August 27, 2010

By By Ed Christman

-- EMI Music Publishing has extended its relationship with songwriter Chip Taylor, author of such classic songs as "Wild Thing" and "Angel of The Morning."

The new worldwide administration agreement sees EMI Music Publishing continue its 46-year relationship with Taylor, a Yonkers, N.Y.-born songwriter who was one of the first people signed to a staff writer deal in the early 1960s with CBS Songs, according to the EMI announcement on the deal. CBS Songs was acquired by SBK in 1986, which was then acquired by EMI in 1989.

In addition to Taylor's classic songs, the deal includes all new material including his latest album, "Yonkers New York," which was released on Train Wreck Records last year.

Besides rock songs, Taylor also penned several country hits in the '70s, including "Sweet Dream Woman" for Waylon Jennings, "A Little Bit Later On Down The Line" for Bobby Bare and "Son of a Rotten Gambler" for Anne Murray.

-- In another move, EMI Music Publishing has signed Alicia Keys to a brand new administration deal, extending its relationship with the superstar artist, which began 14-year ago when she was 15 years old.

Under the agreement, EMI Music Publishing will represent Keys' hit catalog of songs, including "A Woman's Worth", "Fallin'," "If I Ain't Got You", "Like You'll Never See Me Again", "No One", and "Superwoman" as well as future tracks by the multi-platinum artist.

-- BMG Rights Management has signed Clarence McDonald and his related music publishing companies to a North American publishing administration agreement.

McDonald's partners in the unnamed related publishing companies include Lani Groves, Daniece Williams and Bill Daniels. McDonald has written, arranged or produced songs for Erykah Badu, Ray Charles, the Emotions, Johnny Mathis, Nancy Wilson and Bill Withers.

-- In another move, BMG-owned Cherry Lane Music Publishing has signed a multi-year worldwide administration deal with legendary Texas bluesman Johnny Winter. The deal covers songs written or co-written by Winter, including "Dallas," "Guess I'll Go Away," "Hustled Down in Texas" and "Mean Town Blues."

In other moves, Cherry Lane, through its joint venture agreement with Lava Publishing, has signed worldwide multi-year publishing deals with songstress Alysha Brillinger and Throwing Gravity frontman Nick Newhouse.

In another signing, Cherry Lane has set up a worldwide co-publishing deal with Katt Rockell, a rising writer who has co-penned songs with Alex Da Kid Cutfather, Quiz La Rossi, Truth & Soul, Kwame, and Sham & Motesart, according to the announcement.

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