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Warner/Chappell Music Signs Worldwide Publishing Agreements With Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
| Source: Warner Music Group
NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 22, 2007 -- Warner/Chappell Music, the publishing arm of
Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE : WMG ), and one of the world's largest music
publishers, today announced a series of worldwide publishing agreements
with Reuben Koroma, Ashade Pearce and Francis 'Franco' John Langba, members
of the 12-person, critically-acclaimed Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars.
Under these agreements, Warner/Chappell will administer new compositions,
as well as the catalog of songs by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars'
primary writers.
In making the announcement, Ed Pierson, Executive Vice President, Legal &
Business Affairs, Warner/Chappell Music, said, "We are extremely proud to
be associated with this group of amazing individuals whose remarkable
experiences are told so eloquently and passionately through their music.
Their lives and music are truly inspirational, and we are thrilled to
welcome them to the Warner/Chappell family."
"This is a wonderful, life-changing opportunity for the members of Sierra
Leone's Refugee All Stars," said the band's manager, Mike Kappus of The
Rosebud Agency. "The partnership with Warner/Chappell Music helps the band
follow their dream of spreading their music and message around the world
while having an immediate and ongoing impact on the lives of the band and
their community who truly need the help."
Founded by Reuben Koroma and Franco Langba in 1996, the 12-member band is
comprised of a diverse group of Sierra Leonean refugees including a
19-year-old rapper and a 50-year-old rhythm guitar player. Sierra Leone's
Refugee All Stars' music is a unique blend of traditional West African
melodies, reggae, and classic rhythm & blues.
As refugees in their adopted country of Guinea, the group got its start by
crafting homemade instruments and playing shows for fellow refugees in
camps throughout Guinea and Sierra Leone to deal with the trauma of civil
war.
Filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White featured the group in their 2006
critically-acclaimed documentary, "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars." The
film follows the band over the course of three years as they make their way
from the refugee camps back to Sierra Leone.
The group's debut album, "Living Like a Refugee" (Anti/Epitaph Records) was
released in 2006 and distributed through WMG's Alternative Distribution
Alliance.
In 2006, the band completed tours of the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and
headlined Summerstage in New York's Central Park. Their song "Ankala" was
recently featured in the film "Blood Diamond" set during Sierra Leone's
civil war. Most recently, the band performed at the 2007 World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
About Warner/Chappell Music
Warner/Chappell Music is WMG's award-winning global music publishing
company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as
"Happy Birthday To You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," the songs
of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, as well as the music of Dido,
Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Nickelback, Red
Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, T.I. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a
leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its
songwriters and their music. The company's extensive catalog makes it a
natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film
and television production companies, and others looking to record or
license some of the world's greatest music.