Sony Music Publishing Signs Kane Brown; Launches Joint Venture With Brown And Kent Earls
Pictured (L-R, top row): Kent Earls, Partner, Verse 2 Music; Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO; (L-R, bottom row): Kane Brown, Jon Platt, Sony Music Publishing Chairman & CEO. Photo: Meagan Little Photography
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Kane Brown to a worldwide deal. Additionally the company has partnered with Brown and longtime publishing executive Kent Earls to launch Verse 2 Music, with Earls leading operations of the joint venture.
Brown said, “I’m excited to further my relationship with Sony with Rusty Gaston and Jon Platt, and to work alongside Kent Earls again at Verse 2 Music.”
In 2016, Earls signed Brown to Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville.
Thursday’s (Feb. 25) announcement follows Brown’s recent launch of 1021 Entertainment, a label joint venture with Sony Music Nashville.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston said, “Kane Brown is redefining boundaries with his dynamic artistry, all-around business acumen, and passion as a craftsman songwriter–his anthemic songs will live forever. We couldn’t be happier to welcome him to Sony Music Publishing, and we are equally as excited to partner with Kane and Kent Earls on the launch of Verse 2 Music. We look forward to championing the history they will undoubtedly make together.”
Earls, Partner, Verse 2 Music said, “I am beyond excited to start my next chapter with Kane, Jon, Rusty and the entire Sony Music Publishing family. Verse 2 Music will focus on exceptional songwriters and artists that aspire to make musical history. I am fortunate to have started working with Kane from the beginning of his career and now again with him in this time when he is a superstar in the country format and beyond.”
Brown’s record-breaking debut album produced six-times Platinum No. 1 hits “Heaven” and “What Ifs.” With his debut effort, Brown become the first artist in Billboard history to top all five country charts simultaneously. His follow-up album Experiment topped the Billboard 200 chart and produced three consecutive No. 1 singles: “Homesick,” “Good As You” and “Lose It.” Brown’s latest effort, Mixtape Vol. 1 features hit singles “Cool Again,” “Be Like That” ft. Swae Lee and Khalid, “Worldwide Beautiful,” and his collaboration with John Legend “Last Time I Say Sorry.” Additionally, Brown co-wrote “One Thing Right,” his Top 40 radio hit with Marshmello.
