ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) has renewed its agreement with the estate of songwriter Johnny Marks, the writer of classic Christmas songs including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Silver and Gold and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.
ASCAP will continue to license public performances of his songwriting catalog throughout the world.
“It simply wouldn’t be the holidays without the music of Johnny Marks,” said ASCAP president Paul Williams. “His enduring songs have provided a timeless soundtrack for holiday sing-alongs and family gatherings for over 75 years, and ASCAP is proud to keep the tradition going.”
“My father was an ASCAP member from the beginning of his career,” said Marks’ son, Michael, who runs St. Nicholas Music, the publishing company founded by his father. “It has been a long and rewarding relationship, and I look forward to continuing to work with our friends at ASCAP in the years to come.”
In addition to his Christmas canon, Marks has composed scores for numerous commercials and TV specials including the 1964 Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer programme with Burl Ives. He also found success with non-Christmas themed music too, including country song Everything I've Always Wanted, recorded by Porter Wagoner; She’ll Always Remember, introduced by Kate Smith; Anyone Can Move a Mountain, recorded by Kate Smith and Harry Simeone; Address Unknown with the Ink Spots; and Who Calls with Bing Crosby.
From 1940 until his death in 1985, Marks was an active member of ASCAP and served on its Board of Directors from 1957 through 1961.
