The Music Producers Guild (UK) has announced the appointment of Steve Levine as its new Chairman.
Levine is an award winning producer and a member of Musicians Union’s executive committee and a director of PRS, MCPS and BASCA, which he represents on the UK Music board. He replaces former chairman Mike Howlett who has left for a new position as associate professor and head of music and sound at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.
Speaking on behalf of the Music Producers Guild, Mike Howlett said: “We are absolutely delighted that Steve has agreed to take on the mantle of MPG Chairman. As well as being a highly respected music producer, Steve is well placed in the music industry and I know he will be a capable and articulate voice to carry forward the Music Producers Guild mission of speaking for the interests of recording professionals.
“The MPG is engaged with industry, with government and with education to ensure that the perspective of creative recording professionals is heard. Issues such as copyright extension, digital rights and the value of intellectual property in music affect all our members. I am confident that Steve Levine will be a strong representative voice in these arenas.”
Steve Levine added: “I am really thrilled that the Music Producers Guild has asked me to be the next chairman. Mike has done a superb job, as witnessed by the huge success of the inaugural Music Producers Guild Awards earlier this year – an event that has significantly raised our profile. I intend to build on the positive effect that the Awards have achieved. My roles on the various music business boards will, I hope, be invaluable to the Music Producers Guild. Most creators share the same aims, trying to earn a living from those creative efforts. In this current climate the role of the record producer has become more important than ever. A whole new generation of artistes require the services of a professional record producer. The Music Producers Guild is best suited to help the record production community achieve their aims.”
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With a history of record production that dates back to 1975, Levine has and has worked with many renowned artists, including all of Culture Clubʼs classic hits and three multi-platinum albums, The Beach Boys, China Crisis, Gary Moore, Westworld, Lemmy & Motorhead and Deniece Williams – a project that earned him a Grammy in 1987. He has also composed a number of film scores.
In addition to his studio work, Levine runs the production Magnum Opus Broadcasting company, which produces The Record Producers, a radio documentary series for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music that focuses on the art of record production from the producer’s perspective.
IN his new position he will drive the Guild’s involvement with the Producer Managers Group of the Music Managers Forum which is currently working to find new ways for producers to be remunerated for their work. He will also engage with PPL, which is working with the Music Producers Guild to formulate a new process for registering performer contributions to recordings.
“I am pleased to be leaving the Music Producers Guild in such a vibrant condition and in such capable hands,” Mike Howlett adds. “In recent years we have forged strong links with studios and recording equipment manufacturers through our technical forums and networking events. In partnership with the APRS, we have created the Joint Audio Media Education Service (JAMES), to work with educational institutions to assist in ensuring relevant and appropriate skills to our industry are being taught.
“We have also succeeded in launching the Music Producers Guild Awards, the first of which took place in February to great critical acclaim. This has renewed recognition of the recording professionals’ essential contribution to British music and we fully intend it to become an annual event on the music industry calendar. In this time of profound change and turmoil in the industry one thing is certain: artists will continue to make great music and recording professionals will remain central to the process of creating great recordings. Positioned at the heart of this process, we occupy a unique place between the artists and the industry.”
www.mpg.org.uk
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