Universal Music Publishing Group Acquires Publishing Catalogue of Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY Winning, Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Michael Masser

Universal Music Publishing Group Acquires Publishing Catalogue of Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY Winning, Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Michael Masser

LOS ANGELES, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) announced today the acquisition of the catalogue of noted songwriter, Michael Masser. The award winning composer will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 7th in a ceremony in New York City.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070604/LAM128 )

David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group states, "Michael Masser's songs represent some of the most enduring and instantly recognizable hits of recent pop history. His gift for melody produced numerous number one hits that we are proud to now represent in the Universal Music Publishing Group family."

Through the agreement, UMPG will acquire rights to such No. 1 Whitney Houston hits as "Saving All My Love For You," "The Greatest Love of All," and the GRAMMY nominated "Didn't We Almost Have It All." UMPG will also acquire such chart hits as the Best Original Song Golden Globe nominated "So Sad This Song" from the movie Pipedreams; "Miss You Like Crazy" recorded by Natalie Cole (No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles and Tracks, No. 1 on Adult Contemporary, and Top 10 on The Billboard Hot 100); "If Ever You're In My Arms Again" recorded by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack (No. 5 on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles and Tracks and Top 20 on Billboard 100); and "Nobody Wants to Be Alone" recorded by Crystal Gayle (No. 3 on Country charts).

Other songs written by Masser include: Glen Madeiros ("Nothing's Gonna Change My Love to You"), Neil Diamond ("First You Have To Say You Love Me"), Jeffrey Osborne ("In Your Eyes"), Barry Manilow ("Jenny You're My Girl"), and Barbra Streisand ("Someone That I Used to Love").

Masser made his name in the '70s and '80s as a composer and producer, working with some of the most successful artists of our time including; Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Teddy Pendergrass, Peabo Bryson, Crystal Gayle, Natalie Cole, Neil Diamond, Judy Collins, Herb Alpert, Barry Manilow, Stacy Lattishaw, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin and many more.

Michael is credited as a producer, arranger or composer on over 80 albums, an achievement recognized by the Songwriters Hall of Fame with the upcoming June 7th induction ceremony.

About Universal Music Publishing Group

With 47 offices in 41 countries worldwide, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is part of the Universal Music Group and is the industry's largest global music publishing operation. Owning or administering more than 1 million copyrights, UMPG's writers and catalogs include: Maroon 5, U2, Elton John, 50 Cent, Dave Grohl, Prince, Miles Davis, R.Kelly, Christina Aguilera, Ice Cube, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, Eve, Musiq, Jill Scott, No Doubt, 3 Doors Down, Beastie Boys, Fatboy Slim, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Paul Simon, the catalog of Henry Mancini, among many others. For more information, visit: http://www.umusicpub.com/.

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Source: Universal Music Publishing Group

CONTACT: Heather Brown, Senior Dir. of Marketing and Communications,
+1-310-235-4870, heather.brown@umusic.com

Web site: http://www.umusicpub.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment