John Simson

John L. Simson, Executive Director of SoundExchange, has been involved in the music industry since his 1971 signing with Perception Records as a singer/songwriter. His career has included a ten-year partnership in Studio One Artists, managing country superstar Mary Chapin Carpenter (1988-1995), among many others. John has practiced entertainment law since 1980, and was counsel to the firm of Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe from 1990 through 1999, before joining SoundExchange in 2000. John was one of the founders of the Washington Area Music Association and its first President (1985-1990), as well as serving, at various times, as President of the Washington, D.C. chapter of NARAS (Recording Academy), on the Recording Academy Board of Governors in 1997 for the Washington, D.C. chapter, and as a National Trustee of the Academy (1997-2000). John is currently an adjunct professor of Entertainment Law at American University's Washington College of Law, and taught Entertainment Law for two semesters at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law, and has lectured frequently on entertainment law and business.