Songwriter/Producer Luke Laird Renews with UMPG

Pictured: Front row (L-R): Beth Laird, co-owner of Creative Nation Music; and Luke Laird. Back row (L-R): Travis Gordon, UMPG Creative Director; Kent Earls, Executive VP/GM of UMPG Nashville; Missy Wilson, UMPG Sr. Creative Director; and Ron Stuve, UMPG VP A&R.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville has renewed its deal with Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Luke Laird, extending his longstanding relationship with the company.

Laird’s exclusive worldwide deal encompasses his entire catalogue as well as future works. Throughout more than a decade with UMPG Nashville as his publisher, Laird has garnered more than 800 credits to his name.

“From his first No. 1 co-written single in 2007 through his 19th No. 1 last week, we have been honored to work with Luke Laird every step of the way. His tireless passion, endless creativity and genre leading songwriting excites the UMPG staff every day. We look forward to what he delivers next!,” said UMPG Nashville Executive Vice President/General Manager Kent Earls.

“I’ve been part of the Universal Music Publishing family for over 10 years and I’m excited to continue the partnership with Kent and the entire team,” Laird said.

Over his career, Luke Laird has co-written 19 No.1 songs on Billboard’s Nashville Country Airplay chart. To date, his songs have contributed to the sales of more than 20 million albums. Laird has penned No.1 hits for a multitude of artists including Luke Bryan (“I See You”), Kenny Chesney (“American Kids”), Lady Antebellum (“Downtown”), Tim McGraw (“One of Those Nights”), Rodney Atkins (“Take a Back Road”), Eric Church (“Give Me Back My Hometown,” “Talladega,” and “Drink in My Hand”), Chris Young (“You”), Carrie Underwood (“Undo It,” “So Small,” “Last Name,” and “Temporary Home”), Brad Paisley (“Beat This Summer”), Sara Evans (“A Little Bit Stronger”), Blake Shelton (“Hillbilly Bone” feat. Trace Adkins), Little Big Town (“Pontoon”), Frankie Ballard (“Sunshine and Whiskey), and Hunter Hayes (“Somebody’s Heartbreak”).

In 2012, Laird received both BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year award and won the Frances W. Preston Award Song of the Year Award for “Take A Back Road.” In 2014, he received his first Grammy Award in 2014 for co-producing Kacey Musgraves’ album, Same Trailer Different Park. In early 2015, he also received his fourth CMA Triple Play Award for three No.1 singles in a 12-month period.

Laird has worked with such other major artists as Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Ne-Yo, Rascal Flatts, Lee Ann Womack, Amy Grant, Lauren Alaina and Charlotte Church among many others.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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