/2018
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Performance rights organization Ascap has named Nick Lehman Evp and chief strategy and digital officer. Lehman will oversee strategy and product development, as well as manage partnerships like the company’s deal with Nielsen and the joint database project with Bmi (scheduled for public debut during the fourth quarter).
He will be based out of Ascap headquarters in New York guiding the organization’s business development and administration services as the organization seeks to expand offerings to songwriter, composer and music publisher members as well as licensing partners.
Lehman previously served as president of digital for NBCUniversal where he managed a portfolio that included Fandango. He spent the past two-and-a-half years at the Virginia-based broadcast group Tegna, where he was chief strategy officer responsible for cultivating strategic partnerships, incubating new businesses and driving innovation initiatives throughout all areas of the company. His past experience also includes an eight-year run at Viacom,...
He will be based out of Ascap headquarters in New York guiding the organization’s business development and administration services as the organization seeks to expand offerings to songwriter, composer and music publisher members as well as licensing partners.
Lehman previously served as president of digital for NBCUniversal where he managed a portfolio that included Fandango. He spent the past two-and-a-half years at the Virginia-based broadcast group Tegna, where he was chief strategy officer responsible for cultivating strategic partnerships, incubating new businesses and driving innovation initiatives throughout all areas of the company. His past experience also includes an eight-year run at Viacom,...
- 4/20/2018
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Ascap, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, today announced record-high revenues and distributions in 2017. The organization collected approximately $1.144 billion in revenues last year and distributed — for the first time — more than $1.007 billion to its 660,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. Total Ascap revenues increased by 8 percent and distributions were up 10 percent year-over-year, according to the announcement.
Revenues from Ascap’s licensing efforts in the Us alone grew nearly 11 percent in 2017 to $846 million, up $86.9 million over 2016.
Domestic distributions from Ascap-licensed and administered performances in the Us also increased, to $723 million, up 15 percent over 2016.
Ascap Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews (pictured above) commented: “Ascap is privileged to represent the creators of the world’s best-loved music. Ascap is securing a strong future for our members by successfully closing key licensing deals and launching innovative digital tools that will enhance the lives of our members and make it easier for licensees to do business with us.
Revenues from Ascap’s licensing efforts in the Us alone grew nearly 11 percent in 2017 to $846 million, up $86.9 million over 2016.
Domestic distributions from Ascap-licensed and administered performances in the Us also increased, to $723 million, up 15 percent over 2016.
Ascap Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews (pictured above) commented: “Ascap is privileged to represent the creators of the world’s best-loved music. Ascap is securing a strong future for our members by successfully closing key licensing deals and launching innovative digital tools that will enhance the lives of our members and make it easier for licensees to do business with us.
- 4/19/2018
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
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