Dynamite Songs says it has acquired the music catalog of Terry Kirkman, co-founder and principal songwriter of The Association.
The deal, announced on Thursday (July 9), adds 71 compositions to the specialist UK-headquartered publisher’s portfolio, including Cherish, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.
BMI subsequently ranked Cherish among the most-played songs on American radio and television of the twentieth century.
The catalog also includes Everything That Touches You, Six Man Band, and Requiem for the Masses.
Dynamite has acquired 100% of the US publishing copyrights of key works recorded by The Association in the 1960s, according to the company.
The transaction also covers worldwide non-PRO songwriter royalties and the writer’s share of public performance income for all compositions, plus artist royalties attributable to Kirkman‘s performances on the group’s recordings, as well as neighboring rights income.
The purchase takes Dynamite‘s catalog to more than 1,700 works spanning six decades, from the 1960s to the 2010s 2010s across genres
including pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, dance, garage, EDM, country, Americana, and screen composition.
“Terry Kirkman wrote songs that have been in the air for sixty years and show no sign of leaving,” said Alan Wallis, CEO of Dynamite Songs.
“Cherish is one of those songs that people across the world think they’ve always known, and that’s no accident.”
“A writer capable of both has a rare gift, and it’s no wonder his songs have stood the test of time.”
ALAN Wallis, Dynamite Songs
“Yet Terry’s talents went far beyond that – a song like Requiem for the Masses existed side by side with Cherish, also written by Terry and recorded by the same group, within the same creative period.”
“One is among the most tender love songs of the decade. The other is effectively a choral anti-war lament shaped by the shadow of Vietnam.”
“A writer capable of both has a rare gift, and it’s no wonder his songs have stood the test of time,” said Wallis.
“Heidi’s decision to entrust Terry’s legacy to us is not something we take lightly, and we are committed to caring for his music and ensuring that it continues to reach the audiences it deserves. Looking after great songwriting with true cultural worth, whatever its age or genre, is what Dynamite was built to do, and being fully funded and able to move rapidly means we never have to leave songs as good as these without a home.” Wallis added.
The acquisition is the latest by Dynamite Songs, which launched in May 2025.
The publisher was founded by the team behind Mojo Music & Media, including valuation expert Alan Wallis, and is backed by investment manager Crestline Investors.
Its portfolio includes works performed by Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Avicii, The Black Eyed Peas, Joan Osborne and Tinie Tempah.
In September, Dynamite acquired the catalog of Grammy-winning producer Keith Harris, adding more than 200 songs.
In November, it acquired around 150 tracks via deals with Eric Turner, John ‘$K’ McGee, TIEKS and Dan Harkna.
The company has also expanded its team, appointing Claudia Namukasa as Catalogue Manager and Charlotte Hancock as Rights Acquisition Manager.
Heidi Kirkman, widow of Terry Kirkman, said the catalog was passing to a buyer who understood the band’s place in music history.
“It is clear that Terry’s catalogue is heading into the hands of an aficionado who can parse between psychedelic rock and folk rock, between sunshine pop and bubble gum music, and knows exactly where The Association falls in this spectrum.”
The Kirkman estate was represented by Music Rights Group and Miles Feinberg.Music Business Worldwide
Dynamite Songs, a UK-based music publishing company, has recently announced its acquisition of the music catalog of Terry Kirkman, who co-founded the iconic band The Association and was a key songwriter for the group. This acquisition, disclosed on July 9, adds a total of 71 songs to Dynamite’s portfolio, including the classic hit « Cherish, » which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. « Cherish » is notable for being one of the most-played songs on American radio and television throughout the twentieth century, as ranked by BMI. The catalog also features other significant compositions such as « Everything That Touches You, » « Six Man Band, » and « Requiem for the Masses. »
Dynamite Songs has acquired 100% of the US publishing copyrights for key works recorded by The Association during the 1960s. The deal encompasses worldwide non-PRO (Performing Rights Organization) songwriter royalties, the writer’s share of public performance income, and artist royalties attributable to Kirkman’s performances on the group’s recordings, in addition to neighboring rights income.
With this acquisition, Dynamite Songs’ catalog now exceeds 1,700 works spanning various genres from the 1960s to the 2010s, including pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, dance, garage, EDM, country, Americana, and screen compositions. Alan Wallis, the CEO of Dynamite Songs, expressed his admiration for Kirkman’s songwriting talents, noting that songs like « Cherish » have remained timeless and beloved across generations. Wallis highlighted the duality of Kirkman’s work, citing « Requiem for the Masses » as a poignant anti-war lament juxtaposed against the tender love song « Cherish. » He emphasized the rarity of a songwriter capable of crafting such diverse pieces, underscoring the cultural significance of Kirkman’s contributions.
Heidi Kirkman, Terry’s widow, conveyed her confidence in Dynamite Songs as the custodian of her late husband’s musical legacy. She expressed her belief that the catalog is now in the hands of a company that truly appreciates the band’s historical significance in music. Wallis reassured that Dynamite Songs is committed to honoring Kirkman’s legacy by ensuring that his music continues to reach and resonate with audiences. He emphasized that the company was built to care for great songwriting, regardless of age or genre, and highlighted the importance of preserving works with true cultural worth.
Dynamite Songs was launched in May 2025 by a team of music industry experts, including Alan Wallis, and is backed by investment firm Crestline Investors. Its growing portfolio consists of works from renowned artists such as Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Avicii, The Black Eyed Peas, Joan Osborne, and Tinie Tempah. In addition to the Kirkman catalog, Dynamite has also made significant acquisitions in recent months, including the catalog of Grammy-winning producer Keith Harris, which added over 200 songs, as well as around 150 tracks from various artists through partnerships with Eric Turner, John ‘$K’ McGee, TIEKS, and Dan Harkna.
The Kirkman estate was represented in the transaction by Music Rights Group and Miles Feinberg, ensuring that the acquisition was conducted with an understanding of the artistic and cultural value of the works involved. This move marks another strategic expansion for Dynamite Songs, which has been rapidly building its catalog and enhancing its team by appointing new members such as Claudia Namukasa as Catalogue Manager and Charlotte Hancock as Rights Acquisition Manager.
In summary, the acquisition of Terry Kirkman’s catalog represents a significant addition to Dynamite Songs’ diverse portfolio, solidifying the company’s position in the music publishing sector while ensuring that timeless and culturally important works continue to be cherished by new generations. The collaboration between the Kirkman estate and Dynamite Songs symbolizes a commitment to preserving and promoting the legacy of one of the 1960s’ most influential songwriting figures.
