Reservoir inks global deal with Joni Mitchell

by Murray Stassen
Music Business Worldwide
September 13, 2021

Reservoir Media has signed a new deal with music icon Joni Mitchell, which sees the company become the worldwide administrator of her publishing catalog.

The nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter's catalog was previously administered by Sony Music Publishing, following a worldwide deal struck 24 years ago in 1997.

Mitchell's third studio album, the platinum-certified Ladies of the Canyon (1970), features several of her most popular songs, including Big Yellow Taxi and Woodstock.

Her sixth album Court and Spark (1974) became her best-selling album with hits Help Me and Free Man in Paris.

In 2020, Rolling Stone listed Mitchell's 1971 album Blue at number three in their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the classic album this year, Mitchell released a new demos and outtakes EP, featuring five unreleased recordings from the making of the original LP.

Mitchell has released a total of 19 studio albums, and has received a total of nine Grammy Awards, including the 2002 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 1996, she received the Polar Music Prize and the following year, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Mitchell became the first woman to receive the Les Paul Award in 2020. She is set to receive a 2021 Kennedy Center Honor, recognizing her contributions to American culture, later this year.

Additionally, she has been named MusiCares' 'Person of the Year' for 2022, an honor dedicated to celebrating artistic achievements in the music industry and dedication to philanthropy.

"I'm looking forward to working with Reservoir," said Joni Mitchell.

Reservoir Founder & CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi added: "I am so proud to welcome Joni Mitchell to our Reservoir family

"Joni is a musical pioneer and a once-in-a-lifetime creator, and we look forward to safeguarding her catalog and championing her legacy."

Reservoir EVP, Global Creative Director Donna Caseine, said: "It is a career-defining moment when you have the opportunity to work with an icon, whose music has moved and inspired you.

"This means so much to me on a personal level and is an important milestone for all of us at Reservoir. We are truly honored to support Joni's music and amplify her rich pioneering contributions to the arts with audiences old and new."

New York-headquartered Reservoir Media confirmed last month its latest fiscal results, revealing that its total revenues in the year to end of March 2021 stood at $81.1 million - up 28% year-on-year.

In calendar Q2 (the three months to end of June), Reservoir generated $16.7 million, up 23% year-on-year.


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