MusicRow’s Publisher Issue Features Bradley Family, Nashville Publishing State Of The Union, More

Nashville’s leading music industry publication MusicRow Magazine has released its 2021 Publisher Issue print edition, featuring Mercury Nashville’s Lauren Alaina on the cover.

In the 2021 Publisher Issue, MusicRow does a deep dive into the First Family of Music Row—The Bradleys—chronicling their impact on the Nashville music business and beyond. Members of the Bradley family discuss their history in Nashville and the legacy that their family has created. Featuring conversation with Clay, Jerry, and Patsy Bradley, this issue highlights some of the family’s greatest achievements and showcases treasured photos from over the years.

This issue also includes a conversation between UMPG’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, and Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar as the group of publishing giants give an update on the state of Nashville publishing in 2021 and the ever-growing importance of songwriting in the world today. “I delusionally believe that music has the absolute power to change the world for a better place. That’s what attracts us to songwriters,” Gaston shares. “[We look for someone] who has that natural heart for translating a real human emotion, something that we all connect with–whether that emotion is about love or loss or about that feeling of needing to clock out on Friday and relax with a beer.”

Also on tap, Tree Vibez Music’s Leslie DiPiero and Verse 2 Music’s Kent Earls explain the process behind artist-led publishing ventures. Focusing on the work of Florida Georgia Line and Kane Brown, this issue captures their separate journeys within the publishing realm so far as they continue building their own empires, as well as what they look for in writers when adding to their rosters.

Elsewhere, the Publisher Issue offers conversations with Anthem Entertainment’s Tim Wipperman as he reflects on 35 years in the music business, while also looking forward to future success at Anthem Entertainment as he helms the ship. Additionally, Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon takes us inside the world of indie publishing as she discusses their solid roster of a dozen songwriters and her journey to becoming VP of Publishing.

MusicRow also catches up with CEO of The MLC, Kris Ahrend, to talk about the organization’s launch and first year of operation in Nashville.

The 2021 Publisher Issue also highlights the work and careers of some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, including Sony Music Publishing’s Michael Carter, Big Loud/UMPG’s Ernest, Warner Chappell’s Martin Johnson, Sheltered Music’s Alex Kline, UMPG’s Lee Thomas Miller, and breakout country artist Brittney Spencer, who is self-published.

This annual resource includes the 2021 Publisher Directory, listing Nashville’s top publishing companies, as well as organizations and services available for songwriters.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2021 Publisher Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow memberships.