Success stories of local Hawaiian songwriters “making it” are indeed a rarity in today’s corporate America and it’s quite often that you hear those frightening testimonies on how a record label has viciously taken advantage of the writer and his royalties…But now there is hope at the end of the rainbow for songwriter’s in Hawaii!
“Where All Roads Lead To Publishing”
by Lopaka Davis
Success stories of local Hawaiian songwriters “making it” are indeed a rarity in today’s corporate America and it’s quite often that you hear those frightening testimonies on how a record label has viciously taken advantage of the writer and his royalties…But now there is hope at the end of the rainbow for songwriter’s and recording artists in Hawaii!
Robert Sterling Music Publishing is an island based publishing company with offices on Molokai, Honolulu, and on Long Island in New York. Their mission statement is simple but their job description is complex.
Robert Sterling Music’s commitment to local writers is to research all possible avenues for which a songwriter may have possibly missed out on his or her songwriting royalties; either on a compilation album or through various radio, T.V. and motion picture monitoring agencies such as B.M.I., ASCAP or SESAC. Once a figure is established and a royalty is found, their job is to collect. “The songwriter comes first,” quotes the company’s President Bobby Pileggi (pictured with Tanoa from Three Plus) whose history includes record producing, songwriting and publishing. “In all reality, if it was not for them, music would not exist. We realize this and our job now becomes a mission. We’re bounty hunters for mechanical (songwriting) royalties. We’ve even been referred to as the Robin Hood of music publishing.” Pileggi smiles.
Grant “Lanai” Tabura (pictured with B.E.T.) is another key player in the RSM team. With close to 20 years of radio experience earning the respect of the “local artist” to his credits, Lanai serves as the “Ambassador to the local songwriter.” His infectious personality accompanied by a proven track record of honestly and sincerity in the Hawaiian recording industry makes him a valuable asset to Robert Sterling. “The reason why we started this business is to get the songwriter’s what is owed to them so they can do what they do best; create music in Hawaii,” quotes VP, Lanai. Other contributing members to the Robert Sterling Music matrix include graphic designers, photographers, radio promoters and of course our extremely talented array of creative songwriters and recording artists, mostly all of them from Hawaii.
In 2004 Robert Sterling Music had brought in considerable amount of royalty revenue to songwriters and publishers in Hawaii alone. Their clients range from Ekolu to Ten Feet and from Del Beazley to the Green and their momentum is growing exponentially.
RSM gives everyone songwriter a chance and their projects never stop... Robert Sterling Music also shops music worldwide; licensing island based music for television, film and commercials. MTV just picked up their catalogue and there are several large projects in the making. If you are a songwriter and want your music to become a business please feel free to give them a call or e-mail RSM at 808-553-3736 or bobby@alohamusicgroup.com.
