Cherry Lane Music Publishing, the top indie music publisher in the US, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a party, May 19, at trend-setting Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The event will include performances by many of the company's current roster, which include, John Legend, Delta Spirit, Madi, Antigone Rising, Dilana, Moe as well as the first-signed writer to Cherry Lane, folk legend Tom Paxton. Special celebrity guests will appear for stop and repeat. Six Points Craft Ales will be providing the beer for the evening.
Started in 1960 as a family business run by legendary arranger and record producer Milt Okun (Harry Belafonte; Peter, Paul & Mary; John Denver) from his apartment above the Cherry Lane Theater in New Yorks Greenwich Village, Cherry Lane currently boasts a roster of writers including the Black Eyed Peas, will I am, John Legend, David Cook, Warren Haynes and Jordin Sparks; the catalogs of Elvis Presley, Quincy Jones and John Denver; as well as film, television and brand partners including DreamWorks Pictures and Animation, Lionsgate, the Weinstein Company, Marvel Entertainment, NFL Films, World Wrestling Entertainment and Sanrio (Hello Kitty). With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville, and represented in every territory around the globe, the company is truly an “indie with a major's reach."
Comments Peter Primont, President and CEO of the company: “Cherry Lane was started by Milt Okun when he saw how songwriters were being taken advantage of by publishers. His commitment to integrity and honesty in dealing with songwriters and clients, be they relative newcomers or established legends, has guided us for the first 50 years, beginning with our first signing, Tom Paxton, who, I'm pleased to say is still with us today. We look forward to continuing that commitment to all our writers and clients."
Birthday greetings from many on the companys roster reflect that sentiment:
“I'm very, very proud to be with Cherry Lane, it's not an accident. There's no way in the world I can go with any other place." -- Quincy Jones
“It's so refreshing to be at a publisher that understands the full potential of my music and is ready to help me achieve it." -- John Legend
“I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. They believe in my music and understand my lane." -- Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas
“Every once in a great while, a music company comes along that is as committed to the music, as to the artists who affiliate themselves with it -- an institution that doesn't lose its soul because its strength flows from the talent, character and integrity of its people. Such a company is Cherry Lane." -- Broadway Composer & Lyricist, Maury Yeston (Nine, Grand Hotel, Titanic)
“Cherry Lane has been my administrator since 1997, first with DreamWorks and now with Lionsgate. The best thing about Cherry Lane is that I can always reach someone on staff who knows my account, pays attention to details, follows through, and provides results when I need them. That kind of personal dedication means everything." -- Lenny Wohl, Exec. V.P., Business & Legal Affairs, Lionsgate Music and Publishing
“We are thrilled to be in business with Cherry Lane. What makes them stand out is their ability to go beyond basic administration of a catalogue. We are two very like-minded companies that will mutually benefit from working together." -- Peter Hurwitz, General Counsel and Rachel Levy, Vice President of Motion Picture Music The Weinstein Company
