Primary Wave Music has announced a partnership today with multi-platinum rock act Huey Lewis and The News. The deal encompasses the band’s entire commercially released music catalog from inception through 1994, the period of its biggest hits. Included in the partnership are such hits as “Heart of Rock & Roll,” “Hip to Be Square,” “Workin’ For a Livin’,” and more. Also included in the deal is the band’s 1985 single “The Power of Love.” Written for the blockbuster film “Back to the Future,” the song became the band’s first No. 1 hit.
Alter Kendrick & Baron has been recognized as a 2023 “Best Law Firm” by prestigious ranking publication U.S. News & World Report. The firm was ranked on both the national and New York metropolitan area lists for its Entertainment Law - Music and Copyright Law practices.
“Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process in which the firms are ranked by their clients and peers based on a set of criteria including responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, integrity and civility, as well as whether they would refer a matter to the firm and/or consider the firm a worthy competitor.
Reservoir Media has acquired the catalog of legendary songwriter and recording artist Louis Prima from the Gia Maione Prima Foundation. The deal includes rights to both Prima’s publishing and recorded music catalogs. As a singer, songwriter, trumpeter, and actor, Prima is regarded as one of the most successful entertainers of the big band jazz era.
Influence Media Partners has acquired the catalog of Grammy-nominated country music superstar Blake Shelton. The groundbreaking deal includes an investment by Influence in Shelton’s master recordings catalog comprising all of his commercial releases from 2001 to 2019. As part of the deal, the two parties have created a joint venture, which will see them partner to amplify Shelton’s works and entitle Shelton to participate in a share of the profit generated therefrom.
Primary Wave Music has acquired a major stake in Joey Ramone’s music-publishing assets. The deal includes income for songs across the Ramone’s full repertoire of music as well as non-exclusive rights to license Joey Ramone’s name and likeness. The Ramone’s first five albums — the 1976 eponymous debut, “Leave Home,” “Rocket to Russia,” “Road to Ruin” and “End of the Century” — are all considered classics, including songs like “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker,” “Rockaway Beach,” “Beat on the Brat,” “I Wanna Be Sedated” and many others.
Influence Media Partners has acquired the publishing catalog of hip-hop superstar Future. The deal includes 612 titles, including Future's solo hits such as "Mask Off" and his collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Drake. The acquisition builds on Influence Media’s commitment to investing in modern evergreens and cementing hip-hop and R&B’s high value in the music rights marketplace, the company said in a statement.
Canada-based music buying fund, ICM Crescendo Music Royalty Fund, has acquired what it says is Albert Grossman’s “commission rights” to classic recordings performed by Janis Joplin and Gordon Lightfoot. During his career, legendary manager Albert Grossman managed Bob Dylan, The Band, Janis Joplin, Gordon Lightfoot, Todd Rundgren, Peter, Paul and Mary, and several other iconic artists. He also established Bearsville Record and Studios in Bearsville, NY. Sally Grossman, Alberts’ wife of many years, managed his estate after his death in 1986 and until her recent passing.
The firm is pleased to announce that Lisa Alter, James Kendrick, and Joyce Dollinger will appear in the 2023 edition of "The Best Lawyers in America,” one of the oldest and most respected guides to the legal profession. The selections are based on a comprehensive peer-review process that captures the consensus opinion of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of colleagues within common legal practices and geographical areas. Lisa, James, and Joyce were honored for their outstanding work in the following practice areas:
Lisa Alter: Copyright Law; Entertainment Law - Music
James Kendrick: Copyright Law; Entertainment Law - Music
Joyce Dollinger: Entertainment Law - Music
Additionally, “The Best Lawyers in America” named Lisa as its 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for the New York City area in the specialty of Entertainment Law - Music. Only one attorney in each practice area and in each region is named a “Lawyer of the Year.” Attorneys are selected as a “Lawyer of the Year” only if the number of votes received “indicates a clear leader” in the field.
Lisa Alter was featured in Billboard’s piece entitled “After ‘Roe’: Music Leaders On How To Take Action” amongst other high-profile professionals in the music industry. The article examines the music industry as a catalyst in the fight for reproductive rights, and actions artists can take to raise awareness and fuel empowerment. Lisa stressed the importance of thinking before an artist syncs their songs for political purposes. She warns, “The recipients of synch license requests for the use of a song or master in an advertisement for a state organization, such as a state tourism board, should carefully consider the stance of the particular state on reproductive health and abortion rights.”
Primary Wave has secured the entirety of Tom Whitlock’s music publishing interests, including earnings from the Top Gun hit “Danger Zone.” The deal also includes “Take My Breath Away,” “Meet Me Halfway,” “Hand In Hand,” and “Wings To Fly.”