After a fairly quiet summer for rights acquisitions, the catalog market seems to be picking up again.
Influence Media Partners, the American Music and rights company founded by Lylette Pizarro in 2019, has just announced that it has acquired the catalog of Grammy-nominated country music superstar Blake Shelton.
In a press release issued by Influence Media, the company says it has reached a “groundbreaking agreement” with Shelton and has “invested” in its master recordings catalog comprising all of its commercial releases from 2001 to 2019.
The terms of the contract are not disclosed.
As part of the deal, the two parties have created a joint venture which, according to Influence Media Partners, will see them partner “to amplify his works and allow Blake to participate in a share of the profits generated”.
Warner Music Group [2,240 articles]" href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/companies/access-industries/warner-music-group/">Warner Music Group will continue to lead the distribution of Shelton’s catalog, which has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide to date.
This partnership follows the recent announcement of Influence Media $750 million fund to invest in what it calls “high-value compositions from diverse artists” with backing from BlackRock Alternative Investors and Warner Music Group.
Last month, Influence Media Partners acquired the Grammy-winning rapper’s editorial catalog Comingin what he said was an “eight-figure” deal.
To date, Influence Media’s fund has invested in more than 20 artist catalogs, including Future, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Tainy, singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, singer-songwriter Ali Tamposi [26 articles]" href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/artists/ali-tamposi/">Ali Tamposihit team The Stereotypes, singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez and singer-songwriter Skyler Stonestreet.
Influence Media’s acquisition of Blake Shelton’s catalog follows a string of recent deals in the country music world.
In January, Hipgnosis Songs Fund [261 articles]" href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/companies/hipgnosis-songs-fund/">hipgnosis Song management acquired 80% royalties from Kenny Chesney’s recorded music, covering his discography since his debut in 1994 In my wildest dreams until 2017 Living in the nation without shoes.
Also in January, based in New York Reservoir [176 articles]" href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/companies/reservoir/">Tank Media acquired the publishing and recorded music catalogs of two-time Grammy Award-winning country singer-songwriter Travis Tritt.
In February, Spirit Music Group announced the acquisition from the recorded music catalog of multi-platinum country superstar, Jason Aldean.
In May, Sony Music Publishing [661 articles]" href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/companies/sony/sony-music-group/sony-music-publishing/">Sony Music Edition (MPS) in partnership with Domain Capital Group to acquire a career-spanning catalog of multi-award-winning songwriter, Ashley Gorley.
Between 2001 and 2009, Shelton racked up 27 No. 1 singles on Billboard [929 articles]" href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/companies/billboard/">BillboardCountry Airplay chart including top hits boys here, Bee, no one but you (with Gwen Stefani), God’s country and his breakthrough 2001 smash Austin.
Shelton’s discography through 2019 consists of 11 studio LPs, including a Christmas album, and two EPs. His commercial releases include Texoma Shore (2017), If I’m honest (2016), Bring back the sun (2014), Based on a true story… (2013), Well done, it’s Christmas (2012), Red River Blue (2011), Start fires (2008), Pure BS (2007), Blake Shelton’s Barn and Grill (2004), The dreamer (2003), and Blake Shelton (2001).
His catalog also spans three compilation albums: Fully Loaded: God’s Country (2019), Reloaded: 20 shots #1 (2015), and Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton (2010).
Shelton was represented by Mitch Tenzer and David Byrne of Ziffren Brittenham, LLP. Influence Media Partners was represented by Lisa Alter, Katie Baron and Jaclyn Felber of Alter, Kendrick & Baron, LLP
“I’m thrilled to be working with Lylette, Rene and the team at Influence Media on so much of my catalog and introducing my songs to the next generation of country fans.”
Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton said: “I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since my first album and my first single. Sometimes I still feel like the Oklahoma kid I was back then! Although many things have changed during this time, my passion for music has not changed.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Lylette, Rene and the team at Influence Media on so much of my catalog and introducing my songs to the next generation of country fans.”
“We are excited to work closely with Blake, his leadership team at Starstruck and our partners at Warner Music Nashville to identify strategic opportunities for his modern country classics.”
Lylette Pizarro, influencer media
Influence Media Founder and Co-Director Lylette Pizarro said, “Blake is one of the most exciting luminaries to emerge in both country music and television over the past two decades.
Pizarro added, “The continued resonance of his music with new and established audiences makes him the perfect business partner for Influence. We are particularly proud that Blake will continue to be an active participant in his catalog going forward and to have a bespoke joint venture in place that will ensure he remains an active profit participant.
“We are excited to work closely with Blake, his leadership team at Starstruck and our partners at Warner Music Nashville to identify strategic opportunities for his modern country classics.”
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to introduce Blake’s music to more fans, and we look forward to our partnership with Influence.”
Ben Kline, Warner Music Nashville
Warner Music Nashville Co-Chairman Ben Kline said, “Blake is one of the most important artists, not only in our genre, but in the wider world of music and television.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to introduce Blake’s music to more fans, and we look forward to our partnership with Influence.”The music industry around the world
