Peermusic is a United States-based independent music publisher.
History
Ralph Peer, a field recording engineer and A&R representative for Victor Records, went on a scouting trip to Bristol, Tennessee. For two weeks, he recorded artists such as Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family in what later became famous as the Bristol sessions. With the success of these recordings, Peer incorporated Southern Music Publishing Co., Inc., on January 31, 1928, which changed its name in 1994 to Peermusic.[2] The company became very successful and influential in the 1930s. It hit the big time through Peer's introducing Southern American music to the world. In 1940 there came another watershed when a dispute between ASCAP and US radio stations led to the inauguration of the rival Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI). BMI supported music by blues, country and hillbilly artists, and Peer, through his Peer International Corporation, soon contributed a major part of BMI's catalogue.
After Ralph Peer's death in 1960, his wife Monique Peer became CEO and held the role for 20 years. She maintained relationships with artists her husband had recorded, and signed many others.[3]
In October 2020, Peermusic announced its expansion into the neighboring rights with the acquisition of Canada-based Premier Muzik, France-based All Right Music, and Netherlands-based Global Master Rights.[17]
Mary Megan Peer assumed the role of CEO of Peermusic in January 2021. Her father, Ralph Peer II, transitioned to executive chair.[18]
In July 2022, Hipgnosis Songs Fund signed an international sub-publishing deal with Peermusic.[19]
In October 2023, it was announced Peermusic had acquired the Oslo-headquartered indie music publisher, Arctic Rights Management.[20]
^ abBarry, Mazor (September 2016). Ralph Peer and the making of popular roots music. Chicago. ISBN9781613736531. OCLC900525692.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)