Songland, NBC’s new songwriting competition series premiering tonight (May 28), has signed a global recordings and publishing partnership with BMG.
Under the agreement, BMG will serve as worldwide distributor of Songland Records and the administrator of the show’s publishing company, Eligible Music, for the songwriter contestants’ original music created and recorded during the show.
In each episode of Songland, one winning songwriter will have their song recorded and released by a superstar guest artist that same night.
As part of the partnership with Songland, BMG will also release the music written and recorded by the two runners-up immediately following the airing of each episode.
The superstar recording artists who will appear in Songland this season include John Legend in the premiere episode, as well as Jonas Brothers, Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor, will.i.am, OneRepublic, Kelsea Ballerini, Macklemore, Aloe Blacc, Old Dominion and Leona Lewis.
Dave Stewart, co-creator and executive producer of Songland, said, “I’ve worked with BMG for a number of years in many capacities and have seen how passionate they are not only about creating success for their writers but their persistence in changing an industry by creating transparency for their writers and artists.
“Thomas Scherer is a force of nature, always positive and seeing every opportunity through to results. I’m sure the whole team at BMG will put their global strength behind Songland’s songs and artists, creating a whole new paradigm shift in the way a TV show dedicated to songwriting will deliver success for new songwriters, many of whom will be artists in their own right.”
“I’m sure the whole team at BMG will put their global strength behind Songland’s songs and artists, creating a whole new paradigm shift in the way a TV show dedicated to songwriting will deliver success for new songwriters, many of whom will be artists in their own right.”
Dave Stewart, co-creator of Songland (pictured)
Audrey Morrissey, co-creator and executive producer of Songland, said, “Songland provides up and coming writers an unprecedented opportunity to pitch their songs directly to major recording artists and collaborate with some of the biggest writer/producers in the industry.
“BMG’s mission of fairness and transparency for the creative community aligns perfectly with Songland’s search for the next generation of hitmakers. We are thrilled to be working with Thomas Scherer and his team to help ensure that Songland’s songwriter and artists utilize this platform to launch successful music careers.”
Thomas Scherer, EVP, Marketing & Repertoire, Los Angeles, said, “BMG is honored to partner with Dave, Audrey, the songwriters of Songland, and everyone at the show and network to continue building on what is a truly magical experience.
“Songland pays respect to the art and allows the viewer an unprecedented look at the process, inspiration, vulnerability, and craft of songwriting. We are proud to be part of the team, amplifying and sharing their works with an undoubtedly eager audience of listeners each week.”
Each week on Songland, four unknown songwriters will pitch and perform their original songs to a panel of producers who are behind modern hit records: Ryan Tedder (lead singer of OneRepublic and Grammy Award-winning producer of Taylor Swift, Adele, Beyoncé), Ester Dean (Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer of Rihanna, Katy Perry, Nikki Minaj), and Shane McAnally (Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer of Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Hunt with 40 Number One country records).
Three songwriters will advance in the competition, and team up with one of the producers to go in-studio to develop their songs.
Then, at the end of the episode, the featured recording artist will ultimately choose one song to record and release for a global audience that night, with BMG also to release the tracks by the two runners-up that same night.
Songland is executive produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Audrey Morrissey (The Voice), director Ivan Dudynsky, Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, Chad Hines and Grammy award-winning recording artist and Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine. Josh Gummersall will serve as producer along with Ryan Tedder.
The concept was devised by Stewart, Morrissey and Dudynsky.
Songland is produced by Live Animals in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, Dave Stewart Entertainment and 222 Productions.Music Business Worldwide
