Copyright Society of the South

Webinar: Current Issues Facing the Marketplace
2020-09-30 11:30 - 12:15 (America/Chicago) | Webinar
SPEAKERS: Dr. Jeffrey Eisenach and Barry Massarsky
Dr. Jeffrey Eisenach is a Managing Director and Co-Chair of NERA’s Communications, Media, and Internet Practice, and serves on the firm’s Board of Directors. He is also an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University Law School, where he teaches Regulated Industries, and a Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Previously, Dr. Eisenach has served in senior policy positions at the US Federal Trade Commission and the White House Office of Management and Budget, and taught at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Eisenach’s consulting practice focuses on economic analysis of competition, regulatory, intellectual property and consumer protection issues. He has submitted expert reports and testified in US federal court as well before the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Copyright Royalty Board, the Federal Communications Commission, the International Trade Commission, US Tax Court, several state public utility commissions, and courts and regulatory bodies in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, the Caribbean, and South America. He has also advised clients in some of the world’s largest information technology sector mergers. He has written or edited 19 books and monographs, including Broadband Competition in the Internet Ecosystem and Competition, Innovation and the Microsoft Monopoly: Antitrust in the Digital Marketplace. His writings have also appeared in scholarly journals such as The Review of Network Economics, as well as in popular outlets like Forbes, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Prior to joining NERA, Dr. Eisenach was a managing director and principal at Navigant Economics, and before that he served as Chairman of Empiris LLC, Criterion Economics, and CapAnalysis, LLC. Among his other previous affiliations, Dr. Eisenach has served as President and Senior Fellow at The Progress & Freedom Foundation; as a scholar the Heritage Foundation, and the Hudson Institute; as a member of the 1980-81 Reagan-Bush Transition Team on the Federal Trade Commission, the 2000-2001 Bush-Cheney Transition Team on the Federal Communications Commission, the Virginia Governor’s Commission on E-Communities, and the Virginia Attorney General’s Task Force on Identity Theft. In 2016-2017 he led the Trump-Pence Transition Team for the Federal Communications Commission. Dr. Eisenach received his PhD in economics from the University of Virginia and his BA in economics from Claremont McKenna College.
Barry M. Massarsky has been operating as a music industry economist since 1981. After graduating Cornell University with his MBA, he became the Senior Economist at ASCAP and then in 1992, formed his own economic consulting firm which now includes four music economic consultants, including his partner, Ms. Nari Matsuura. For the last consecutive 28 years, he has served as the outside economist for both RIAA and SESAC and co-developed the strategies that lead to the formation of SoundExchange. He has been the performance rights outside expert for both UMPG and Warner Chappell since 2003, as well as currently serving in a similar capacity for SONY/ATV. He also contributes to the economic and strategic positioning for both MUSICFIRST and SESAC in their respective dealings concerning terrestrial radio licensing. His firm presently provides music catalog valuations for most players comprising the music copyright financial marketplace and is recognized as a first-in-class valuation firm by both the significant commercial lenders and privately held funds in this space. He is also a veteran economic expert in copyright damages cases for the music industry’s major record labels and publishers with his current assignment representing the interests of Ed Sheeran.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

Webinar: AI: Invasion of the Robot Creators: Underlying Rights Issues in the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create New Works
2020-05-28 11:30 - 12:15 | Webinar, Members: Please use link provided in email invitation
PANELISTS: John Beiter, Marghie Evans, Michael Harrington, and Randy Wachtler

John Beiter has practiced entertainment law for over 25 years. His clients have included recording artists, record companies, songwriters, music publishers, filmmakers, and authors regarding talent agreements, entity formation, copyright acquisition and a wide variety of other transactional matters. His institutional clients include the Americana Music Association, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, and SESAC. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America in Entertainment-Music since 2012 and his new firm is listed in the 2020 Best Law Firms in Entertainment-Music, Tier 1 Nashville. He is a member of the Recording Academy, Country Music Association, and American and Tennessee Bar Association entertainment law sections, and is a former Leadership Music board member and former Chairman of the Nashville Bar Association Entertainment Law Committee. Beiter helped draft the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act and has spoken on several roundtables presented by the Copyright Office and the USPTO. Previously, he wrote songs for a Nashville music publisher.

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An expert in the rights clearance field, especially for audio-visual and new media and experienced music publishing executive, Marghie Evans is partner at Do Write Music in Nashville. She sits on the boards of Leadership Music and the Copyright Society of the South and consults with Fair Trade Music International. Do Write Music have been in business for 12 years, and represents various songwriters including Janis Ian, Delbert McClinton, Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Victoria Shaw, Bobby Pinson, Old Crow Medicine Show and Matthan Minster (Cage the Elephant). Their catalogue includes hits for Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, and Christina Aguilera. Do Write Music was winner of 2018 Music Row song of the year “Most People Are Good”, recorded by Luke Bryant on behalf of their client, songwriter Ed Hill. Prior to setting up Do Write Music, Marghie was Head of Rights & Clearances for PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Universal Pictures in London, England. That’s where she learned the music publishing business – licensing in music for film and TV. She also acted as a consultant (on behalf of both PolyGram and Universal) to the MCPS (Mechanical Rights Protection Society) and BPI (British Phonographic Industry) on rights clearance for new media. Marghie grew up in Toronto where she was a professional singer/songwriter throughout the 1980s. She toured Ontario with her eponymous band and appeared on CBC’s “The Entertainers” and “Opry North”. She eventually signed with RCA Canada and scored a top 20 country hit with “Some Things Never Change” in 1986. She moved to England in 1988.

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Dr. E. Michael Harrington has served as consultant and expert witness in hundreds of music copyright/IP matters involving The We Shall Overcome Foundation, Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, Taylor Swift, Led Zeppelin, Katy Perry, Dixie Chicks, Adele, Steven Spielberg, Led Zeppelin, Steve Perry, 50 Cent, Tupac, Lady Gaga, Deadmau5, Danger Mouse, Jib Jab, Adam Levine, Busta Rhymes, Samsung, HBO and others. On February 5, 2020, he spoke about AI and creating music at the “Copyright in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” symposium sponsored by the U. S. Copyright Office and World Intellectual Property Organization at the Library of Congress. As expert witness, he is responsible for freeing the iconic civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome,” on January 26, 2018. On August 30, 2016, his writings and interviews were cited as authorities in the “Brief of Amici Curiae, 212 Songwriters, Composers, Musicians, and Producers in Support of Appellants” in the “Blurred Lines” decision at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He co-authored the Brief of Amici Curiae Musicologists in Support of Williams & Thicke, Led Zeppelin and Katy Perry in their appeals to the Ninth Circuit. He has been interviewed by media including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Bloomberg Law, NPR, Bravo, CNN, BBC, CBC, The Guardian, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Huffington Post, Fortune, Esquire, Salon and others, and lectured at Beverly Hills Bar, Texas Bar, Boston Bar, Minnesota Bar, Harvard Law School, Harvard Business, the American Bar Association, GWU Law, Cardozo Law, BC Law, UNH Law, Vanderbilt Law, Penn State Law, Brooklyn Law, William Mitchell Law, Arizona State Law, NYU, and more than 300 universities, festivals, conferences and organizations. As Course Author at Berklee Online, Berklee and Coursera, he created the Coursera/Berklee Copyright Law in the Music Business which has attracted students from 117 countries. He also created the Berklee Online Graduate Music Business Law course, and the Berklee Online Music Business Capstone course. He was the Jemison Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and has taught at University of Miami, Ohio State, University of Pittsburgh, William Paterson University, Belmont University, Berklee and Berklee Online. He has bicycled twice from Los Angeles to Nashville (2,500 miles) and once from Oregon to Nashville (3,400 miles).

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Randy Wachtler is founder of 615 Music Companies, a leading worldwide independent production music company, active in more than 70 countries. 615 Music has earned more than 70 awards for excellence in music composition including two National EMMY’S. 615 Music is recognized as a Leader in the field of Sonic Branding & Production Music Libraries. The company was acquired by the Warner Music Group in 2010 and is now part of Warner/Chappell Production Music, where Wachtler served as President and CEO. Wachtler also co-founded the Production Music Association (PMA) based in Los Angeles, CA and most recently the past Chairman and current board member of that group. Current board member of AIMP-Nashville and has served on the boards of Leadership Music and National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). Current President of RJW Music and Consulting.

****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

An interview with Gary Hertz and Steve Schnur - April 21, 2020 (Webinar)
2020-04-21 11:30 - 12:15 | Webinar, Members: Please use link provided in email invitation
Steve Schnur has been a label and music publishing company President, TV executive producer, music supervisor, professional musician, songwriter, composer, record producer and more. Along the way, he has moved the needle and changed the game in the fields of music, movies, television, sports, video games and digital interactive entertainment around the world. As Worldwide Executive of EA Music Group, his role is to pursue, create and continuously develop the international vision for music in game franchises such as Battlefront, Dragon Age, FIFA, Madden NFL, Need For Speed, Star Wars, and The Sims, via which he has been responsible for internationally launching artists. His hands-on approach to composer selection, orchestration and production of well over 100 EA soundtrack albums – including original scores for Battlefield 1, The Sims, Madden NFL, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Medal of Honor and Star Wars: Battlefront with composers that have included Mark Mothersbaugh, Michael Giacchino, Junkie XL, Steve Jablonsky and Hans Zimmer – has earned EA over 50 soundtrack nominations over the last 15+ years.
Gary Hertz is a writer, producer, marketing consultant and semi-grizzled industry veteran. Over the past 30+ years, he’s worked with companies that include New Line Cinema, Arista Records, Anchor Bay Entertainment, National Lampoon, IFC Films, Sony Digital, Rounder Records, EA Games, Severin Films, Dualtone Music Group and The Library Of Congress.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

March 17, 2020 Meeting Postponed
2020-03-17 11:30 - 13:00
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we regret we must postpone our March 17th luncheon meeting. We will be in touch when we are able to reschedule. Thank you.

***POSTPONED***Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Invasion of the Robot Creators: Underlying rights issues in the use of artificial intelligence to create new works
2020-03-17 11:30 - 13:00 | CMA Event Center, 35 Music Square East, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we regret we must postpone our March 17th luncheon meeting. We will be in touch when we are able to reschedule. Thank you.
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GUEST PANEL: John Beiter, Marghie Evans, Michael Harrington and Randy Wachtler

John Beiter
John Beiter has practiced entertainment law for over 25 years. His clients have included recording artists, record companies, songwriters, music publishers, filmmakers, and authors regarding talent agreements, entity formation, copyright acquisition and a wide variety of other transactional matters. His institutional clients include the Americana Music Association, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, and SESAC. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America in Entertainment-Music since 2012 and his new firm is listed in the 2020 Best Law Firms in Entertainment-Music, Tier 1 Nashville. He is a member of the Recording Academy, Country Music Association, and American and Tennessee Bar Association entertainment law sections, and is a former Leadership Music board member and former Chairman of the Nashville Bar Association Entertainment Law Committee. Beiter helped draft the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act and has spoken on several roundtables presented by the Copyright Office and the USPTO. Previously, he wrote songs for a Nashville music publisher.
Marghie Evans
An expert in the rights clearance field, especially for audio-visual and new media and experienced music publishing executive, Marghie Evans is partner at Do Write Music in Nashville. She sits on the boards of Leadership Music and the Copyright Society of the South and consults with Fair Trade Music International.
Do Write Music have been in business for 12 years, and represents various songwriters including Janis Ian, Delbert McClinton, Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Victoria Shaw, Bobby Pinson, Old Crow Medicine Show and Matthan Minster (Cage the Elephant). Their catalogue includes hits for Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, and Christina Aguilera. Do Write Music was winner of 2018 Music Row song of the year “Most People Are Good”, recorded by Luke Bryant on behalf of their client, songwriter Ed Hill.
Prior to setting up Do Write Music, Marghie was Head of Rights & Clearances for PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Universal Pictures in London, England. That’s where she learned the music publishing business – licensing in music for film and TV. She also acted as a consultant (on behalf of both PolyGram and Universal) to the MCPS (Mechanical Rights Protection Society) and BPI (British Phonographic Industry) on rights clearance for new media.
Marghie grew up in Toronto where she was a professional singer/songwriter throughout the 1980s. She toured Ontario with her eponymous band and appeared on CBC’s “The Entertainers” and “Opry North”. She eventually signed with RCA Canada and scored a top 20 country hit with “Some Things Never Change” in 1986. She moved to England in 1988.
Michael Harrington
Dr. E. Michael Harrington has served as consultant and expert witness in hundreds of music copyright/IP matters involving The We Shall Overcome Foundation, Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, Taylor Swift, Led Zeppelin, Katy Perry, Dixie Chicks, Adele, Steven Spielberg, Led Zeppelin, Steve Perry, 50 Cent, Tupac, Lady Gaga, Deadmau5, Danger Mouse, Jib Jab, Adam Levine, Busta Rhymes, Samsung, HBO and others.
On February 5, 2020, he spoke about AI and creating music at the “Copyright in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” symposium sponsored by the U. S. Copyright Office and WorldIntellectual Property Organization at the Library of Congress. https://www.copyright.gov/events/artificial-intelligence/
As expert witness, he is responsible for freeing the iconic civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome,” on January 26, 2018: nyti.ms/2Eiibuo
On August 30, 2016, his writings and interviews were cited as authorities in the “Brief of Amici Curiae, 212 Songwriters, Composers, Musicians, and Producers in Support of Appellants” in the “Blurred Lines” decision at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit bit.ly/2FApIqI. He co-authored the Brief of Amici Curiae Musicologists in Support of Williams & Thicke, Led Zeppelin and Katy Perry in their appeals to the Ninth Circuit.
He has been interviewed by media including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Bloomberg Law, NPR, Bravo, CNN, BBC, CBC, The Guardian, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Huffington Post, Fortune, Esquire, Salon and others, and lectured at Beverly Hills Bar, Texas Bar, Boston Bar, Minnesota Bar, Harvard Law School, Harvard Business, the American Bar Association, GWU Law, Cardozo Law, BC Law, UNH Law, Vanderbilt Law, Penn State Law, Brooklyn Law, William Mitchell Law, Arizona State Law, NYU, and more than 300 universities, festivals, conferences and organizations.
As Course Author at Berklee Online, Berklee and Coursera, he created the Coursera/Berklee Copyright Law in the Music Business which has attracted students from 117 countries: bit.ly/2zFPLfB. He also created the Berklee Online Graduate Music Business Law course bit.ly/2sifg03, and the Berklee Online Music Business Capstone course bit.ly/2HiHfDv
He was the Jemison Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and has taught at University of Miami, Ohio State, University of Pittsburgh, William Paterson University, Belmont University, Berklee and Berklee Online.
He has bicycled twice from Los Angeles to Nashville (2,500 miles) and once from Oregon to Nashville (3,400 miles). bit.ly/UyfCdd
Randy Wachtler
Founder of 615 Music Companies, a leading worldwide independent production music company, active in more than 70 countries. 615 Music has earned more than 70 awards for excellence in music composition including two National EMMY’S. 615 Music is recognized as a Leader in the field of Sonic Branding & Production Music Libraries. The company was acquired by the Warner Music Group in 2010 and is now part of Warner/Chappell Production Music, where Wachtler served as President and CEO. Wachtler also co-founded the Production Music Association (PMA) based in Los Angeles, CA and most recently the past Chairman and current board member of that group. Current board member of AIMP-Nashville and has served on the boards of Leadership Music and National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). Current President of RJW Music and Consulting.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

Legislative Updates with Bart Herbison - February 18, 2020
2020-02-18 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)

Bart Herbison is Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization dedicated to the songwriting profession. Established in 1967, the organization’s membership of nearly 5,000 spans the United States and many other countries. With more than 100 chapters, NSAI is dedicated to protecting songwriter’s rights and serves aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. NSAI also owns The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee.
Under Herbison’s leadership NSAI gained prominence in the national legislative arena. Accomplishments include: · Passage of the landmark “Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act” in 2006 · Creating the first-ever Group Copyright Infringement Insurance for songwriters and music publishers. · Purchase of the “Music Mill” studios as NSAI headquarters in 2005 · Acquisition of the world-famous “Bluebird Café” in 2008.
A Paris, Tenn., native, Herbison worked as a reporter and spent 14 years in radio before joining the staff of former Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter in 1987. Herbison joined the staff of U.S. Rep. Bob Clement (D-Nashville) in 1988. During the next 10 years, Herbison served as the Tennessee Congressman’s Press Secretary, Campaign Manager and Chief Administrative Officer before leaving Capitol Hill for Music Row in 1997.
His first movie role is in “Wheeler” starring Stephen Dorff in the title role, where Herbison portrays himself. He was also featured in the documentary “The Last Songwriter,” released in 2017.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

December 4, 2019: Copyright Year-End Review
2019-12-04 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Stan Soocher

Stan Soocher is the long-time Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment Law & Finance. He is also Professor of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado’s Denver Campus. In addition, Stan is an award-winning journalist and entertainment attorney. He is author of the books Baby You’re a Rich Man: Suing the Beatles for Fun & Profit and They Fought the Law: Rock Music Goes to Court.
This is Stan’s 23rd consecutive year presenting “Copyright Year in Review” to the Copyright Society of the South.
Additionally, Stan has presented solo speeches and/or participated on panels on entertainment law and industry developments, at among many other venues: the American Bar Association, N.Y. State Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, South-By-Southwest Music Conference, Dallas Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar, D.C. Bar, Colorado Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar, Liverpool Sound City Conference, Reeperbahn Music Conference in Hamburg, Germany, Georgia Bar, New Jersey Bar, Connecticut Bar, Florida Bar, California Lawyers for the Arts, Southern University Law Center, Harvard Law School, Vanderbilt University School of Law, New York University Law School, Indiana University School of Law, Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, Fordham University School of Law, New York Women in Film and Television, Dartmouth Lawyers Association, National Music Publishers Association, the Seattle Museum of Pop Culture, the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association, and the College Music Society.
***This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

November 5, 2019: The National Museum of African American Music - H. Beecher Hicks, III, President & CEO
2019-11-05 11:30 - 13:00 | BMI, 10 Music Square East, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: H. Beecher Hicks, III

H. Beecher Hicks III’s professional experiences have included work in the private, public and nonprofit sectors, where he has focused on building enterprises as a consultant, banker, investor and operating executive. Henry is now the president and CEO of the National Museum of African American Music, or NMAAM (www.nmaam.org). His relationship with the project began in 2010 when he began serving on NMAAM’s board before becoming CEO in 2013. From traditional African drum beats to modern hip-hop, the 56,000-square-foot experiential museum will highlight the many contributions African Americans have made to American music and culture.
As a former investment banker and current private equity investor, Henry is first and foremost a deal-maker. His prior banking experience includes roles as an investment banker at Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C., where he closed more than $1 billion in middle market transactions, as an operating principal with Onyx Capital Ventures, achieving more than 25 percent top-line growth for his portfolio companies. He currently serves as a partner with private equity group Red Clay Capital Holdings. Henry draws on his business experience to lead NMAAM’s fundraising efforts and provide the museum with a sturdy fiscal foundation.
In 1998, Henry was appointed by President William J. Clinton to be a White House Fellow. In this capacity, he was senior adviser to the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service and launched the AmeriCorps Promise Fellows program on behalf of the president and Gen. Colin Powell. Henry is a member of the boards of directors for Leadership Nashville, University School of Nashville and Nashville’s Center for Nonprofit Management. He served previously on the board of directors for the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation and United Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq: UTHR), where he served on the audit and compensation committees.
The son of a preacher, he grew up in the church, where he developed a passion for music. He explored his talents as a member of the Morehouse College Glee Club, where he earned a scholarship to sing and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing. After graduating from Morehouse, Henry continued his education to earn a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His musical passion is a vital asset at NMAAM, where he combines his financial acumen with the fervor of a musical scholar and fan. He also takes delight in playing tennis and golf, reading modern biographies and fiction, and has recently begun DJ’ing local parties. He is married to Crystal, an elementary educator, and they are the parents of two young adults. You can find his latest insights on his blog (dreambigthenexecute.com) or on his Twitter account at @hbeecher3.

****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

October 22, 2019: How to Maximize Your Income from Canadian Cuts
2019-10-22 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Margaret McGuffin

Margaret McGuffin is the Executive Director of the Canadian Music Publishers Association. Previously, Margaret has held management positions with the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) , Musicians’ Rights Organizations Canada, and Access Copyright. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Re:Sound and the Canadian Private Copying Collective.
McGuffin started her career at Music Canada and Connect Music Licensing, then later worked as a consultant with a wide range of cultural
organizations and collective management organizations including the JUNOS.
Margaret holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA in Arts and Media Administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business. McGuffin volunteers extensively and currently serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors of Work in Culture and the Advisory Board of MusiCounts.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

September 10, 2019 - Songtrust: The Modern Guide to Music Publishing
2019-09-10 11:30 - 13:00 | BMI, 10 Music Square East, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Anna Bond | Songtrust (www.songtrust.com)
Anna Bond is the Director of Business Development for Songtrust in North America. A 15-year veteran of the industry, Bond’s mission is to help musicians advance their careers and share their unique visions. Prior to her role at Songtrust, Bond worked in label management, heading up the US offices for Rough Trade Records and FatCat Records. She has worked with artists like Princess Nokia, Houndmouth, and Frightened Rabbit; as well as independent distributor Secretly Canadian; digital music service eMusic; and more.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

June 20, 2019 - The Art of the Deal: Evaluating Song Catalogs in Today's Market
2019-06-20 11:30 - 13:00 | BMI, 10 Music Square East, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
PANELISTS: John Ozier, Brad Peterson, and Chip Petree
MODERATOR: Tim Wipperman

John Ozier – As executive vp creative, Ozier oversees Reservoir’s Nashville operations, including signing and developing new talent. He joins Reservoir following a six-year stint at independent Canadian publisher olé that included marquee signings Jeff Trott, Tony Martin, Jordan Davis, Chris Janson, Adam Hambrick and Tyler Farr, along with the acquisitions of the Red Vinyl Music, Parallel Music, and Better Angels Music publishing catalogs.
Earlier on, Ozier looked after the careers of Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna Judd, Lee Brice and Rodney Atkins at Curb Records.
He is also a hit songwriter with cuts by Lee Brice, Tyler Farr, Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, Charlie Worsham, Josh Thompson, American Young, Air Supply and others. He co-wrote Lee Brice’s multi-week No. 1 and multi-platinum single, “Hard to Love,” which won a BMI Award in 2013, as well as an NSAI Award for ‘Top 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written.’ John also co-wrote Tyler Farr’s #1 and Gold Single, “Whiskey In My Water,” which also won a BMI Award for one of the most played songs of the year.
John was also named to the Nashville Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, as well as the University of Georgia’s Top 40 Under 40.
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Chip Petree – Chip Petree is managing partner for the Nashville office of New York-based firm Ritholz Levy Fields, an office he opened in June 2014 after a decade heading up his own law practice, Petree Law. As a practitioner specializing in transactional work in the music and entertainment industries, Chip represents a diverse group of individuals and companies in all areas of the entertainment industry, including #1 songwriters, award-winning and chart-topping recording artists, record producers, independent music publishers, new media service providers, and on-air television talent. In addition to his own law practice, Chip also served as GM for Copyright Exchange throughout the company’s 10-years as a consulting and brokerage firm specializing in the market for musical copyright catalogs. Chip has been lead counsel for 50+ catalog sales worth over $100 million – including the rights to such iconic songs as “When A Man Loves a Woman”, “Love Shack”, “Live Like You Were Dying” and “Jesus Take the Wheel” – and has established himself as a leader and authority on the catalog market.
Chip began his career as a lawyer in two boutique entertainment law practices in Nashville, and he also spent two years practicing technology law at a major international law firm in Silicon Valley. Chip has also served in the in-house legal departments at the RIAA, BMG Entertainment and CBS Cable/MTV Networks, where he was primary counsel to CMT.
Chip is a 1993 graduate of Davidson College and a 1997 graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Law. He is a member of NARAS/The Recording Academy, Academy of Country Music, AIMP, Country Music Association, Copyright Society of the South, Nashville Bar Association, and Leadership Music.
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Brad Peterson – Brad has been in music and entertainment related banking for more than 2 decades, and is currently Vice President of Music & Entertainment for Regions Bank in Nashville. He has a particular concentration in music publishing and royalty lending, along with various banking representation for songwriters, artists, business management firms, record labels, live events, media companies, and other businesses that contribute into the music industry.
Member and sponsor of the Nashville chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP), has been involved with the Music Business Pipeline Project at Belmont University, the Entertainment Business program at SAE Institute in Nashville, the Nashville Film Festival, and is a board member of the Nashville Filmmakers Guild. Brad is also a member of the Leadership Music class of 2016.
Originally from the Midwest, he is a graduate of Washington & Lee University in Virginia, and has lived in Nashville for 23 years. Brad has a 19-year old son, Brady, and a 16-year old stepdaughter, Lindsey. He enjoys all things entertainment, family, cars, travel and football.
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Tim Wipperman – After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Political Science, Tim made his way to Nashville and was hired by Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed to run Vector Music Publishing. He then worked for Cedarwood Publishing as a songplugger, and at Combine Music pitching songs for writers such as Kris Kristofferson, until Warner Bros. Music asked him to build their Nashville office shortly after it opened.
He remained as the head of Warner Bros. Music (Warner Chappell) for 29 years. Some highlights from his tenure include:

Founder and second chairman of the Copyright Society of the South
Tim was the youngest publisher to receive the prestigious ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year; won BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC Publisher of the Year more than 10 times
Signed Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Trace Atkins, Restless Heart, David Alan Coe, and multiple Hall of Fame songwriters and producers . . .
During his tenure at Warners, his operation won over 500 ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC awards, multiple Grammy Awards, CMA Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Songs of the Year
Helped bring American Country Music to Brazil.
Traveled to Russia, Guatemala, Cuba, and Israel several times playing with the Metro Big Band and orchestras for fun.

He is currently CEO of Rezonant Music, home to Hillary Lindsey( ACM Songwriter of the Year, Lady Gaga “Memories” Little Big Town “Girl Crush”, Keith Urban ”Blue”), Ross Copperman (BMI songwriter of the Year the last two years), Kevin Kadish, (wrote and produced Meghan Trainors’ “All About That Bass”) Trevor Rosen (Old Dominion), Scooter Carusoe (“Drunk Girl”, “When Was the Last Time”) Paul “Hot Sauce” Dawson (Rhianna, Cardi B) among others.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

May 21, 2019 - Art is Business/Business is Art: Small Things Every Creative can do to Increase Revenue and Recognition
2019-05-21 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Marcus Cobb | Jammber (www.jammber.com)
Marcus Cobb is the CEO and Co-founder of Jammber, a workflow and payment platform for the entertainment industry. He has designed finance technology for Fortune 50
companies and has also designed fashion featured in music videos for Pitbull, Baby Bash,Trey Songz and others.
An amateur songwriter and life-long musician, Cobb and his company Jammber have brought their passion for creatives to solve complicated legacy issues that plague the $2 trillion
entertainment industry. He is a frequent speaker, writer and advocate for creative rights. Mr. Cobb currently resides in Chicago and Nashville.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

March 27, 2019 - Estate Planning for Artists and Their Families
2019-03-27 11:30 - 13:00 | BMI, 10 Music Square East, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Stacey Schlitz
Stacey Schlitz represents some of the world’s most renowned entertainers, composers, and music publishers in the areas of tax, probate, estate planning, intellectual property, corporate planning, contract negotiations, and litigation. She also represents sports agents, trade groups, and municipalities in her litigation practice. Stacey’s clients include award-winning musical artists, songwriters, and publishers in the country and Christian music industries, as well as professionals in the medical, dental, banking, and sports industries.
Stacey has conducted seminars for Continuing Legal Education, including “When You Say Nothing At All: What Lawyers Can Learn from Songwriters,” developed in conjunction with Judge Thomas Marten of the United States District of Kansas and songwriter Don Schlitz; and “Estate Planning for Artists: Protecting Your Creativity” for the Tennessee Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts. Stacey was the editor of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Newsletter in 2008-2009. Due to her knowledge of both the probate and copyright practice areas of the law, Stacey is frequently appointed by the Davidson County Probate Court in probate, conservatorship, and guardian ad litem proceedings involving entertainers or copyright assets
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

February 6, 2019: Advocacy update - Explaining the Music Modernization Act and More!
2019-02-06 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)

Bart Herbison is Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization dedicated to the songwriting profession. Established in 1967, the organization’s membership of nearly 5,000 spans the United States and many other countries. With more than 100 chapters, NSAI is dedicated to protecting songwriter’s rights and serves aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. NSAI also owns The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee.
Under Herbison’s leadership NSAI gained prominence in the national legislative arena. Accomplishments include: · Passage of the landmark “Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act” in 2006 · Creating the first-ever Group Copyright Infringement Insurance for songwriters and music publishers. · Purchase of the “Music Mill” studios as NSAI headquarters in 2005 · Acquisition of the world-famous “Bluebird Café” in 2008.
A Paris, Tenn., native, Herbison worked as a reporter and spent 14 years in radio before joining the staff of former Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter in 1987. Herbison joined the staff of U.S. Rep. Bob Clement (D-Nashville) in 1988. During the next 10 years, Herbison served as the Tennessee Congressman’s Press Secretary, Campaign Manager and Chief Administrative Officer before leaving Capitol Hill for Music Row in 1997.
His first movie role was in Wheeler starring Stephen Dorff in the title role, where Herbison portrayed himself. He is also featured in the 2017 documentary, The Last Songwriter.
****This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, contact us today!***

December 6, 2018 - The Copyright Year In Review: 2018
2018-12-06 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Stan Soocher, Associate Professor of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado’s Denver Campus
Stan Soocher is the long-time Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment Law & Finance. He is also Professor of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado’s Denver Campus. In addition, Stan is an award-winning journalist and entertainment attorney. He is author of the books Baby You’re a Rich Man: Suing the Beatles for Fun & Profit and They Fought the Law: Rock Music Goes to Court, the latter which is now available in an updated, expanded edition in Amazon’s Kindle Store.
This is Stan’s 22d consecutive year presenting to the Copyright Society of the South.
Additionally, Stan has presented solo speeches and/or participated on panels on entertainment law and industry developments, at among many other venues: the American Bar Association, N.Y. State Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, South-By-Southwest Music Conference, Dallas Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar, D.C. Bar, Colorado Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar, Liverpool Sound City Conference, Georgia Bar, New Jersey Bar, Connecticut Bar, Florida Bar, California Lawyers for the Arts, Southern University Law Center, Harvard Law School, Vanderbilt University School of Law, New York University Law School, Indiana University School of Law, Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, Fordham University School of Law, New York Women in Film and Television, Dartmouth Lawyers Association, National Music Publishers Association, the Seattle Museum of Pop Culture, the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association, and the College Music Society.
*This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, please contact us today!*

November 8, 2018 - Songwriter Series: A Special Evening with Mac Davis
2018-11-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Sambuca Restaurant, 601 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST PERFORMING ARTIST: Mac Davis
At his commercial peak in the mid-’70s, Mac Davis was one of America’s most popular entertainers, a countrypolitan-styled singer and actor who found considerable success in both fields. After moving to Georgia, Davis first broke into the music business in 1962, when he was hired by the Chicago-based record label Vee-Jay as their Atlanta-based regional manager. After joining the Liberty label three years later, in 1967 he moved to Los Angeles to head the company’s publishing arm, Metric Music; in addition to running Metric’s day-to-day operations, he also began composing his own songs, with Glen Campbell, Bobby Goldsboro, Lou Rawls, and Kenny Rogers & the First Edition among the artists recording his work.
In 1968, Elvis Presley recorded Davis’ “A Little Less Conversation,” and soon after the King was requesting more of his work. After notching a Top 40 hit with Davis’ “Memories,” Presley reached the Top Five in 1969 with the songwriter’s “In the Ghetto,” a single from the landmark From Elvis in Memphis LP. Davis also arranged the music for Presley’s first television special before signing his own recording contract in 1970. In that year, he released his first chart single, “Whoever Finds This, I Love You,” from his debut album, Song Painter.
In 1972, Davis scored a number one pop hit with “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” which also reached the country Top 20. His crossover success continued throughout the decade, with singles like 1974’s “Stop and Smell the Roses,” 1975’s “Burnin’ Thing,” and the following year’s “Forever Lovers” scoring with listeners in both camps. Between 1974 and 1976, Davis hosted a musical variety show for NBC television, followed by a string of specials; in 1979, he also starred in the film North Dallas Forty with Nick Nolte.
Davis’ success continued in the early ’80s; “It’s Hard to Be Humble,” the title track of his 1980 album, was the first of four consecutive Top Ten country hits that culminated with his biggest country single, “Hooked on Music,” the next year. In 1980, he also starred in a TV movie, Cheaper to Keep Her. However, a co-starring role opposite Jackie Gleason and Karl Malden in 1983’s disastrous The Sting II effectively ended Davis’ career in Hollywood, and by 1985, he had recorded his last Top Ten hit, “I Never Made Love (Till I Made Love With You).” In 1990, Davis made a comeback as a songwriter, co-authoring Dolly Parton’s hit “White Limozeen”; that same year, he also took over the title role in the Broadway hit The Will Rogers Follies. Will Write Songs for Food, his first LP in nearly a decade, appeared in 1994.
Sambuca Restaurant is located at 601 12th Avenue South, in the Gulch. (Please note: the Sky Loft is located on the second floor with no elevator access.)
*This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, please contact us today!*

"Blurred Lines" Lawyer Lifts the Veil on His Significant Entertainment Cases
2018-09-28 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Richard S. Busch
Richard S. Busch is a Partner in the Litigation Section and is Head of the Entertainment and Intellectual Property Sections of King & Ballow. His practice areas include Litigation (State and Federal), Entertainment Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, and Commercial Litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Busch served as Law Clerk to the Honorable John V. Parker, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.
Mr. Busch received his law degree from Loyola University Law School where he was a member of the Loyola University Law Review and the Moot Court Board, serving as Spring National Team Coach. In addition, Mr. Busch received the American Jurisprudence Award for Secured Transactions and the Fishman Award as the outstanding commercial law student.
Mr. Busch has successfully represented clients in numerous trial and appellate court cases. In the action styled F.B.T. Productions, LLC v. Aftermath Records, et al., Mr. Busch represented the Plaintiff, who discovered, produced, and co-wrote some of recording artist Eminem’s biggest hits, in the landmark case, in which the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit entered judgment in favor of F.B.T., finding that the agreements between record label Universal and digital download providers like iTunes, are licenses, and Eminem’s recording agreement entitled him and F.B.T. to 50 percent of Universal’s net receipts for sales by iTunes and others of Eminem songs. The full decision may be found at 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 18450 (9th Cir. Sept. 3, 2010). Mr. Busch has represented many other artists in similar lawsuits and in connection with similar claims.
To see Mr. Busch’s full bio, please click here: https://kingballow.com/attorneys/richard-busch/
This is a private luncheon event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, please contact us today!

From Public Domain to Copyright to Public Domain - How We Freed ‘We Shall Overcome’
2018-05-24 11:30 - 13:00 | BMI, 10 Music Square East, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. E. Michael Harrington
The topic will include how PD works can become copyrighted by means of added original expression, and the legal issues these newly copyrighted works face and will include music by Bach, Dave Brubeck, Paul Simon, Beethoven, Woody Guthrie and others.
He will also discuss some of the specifics of his successful effort to free “We Shall Overcome,” as well as his work to free “This Land Is Your Land.”
You may find Dr. Harrington’s complete profile here: http://www.emichaelmusic.com/meet-dr-harrington/ .
This is a private event for Society members and their guests. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Copyright Society of the South, please contact us today!

April 4, 2018: An In-depth look at the Music Modernization Act - Bart Herbison, Guest Speaker (Note: Speaker/Topic Change)
2018-04-04 11:30 - 13:00 | CMA Event Center, 35 Music Square East, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
The Copyright Society of the South invites you to a luncheon meeting on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at The CMA Event Space (35 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203).

Bart Herbison is Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization dedicated to the songwriting profession. Established in 1967, the organization’s membership of nearly 5,000 spans the United States and many other countries. With 140 chapters, NSAI is dedicated to protecting songwriter’s rights and serves aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music.
Under Herbison’s leadership NSAI gained prominence in the national legislative arena. Accomplishments include:

Passage of the landmark “Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act” in 2006
Creating the first-ever Group Copyright Infringement Insurance for songwriters and music publishers.
Purchase of the “Music Mill” studios as NSAI headquarters in 2005
Acquisition of the world-famous “Bluebird Café” in 2008.

A native of Paris, Tennessee, Herbison worked as a reporter and spent 14 years in radio before joining the staff of former Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter in 1987. Herbison joined the staff of U.S. Rep. Bob Clement (D-Nashville) in 1988. During the next 10 years, Herbison served as the Tennessee Congressman’s Press Secretary, Campaign Manager and Chief Administrative Officer before leaving Capitol Hill for Music Row in 1997.
Herbison is a 1996 graduate of Leadership Music and served on the Leadership Music Board of Directors and boards including the national musicunited.net campaign; Nashville Mayor’s Music Council; Tennessee Governor’s Board for Economic Growth and Development; Nashville Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Advisory Board and the Nashville State Community College Foundation Board of Directors.
Please RSVP by: Monday March 26, 2018. Invitations are individual and non-transferable. Parking is limited in the CMA parking garage. Please carpool and/or use street parking when available.
You don’t want to miss this in-depth look at the Music Modernization Act. Hope to see you there!

April 4, 2018 Luncheon - Speaker Update
2018-03-15 08:00 - 17:00
To the Members of the Copyright Society of the South:
Richard Busch has a scheduling conflict and will not be able to speak at our April 4 luncheon meeting. However, we have engaged Bart Herbison with NSAI to speak and present an in-depth look at the Music Modernization Act.
If you have previously RSVP’d for this meeting and plan to attend, no action is needed – we’ll see you there! If you RSVP’d and will not be able to attend, please RSVP “no” by clicking the link at the bottom of your personal emailed invitation. If you haven’t RSVP’d and would like to attend, please respond by March 26, 2018.

March 6, 2018: Exploring the Music Modernization Act - The impact on the creators, rights’ holders and music-minded entrepreneurs.
2018-03-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Nashville Entrepreneur Center, 41 Peabody Street, Nashville, TN, 37210, United States
The Copyright Society of the South has teamed up with the Entrepreneur Center to offer the following March program:
TOPIC: Exploring the Music Modernization Act – The impact on the creators, rights’ holders and music-minded entrepreneurs.
PANELISTS:

Ted Goldthorpe / Sony/ATV (Supervisor, North America Publishing Administration)
Jeremy Brook / Brook Law Firm PLLC (Member)
Ron Pope / Songwriter & Indie Artist
Moderator – Heather McBee (music business veteran)

Please click this link to RSVP.
Don’t delay if you wish to attend. Seating is limited!
Partners: Nashville Entrepreneur Center, CMA, Leadership Music, Mayor’s Music City Music Council, Copyright Society of the South and Pinnacle Bank.
Invitations are individual and non-transferable.

February 1, 2018: New Global Rights Collections with John Barker, CEO of ClearBox Rights
2018-02-01 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
TOPIC: New Global Rights Collections: A fresh, in depth look at how digital rights are licensed and paid around the world.
UPDATE: Including the latest updates on the impact of the Music Modernization Act of 2017 which was recently introduced.

SPEAKER: John Barker, President/CEO of ClearBox Rights
John Barker is the founder, President & CEO of ClearBox Rights, LLC, an independent IP rights managements company, based in Nashville, Tennessee. (www.clearboxrights.com) John also founded ICG (Integrated Copyright Group) in 1990, which sold to BMG Rights in 2010. He is past President of the Copyright Society of the South, a member of CMA, NARAS, Leadership Music 2012, ACM, Copyright Society of the U.S.A., and AIMP. In 2014, John co-organized IPAC (Interested Parties Advancing Copyright) to provide comments to the Music License Study, and participated in all three copyright office roundtables that year, and frequently visits congressional offices in D.C.
ClearBox Rights, in association with SOCAN, recently launched ClearBox Global, a licensing and collection entity focused on digital rights outside of North America.
Please click this link to RSVP.

Invitations are individual and non-transferable
While parking is no longer available at ASCAP, you can always use the parking garage at Roundabout Plaza for a minimal fee.

November 30, 2017: Stan Soocher - Copyright Year in Review
2017-11-30 11:30 - 13:00

November 13, 2017: Randy Grimmett of Global Music Rights
2017-11-13 11:30 - 13:00

October 24, 2017: Dan Ruff of MusicNotes, Inc.
2017-10-24 11:30 - 13:00
Speakers: Dan Ruff and Duncan Hearn, Musicnotes, Inc.
Topic: “How Musicnotes uses aggressive growth strategies to maintain a market-leading status.”
Musicnotes, Inc. is the worldwide leader in digital sheet music with over $60 million in royalties paid and 6 million customers. In this session Dan Ruff (Licensing & Publisher Relations Manager) and Duncan Hearn (Experience Manager) will discuss how effective rights management, cutting-edge technology and innovative marketing is used to fulfill the company’s longstanding commitment to support songwriters, artists and music publishers.
Dan Ruff has been a music publishing professional for the better part of a decade. His background includes print, mechanical and synch licensing. Prior to joining Musicnotes, he handled Licensing and Royalty Administration at Naxos of America, Inc. Dan graduated from Belmont University with a B.B.A. in Music Business and remains an avid musician.
Duncan Hearn comes from London with a background in marketing, commercial affairs and artist management. After graduating from the University of Surrey with B.A in Music Business, he worked for Universal until moving to Madison, WI to join Musicnotes, Duncan now spends his time ensuring Musicnotes provides an unparalleled sheet music experience for all 6 million of its customers.
Please click this link to RSVP.
Please RSVP by: Thursday, October 19, 2017
Invitations are individual and non-transferable

September 15, 2017: Allen Bargfrede and Benji Rogers of Dot Blockchain Music
2017-09-15 11:30 - 13:00 | BMI, 10 Music Square East, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Topic: “How Blockchain Will Change the Music Industry” – in this session, two of the co-founders of Dot Blockchain Media will discuss the dotBC project as well as various industry initiatives employing blockchain as a solution for rights management.
Allen Bargfrede focuses his work on the intersection of art and technology. He is the co-founder of Dot Blockchain Media and head of the Rethink Music think tank at Berklee College of Music. A former attorney, Allen also leads Thought5, a music and media strategy firm, and is the author of “Music Law in the Digital Age,” now available in its second edition.
Benji Rogers is a British-born, New York-based entrepreneur, technologist, musician, and the CEO and co-founder of the dotBlockchain Media Project. A pioneer of the direct artist-to-fan model of music distribution, Rogers founded PledgeMusic in 2009, which is now one of leading artist-to-fan platforms online with more than 4 million users and over 50,000 artists.
Please click this link to RSVP.
Please RSVP by:
Friday, September 8, 2017
Invitations are individual and non-transferable

February 2017 Bonus: Jeff Price, Founder and CEO at Audiam
2017-02-08 08:00 - 17:00
RSVP HERE
February 28, 2017 Meeting
The Copyright Society of the South invites you to a Bonus Meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from 11:30am to 1 pm at BMI’s First Floor Conference Room
Speaker: Jeff Price, Founder and CEO – Audiam; Founder – TuneCore; President, GM, Co-Founder – spinART Records
Topic: YouTube’s New Changes and Liquidation agreement: how to prepare and maximize your revenue
In June, 2013, Jeff launched Audiam. Audiam is a digital Reproduction collection agency for publishers and songwriters for all interactive streaming entities including: YouTube, background and foreground services, digital jukeboxes, digital Karaoke, Apple Music, Spotify, Rhapsody, Slacker, Rdio, scan & match lockers services and all other interactive digital streaming services.
Audiam represents hundreds of thousands of compositions including the publishing catalogs of Bob Dylan, Round Hill Music, Third Side Music, Imagem, House Of Hassle, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jason Mraz, Jack White, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Tori Amos, Aimee Mann, Pretty Lights, Mike Campbell, Ruthless, Epitaph, Sumerian, Puscifer and thousands more.
In July, 2016 Audiam was acquired by the Canadian performing rights organization SOCAN.
On January 26th, 2006, Jeff Price launched TuneCore. As CEO, over the next six years, he raised over $9MM in venture and strategic capital and built TuneCore into the world’s largest music distribution and publishing administration entity. Its’ customer base sold over 1 billion units of music generating over $700,000,000 in Gross music sales. TuneCore was acquired by Believe digital in July, 2015.
Mr. Price also consulted for the Canadian performing rights organization SOCAN from 2012 – 2014.
Please click this link to RSVP.
Please RSVP by:
Friday, Febraury 24, 2017

DC Advocacy Update with Bart Herbison
2017-02-02 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
RSVP HERE
February 2, 2017 Meeting

The Copyright Society of the South
invites you to a luncheon meeting
on Thursday, February 2, 2017
from 11:30am to 1:00pm at
ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room
TOPIC: DC Advocacy Update
Speaker: Bart Herbison

Bart Herbison is Executive Director of the Nashville al Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization dedicated to the songwriting profession. Established in 1967, the organization’s membership of nearly 5,000 spans the United States and many other countries. With 140 chapters, NSAI is dedicated to protecting songwriter’s rights and serves aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music.
Under Herbison’s leadership NSAI gained prominence in the national legislative arena. Accomplishments include:

Passage of the landmark “Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act” in 2006
Creating the first-ever Group Copyright Infringement Insurance for songwriters and music publishers.
Purchase of the “Music Mill” studios as NSAI headquarters in 2005
Acquisition of the world-famous “Bluebird Café” in 2008.

A Paris, Tenn., native, Herbison worked as a reporter and spent 14 years in radio before joining the staff of former Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter in 1987. Herbison joined the staff of U.S. Rep. Bob Clement (D-Nashville) in 1988. During the next 10 years, Herbison served as the Tennessee Congressman’s Press Secretary, Campaign Manager and Chief Administrative Officer before leaving Capitol Hill for Music Row in 1997.
Herbison is a 1996 graduate of Leadership Music and served on the Leadership Music Board of Directors and boards including the national musicunited.net campaign; Nashville Mayor’s Music Council; Tennessee Governor’s Board for Economic Growth and Development; Nashville Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Advisory Board and the Nashville State Community College Foundation Board of Directors.
Please click this link to RSVP. This is an unattended mailbox.
February Luncheon Meeting
Please RSVP by:
Friday, January 27, 2017
Invitations are individual and non-transferable

Stan Soocher: 2016 Year In Review
2016-12-01 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
December 1, 2016 Meeting
SPEAKER: Stan Soocher, Associate Professor of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado’s Denver Campus

Stan Soocher is the long-time Editor-in-Chief of the monthly Entertainment Law & Finance and an entertainment attorney. Stan is also an Associate Professor of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado’s Denver Campus, where he served for three years as Music Department Chair. Stan’s new book is Baby You’re a Rich Man: Suing the Beatles for Fun & Profit (ForeEdge/University Press of New England). He previously authored the investigative book They Fought the Law: Rock Music Goes to Court.

Stan has given speeches on entertainment law and related industry issues to bar associations and/or entertainment industry conferences in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Austin, Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom, Las Vegas, Miami, Oregon, Minneapolis, Virginia, Washington State, Orlando, Atlanta, Boston, New Orleans, North Carolina, New Jersey and Colorado, among other locations.

In 2014, Stan received the State Bar of Texas Entertainment & Sports Law Section’s “Texas Star Award.” The award is given to an individual “who has made a major and noteworthy contribution to the practice of entertainment law.” Also during his career, Stan has received ASCAP Deems Taylor Awards for excellence in music journalism, including for his music law articles in Rolling Stone, The National Law Journal and Musician Magazine. For many years, Stan covered the federal appeals courts in a weekly section for The National Law Journal.
Among the many media outlets who have interviewed Stan about entertainment industry issues are the Associated Press, National Public Radio, CNN, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, New York Daily News, The New York Post, Miami Herald, Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Salt Lake Tribune, Entertainment Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, Variety, London Times and BBC-TV.

Please click this link below to RSVP.

Please RSVP by:
Monday, November 28, 2016
Invitations are individual and non-transferable

All the way from Middle Class to Class Action – Legal issues regarding the music of The Turtles.
2016-10-28 11:30 - 13:00 | ASCAP, 2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
October 28, 2016 Meeting

The Copyright Society of the South invites you to a luncheon meeting on Friday, October 28, 2016 from 11:30am to 1pm at ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room.
TOPIC: All the way from Middle Class to Class Action – Legal issues regarding the music of The Turtles.
SPEAKER: Mark Volman
Mark Volman is a founding member, lead singer and manager of “The Turtles,” who continue to tour over 50 concerts a year. Their song “Happy Together” has just received a BMI award for 9 million radio air performances and was placed in to the Grammy Hall of Fame. In the 70’s, Mark joined up with Frank Zappa & the Mother’s of Invention where he made 10 albums and wrote and starred in the United Artist’s feature film, “200 Motels.” Mark has also sung with such notable artists as John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, T.Rex, Todd Rundgren, Stephen Stills, The Ramones, Lou Reed, U2 and many more. He has written songs for children’s television , such as the Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake and received a Grammy nomination for these works. Mark has survived in the music business for over 38 years as an on-air radio personality, radio syndication, record producer and writer for national music magazines and network television. “The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie” continue to be one of America’s most successful touring groups, performing 40 to 60 concerts around the world every year.
He is an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Entertainment Industry Studies program in the Mike Curb School for Entertainment and Music Business and before that was a member of the Loyola Marymount University faculty from 1997 – 2003. Areas of specialization: music business, Entertainment Industry Studies and popular music history.
Mark is a member and conference attendee of the College Music Society, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association, as well as consultant for professional musicians. He is a member of AFTRA/SAG and Local 47 of the musician’s union. He is on the Board of Director’s of Leadership Music in Nashville. Mark and has a Bachelor Degree in Communication Arts and Masters of Fine Arts.

Please click this link to RSVP.
Please RSVP by:
Monday, October 24, 2016
Invitations are individual and non-transferable
