Biography

Carl Haverlin: Music industry executive. Born 1899. Died 1985. Longtime executive with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Principal organizer during BMI’s formative years and later served as BMI president, 1947-1964.
Russell Sanjek: Music industry executive. Born 1916. Died June 1986. Longtime executive with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), from BMI’s early years into the 1980s. Author of the four-volume work, American Popular Music and its Business: The First Four Hundred Years 3 Vols. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988), a history of the American music industry.

Interview Summary

1979 June 7
Printed transcript only. Audio recording not available.
Former BMI executives Carl Haverlin and Russell Sanjek talk about their experiences during the early years of BMI’s organization. Discussion includes events during the early years of BMI; Haverlin’s work with the Mutual Broadcasting System; the stories behind several of BMI’s programming achievements, including the Book Parade, Lincoln for the Ages, and The American Story; development of the Haverlin Collection; promoting BMI among large and small broadcasters; tensions between BMI and ASCAP; BMI’s fight against conspiracy charges; the story behind the arrest of ASCAP president Gene Buck; and memories of early BMI personnel.