1979-A Banner Year For SESAC Since 1931, SESAC and pub- and SESAC was an active partici- Speer Music, won the Singing sic; Kaysey Music; Tri -Chappell; lishers have been synonymous pant with one of its writer -affili- News Gospel Song of the Year Contention Music; Ronnie Mc- and never in its long history has ates, Joe Scelfo, taking top hon- Award for the second consecu- Dowell Music; Mick Lloyd Music a year produced so many out- ors in the song competition. The tive year. This was the first time and Troy Shondell Music all had standing publisher achievements prize winning song was later any song won the coveted hon- single and/or album activity on for the licensing firm. published by The Entertainment ors two years in a row. Dawn the charts during the year. These Company. American Grama - Treader Music and Monk & Tid included recordings by such art- Black Music Div. phone in Omaha produced and Music, both leading gospel firms, ists as Ronnie McDowell, Barbara During 1979, the organiza- released another LP on the Amer- had numerous songs on the Gos- Mandrel!, Vern Gosdin, Margo tion's black music division signed ican Gramaphone label, "Fresh pel Charts and Ben Speer Music, Smith, Jerri Kelly, Charlie Rich, many new publisher affiliates Aire Ill." Last fall, "Fresh Aire" Dimension Music and Promise - Christy Lane, Mel McDaniel, Cal headed by such well-known was also performed in live con- land Music, all have songs nomi- Smith, Bobby Bare, Roy Orbison, names as James Brown, Isaac cert by the Omaha Symphony in nated for Dove Awards this year. and Bill Anderson. Douglas, Freda Payne, Shirley its pop/concert series and re- Timber Music Publishing Com- Caesar, George Kerr, Clancy Mo- Gospel ceived high acclaim from critics pany, a division of Tree Interna- rales, Bettye Swann, James Cleve- and audiences alike during its New additions to the gospel tional, was one of the major land, the Gospel Keynotes, Har- world premiere. A national tour publishing repertory during 1979 firms added to the SESAC pub- old Ousley, Montego Joe and is currently in the planning included: Joy of the Lord Pub- lisher -roster during the year. Marva Hines. Works from these lishing stages. "Fresh Aire" is from the which represents Alliene 1979 was truly a banner year catalogues have appeared regu- pen of Chip Davis, the creator Vale, writer of the internationally for SESAC publisher affiliates. larly on the charts throughout of numerous nationally aired popular Christian Chorus "The The firm's affiliation department, the year and have brought nu- commercial jingles and works, all Joy of the Lord Is My Strength;" headed by Vincent Candilora and merous live performances in Songs published by American Grama - for Today Publishing, the staffed by Don Love, director of concert halls discos and niteries phone. Nashville branch of the Jeff Kru- black music; Dianne Petty, direc- throughout the country. ger Enterprises of England; and tor of ; Jim Black, In the field of , SESAC affil- Latin Publishers Sozo Music, headed by Kenneth director of gospel music; and iate Black Sun Music, had several SESAC Latin ;, Copeland, one of the nation's Rick Weiser, director of west works recorded by Azymuth on too, were active in 1979. Both leading evangelists. coast operations; looks forward their new LP "Light As A Feather" Miami based firms, 12 O'Clock In Country Music, SESAC pub- to even greater successes in the and Ian Carr's Nucleus LP, "Out Music and Oliva Music were con- lisher affiliates, Hello Darlin' Mu - year ahead. of the Long Dark." O'Connell stantly on the Latin and interna- Music, another SESAC affiliated tional charts during the year. jazz publisher, reported heavy The Gospel and Sacred Music UK Indie S (Continued from page 24) activity on the Inter -City Record Division of SESAC, too, had a of these have been hits, notably company qualifies as a major, and label. most eventful year. Harold Lane, 'Woman In Love' for the Three its record of international hits is 1979 was the first year of the writer of "I'm Standing On the Degrees and 'Heaven On The legend. All the early Elton John New York City Music Task Force Solid Rock," published by Ben Seventh Floor' for Paul Nicholas. catalogue, several covers of writ- Pendulum Music's aim has always ers' material by top artists such been to keep an open mind to as Barry Manilow, and a healthy the changing unconventional record of foreign language covers. moods of the music public rather But DJM does not rest on its than to follow existing trends laurels. Said general manager within the business and we will David Ions, "We use our writers re continue to sign writers of widely in every facet of the business, and differing musical tastes." not just in the U.K. market. The MOR Label most recent example is 'Tell Me PENDULUM As well as publishing and rec- On A Sunday,' the Polydor album ord projects, Stirling continues to of Andrew Lloyd Webber's New come up with new ideas. He now York. Don Black, one of our writ- plans to launch an MOR label ers, is the lyricist. The teaming is, aimed at the midprice/budget obviously, highly successful." The Peter Skellern market. He explained: "There are partnership of Roger Greenaway dozens of MOR artists who and Geoff Stephens is also having Dominic Bugatti and Frank Musker know that the bulk of their audi- success in France, Germany and ence do not want to spend five the U.S. Two new signings, Geoff Chris Rea to six pounds on an LP, but they Gil and Cliff Wade, have penned do want new material. What we Pat Benatar's new single, and DJM Gus Dudgeon will do is set up the label, at now represents for the U.K. the around £2.99, featuring top art- E. B. Marks catalogue (Meatloaf Geoff Haslam Neil Innes Clive Westlake ists' new material-not only by and Mystic Merlin). Brian Hodgson & Ray Peters Pendulum writers. We already Elton John Catalogue have agreements with eight sing- The Elton John catalogue is not Tony Ashton Florrie Palmer Steve James ers, though the label hasn't a just left to earn royalties either. name yet and distribution is to be It is continually being looked at. Gavin Dare & Dave Howman finalized. The artists have all On DIM Records, the newly re- agreed to take exactly the same leased "Lady Samantha" LP fea- John Hetherington Phil Pickett low royalty." tures B sides and LP tracks not Paul Travis With all this diverse activity it previously issued in this form. Greg Walsh Live Wire seems logical for Pendulum to go And even more interesting than completely independent within that, Dick James Music is cur- the next few months. Publishing rently redoing no less than 42 PE\DULUM MUSIC GROUP LIMITED is now administered by Chappell, Elton John songs that have never but what Stirling wants to see is been recorded. Three titles have Puy ishinc, Manacement, Procuction Pendulum Music offices in all ma- already secured covers in France, jor territories, and representation by Barclay artists Nicolette. 11 Cross Keys Close,London WIM 5FY in other markets. And everyone at DJM is looking Telephone_ 01-486 0596/9721. Telex 23733 Another project -minded pub- forward to the stage show of lisher is Dick James Music. The "Dear Anyone."

26 RECORD WORLD MARCH 8, 1980 SECTION II

www.americanradiohistory.com