In 1940 there came another watershed when a dispute between ASCAP and US radio stations led to the inauguration of the rival Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI).

During and after World War II, Peer published songs such as "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and "You Are My Sunshine" (sung by Jimmie Davis, covered by Bing Crosby and many others), "Humpty Dumpty Heart" (Glenn Miller), "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You" (Russ Morgan), "The Three Caballeros" (the Andrews Sisters), "Say a Prayer for the Boys Over There" (Deanna Durbin), and "I Should Care" and "The Coffee Song" (both Frank Sinatra).

In 1945, he published Jean Villard's and Bert Reisfeld's composition "Les trois cloches" ("The Three Bells"), which was recorded by The Browns.

In the 1950s Peer published "Mockingbird Hill", a million-seller for Patti Page; "Sway" (Dean Martin and Bobby Rydell); and the novelty "I Know an Old Lady" (Burl Ives).

[3] Peer II is also the vice president and director of the National Music Publishers Association and the Harry Fox Agency.