Bill Luther’s catalog contains multiple cuts by mainstay Country artists such as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Joe Nichols, and Gary Allen. He’s co-written many amazing songs with the renowned songwriter, Aimee Mayo. He’s written the #1 hit “My Best Friend” by Tim McGraw, #2 hits “Let It Go” (McGraw), and “Who You’d Be Today” (Chesney), and the duet “Let’s Make Love” by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.
We’re big fans of Buddy Brock. His catalog contains songs published by Acuff-Rose/Sony Music, where Brock was a staff-writer from 1990-2007. It has seen diverse cuts by Alan Jackson, Tracy Byrd, Kenny Chesney, Aaron Tippin, and George Strait.
Adding to our impressive list of catalogs is David Kent, the man co-wrote the Blake Shelton #1 “Austin.” We’re please to know David and to have acquired an interest in his catalog. Click here to learn more about David and “Austin.”
On behalf of our investors, Hearts Bluff Music has assimilated an historic portfolio of copyrights and royalty interests spanning more than half a century of definitive American Music. These include over fifty #1 Songs, three Hall-of-Fame Songwriters, and thousands of other titles performed by the top-selling artists of all time.
We are selectively seeking additional catalogs to purchase on behalf of our investors. If your catalog currently earns between $20k and $1.5 million per year in royalties please feel free to Contact us.
We’ve worked with many highly successful songwriters, publishers, and copyright holders (including family members and estates). We will consider full or divided shares of Publisher, Writer and/or Artist royalty streams. Because we work with private funding, we have the freedom to negotiate creative, fair, and highly competitive deals.
What types of people are coming to Heart’s Bluff?
Many highly-successfull copyright owners are opting to work with independent publishers and capital partners. Heart’s Bluff is providing such an alternative as we build our portfolio through acquisitions. At the same time we are providing a place for catalog owners to monetize and reinvest their catalog earnings. As the conglomerates focus on survival and mergers, we are quietly building a great independent publishing company.
Why Sell?
Owners have many reasons for selling. Many sellers are funding new publishing or recording ventures. Other times they are retiring, funding college, buying equipment, settling an estate, traveling, building a new house… or just need need some cash! We have evaluated catalogs from publishers (large and small), songwriters (rich and poor), estates, and more.
I already have part of my catalog with another company? Can you still work with me?
In most cases yes! Many of our clients come to us from publishing companies such as Universal, Sony, BMG, EMI, Warner/Chappell, etc. Many of these writers and publishers have part of their interest with a conglomerate, but want to diversify their co-pub, or writer-share portions with someone else. And often the other company has passed on buying additional interests. So we offer an alternative.
I own a very large catalog. Is there a maximum size you will consider?
We have very deep pockets available for select, larger catalogs. Please call us to discuss.
What types of interests are you buying?
We buy full or divided interests in Publisher Shares, Co-Pub Shares and/or Writer Shares.
My catalog averages less than $10,000/year. Can you help?
Unfortunately, the songs in your catalog must be generating at least $10,000 a year in royalties before we can help you. We know there are many incredible songs out there earning less, but our transaction costs are just too high to consider purchasing them. It’s not a good deal for you or us. Sorry.
Are you signing staff writers?
Our strategic plan calls for initially building a solid base of catalogs. So in the immediate future, we are not signing staff writers.
Does the style of music matter?
No! We love all kinds of music! We are building a very diverse group of catalogs.
I just want an opinion. I’m not really looking to sell. Can you help me?
In most cases we are glad to provide an opinion. If we can’t help you, we can probably point you to an expert we know.
Do I need an attorney?
As the process moves along, and because music publishing is such a specialized field, we absolutely recommend that you have an experienced intellectual property (“IP”) attorney review any documents. If you don’t know any IP attorneys, we are happy to recommend several independent attorneys who are not affiliated with our company. We also know several experienced financial specialists.
Some people prefer to let their attorney handle all communication, while others prefer to speak with us directly. We are happy to work with you either way.
I’m a broker. Can we talk?
We can talk if you have a formal, exclusive written consent from the owner. We avoid any situation that amounts to “hearsay” because in many cases, catalogs are referred to us from multiple sources. We need the owner themselves to tell us exactly who is representing them. Owners must pay their own commissions.
How much is my catalog worth?
We analyze a number of factors. These include:
• The age of the songs.
• Genre or type of music.
• The past success of the songs.
• The stability of earnings over time.
• The complexity of the deal.
The estimate that we send to you will be informed by our experience, and by our desire to create win-win partnerships that deliver a fair deal to you.
What happens to my catalog if you purchase it?
We will ensure that your catalog remains viable and active. A plan is customized for each catalog. This is why we don’t keep generic “pluggers” on staff, but hire them independently per catalog.
What exactly are the steps to selling my catalog?
Here’s how the process typically works:
1) You call or email with a general description of your catalog. In some cases, depending on the confidentiality you require, we can issue a non-disclosure agreement. It basically says we will take a look at your catalog, we won’t tell anyone we’re talking with you, or divulge any information about it.
2) You send us the following preliminary information:
• A detailed list of the royalty-bearing songs in your catalog, their ages and uses.
• Three year summary of combined earnings for entire catalog
• An individual summary of the top earning songs and their royalty history (representing at least 90% of the entire catalog).
3) Within 10 business days, we’ll send a bid to you.
4) Upon your acceptance of a bid, we’ll send a formal letter-of-intent within seven business days. This “LOI” is a legal contract and should be reviewed by an IP Attorney.
5) Once the income and ownership are verified by our due diligence team, we will complete a formal sales contract. (A detailed due-diligence checklist is available upon request).
The timing of the process is impossible to predict, without knowing the complexity of the deal. The letter-of-intent will specify a closing date that drives everyone to complete the deal as quickly as possible.
We are known for our quick closings. We have closed on some very large catalogs within 60 days.
6) The deal is finalized, and we’ll transfer the funds to your account.
Are you buying any other types of Intellectual Property?
We haven’t yet, but have been in several interesting discussions regarding other types of royalty-flowing assets (such as Master Recordings). If you have an idea, let us look at it.
Why does Heart’s Bluff advertise for catalogs?
In short, we want to get the word out. We feel like the “catalog-world” has been too secretive, and exclusive. We want to have direct relationships with catalog owners.
We are building our core business acquiring proven catalogs. So we are reaching out to specific communities where professional publishers and writers reside. We are advertising on a limited basis to members of ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, Harry Fox, etc.. We are also trying to get the word out to professional organizations who have writer/publisher members (i.e. NSAI, NARAS, AFofM, AFTRA, etc.) We have planned advertisements in Music Row Magazine, American Songwriter, Billboard, Rowfax and others.
Many opportunities also come from administrators, business managers, attorneys, etc.
If you know a potential seller, please feel free to send our link to them. But please be selective.
1. Direct Contact with the People Who are Buying your Catalog… No finders’ fees. No bureaucracy.
2. Fast Evaluations…Competitive, Fair and Flexible Deals
3. A Small, Highly-Focused Team…includes experienced music industry veterans, due-diligence specialists, and investors.
If your catalog currently averages at least $10,000/year in royalties, we invite you to: Contact us. We’ll ask you for some basic information about the songs, their royalty history and legal affairs. If we are interested we’ll evaluate quickly and submit a bid.