Neil Gillis is President of S1 Songs America and a Member of the Board of the National Music Publishers' Association. He recently answered questions for the NMPA's upcoming newsletter and the Copyright Alliance is pleased to get an early peek.

What led you to a career in music publishing?
I've been a musician (Guitar and French horn) most of my life and during the formative years, learning amazing songs brought real joy to my life. I'm also one of those crazy people who loved to read all the album credits on every new record I bought as I was fascinated by who these mysterious players and business people were behind the scenes of the music itself.  I originally went to University to be a music teacher and quickly switched to a music and business track and found my way into publishing. It seems I was somehow destined to be a publisher.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
On a business level, I'd have to say coming on board at S1 Songs America and helping to shape the future of this new company with Steve McMellon, Peter Bennett and our amazing worldwide team as well as my recent appointment to the NMPA Board which has been a career long goal.  On a creative level, I'd have to say it has been the simple and fortunate ability to work with and help the careers of so many divergent artists and writers.   I still cannot believe that I do what I do for a living.  I am blessed for sure.

Tell us about some of the songwriters who work with S1.
We're fortunate to have many talented writers and artists on our roster.  We've had wonderful success with Jason Wade and his band Lifehouse over the course of their history and via the most recent record.  We've had great success with an eclectic group of artists that our "A team" writer/producer Sam Hollander has written for including bands like Gym Class Heroes, Boys Like Girls and We The Kings among many others. The Hold Steady had an amazing release with Boys and Girls in America and will release a much anticipated new record very soon. Our colleagues in Nashville are rocking with our incredibly talented family of writers and JV partners there.  

That success has translated into our shares in long lasting copyrights that went to #1 such as "AMAZED" (Lonestar),  "JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL" (Carrie Underwood) and "FAST CARS AND FREEDOM" (Rascal Flatts) to current chart activity with singles such as "THINGS THAT NEVER CROSS A MAN'S MIND" (Kellie Pickler), "DO YOU BELIEVE ME NOW" (Kenny Wayne) and "IF YOU DIDN'T LOVE ME" by Phil Stacey. We're also very excited about our new relationships with the writers that came over in our purchase of the Wind Up Music Publishing catalog.  Via that deal, we're fortunate to get the amazing talents of current chart hits with bands like Finger Eleven and Seether as well as the vast catalog of songs penned by the likes of Evanescence and Creed and all of the other amazing Wind Up artists.  

Finally, we have the absolute pleasure of getting to work with incredible creative talents (can't define it all as they do so many things well) of Amy Lee and Ben Moody.

What are the biggest challenges to the music publishing industry today?
Obviously, finding a way through negotiation, legislation and education to put fair and equitable financial metrics around the variety of commercial usages of a song is one of the keys to our future.  

Why is it important for the music publishing industry to have an effective, unified voice in Washington, D.C.?
Every music publisher is different in scope and size and would most likely have somewhat divergent agendas if asked. That being said, a powerful voice comes from unifying as an industry behind common goals.  It would appear to be a more effective approach rather than an "every man for himself" route.   The future is brighter because of that unity.  

What is your favorite song and why?
If pushed to name but one (quite frankly impossible to do), I would say "Yesterday" by Lennon and McCartney.   I have heard it sung in every language all over the world.  Now that's the power and connection of music!

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