Desmond Child Elected to ASCAP Board of Directors

Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Desmond Child.

Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Desmond Child has been elected to ASCAP's Board of Directors, announced ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. Child will replace jazz composer George Duke, who recently passed away.

"In his phenomenal career, Desmond Child has produced some of the most successful and memorable songs of our time," commented Williams. "He is also a master collaborator and has gained profound insight into the challenges and opportunities facing ASCAP today. His role in launching the new Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, where he serves as its Chairman/CEO, is just the latest example that Desmond is a great advocate for his fellow music creators. I can't think of a better songwriter to take over the legendary George Duke's term, and I look forward to working with him.”

In addition to his involvement with Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame (he was inducted in 2008 and currently serves on its Board), Child has co-written over 70 Top 40 songs, including Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like a Lady," Bon Jovi's "Livin' On a Prayer," and Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca." Recently, he has also worked with Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, and Kelly Clarkson.

Billboard Touring Conference & Awards

November 13-14, 2013

New York, NY

 

The Billboard Touring Conference features unique programming that informs, educates and provides a forum for promoters, agents, managers, venues, sponsors, marketers, production professionals, merchandisers, digital music executives, ticketing companies and all touring-related businesses about the industry's latest opportunities and current challenges. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the conference. This year's event is officially SOLD OUT. We look forward to seeing all of our speakers and attendees next week!

Jadakiss "Bottle Service " Duane DaRock Feat. & Akapello

PROD BY DUANE "DAROCK" RAMOS
FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

Want to see more? www.itsmyurls.com/duanedarock

Hip hop producer and veteran Duane DaRock Ramos. Wrote Letter to Big off Notorious Soundtrack. Veteran producer for Redman, Jadakiss, Styles P, LL Cool J, Jay Z, The Game, KRS-One and many more.

New Signings: BMG Chrysalis Inks Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus, Slash to Warner/Chappell, Primary Wave Nabs Melissa Etheridge

Here’s a look at the latest artist signings across the music industry, which include label, management, publishing and booking agency deals. Billboard.biz is interested in your company’s new signings.

RECORD LABELS

-- Arista Nashville signs the Swon Brothers. The Oklahoma-based brother duo of Zach and Colton Swon were finalists on season four of “The Voice.” The Swon Brothers are currently writing songs for their major-label debut, due in the spring of 2014. 

-- Singer/actor Alex Newell, who co-starred on Fox’s “Glee,” joins the artist roster of Atlantic Records. Newell, who is also slated to appear in the upcoming film “Geography Club,” is in the process of working on his debut album that will be released on Deep Well Records/Atlantic. 

-- New Orleans rapper Dee-1 has inked a deal with RCA Inspiration. Known so far for his mix tape "I Hope They Hear Me Vol 2,” Dee-1 will release a new studio album under the RCA Inspiration imprint next year. 

-- Roadrunner Records sings English five-piece Marmozets, which recently released the new single “Move, Shake, Hide.” The rock band will release its debut album in the spring of 2014.  

-- Actress and singer/songwriter Katey Sagal, currently known for her role on FX series “Sons of Anarchy,” signs to eOne Music. Sagal will release her first album in nine years, “Covered,” through Entertainment One Music on Nov. 12. The set features covers of songs by Steve Earle, Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, Ron Sexsmith, Tom Petty and Ryan Adams.

-- Mom+Pop adds Wild Cub to its artist roster, which also includes Andrew Bird, Sleigh Bells and Wavves. The five-piece band is touring this fall with the Dismemberment Plan and will release its debut album, “Youth,” via Mom+Pop on Dec. 10. 

-- Judith Hill, a contestant on season four of "The Voice," inks with Sony Music. Hill, who is currently touring arenas with Josh Groban, is finishing up her debut record, scheduled for release in early 2014.  
-- Nettwerk Music Group signs U.K.-based indie psych-rock duo Coves to its worldwide label and publishing rosters. The Coves released its debut EP, “Cast A Shadow” in 2012, and recently released the single “Beatings” from its forthcoming debut release.

BOOKING AGENCIES

-- The Agency Group adds Alive Like Me (for the U.S./Europe/U.K.), Herb Alpert (North America), Pup (worldwide, excluding North and South America), Ghost Beach (worldwide, excluding North America), Jon B (worldwide), Sons of the East (North America), Vic Mensa (worldwide), Public Service Broadcasting (North America), We Hunt Buffalo (North America), Vanessa Paradis (North America), Benjamin Clementine (North America), Stromaé (North America), -M- (North America) and Johnny Hallyday (worldwide).

-- The Windish Agency signs Floating Points, Fort Romeau, Mapei, Owl Eyes, Visionaire, Moonchild, option4, the Range, MAKO, Afrikan Boy, Cassandra Wilson, Dave Rodigan, Douglas Dare, Happa, Imanos, Jackson and his Computerband, Jerome Holloway, Krystal, Klear, Meklit, Nozinja (Shangaan Electro), Outfit, Rival Consoles, Streets of Laredo, Tone of Arc, Wave Racer, Wildflowers, Yuna, and Great Good Fine OK.

-- Skyline Music Agency inks Zach Deputy, BIG Something and Max Creek. Los Angeles-based Chris Cate serves as the responsible agent for all three acts.

ARTIST MANGEMENT

-- Rock artist Melissa Etheridge signs with the talent management division at Primary Wave Music, which also represents CeeLo Green, Natalie Imbruglia, Flyleaf and Eric Benet, among others. Etheridge is prepping to release a new box set of unreleased tracks and new studio album in late 2014.
-- Blueprint Group and Seventy Two Music partner to co-manage rapper Future. Blueprint Group, whose roster includes Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, T.I. and Hit-Boy, will co-manage Future with the act’s longtime manager Orlando McGhee. The partnership covers all areas worldwide, including touring, digital, branding and film /television.

PUBLISHING

-- Jay DeMarcus, one-third of Rascal Flatts, signs a worldwide publishing agreement with BMG Chrysalis’ Nashville office. In related news, BMG Chrysalis and Still Working Music announce the joint signing of songwriter and producer Terry McBride, who has written for artists like George Strait, Easton Corbin, Joe Nichols, Casey James and Alan Jackson. 

-- Producer/songwriter Mark Feist signs a worldwide publishing deal with Razor & Tie Music Publishing. Feist has written and produced for such artist as Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Celine Dion, Hot Chelle Rae, Tyga, Mya, John Legend, Candice Glover, the Spice Girls, OutKast, George Clinton, Brian McKnight, Natalie Cole and others. He own full-service studio and production facility in Los Angeles.
-- Warner/Chappell Music inks a worldwide publishing agreement with guitarist Slash. As part of the deal, Warner/Chappell will administer all of Slash’s future material, along with most of his catalog dating back to 1985, including his work with Slash’s Snakepit and Velvet Revolver. The company will also administer all of his solo material.

-- ole signs a deal with songwriter and Columbia Nashville recording artist Tyler Farr, who released his debut album, Redneck Crazy,” on Sept. 30. He has also Farr also co-written the songs “Hey Y’all” (for Colt Ford) and “She’s Just Like That” (Joe Nichols).

-- Producer and singer-songwriter Aquile signs a co-publishing deal with Fieldhouse. He was a contestant on season three of “The Voice.”

Home Depot Apologizes for Racist Tweet Sent From Its Twitter Account

Home Depot is apologizing for a racist tweet and blaming the agency that sent it from the company account.

The home improvement retailer pulled the tweet and apologized on Twitter on Thursday, saying, "We have zero tolerance for anything so stupid and offensive. Deeply sorry. We terminated agency and individual who posted it." 

In a statement provided to ABCNews.com, Stephen Holmes, director of corporate communications, said, "We have zero tolerance for anything so stupid and offensive. The outside agency that created the Tweet and The Home Depot associate who posted it have been terminated. We're also closely reviewing our social media procedures to determine how this could have happened, and how to ensure it never happens again.

 

Customers responded to the apology on various social media sites. 

"Deflecting blame and now all is hunky dory? Hmm," one Facebook user wrote. "So even though you hired the firm responsible for the shockingly racist tweet, you bear/accept no responsibility? Here's to hoping your company uses your one 'do over' wisely." 

Another Facebook user wrote: "Very respectful way for you to respond to that offensive tweet. I will continue shopping at the Home Depot. Thank you for firing whoever posted that!"

Blockbuster to Stop Movie Rentals Saturday

While Dish Network plans to shutter the 300 Blockbuster company stores it still operates by January, most of those outlets have already started winding down.

Blockbuster has sent out tweets over the last several days alerting customers it will stop renting movies on Nov. 9, with most stores starting to liquidate inventory on Nov. 14.

Lady Gaga Teams With Vevo, Clear Channel For Live-Streamed 'Artpop' Events (Exclusive)

Lady Gaga and Vevo will live-stream a concert from artRave, an interactive exhibit in New York City, this Sunday, Nov. 10, at 11:30 p.m. ET. Gaga will perform songs from brand new album “Artpop,” which will be released on iTunes at midnight. The event will be available on Vevo.com, as well as Vevo’s free apps on iOS, Xbox and Apple TV. Rebroadcasts of the performance will run for 48 hours following the show.
 
In addition to the Vevo concert, Clear Channel will broadcast a half-hour “Album Release Party with Lady Gaga” special hosted by Ryan Seacrest on more than 150 Clear Channel Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR), Rhythmic CHR, and Hot AC stations around the country on November 11 at 9 p.m. ET. The Album Release Party will be recorded and televised for The CW Network, and will Tuesday, November 19 from 8 to 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Also at Sunday’s artRave, Jeff Koons will unveil his sculpture of Gaga that was specially created for the “Artpop” album cover, with additional works of art created by Gaga in collaboration with Marina Abramovic, Inez & Vinoodh, Robert Wilson and her own TechHaus.

“Artpop,” Gaga’s fourth album, is due Monday November 11 with a companion digital app for Apple iOS and Google Android. The project was preceded by three singles: “Applause,” Gaga’s 12th top Hot 100 hit which currently sits at No. 10 on this week’s chart, “Do What U Want,” which debuted last week at No. 13 and this week sits at No. 58 and “Venus,” which enters at No. 32. Since 2008, Gaga has amassed five Grammy Awards (from 15 nominations), 24 million albums, and 125 million singles worldwide.