Ole Signs Chris Wallin

(L-R): ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard, Chris Wallin, and ole’s Shane Barrett

Ole has acquired the catalogue of hit songwriter Chris Wallin and entered a worldwide co-publishing deal with him. Among the No. 1s he has written or co-written are Toby Keith’s “Love Me If You Can,” Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink,” and Montgomery Gentry’s “Something To Be Proud Of.” He brings these and over 100 more songs including hits “I’m Tryin’” (Trace Adkins) and “Speed” (Montgomery Gentry) to ole.

The White Pine, Tennessee native says he was drawn to ole’s international reach—it has offices in Toronto, Nashville and Los Angeles—and development commitment to its writers when deciding to sign with them. He says, “It’s clear that ole is a company that doesn’t stay in the box.”

He moved to Nashville in the 1980s and soon landed his first songwriting deal, garnering cuts by artists such as Lorrie Morgan, Keith Anderson, Anthony Smith, Trace Adkins, Jeffrey Steele, Confederate Railroad, Neal McCoy, Brad Paisley and Diamond Rio. Wallin is also an active advocate for songwriter’s rights and often works with NSAI to protect intellectual property rights.