Rivers Rutherford Inks Publishing Deal With Kane Brown’s Verse 2 Music

Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford has signed with Verse 2 Music, a Sony Music Publishing joint-venture helmed by multi-Platinum entertainer Kane Brown and publishing veteran Kent Earls.

“Rivers is a true songwriting craftsman in every sense of the word,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome him to the Sony Music Publishing family, and we look forward to supporting him as he continues to push the boundaries of Nashville songwriting.”

One of music’s most talented and accomplished singer-songwriters, Rutherford’s cuts include hits for iconic legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, and Kris Kristofferson.

Over the course of his prolific career, Rutherford has had numerous No. 1 hits, multiple Grammys, CMA and ACM nominations, and over 20 ASCAP awards—including both of the coveted awards for Country Song Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year. In addition to recent hits with Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and Reba McEntire, the award-winning writer has penned No. 1 songs by Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and Brooks & Dunn. His hit “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You” won Billboard’s and ASCAP’S Song Of The Year and spent 6 weeks at No. 1, marking Brooks & Dunn’s most successful single to date.

“I am very happy to sign to Verse 2 and be working again with my good friend Kent Earls. I am also grateful to be working with an artist as talented and exciting as Kane Brown, whose creativity and work ethic I greatly admire. Rusty Gaston and the rest of the Sony Music Publishing family are superstars and I’m honored to contribute to such a deep and storied catalog of classic country music,” shares Rutherford.

“Rivers Rutherford is a Nashville songwriting icon. He is a timeless creator of ultra cool, soulful country music. Rivers is an incredibly successful Hall of Fame songwriter but is an even better person at heart. To be able to sign him to Verse 2 is an honor and we’re excited to add him to our roster,” says Earls.