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– DAN KIMPEL dan@dankimpel.com
The Suspex cause
“Heart Attack”
The Suspex, the Los Angelesbased
writing and production team
comprised of Jason Evigan and
Mitch Allan, have penned Demi
Lovato’s platinum certified, Top
Five-charting single, “Heart Attack,”
(co-written with songwriters Sean
Douglas, Aaron Phillips, Nikki
Williams and Lovato).
Allan, former frontman of the
band SR 71, and Evigan, former
frontman of the band After
Midnight Project, are currently
working on upcoming songs and
productions for artists including
Selena Gomez, Steve Aoki, Rita
Ora, Fifth Harmony, Zendaya,
Lea Michele and the original
Sugababes. Additionally, they
have been collaborating with
Sia, Song Biz Profile subject Ali
Tamposi, Livvi Franc and the
Monsters and Strangerz.
The Suspex are signed to BMG
Chrysalis US. Check them out at
http://facebook.com/thesuspex,
and note that they are open to
qualified submissions.
Disney Sued by
Song Heirs
The Walt Disney Co. is being
sued in Texas state court by the
children of the songwriter of “The
Bare Necessities,” the Oscarnominated
song from the 1967 film
The Jungle Book, alleging Disney
breached a contract mandating it
pay them royalties for their father’s
music.
In an 11-page complaint,
the three children of folk singer
and composer Terry Gilkyson
claim that Disney sold millions
of copies of The Jungle Book
on videocassettes and DVDs,
but didn’t pay him or his family
royalties for his song, which was
prominently featured in the movie.
Gilkyson wrote “The Bare
Necessities” for the film. His
contract with Disney stated that
he was to receive half the net
amount received by Disney’s
music publisher “on account of
licensing or other disposition of the
mechanical reproduction rights in
and to material so written by you,”
according to the lawsuit.
Terry Gilkyson died in 1999
and his widow, Joan Gilkyson,
died three years later, leaving
her and her late husband’s estate
to their three children: singersongwriters
Eliza and Tony,
and Nancy Gilkyson, a music
business executive. The plaintiffs
are seeking unspecified damages,
attorneys’ fees and costs.
Bolan for Dollars
“Jeepster,” “Get It On” and “Ride
a White Swan” are among the
songs penned by Marc Bolan in
his relatively brief lifetime. Rolan
Seymour Feld, Bolan’s son and
sole heir, has filed a lawsuit in
Los Angeles alleging that music
publishing entity Westminster
Music Limited (originally Essex
Music International Limited)
never properly renewed its contract
to represent Bolan’s songs, and has
no right to administer the copyrights
for the legendary T Rex founder.
Feld is being represented by
leading Los Angeles entertainment
attorney Helen Yu of Yu Leseberg,
who oversees and administers
the estate’s intellectual
property.
Additional details about the suit
can be found at http://yuleseberg.
com.
DAN KIMPEL's newest book, It All Begins
with the Music, is penned with legendary
A&R exec Don Grierson. Hear Dan’s audio
interviews worldwide on Delta Airlines.
Kobalt Reps Zappa
Kobalt Music Group will
administer the catalog
of Frank Zappa including
his early works with the
Mothers of Invention, and
his touring groups as well
as his solo works. Along
with global copyright
administration services,
Kobalt will represent the
catalog for synchronization
in film, TV, games and
other media. See http://
kobaltmusic.com.
McKee is Ready for Thee
Bonnie McKee’s songwriting has powered tracks by Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Carly
Rae Jepsen and Adam Lambert––all of whom appear in the star-filled music
video for her new single, “American Girl.” Check out this Song Biz profile
subject’s new single at http://bonniemckeeofficial.com.
Kristofferson Hosts Songwriter Show
Legendary singer, songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson will join television
series, Troubadour, TX for its third season, which begins airing in late
September. Kristofferson will appear weekly as a segment host for the awardwinning,
22 episode series. For more information about the series, broadcast
times and stations, visit http://troubadourtx.com.
KATE SIMON
BMI at Comic-Con
Broadcast Music Inc. and White Bear PR presented “The Character of Music”
panel discussion during 2013 Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center.
Pictured at the “Character of Music” panel are (l-r): Chandler Poling, President
of White Bear Public Relations; Jonathan Steinberg, Creator of Starz’s Black
Sails; David Slade, Executive Producer/Director of NBC’s Hannibal; Brian Reitzell,
BMI composer (Hannibal); Bear McCreary, composer (Black Sails); Anne Cecere,
BMI Director, Film/TV Relations; Bryan Fuller, Executive Producer (Hannibal);
Dino Meneghin, BMI composer, MTV's Teen Wolf; and Jeff Davis, Executive
Producer/Developer (Teen Wolf).
September 2013
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