Specialist music publisher Dynamite Songs has secured 100% of the U.S. publishing copyrights for the iconic 1960s catalog of Terry Kirkman, co-founder and primary songwriter of The Association, a transaction that adds 71 culturally significant compositions to Dynamite’s portfolio of over 1,700 works. This acquisition matters deeply to publishers, radio programmers, and rights holders because it ensures the long-term protection and active management of songs like “Cherish,” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains among the most played tracks on American radio and television of the twentieth century.
A Historic Catalog Secured for Future Generations
The deal transfers 71 compositions from the Terry Kirkman estate to Dynamite, expanding the publisher’s catalog to span six decades from the 1960s through the 2010s across genres including pop, rock, R&B, and soul. Kirkman, who passed away in September 2023 at age 83, was the lead singer on “Cherish” and composed other hits such as “Everything That Touches You” and “Six Man Band.” The transaction includes worldwide non-PRO songwriter royalties, the writer’s share of public performance income, artist royalties attributable to Kirkman’s performances on The Association’s recordings, and neighboring rights income. By acquiring these rights, Dynamite ensures that the legacy of a Vocal Group Hall of Fame inductee remains under the stewardship of a firm dedicated to preserving songs with true cultural worth.
Industry Leaders Praise the Strategic Fit
Heidi Kirkman, Terry’s widow, expressed confidence that the catalog would be managed by an aficionado capable of distinguishing between sunshine pop, bubblegum music, and psychedelic rock. Alan Wallis, CEO of Dynamite Songs, emphasized that “Cherish” is a song people across the world believe they have always known, yet Kirkman’s talent extended far beyond that single hit. Wallis noted that “Requiem for the Masses,” a choral anti-war lament shaped by the shadow of Vietnam, existed alongside “Cherish” within the same creative period, demonstrating the writer’s rare gift. Dynamite, launched in 2025 with backing from Crestline Investors Inc., a Fort Texas investment manager with $20.9 billion in assets, is fully funded to move rapidly and ensure songs of this caliber never remain without a home. The Kirkman estate was represented by Music Rights Group and Miles Feinberg in the transaction.
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