By Rodel Delfin

The inhabitants of music-biz-land are still trying to get their heads around the fact that two of the Top 5 publishing companies may well change hands in the next few months. As we recently reported, Bertelsmann will offer BMG Songs to selected bidders this month to raise money to buy back the 25.1% stake of the company now owned by Groupe Bruxelles Lambert. Meanwhile, as EMI prepares its next bid to buy Warner Music Group, it’s generally assumed that it will be #2 Warner/Chappell, rather than #1 EMI Music Publishing, that EMI will put up for sale if the deal goes down. The situation brings added intrigue to the recent hiring of former Warner/Chappell head Les Bider as “Executive-in-Residence” at private equity firm Elevation Partners, owned by U2 frontman Bono. Bider reportedly will assist the company in evaluating investments, primarily in the music industry and related areas, and may become involved in the management of any moves the firm makes in the sector. Considering Bider’s knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the generally profitable W/C and its true value, could Elevation be one of the companies making a play, and could Bider wind up once again calling the shots at his former place of employment? The music publishing space is sure to get extremely interesting in the coming months, so stay tuned… Word on the street is that Columbia is in the hunt to fill some A&R posts in their West Coast office. Longtime A&R vet and Columbia West Coast GM Tim Devine has left his gig after 10 years at the label. Meanwhile, left coast Columbia A&R exec Jon Pikus has moved on to a Director position at Myspace.com’s record label, thus making Columbia somewhat unrepresented on the L.A. streets. That leaves former Hollywood Records Pop A&R exec Jay Landers as the only senior A&R player for Columbia in Tinseltown… Australian songstress Vassy is in SoCal to continue her meetings with U.S. publishers and labels… Could a reunion take place for a multi-platinum-selling ’90s rock band that we would all love to see get back together?… Four labels are reportedly in play for the Francois Mobasser-repped Mickey Avalon. Catch him at upcoming Roxy show in L.A. on June 17 before he’s off the market… Finally, expect plenty of weaseltude at this month’s ASCAP showcase, featuring Everybody Else, Street to Nowhere, Audrye Sessions and Red Light School District. See Buzz/Gigs for details… BUZZIN’: Holly Marilyn, My Favorite Highway and Price… Hit me up: brotherxx@earthlink.net

BUZZ/GIGS:
BURNING BRIDES Tues., June 6, 11 p.m., El Rey, L.A.
ASCAP SHOWCASE Tues., June 20, TBD, Troubadour, L.A.
MOBFEST MUSIC FESTIVAL June 22-24, various venues , Chicago