Songwriting Legend John Sebastian Selects Global Independent Music Publisher and Rights Company AMR Songs as Home for His Song Catalog

22 March 2023 - Press release

 

Songwriting legend John Sebastian, co-founder of The Lovin’ Spoonful, today announced he has sold his song catalog interests to AMR Songs (AMR), a full-service, global independent music publishing, rights management, and catalog marketing company founded by music industry veteran, Tamara Conniff, AMR CEO, and private equity professional Steve Reinstadlter, AMR CFO.

AMR acquired interest in Sebastian’s entire catalog, including his publishing and artist royalties from perennial hits by The Lovin’ Spoonful, including: “Daydream,” “Summer in the City,” “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Younger Girl,” “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice,” and "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?,” among others. The catalog also features his 1975 self-penned hit, “Welcome Back,” the theme to the iconic sitcom “Welcome Back Kotter.”

“AMRs’ involvement in my catalogue, and specifically the enthusiasm I’m feeling from Tamara Conniff about this material, will ensure that my songs will keep singing for a good long time,” states John Sebastian.

“John Sebastian is one of the most prolific songwriters and artists in music history, and we are honored that he has chosen AMR Songs to be caretakers of his works. We’re passionate about his music and will work tirelessly to preserve his legacy and ensure the songs are exposed to new audiences for generations,” said Conniff.

AMR Songs has centered its business on building a creative home for artists and writers -- not just acquiring rights, but proactively nurturing and marketing catalogs, signing and developing artists with frontline operations. The company has established an experienced team of top film and TV sync licensing, label distribution and digital marketing executives to uniquely foster new opportunities and revenue growth for its roster and catalogs.

In the past year AMR has also acquired the catalog of Grammy-winning international reggae band SOJA, as well as select interests in music publishing, producer and artist royalties from hundreds of celebrated songs across multiple genres, including works recorded by Brantley Gilbert, Boston, Carly Simon, Celine Dion, Charlie Daniels, Eminem, Enrique Iglesias, James Arthur, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Juanes, Kane Brown, Leona Lewis, Lil Wayne, Linda Ronstadt, Little River Band, Luke Combs, Pitbull, Pure Prairie League, Samantha Mumba, Westlife, and Yandel, and more. As a frontline company, AMR has signed global music publishing deals with award-winning producer, writer and multi-instrumentalist Erik Janson and Australian artist and soul man EJ Worland, who will also be releasing new music under AMR’s label. 

Prior to launching AMR, Conniff held senior executive roles as EVP of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Music Publishing, COO of Artist Publishing Group, and President of Front Line Management/Ticketmaster, and she was Billboard’s Editor-in-Chief from 2004 to 2008. Reinstadtler has extensive experience as a private equity investor focused on the media, entertainment, and communications sectors, having served as a Partner at SR Capital Advisors and Co-Head of TD Capital in NYC, which deployed over $1B in private equity and mezzanine investments.

For more information on AMR Songs, visit amrsongs.com.