Acuff-Rose Music

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.
Company typeIncentive
Industrymusic publishing
FoundedOctober 13, 1942
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.[1]
FounderRoy Acuff
Fred Rose
HeadquartersUnited States
OwnerSony Music Publishing

Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. was an American music publishing firm formed in 1942 by Roy Acuff and Fred Rose in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.[2] Currently, the company's catalog is owned by Sony Music Publishing.[3]

Early history

Acuff-Rose was formed by

ASCAP member composers. Both firms initiated business in 1943 with Fred Rose compositions; Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. copyrighted four songs (under Rose's pseudonym 'Floyd Jenkins') on January 28,[5] while Milene Music, Inc., published "We Live In Two Different Worlds" in July.[6]

Acuff-Rose had its headquarters on 8th Avenue South in the Melrose district of Nashville and was something of a landmark to those knowledgeable of the music industry. It was here that Hank Williams, to prove his ability to Rose, wrote what would become a major hit ("A Mansion on the Hill") while Rose went out to a nearby restaurant for a cup of coffee. Williams proved to be a significant signing, by subsequently releasing a string of both country, and pop hits.[2]

Catalog growth, 1954–1984

On Fred Rose's death in 1954, his son

Whitey Shafer were some of the significant songwriters signed exclusively to Acuff-Rose in the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s.[2]

Acuff-Rose Music also operated a record label, Hickory Records, Inc.,[2] until 1987. It still exists as an assumed name of the parent corporation (see below).[7]

Sale to Gaylord Entertainment Group, Sony/ATV

Recognizing the frailty of their health and that the company he and Fred Rose had founded in 1942 was in steady decline, Roy Acuff approached Wesley Rose late in 1984 and suggested that it was time to sell the catalog. They did not have to look very far for a buyer. By May 1985,

ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year, SESAC Country Music Publisher of the Year, and Billboard
Country Music Publisher of the Year.

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.

Acuff-Rose Music was involved in a landmark copyright infringement case in the 1990s:

Luther Campbell (then using the alias "Luke Skyywalker") and his band 2 Live Crew of a substantial amount of the Roy Orbison hit song "Oh, Pretty Woman" in a parody. Claiming their version of the song fell under the fair use doctrine of the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. 107, Campbell prevailed in the United States district court in Nashville. However, this was reversed at the appellate level by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The case was argued before the United States Supreme Court on November 9, 1993. Handing down its ruling on March 7, 1994, the court held that the appellate court placed too much emphasis on the commercial nature of the parody. The opinion of the appellate court was reversed and the case was remanded for further proceedings.[11]
Subsequently, the parties agreed to settle the case to avoid further legal expense.

References

  1. ^ Randal Rust. "Acuff-Rose". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  2. ^ .
  3. ^ "Business Entity Detail - Business Services Online". tnbear.tn.gov. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  4. ^ Acuff-Rose: Cornerstone of the Nashville Recording Industry. Michael Kosser.
  5. ^ Library of Congress. Copyright Office. (1943). Catalog of Copyright Entries 1943 1 Music New Series Vol 38 Pt 3. United States Copyright Office. U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
  6. ^ Library of Congress. Copyright Office. (1943). Catalog of Copyright Entries 1943 2 Music Last Half of 1943 New Series Vol 38 Pts 2-3. United States Copyright Office. U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
  7. ^ "Business Entity Detail - Business Services Online". tnbear.tn.gov. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  8. ^ "Acuff-Rose Song Catalog a Bright New Star for Sony/ATV". CMT News. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
  9. ^ "Jackson made Exeter FC director". BBC. July 3, 2002. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
  10. ^ "Gaylord Entertainment Company Agrees To Sell Leading Acuff-Rose Music Publishing Catalogue To Sony/ATV Music Publishing for $157 Million | Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc". ir.rymanhp.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  11. .