Quantcast
Rubin’s American Recordings staff has already settled in at Sony’s Santa Monica campus after months of being in limbo at the Bunny in Burbank.

WHEELS & DEALS: GETTING GOING

Columbia Facelift Already Well Under Way,
as Rubin Taps DiDia, Begins Revamping A&R
By Rodel Delfin

As new Columbia Records head Rick Rubin takes on the task of building his creative team, he and co-label head Steve Barnett made big changes to the label last week as part of the company’s restructuring. Former Capitol Records exec Mark DiDia steps into a new position at the company, while the heads of promotion and marketing exit their posts. Rubin has also made one hire for the A&R department and is reportedly meeting and interviewing numerous people for creative spots at the label. His American Recordings staff has already settled in at Sony’s Santa Monica campus after months of being in limbo at the Bunny in Burbank. Expect more changes and additions to happen at Columbia in the coming weeks… Lots of chatter going on in the publishing world, as Sony/ATV recently announced its completed purchase of Viacom-owned Famous Music. Meanwhile, the European Commission recently approved Universal Music Group’s acquisition of BMG Music Publishing. Insiders share that the obvious move is for the publishing catalogs of Famous and BMG to be absorbed into Sony/ATV and Universal, respectively. Will well-respected BMG Music Publishing execs—Prexy Scott Francis and creative gunslinger Monti Olson—stay on at the new Universal publishing entity? Word on the street is that there are suitors waiting in the wings to hire the two players. Meanwhile, we hear Universal Musical Publishing head David Renzer has already begun staff/executive reviews as part of the restructuring at BMG Pub. And has a presidential replacement been selected for Rick Shoemaker’s former position at Warner/Chappell?... Tracks for the Arthur Spivak-managed Billy Howerdel have weasel ears perking. The key member of A Perfect Circle teamed up with producer and former Nine Inch Nails member Danny Lohner on the new recordings. Expect APC to continue, with Howerdel remaining deeply involved… Lots of label folks were on hand for the Sounds Under Radio show at the Mercury Lounge in N.Y .this week… For those following, former Capitol Records act Airbourne is close to wrapping up a deal. It’s not done yet, but expect it to close soon. And don’t forget that the group recently signed a pub deal with Artwerk—the music joint venture between Electronic Arts and Nettwerk… Finally, expect maximum weaseltude for the upcoming Earl Greyhound show in N.Y. (see Buzz/Gigs)… BUZZIN’: S-Curve Records, War Tapes and Article A… Hit me up: [email protected].

BUZZ/GIGS:
MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA
Tues., June 5, 8:00 p.m., El Rey, L.A.
MEIKO Wed., June 13, 9:00 p.m., Hotel Café, L.A.
EARL GREYHOUND Thurs., June 14, 8:00 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, N.Y.

UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/28a)
YTD MARKET SHARE
Zeroing in on the elite teams (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/28a)
SONG REVENUE:
A STYLISTIC STEW
MC, divas and singer-songwriters rub elbows. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)