Tina Turner’s Pophouse Sweden-based investment firm Pophouse Entertainment (co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus) acquires majority stake in Tina Turner’s catalog—including name, image, likeness—in a deal with BMG (following BMG’s purchase of Turner’s artist/writer/neighboring/name/likeness in 2021).
Landmark Piracy Ruling
The US Supreme Court has unanimously sided with Cox Communication in a landmark music piracy case presented by a group of record labels. The ruling claims that Cox cannot be held responsible for music piracy committed by its subscribers and that Cox neither induced its users’ infringement, nor provided a service tailored to infringement. The ruling follows a $1 billion jury verdict win by the label group (Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and other rightsholders) in 2019 (the ruling was overturned with a request for a retrial in 2024), after Cox ignored 163,000 infringement notices relating to over 10,000 subscriber downloads of copyrighted songs. Justice Clarence Thomas stated that Cox did not intend for the service to be used to commit piracy, and therefore, could not be held liable as it would “expand secondary copyright liability beyond our precedents.”
RIAA Chairman and CEO feels that Cox’s actions are akin to mass scale theft facilitation. Following the latest decision, rightsholders must now prove that a provider actively encouraged copyright infringement, or that the service was designed purely for piracy with no other real lawful use.
AIM’s Future Independents
The Association of Independent Music presents the no-cost Future Independents online conference for emerging independent artists, labels, and entrepreneurs. Running May 18-26, there will be 10 sessions of inspired programming across five days, taking place twice daily at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., covering topics including marketing, campaign strategies, monetization, partnership, touring, and much more. Attendees receive insight from leaders in the independent music community with insightful talks, panel discussions, and practical workshops. Register at futureindependents.co.uk/programming.
AIM is a non-profit organization representing the U.K.’s independent music scene (1/4 of recorded music) and combines a diverse community of independent labels, music businesses, self-releasing artists, and entrepreneurs. AIM works to promote, support, and grow the independent music sector through services, opportunities, and practical support to help with innovation, expansion, and market breakthroughs. For more information, or to join AIM, email info@aim.org.uk.
Foy Vance’s Wake Emmy-winning (Ted Lasso) Foy Vance releases final tribute album to his father. Losing the traveling preacher as a youngster, The Wake is the 7thin a series honoring his father’s favorite words, “Give me the boy until he is 7, and I will show you the man.” More at foyvance.com.
New Beasley Release
Prolific Los Angeles-based jazz pianist-arranger (and current President of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers) John Beasley (Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Steely Dan, Dianne Reeves, Chaka Khan, Christian McBride, Chucho Valdes, Queen Latifa, MONK’estra) releases Invisible Piano this month (single “Fire and Rain" is out now). Right on time to celebrate Miles Davis’ Centennial on May 26, the Unlimited Miles: Live from Blue Note Tokyo concert set for broadcast on KJAZZ the same day. A Summer of performances is also in the works (see johnbeasleymusic.com). The new album was recorded on a Steinway Spirio, a piano with built-in computer that captures performances as data, allowing Beasley to transfer his improvisations directly into ProTools and Silbelius and expanding improvised fragments into full orchestral arrangements. The new instrument has a playback feature that allows Beasley to play his own recorded performance while simultaneously conducting the big band, or dueting with himself on his KeyWi instrument.
ASCAP Honors Vanacore
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) extends heartfelt congratulations to composer David Vanacore on his ASCAP Golden Note Award. With credits including Hell’s Kitchen, Big Brother, and Survivor, the latter of which Vanacore is celebrating the 50th season of scoring. Presented to members who have achieved extraordinary milestones, Vanacore joins Lionel Richie, Jeff Lynne, Quincy Jones, Jermaine Dupri, Reba McEntire, Alicia Keys, Alf Clauseand, and Mark Snow. Starting out as a session and touring musician before switching to composition, Vanacore launched one of the first full-service film and television production houses (Vanacore Music). His work on Survivor has included collaborations with indigenous musicians using traditional instrument sand integrating native languages for authenticity and to highlight the cultures and locations feature in the series. Vanacore has been named the top ASCAP winner for Most Performed Themes & Underscore 21 consecutive times.
Ongoing Songwriter Retreats
Limited spots remain for the Performing Artist Songwriter retreat with Jonatha Brooke next month. Taking place over 3 days—June 17-20—in Nashville, participants will join Brooke in discovering new ways to tap into their creative flow. Limited to just 15 attendees; spots will fill fast. Themes will include working through words and phrases, creating melodies, the use of rhythm, expanding collaborative approaches, as well as exploring Brooke’s favorite guitar tunings and capos. Includes opening and closing night group dinners and song circle, and inspiring surprise guest songwriters (friends of Brooke). Details and registration at performingsongwriter.com/creative-workshops.
Avex to Mars 16-time GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars has joined Avex Music Group for exclusive global publishing administration in an agreement that will start upon completion of his current BMG/Warner Chappell deal.
Primary Wave’s Kitt
The Estate of Eartha Kitt and daughter Kitt Shapiro have partnered with Primary Wave Music in a catalog and name and likeness rights deal. Known for “Santa Baby,” “C’est Si Bon,” and “Let’s Do It,” Kitt’s music has picked up in popularity following the virality of “Santa Baby” on social media, now with close to 500 million Spotify streams. Kitt's catalog includes 17 studio and eight live albums, and more than 50 singles. The deal covers “Under the Bridges of Paris” and “Where is My Man” (the latter earning Kitt her first gold record status). Starting as a dancer with the Katherin Dunham Company, the three-time Emmy Award Winner (the last posthumously) became one of the most recognized entertainers of the 20th century with performances in Paris cabarets, on Broadway, and in film and television.
Seeker Gets $267 M
Evan Bogart’s creator-led music rights and publishing label, Seeker Music Group, has won asset-backed securitization (ABS) of $267 million from international savings and investment business M&G. Secured by Seeker’s portfolio, the funding creates space to expand their ever-growing catalog (now including over 19,000 copyrights and master recordings valued in excess of $400 million). Seeker’s current catalog includes recordings from Beyoncé, Christopher Cross, Drake, The Go-Gos, Joan Jett, SWV, Miley Cyris, One Direction, and many more.
Driven by artist-led catalog reinvention, Seeker has seen success with work including their “Samplémoose” program, where songwriters, artists, and producers work together to reimagine classic songs from their catalog into new hits. One such success was Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which used elements of “Tipsy” by J-Kwon and a 2025 interpretation of JoJo’s 2006 “Too Little Too Late,” which was reworked into “2 Little 2 Late” (performed by Levi featuring Mario). Seeker is also committed to getting existing catalog works in front of new listeners, through social media initiatives, fan clubs, and music video refreshes (strategies used for Christopher Cross, Run the Jewels, and Joan Jett).
BMG’s Flock of Seagulls With 3+ million Spotify listeners, British new wave MTV superstars A Flock of Seagulls sell U.S. publishing rights and a portion of catalog (1982-1986) to BMG, with hits “I Ran (So Far Away),” “Space Age Love Song” and “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You).” See aflockofseagulls.net.
Irish Sound Ruling
Ireland has adopted a new law to extend national treatment to American sound recording performers. Signed into law last quarter, Irish President Catherine Connolly is ensuring equal treatment for American creators and brings Ireland into alignment with European (E.U.) law which, in 2020, ruled in the RAAP decision that E.U. members states may not deny compensation to American performers based on reciprocity. The new law means that 78 percent of the E.U. now provides equal national treatment (a core principle of international copyright law) to American artists and producers. Practically speaking, this means that American creatives are now entitled to the same compensation as Irish artists for use of their recordings.
Jimmy’s 25th Year 25 years after releasing landmark alt-rock album Bleed America, Jimmy Eat World hits the road with dates through November (at Vans Warped Tour in Orlando, FL). Designed as an elevated experience with increased production, select special guest shows. See jimmyeatworld.com.
Quincy Jones’ HarbourView
The Quincy Jones Estate has entered an agreement with HarbourView Equity Partners for the sale of select assets and music (including work from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). With work on three of Michael Jackon’s albums (Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad) and charity single, “We Are The World,” Jones made history as the first Black executive at a major U.S. label, becoming Vice President of Mercury Records in his 20s. With 28 GRAMMYs during his over 60-year career, Quincy was known as a creator and innovator. HarbourView’s portfolio now includes work from T-Pain, James Fauntleroy, George Benson, Noel Zancanella, Christine McVie, Pat Benatar, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, Kane Brown, Slipknot, and others.
BMI’s Luny Tunes Production duo Luny Tunes (Francisco Saldaña/Víctor Cabrera) receive 33rd annual BMI President’s Award as reggaetón pioneers, producing 500+ songs, launching careers for Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin & Yandel, Tego Calderón, Ivy Queen. More at awards.bmi.com/show/latin-2026.
Breakout Country Artists
Now in its 24th year, the annual MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards honored winners in eight categories who wrote, recorded, and promoted music played nationally across secondary market radio in 2025. Winners included Morgan Wallen, who received Male Artist of the Year for the fourth year in a row. Megan Moroney received her first Female Arts of the Year win and Rascal Flatts received their first Group-Duo of the Year win. Hudson Westbrook received the Breakout Artist of the Year Award for the most plays and Independent Arts of the Year went to LOCASH for singles “Hometown Home” and “Wrong Hearts,” which were both promoted by their own independent Galaxy Label Group. Songwriters Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, and Taylor Phillips were also awarded, tying for most No. 1 songs on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart for 2025. Full details at musicrow.com/2026/03/musicrow-reveals-2026-countrybreakout-award-winners.
Margouleff’s Shaping Sounds GRAMMY-winning producer, engineer and audio pioneer Robert Margouleff and Jim Reilly release Margouleff’s memoir Shaping Sounds, navigating innovation, art, tech, work with Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Jeff Beck, DEVO, The Isley Brothers, David Sanborn. 5/19, Jawbone Press.
SMP Signs Spear Sony Music Publishing Nashville/Dan Isbell sign rising artist-songwriter Scout Speer to global publishing. Modern country hits “Strangers,” “Against Me,” “That’d Be Crazy,” and EP Scout Speer, built traction with 5+million streams, sold-out shows and booked festival. New music soon. [L-R: Chelsea Kent (SMP), Rusty Gaston (SMP), Tom Luteran (SMP), Cam Caldwell (SMP), Scout Speer, Dan Isbell, Scott Safford (Safford Motley PLC), Jeff Peterson
