As mechanical royalties on hard goods disappear, songwriters must rely on new and renewed revenue sources such as synchs, production libraries, black box monies, rerecords, lyric deals, mobile apps, and various digital distributions. The deals and legal considerations governing these exploitations will be discussed by the panel.
Bob Donnelly has been a full-time music lawyer for 35 years. He has represented artists or managers of artists who have sold three hundred million albums. His clients include several members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Jazz Hall of Fame.
Former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer gave Donnelly much of the credit for settling a case with the major record labels resulting in a payment to artists of $55 million dollars in back-due royalties.
Bob Donnelly is a frequent contributor to Billboard Magazine and other legal and music industry trade journals. He has been awarded 40 platinum record plaques and was recently named as one of the 100 most distinguished lawyers in the U.S. of Irish-American descent.
KRIS MUNOZ is the Sr. Director of Business Affairs at leading independent music publisher, Bug Music. Ms. Muñoz joined the Business & Legal Affairs department in the Los Angeles office 6 years ago and immediately surged ahead in full force quickly making herself a vital part of Bug Music's executive team. Ms. Muñoz is responsible for all aspects of the company's music publishing legal and business development needs, including contract drafting and negotiation, talent acquisition and developing business for all three of Bug's U.S. offices in Los Angeles, Nashville and New York.
Key Bug Music catalog highlights this past year include breakout 7 time Grammy nominee artist/writer/producer Bruno Mars, Kings of Leon, T Bone Burnett, Kara DioGuardi, classic longstanding clients the legendary Jonhny Cash, Willie Dixon, Iggy Pop & Pete Townsend, indie successes Ryan Adams, The National and Spoon and up and coming stars Lucas Secon and Yelawolf.
A graduate of UCLA and Chapman University School of Law, Ms. Muñoz worked at such notable law firms as Davis Shapiro Lewit & Hayes, LLP and Myman Abell Fineman Greenspan & Light, LLP prior to joining Bug Music.
Since joining Bug Music Ms. Muñoz has signed notable artists, writers & publishers with hits such as Bun B of UGK, Evanescence, Natasha Bedingfield, Daughtry, Meshell Ndegeocello, As I Lay Dying, Vanessa Hudgens, Morningwood, Lyrics Born, Jane's Addiction, Porno For Pyros and many others.
Kris Muñoz works closely with City of West Hollywood and the City Council and is the Chair of the LVC Committee serving as the head of entertainment for annual high profile events and is also directly involved with the National Task Force on Health Care. She annually attends and/or has been a panelist at music industry conferences and events throughout the country.
Contact Kris Muñoz at kris@bugmusic.com or please see www.bugmusic.com.
