After a fairly quiet summer for rights acquisitions, the catalog market seems to be picking up again.
Influence Media Partners, the US-based music and rights company founded by Lylette Pizarro in 2019, 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 that it has struck a “groundbreaking deal” with Shelton and that it has “invested” in his master recordings catalog comprising all of his commercial releases from 2001 to 2019.
Terms of the deal were 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 entitling Blake to participate in a share of the profit generated”.
Warner Music Group will continue to lead distribution for Shelton’s catalog, which has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide to date.
This partnership follows Influence Media’s recently announced $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 publishing catalog of Grammy-award-winning rapper Future, in what it said was an “eight-figure” deal.
To date, Influence Media’s fund has invested in over 20 catalogs from artists including Future, Puerto Rican songwriter-producer Tainy, singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, songwriter Ali Tamposi, the hitmaking team The Stereotypes, singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez, and singer-songwriter Skyler Stonestreet.
Influence Media’s acquisition of Blake Shelton’s catalog follows a run of recent deals in the country music world.
In January, Hipgnosis Song Management acquired 80% of Kenny Chesney’s recorded music royalties, covering his discography from his 1994 debut In My Wildest Dreams through 2017’s Live in No Shoes Nation.
Also in January, New York-based Reservoir 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 of the recorded music catalog of multi-Platinum country superstar, Jason Aldean.
In May, Sony Music Publishing (SMP) partnered with Domain Capital Group to acquire a career-spanning catalog from multi-award winning songwriter, Ashley Gorley.
Between 2001 and 2009, Shelton accumulated 27 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, including top hits Boys ‘Round Here, Honeybee, Nobody But You (with Gwen Stefani), God’s Country and his breakthrough 2001 smash Austin.
Shelton’s discography through 2019 consists of 11 studio LP’s, including a Christmas album, and two EP’s. His commercial releases include Texoma Shore (2017), If I’m Honest (2016), Bringing Back The Sunshine (2014), Based on a True Story… (2013), Cheers, It’s Christmas (2012), Red River Blue (2011), Startin’ Fires (2008), Pure BS (2007), Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill (2004), The Dreamer (2003), and Blake Shelton (2001).
His catalog also spans three compilation albums: Fully Loaded: God’s Country (2019), Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits (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 excited to be working with Lylette, Rene and the team at Influence Media on so much of my catalog and to introduce 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 single. Sometimes I still feel like the kid from Oklahoma I was back then! While a lot has changed during that time, my passion for music hasn’t.
“I’m excited to be working with Lylette, Rene and the team at Influence Media on so much of my catalog and to introduce my songs to the next generation of country fans.”
“We’re excited to work closely with Blake, his management team at Starstruck and our partners at Warner Music Nashville to identify strategic opportunities for his modern country classics.”
Lylette Pizarro, Influence Media
Influence Media Founder and Co-Managing Partner, Lylette Pizarro, said: “Blake is one of the most exciting luminaries to emerge in both country music and television in the past two decades.
Added Pizarro: “His music’s continued resonance with new and established audiences makes him the perfect business partner for Influence. We’re particularly proud of the fact that Blake will continue to be an active participant in his catalog moving forward, and to have a tailored joint venture in place that will ensure he remains an active profit participant.
“We’re excited to work closely with Blake, his management team at Starstruck and our partners at Warner Music Nashville to identify strategic opportunities for his modern country classics.”
“We are excited about 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-President Ben Kline said: “Blake is one of the most important artists, not only in our genre, but also in the wider world of music and television.
“We are excited about the opportunity to introduce Blake’s music to more fans, and we look forward to our partnership with Influence.”Music Business Worldwide
