The U.S. rights and certain foreign rights to nearly the entire song catalog of Tim Hardin have been acquired by Raleigh Music Publishing and ICM Crescendo. The deal is the first acquisition completed under the joint venture the two companies formed earlier this year.
What the catalog includes#
The catalog features songs such as “If I Were a Carpenter” and “Reason to Believe.” Other titles include “Misty Roses,” “Lady Came From Baltimore,” “Hang on to a Dream” and “Black Sheep Boy.”
The catalog was bought from the heirs of Hardin, who died in 1980. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Deal structure and roles#
Under the arrangement, Raleigh Music will administer the catalog and lead its royalty collection, synchronization licensing and promotion efforts.
What the executives said#
Raleigh co-president Steven Storch said in a statement: “When we formed this joint venture, we said we expected to move quickly on the right opportunities. The Tim Hardin catalog is exactly the kind of iconic, enduring body of work we set out to acquire, and it shows what the partnership can do. ‘If I Were a Carpenter’ and ‘Reason to Believe’ are as moving today as when he wrote them, and there is a whole songbook behind them waiting to be rediscovered.”
ICM Asset Management president and portfolio manager David Vankka said in a statement: “The Tim Hardin catalog combines cultural significance with a long record of covers and licensing activity. It is a strong first transaction for our joint venture with Raleigh, and we look forward to building on it together.”
Raleigh Music Publishing co-president Peter Raleigh said in a statement: “Tim Hardin wrote songs that other great artists couldn’t resist. We’re honored to be the stewards of this catalog, and there could be no better first acquisition for our partnership with ICM Crescendo.”
Cover versions and stage use#
- “If I Were a Carpenter”: nearly 200 cover versions, including by Johnny Cash & June Carter, Dolly Parton, Robert Plant, Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson
- “Reason to Believe”: nearly 125 cover versions, the best known by Rod Stewart
- “Misty Roses,” “Lady Came From Baltimore,” “Hang on to a Dream” and “Black Sheep Boy” combined: around 120 cover versions
“If I Were a Carpenter” is also featured in the Bobby Darin musical Just In Time, which is currently playing on Broadway.
