SMP Renews Daecolm
Daecolm renews (2016) global publishing with Sony Music Publishing, for existing and futures. With 420+ million streams for 2024’s “I Adore You,” 2025’s “Think of Me,” “99,” “Barry Wonder” collabs include Wizkid, Arya Starr, Chris Brown, J Balvin, Ty Dolla $ign, David Guetta, Kehlani, etc.
Landmark A.I. Ruling
A German Court has found that OpenAI’s ChatGPT bot violated copyright laws through the unauthorized use of song lyrics and ruled that OpenAI should have acquired licenses for German song lyrics in GEMA’s repertoire before using them to train and operate ChatGPT.
This verdict marks the first time a European court has legally examined and ruled in favor of creative works used by generative A.I. systems, with German collection society GEMA winning the landmark copyright case.
NSAI Membership Perks
For almost 50 years, now with over 80 chapters globally, the National Songwriters Association International (NSAI) provides an incredible opportunity to pitch your music, receive feedback, have one-on-one mentoring and evaluation, and access ongoing educational opportunities, writers’ rooms, songwriting experiences, and song contests for a chance at professional promotion and cash prizes.
The organization includes creatives from all genres, professional and amateur, committed to protecting the rights and future of songwriting, to advocate for, educate, elevate, and celebrate the songwriter. Learn more at nashvillesongwriters.com.
Trombone Shorty’s Award
Raising $201,000 for education at 2025’s “Brass and Bayou” Gala, GRAMMY Museum Mississippi awards Trombone Shorty the 7th Annual Crossroads of American Music Award. The Trombone Shorty Foundation take 100 students for five days of music workshops and concerts yearly.
SESAC Celebrates Songwriters
With over 500 music professionals in attendance, SESAC extends heartfelt congratulation to the songwriters and publishers of the most-performed country and Americana at 2025’s CMA Awards week in Nashville. Alysa Vanderheym received an award for baggage from Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney was presented with SESAC’s Song of the Year Award for “Am I Okay?” from frequent co-writer Jessie Jo Dillon. Michael Tyler was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year for hits including “Cowboy Songs” (George Birge), “Holy Smokes” (Bailey Zimmerman), and “This Heart” (Corey Kent), receiving a custom guitar and one-of-a-kind ring from Jostens. Details at musicrow.com.
JIMMY EAT Loud
Arizona’s JIMMY EAT WORLD releases Something(s) Loud on Exotic Location Recordings, including formerly digital-only singles “Something Loud,” “Place Your Debts,” “Call to Love” (feat. Bethany Consentino), previously unreleased “Failure,” and some remixes. More to come in 2026!
Primary Lizzy Bruebeck
The Estate of Thin Lizzy’s co-founder/songwriter Phil Lynott has partnered with Primary Wave Music for publishing and recording rights, in an agreement covering all of his music and recording interests from Thin Lizzy and other artist collaborations. The Estate will have full access to Primary Wave’s marketing, licensing/sync, content, and branding services. Songs include “The Boys Are Back In Town,” “Dancing in the Moonlight,” and 1972’s cover of “Whiskey In The Jar.”
Less than a week later, Primary Wave announced its partnership with the Estate of jazz icon and Dave Brubeck for recording, publishing, and name and likeness rights, which will cover the entirety of Burbeck’s career. Songs include “In Your Own Sweet Way,” ”Take Five,” “It’s a Raggy Waltz,” and “Unsquare Dance.” Brubeck’s music has already appeared in Wedding Crashers, Better Call Saul, Baby Driver, and The Residence. Primary Wave already has plans for new TV and film projects around Brubeck’s life and contributions.
The latest acquisitions follow partnership interests in those of Patti LaBelle, the Estate of Peter Green, the Cars, and the Estate of Biggie Smalls. Primary Wave’s roster of catalogs includes Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, and Luther Vandross.
HEART LIFE MUSIC
Kenny Chesney releases book HEART LIFE MUSIC, navigating memories of his life and musical adventures, his struggles and triumphs. 20+ years touring, 35+ million album sales, 8x Entertainer of the Year, Most Billboard Country No. 1s, charity work, he speaks on working, playing, loving hard.
ASCAP Foundation Celebration
Celebrating Johnny Mandel’s centenary, The ASCAP Foundation names rising composer Michael R. Dudley Jr. as the first recipient of The ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize for Early-Career (made possible through the generosity of Martha and Johnny Mandel’s daughter, MarissaMandel). With compositions/orchestrations performed by multiple symphonies, Dudley Jr. has toured the world with multiple orchestras, recorded as a lead trumpet player (John Daversa Big Band, Brian Lynch Big Band), and has plans for a 2027 debut ensemble album.
Eli Feingold received recognition with revered ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize. As a composer, arranger, orchestrator, music editor, songwriter, producer, trombonist and pianist, Feingold recently won The ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award for “1210” on Good Size Park.
Best known for his work on Oscar and GRAMMY-winning “The Shadow of Your Smile” from The Sandpiper, television’s M*A*S*H* soundtrack, Johnny Mandel was a prolific jazz composer and received a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award. He played trombone in bands led by Boyd Raeburn, Buddy Rich, Jimmy Dorsey, Elliot Lawrence, and Count Basie, with compositions recorded by Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Chet Baker, and County Basie. As a triple-GRAMMY winning arranger, he worked on albums for Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Peggy Lee, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, Shirly Horn, Andy Williams, Michael Jackson, Diana Krall, and Tony Bennett. More at ascap.com.
Big Loud Preston
Having played guitar since age seven, worked as a sideman for Jackson Dean, Jordyn Shellhart and Dave Hause, and penning songs for Kip Moore, the Lone Bellow, Corey Kent, Kashus Kulpepper, Iam Tongi, etc., singer-songwriter Luke Preston signs to publishing with Big Loud Music.
Virgin Renews GR6
Virgin Music Group has extended their partnership with Brazilian label GR6 (first joining forces in 2020). Listed by the International Federation of The Phonographic Industry (IFPI) as one of the top 10 Brazilian independent labels, and being home to one of 2024’s top songs in Brazil—“Let’s Go 4”— GR6’s roster includes Perea DJ, Nilo, MC PH and Djay W. Founder and CEO, Rodrigo Oliveira has discovered and supported career artists who have grown to have a massive impact on the music culture within Brazil and on the world scale.
GR6 is currently working, in association with label head and music video producer KondZilla, on a 60-track compilation of iconic hits, reimagined by artists including MC Livinho, MC Davi, MC Don Juan, MC Kevinho, MC Neguinho do Kaxeta, etc.
White Stripes’ Induction
After almost 30 years in music, The White Stripes enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Officiated by Iggy Pop, tributes included Olivia Rodrigo, Feist, Twenty One Pilots. Known for live shows, they defined garage rock revival. “Seven Nation Army” remains iconic staple, beloved sports anthem.
Performing Songwriter Workshops
Registration is now open for 2026’s Performing Songwriter Workshops. With expert guidance from Jonatha Brooke, Verlon Thompson, Suzy Bogguss, Gretchen Peters, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Mary Gauthier, Emily Saliers, and Matt Rollings, sessions are restricted to a small group and fill up fast. Launched in 2014, Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops were created to inspired creativity and provide a supportive space for people to be mentored by influential songwriter-teachers.
All skill levels, ages, occupations from around the world are welcome for three-day workshops that build their writing voice and message. Week-long retreats in Scotland and Italy are also offered. Details and registration at performingsongwriter.com/creative-workshops.
Slipknot’s HarbourView
With seven billion+ YouTube views and having sold 30 million albums, iconic metal band Slipknot sells majority stake of their catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners, including “Wait and Bleed,” “Duality,” “Psychosocial,” and “Before I Forget,” in a deal rumored to be worth over $100 million.
Sacred Bones’ Flowers
Sacred Bones Records has joined All Flowers Group under the Secretly Group umbrella, alongside Ghostly International and drink sum wtr. Marking the first addition to All Flowers since its formation in 2022, All Flowers serves as parent company to Secretly Group (Dead Oceans, Jagjaguwar, Saddest Factory Records, Secretly Canadian), Numero Group, Secretly Distribution and Secretly Publishing, and is redefining the label concept. Internal company collaborations now include streaming, vinyl, publishing, and more. The Sacred Bones team remains intact, operating as a closeknit team in Brooklyn, with Label Manager Irene Lydon overseeing operations and Art Director Mercy Correll maintaining the label’s visual identity. Sacred Bones has seen breakthrough artists Amen Dunes, Anika, Blanck Mass, Boris, John Carpenter, Jenny Hval, Caleb Landry Jones, Lathe of Heaven, David Lynch, Maria BC, Molchat Doma, Mort Garson, Marissa Nadler, SPELLLING, Zola Jesus, and more on their roster.
Red Wire Circuit
Following their recent electronic music catalog acquisitions, Nashville management phenom, The Circuit Group announces the launch of Los Angeles division, Red Wire Publishing. Dedicated to boutique publishing services for artists and songwriters, co-founder/partner David Gray (previously of AYITA Management, managing Noizu, Camden Cox, Sarah de Warren, Avedon, and Ursine Vulpine) will oversee operations from a new home base in Nashville. Red Wire will focus on prioritizing creative development and long-term growth for their select roster (which already includes Stevie Appleton (Tiësto, John Summit, Lost Frequencies), Nariman Akrami (Chris Lake, Sammy Virji, Eli Brown, Carlita), Alex Metric (Dua Lipa, Daft Punk, Silk City), DJ Secondcity, Tommy Cooperman of HILLS, multi-instrumentalist Galo, and Mexico City duo RØZ).
Initial administration already includes 300+ copyrights, with global reporting and collection administration handled by Kobalt Music.
Following the announcement of the new Los Angeles-based division, The Circuit Group has also announced the launch of a $500 million fund alongside Create Music—Circuit Capital—for music investments including catalog, label, and publisher purchases. Established by Ayita and Seven20 in 2023 with Deadmau5 manager Dean Wilson as CEO.
Seventeen’s Tiny Desk
As first K-Pop act to play Tiny Desk at NPR, Seventeen shared stripped versions of nine of their best songs with a live band. Global best-seller FML (2023) sold 6.4m+ copies sold. First K-Pop group to play Glastonbury, Lollapalooza Berlin, and named UNESCO’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Youth.
BMI Composer Lab
Encouraging the next generation of composers, BMI’s inaugural Composer Lab included a two-week online and nine-day in-person intensive in Los Angeles joining 10 talents composers for an immersive experience with former director of the Sundance Film Music Program Peter Golub, and BMI’s VP of Film, TV and Visual Media Tracy McKnight.
Sessions included time with industry experts in film, television and visual media, offering behind-the-scenes insights, priceless mentorship, and masterclass time with BMI composers (including Nathan Barr, Kathryn Bostic, Sean Callery, Sherri Chung, George S Clinton, Chanda Dancy, Bryce Dessner, Stephanie Economou, Fil Eisler, Kurt Farquhar, James Newton Howard, Mark Isham, Christopher Lennertz, Nami Melumad, Tony Morales, Blake Neely, Thomas Newman, Carlos Rafael Rivera, William Ross, Ed Shearmur, Rob Simonsen, Dara Taylor, and Harry Gregson-Williams). Participants enjoyed scoring exercises, a professional orchestral session at Bandrika Studios, and an opportunity to conduct alongside the Hollywood Cinematic Orchestra.
More at bmi.com.
