ASCAP has announced the 12 writer and 12 publisher members elected to serve on its board of directors for a two-year term beginning April 1. Newly elected to the board as a writer member is songwriter Claudia Brant.
President and Chairman of the Board, Paul Williams, commented: “It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be elected to the ASCAP Board by our songwriter, composer and publisher peers. The ASCAP Board takes seriously our commitment to advocating for and protecting the value of our more than one million members’ music and upholding our principles of fairness and efficiency to maximize distributions to our members. We welcome our newly elected songwriter Claudia Brant to join us in this mission, which puts the needs of our music creators and publishers first.”
In addition to Paul Williams, the writer members who were re-elected in the at-large field are: composer-songwriter Jon Batiste; songwriter-producer Desmond Child; composer Sharon Farber; Writer Vice Chair composer Dan Foliart; songwriter-composer Michelle Lewis; songwriter-producer Terry Lewis; composer-producer Marcus Miller; songwriter Jimmy Webb; and composer Doug Wood. Composer Alex Shapiro was re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field.
The publisher directors re-elected in the at-large field are: Peter Brodsky, Sony Music Publishing; Bob Bruderman, Kobalt; Marti Cuevas, Mayimba Music; Ree Guyer, Wrensong Publishing, Keith Hauprich, BMG US; Dean Kay, Lichelle Music Company; Evan Lamberg, Universal Music Publishing Group; Leeds Levy, Leeds Music; Publisher Vice Chair Irwin Z. Robinson, Cromwell Music, Inc.; Paul Robinson, Warner Chappell Music; and Jon Singer, Spirit Music. James M. Kendrick, European American Music, was re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field.
+ Latin indie label Nacional Records is gearing up for the release of “The Story of Nacional Records: Volume Uno,” and “The Story of Nacional Records: Volume Dos,” a pair of double-vinyl editions celebrating the company’s catalog.
“I have long enjoyed getting a demo, hearing it and getting excited and watching it grow into a future classic,” writes Nacional Founder Tomas Cookman in the liner notes. “The back and forth with artists and writers in doing whatever small part I could to help them navigate their dreams was often the best part of what my ‘job’ has been all these years.”
These limited-edition releases feature classics by Nortec Collective, Ana Tijoux, Aterciopelados, Los Amigos Invisibles, Manu Chao, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Adrian Quesada, Bomba Estéreo, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Tom Tom Club, El Guincho, Jungle Fire and rising star Yadam, among more (a total of 51 artists are include.
+ Sony Music Publishing has signed Jesse Fink to a worldwide publishing deal.
Los Angeles-based songwriter Fink has penned chart-topping songs including Myles Smith’s “Stargazing,” and co-wrote Artemas’ “i like the way you kiss me,” which recently surpassed one billion Spotify streams. Other notable works also include “dirty little secret” “cross my heart,” and “ur special to me” by Artemas; “Conversations in the Dark” by John Legend; “Breakfast” by Dove Cameron; and Leyla Blue’s “What A Shame.”
Sony Music Publishing Manager, A&R Clark Adler said: “Jesse is an exceptional songwriter, and his incredible passion and work ethic elevate everyone around him. We couldn’t be happier to join Jesse’s team as he continues to take his career to new heights.”
Fink stated, “I’m so excited to be partnering with SMP for this next chapter of my career. Clark and Katie are incredible A&Rs, writer advocates and overall humans. I am beyond grateful for their belief in me and can’t wait to see all that we accomplish together in the years to come.”
+ On April 2, Rev. Al Sharpton will hold the Keepers of the Dream gala — this year honoring Patti LaBelle, Chris Matthews, labor leader George Gresham, among others — at the Sheraton New York Times Square.
Anthony Anderson will return to host this year’s gala, marking the fourth time he has emceed the event. Additional honorees include E. Brian Dobbins, Rev. Dr. Tecoy Porter and Rev. Stephan Marshall.
