JULY/AUGUST 2002

© Copyright 2002 by SLI - SongLink International
Editor & Publisher: David Stark
23 Belsize Crescent - London NW3 5QY, UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 794 2540 - Fax: +44 (0)207 794 7393

In a surprise move, Bob Grace has exited as MD of Windswept Music, just days short of his 10th anniversary of the UK company. He has not disclosed his future plans, but is succeeded by creative director Peter McCamley and head of finance Paul Flynn who now jointly manage the company. Grace joined Windswept in 1993 after heading Rondor Music and later Empire Music. Windswept is currently enjoying success with BeyoncÈ Knowles' No. 1 single and album, along with hits by Blazin' Squad, Busted, Blue, and has songs with new acts Michelle Lawson (Mercury), Wonita (Innocent) and Clea (14th Floor). McCamley and Flynn report to LA-based Windswept Holdings CEO Evan Medow.

Former Chrysalis Group music head Steve Lewis has formed new London-based publishing operation Stage Three Music, which is seeking to acquire established catalogues and be involved in all aspects of cross-media rights exploitation. First deal is to represent Texan-born writer/artist Jerry Lynn Williams, whose songs have been covered by Eric Clapton, Roy Orbison, the Doobie Brothers, and many others.

Terry Felgate and Miles Leonard have been promoted to MDs of EMI Records and Parlophone. Felgate was previously marketing & creative director, Parlophone, while Leonard was A&R director for Parlophone. Both report to Capitol Music UK president Keith Wozencroft.

Kate Fulton succeeds Frances Lowe as Director General of British Music Rights (BMR), from September 15th. She was chief legal counsel Europe/UK at Young and Rubicam, and previously head of legal affairs at ITV Network Centre. She was also elected as chair of the Advertising Lawyers Group in 2003. Lowe is leaving to resume her studies in fine art.

New label Phonogenic has been launched as a mainly producer/songwriter imprint in association with BMG, run by general manager 'Tops' Henderson and A&R head Paul Lisberg, formerly at EMI Publishing. They are joined by two highly active name songwriters as directors, LA-based writer/producer Steve Kipner (Genie In A Bottle) and UK writer Andrew Frampton (Steps, Westlife, Kylie).

The Rolling Stones' 1968 classic Sympathy For The Devil has been remixed by the Neptunes, Fatboy Slim and Full Phat, and will be released as a single by ABKCO/Universal on September 1st to coincide with the band's UK and continuing European dates.

Leap Music, the music publishing arm of advertising agency BBH, has signed an administration deal with Bucks Music.

Fifteen countries will participate in the first Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen on November 15th. The two-hour show will showcase eight to 15-year-olds, performing their own songs or co-written compositions in their native language. The heats to find the UK entry closed on July 18th, with finalists set to be televised on September 6th.

Denmark is set to host the opening night party of Midem 2004 under the banner name Discover Denmark. Traditionally held in the Palais des Festivals, the opening show will be moved to the newly renovated Martinez Hotel. Meanwhile Midem has announced reduced prices for the 2004 event. By registering early, first-time and regular participants can benefit from special prices at both Midem and MidemNet.

Mute Song's Andrew King has won the most votes in a postal ballot for publisher director places on the PRS board. At the PRS AGM on July 10th, the other two publisher director places filled by Chrysalis Music's Catherine Bell and Heathwave Music's Andrew Heath. Three vacant writer director places were filled by media composer Nigel Beaham-Powell, songwriter Mick Leeson and composer John McLeod. PRS chief executive John Hutchinson cited overseas income as the society's 'star performer,' increasing by nearly 11% in 2001/2002.

Andrew Potter was re-elected unopposed for a third-year term as chairman of the MPA at the AGM on July 1st. Warner/Chappell's Jane Dyball will serve a third year as deputy chair. Chrysalis Music's Catherine Bell, Mainspring's William Booth, Bucks Music's Simon Platz and IMG's llis Rich were elected as popular publisher directors.

Richard Manners, MD of Warner/Chappell Music has signed Irish singer/songwriter Damien Rice, after 18 months of negotiations.

Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode and Eminem collaborator Jeff Bass are the latest signings to Universal Music Publishing. The Gahan deal was concluded by executive VP for Europe/UK MD Paul Connolly and VP of International Kim Frankiewicz. Bass co-wrote and produced the majority of the material on Eminem's last three albums.

Franco Migliacci is new president of Italian collection society SIAE, succeeeding government-appointed special commissioneer Mauro Masi.

Ex-Sony Music chairman/CEO Tommy Mottola has returned to the industry with the launch of a new label through Universal, Casablanca Records, named after the legendary 70s label.

Bob Regan has been elected president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), succeeding Chuck Cannon.

Producer Mark Wright has joined Sony Nashville as Snr VP A&R, from Universal... Leslie Roberts joins RCA Nashville as A&R manager.

Kenny Ortiz has joined Arista NY as A&R consultant, while Victor Mergatroyd joins Arista in LA... Manager Ken Levitan has formed Vector Recordings (WEA) with ex-RCA president Jack Rovner.

Jenny Price joins Sony Canada... Jane Tattersall joins Jive in Toronto.

Casablanca Media Publishing in Toronto has signed a deal to represent LA's Fox Music Publishing, whose catalogue includes works by John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner and music in many TV shows.

RIP: Soul legend Barry White (58) from a kidney condition; Dave Barr of Sherlock Holmes Music; Stuart Reid (88), former head of Chappell Music and Mautoglade Music; Elizabeth Welch (99), singer of Stormy Weather; Compay Segundo (95), member of Bueno Vista Social Club; Salsa queen Celia Cruz (78); Jazz flautist Herbie Mann (73), of prostate cancer; Skip Battin (69), former bassist with the Byrds and other west coast bands; Latin composer, producer and arrranger Bebu Silvetti (59); Nashville engineer/producer Jim Cotton (56), of a heart attack; Warner Music France president Yan-Philipe Blanc (39), in a motorcycle crash.