Concord Bicycle Music launches joint venture with The Really Useful Group

US independent Concord Bicycle Music has launched a new venture with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre producing and rights licensing company, The Really Useful Group.

The partnership, titled The Musical Company (TMC), will provide services to the creators of musical theatre works.

sean
It will be helmed by US exec and producer Sean Patrick Flahaven (pictured) as founding CEO.

Flahaven joins from Warner/Chappell where he was SVP Theatre and Catalog Development.

He has also been a producer on nine albums nominated for Grammy Awards – including this year’s Platinum-selling Hamilton.

TMC will operate from Really Useful Group and Concord Bicycle Music offices in London and New York.

Discussing the venture, Concord Bicycle Music Chairman Steve Smith said: “TMC enters the market with a unique and superior skill-set in support of musical theatre creators: professional & amateur licensing, music publishing and original cast recording.

“TMC is Exceptionally well-capitalised, Asset rich, Under one roof, Worldwide, And determined to create new opportunities and preserve long-term value of the works of its affiliated writers and rights holders.” steve smith, concord bicycle music

“Exceptionally well-capitalised, asset rich, under one roof, worldwide, and determined to create new opportunities and preserve long-term value of the works of its affiliated writers and rights holders.” 

“Steve Smith and his team at Concord Bicycle Music have distinguished themselves as both proactive advocates for creators, and quality stewards of artistic legacy.”

andrew lloyd webber, the really useful group

Andrew Lloyd Webber added: “Steve Smith and his team at Concord Bicycle Music have distinguished themselves as both proactive advocates for creators, and quality stewards of artistic legacy. 

“We are extremely enthusiastic about collaborating with them to create an exceptional, multi-disciplinary theatrical music rights management company.”

TMC will manage professional and amateur performance licensing of the works jointly owned by Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Those include Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.

The deal also covers Lloyd Webber’s solo repertoire across productions like The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, School of Rock, Starlight Express, and Sunset Boulevard.

Bicycle Music Company CEO Jake Wisely and his publishing team will also manage and administer Lloyd Webber’s original song portfolio worldwide.

Concord Bicycle Music currently manages songs and recordings by talent that includes Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Paul Simon, R.E.M., Ray Charles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, St. Vincent, Miles Davis, Carole King and hundreds more.

The firm was created in 2015 when Concord Music Group merged with publisher and rights manager The Bicycle Music Company.

TMC will also act as the manager of Concord Bicycle Group’s interests in the works of Pulitzer, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner Marvin Hamlisch, including songs, film scores and the musicals A Chorus Line, They’re Playing Our Song, The Goodbye Girl and Sweet Smell of Success.

“Andrew Lloyd Webber is a rare breed as both a composer and producer, it’s hard to imagine a better vote of confidence in our new venture than his commitment to entrust the administration of his repertoire to TMC.”

steve smith, concord bicycle music

Said Smith: “Andrew Lloyd Webber is a rare breed as both a composer and producer, it’s hard to imagine a better vote of confidence in our new venture than his commitment to entrust the administration of his repertoire to TMC. 

“In addition, we will support his extensive personal commitment to youth music education, which has opened up the world of musical theatre to generations of young artists and theatre-goers.”

Flahaven concluded: “I am excited and honoured to be leading an exciting new venture with unique, unparalleled service for both established and next generation musical theatre writers.

“Starting with these iconic catalogs and the support of Andrew, RUG, and CBM gives us a terrific base from which to actively seek new talent.”

The deal was led by Lisbeth R. Barron, Chairman and CEO of Barron International Group.

Music Business Worldwide

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