Primary Wave Inks Catalog, NIL Deal With the Harry Chapin Estate

Harry Chapin performing live. Photo Credit: Jo Grossman

Primary Wave has officially taken a stake in the IP of Harry Chapin, including the “Cat’s in the Cradle” singer-songwriter’s catalog as well as his name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.

New York City-headquartered Primary Wave and the Chapin estate formally disclosed their partnership, but not the financial and ownership particulars thereof, today. On the catalog side, the tie-up extends to the better part of 1,000 total recordings and compositions – including, of course, the aforementioned “Cat’s in the Cradle” mega-hit, which Chapin co-wrote with his wife.

But the comprehensive agreement also encompasses different works popularized by the Grammy Hall of Fame inductee across 11 studio albums – “I Wanna Learn a Love Song,” “W.O.L.D.,” “Taxi,” “Sequel,” and “Sunday Morning Sunshine” among them – as well as a number of seemingly unrecorded efforts.

Less widely known than the noted tracks, but worth highlighting in light of Primary Wave’s expertise in staging IRL events, is the Chapin-penned music behind Cotton Patch Gospel.

And while time will reveal precisely how the company and the estate collaborate under the pact, Primary Wave confirmed plans to spearhead fresh digital projects, sync placements, film/TV releases, and more.

“My family is incredibly impressed with Primary Wave and their remarkably talented team,” added Harry’s son Jason Chapin. “We are so excited to support them as they introduce Harry Chapin music to wider and younger audiences while giving long-time fans more of what they love.”

Primary Wave senior director of business and legal affairs Cole Rushworth, for his part, praised the WhyHunger co-founder Chapin as “one of the all-time greats.”

“Harry Chapin’s unique gift as a storyteller and his ability to capture experiences that are at once personal and universally relatable make him one of the all-time greats, and an incredible addition to Primary Wave’s roster of legendary singer-songwriters,” Rushworth said.

“It has been a true pleasure working with the Chapin family to bring this partnership to life and we are honored to have the opportunity to uphold Harry’s legacy,” he concluded.

2026’s first four months have now seen Primary Wave invest in the work of (besides Chapin) Gilberto Gil, Britney Spears, and Eartha Kitt, to name some. Additionally, the company last month took an interest in Pops Music and, most notably of all, unveiled its planned acquisition of Kobalt in a multibillion-dollar deal.

Today, that landmark buyout made way for another massive play, as BMG and Concord announced a definitive agreement to combine their businesses.