The California Copyright Conference (CCC) September meeting featured a packed house gathered to hear legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Coinciding with the publication of their joint memoir “Hound Dog” (Simon & Schuster), the program was co-moderated by book author David Ritz and attorney Michael Morris, with current CCC president Jonathan Rosner presiding.
“How did you know when you were a kid that you had a hit song?” one attendee asked.
Leiber described how he watched his sisters dance to all the good tunes and Stoller pointed to the inspiration he felt as a kid watching a boogie-woogie dancer in the barn getting down to some good grooves.
Elements of a Hit Song
Apart from making you dance, a hit song has a strong hook, good groove and lasting melodies, the pair said. They embellished the evening with stories of travel, wealth and six pages of #1 Billboard hits.
They discussed a time during the 1950s when it was common for songwriters to sell their copyrights. Today, ownership is the name of the game, and those who own and control the master and publishing rights (“one-stop shops” such as Golosio Publishing, operated by Scott G) are in an excellent position.
“Hound Dog” Not Written For Presley
I was surprised to hear that the composition “Hound Dog” was not written for Elvis Presley, who popularized the hit. Leiber said when he heard the Presley recording he thought it was too fast and had no groove. It was not until Elvis sold 8 million copies that the artist gained the songwriter’s respect. Laughing, I looked over to RipTide Music founder Rich Goldman (who recently placed almost half a dozen songs in the hit show 90210) who flipped through his autographed copy of “Hound Dog” in admiration.
Out & About
Later, I was approached for a photo opportunity with Jewell Sparks of Strategic Diversity Group and Indie Vixens who specializes in branding in the entertainment industry. She is working on a new music series called Behind The Music Label at Yoshi’s jazz club in San Francisco and a new short film series called Lifestyle Thursdays in Hollywood. The photographer was Toni Koch, an advocate of indie artists through her work at TK Promotions. She is also involved with COSMO, the Coalition of Southern California Music Organizations; a network of LA-based music and songwriting organizations, which aims to create unity among Southern California artists.
Other COSMO reps on hand included our very own Los Angeles Music Network (LAMN) – a founding organization in the COSMO coalition – and founding members Steve Scott and Judy Lamppu who helped create the popular “Pitch-A-Song” event with Koch, which helps artists secure placements in film and TV. New Pants Publishing president Rob Case, another COSMO member, was seen photographed with panelists Leiber and Stoller.
Also in attendance was copyright lawyer and a past CCC president Steve Winogradsky who will moderate the next month’s Annual Legal Update dinner meeting on October 13, 2009.
CCC board members spotted include SESAC’s Associate VP of Writer/Publisher Relations & New Technologies James Leach (the organization hosts a regular songwriter showcase at Harvelle’s called SESAC Sessions), and Warner/Chappell Music VP of Administration Jeremy Blietz.
About The California Copyright Conference (CCC)
The CCC is an entertainment industry non-profit organization established in 1953 for the discussion of copyright-related areas pertaining to music and entertainment. Today the organization has over 300 members in music and entertainment including publishers, attorneys and representatives from television and record companies.
Sources For More Info:
California Copyright Conference
P.O. Box 57962
Sherman Oaks CA 91413
Tel: (818) 379-3312
www.theccc.org
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