Cherry Lane and John Legend Form New Publishing Joint Venture

June 30, 2009 10:41 am

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New York, NY, June 29, 2009: Cherry Lane Music Publishing Co. Inc., has extendded their publishing deal with Grammy winning, multi-platinum recording artist John Legend. The deal will cover all songs in Legend’s current catalog as well as future works. Legend’s most recent album, “Evolver,” features the hit single “Green Light.” He has written with artists such as Kanye West, Will.i.am, Fergie, Estelle and Common. Cherry Lane has been Legend’s publisher since his first album was released in 2004. Their roster also includes the Black Eyed Peas, Quincy Jones, David Cook and Wolfmother.

The extension of the relationship also includes a new joint venture partnership between Legend and Cherry Lane, named HomeSchool Music, to sign writers to the roster. The writers signed to this joint venture will benefit from Cherry Lane’s publishing expertise and Legend’s creative guidance as an accomplished writer and artist.

In announcing the deal, Peter Primont, CEO of Cherry Lane, commented: “As John Legend is one of the most well respected and gifted songwriters on the scene today, Cherry Lane is thrilled to be renewing our deal with him. Through this new joint venture, we are looking forward to uncovering some of the best new talent together.”

John Legend commented: “I’ve had such a great, successful working relationship with Cherry Lane. It felt right to expand the partnership and create a new business venture. I look forward to working with them further and finding and developing new talent.”

Richard Stumpf, SVP of Creative and Marketing at Cherry Lane, added: “John brings with him a level of class and artistry that is rare. Continuing our relationship with him and adding a JV component is something that the entire team is excited about.”

Cherry Lane, New York-based privately held music publisher founded in 1960 by renowned producer/arranger Milt Okun, oversees an extensive catalogue of legendary songs from Elvis Presley, John Denver, Quincy Jones and Ashford & Simpson, to more recent Billboard chart-toppers including the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend and Wolfmother. Known for its innovative copyright exploitation and administration, Cherry Lane has forged relationships with DreamWorks Pictures, DreamWorks Animation SKG, The Weinstein Company, Marvel Entertainment, Lakeshore Entertainment, Walden Media, E! Entertainment Television, Sanrio (Hello Kitty), NASCAR, Icon Productions, NFL Films, World Wrestling Entertainment, Professional Bull Riders, Pokémon USA, Inc. and 4Kids TV, to name a few. Learn more at cherrylane.com.