Combustion Music Celebrates 100 No. 1 Hits

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Pictured (L-R): Director of Operations Kelly Lyons; President/Songwriter/Producer Chris Farren; General Manager Keithan Melton; Vice President Chris “Falcon” Van Belkom; Senior Creative Director, A&R Blake Duncan. Photo: Mick Bodie.

Music Row-based publishing, masters, and writer development firm Combustion Music earned its 100th No. 1 with Jordan Davis’ tune “Buy Dirt” (featuring Luke Bryan) via Combustion writer Matt Jenkins.

Alongside this milestone, Combustion has also revamped with a new logo and website, along with a revived definition of Combustion and its expanding list of accomplishments.

Established in 2001 by owner Chris Farren, Combustion’s “we’re all in this together” mentality is a reflection of Farren’s background as an artist, writer, producer and entrepreneur.

With first signings including seven-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley, and Grammy award-winning group Kings of Leon, Combustion is now home to 5x Grammy award nominee Matthew West, multiple No. 1 award-winning writer and producer AJ Pruis, No. 1 writer Brett Tyler, Thirty Tigers artist Bones Owens, writer and Combustion Masters artist Faren Rachels, writers Jessica Farren and Leanna Crawford, and writer/producers Austin Goodloe, Tom Whall, and Sam Bergeson.

“Our industry is ever changing, and we’ve allowed Combustion a flexibility to adapt and pivot with the industry and, therefore, carefully cultivate opportunities to give our writers the best possible chance for success,” Farren explains. “We’re thrilled for our writers and all they’ve accomplished, but more excited for continued growth and all that’s to come.”

“We’ve taken a very grassroots approach to everything we’ve done, so our success has been hard-earned and authentic,” adds Combustion VP Chris “Falcon” VanBelkom. “Everything we’ve done has been done with a lot of intention and care. We’re not just here to develop hit writers-we’re here to build a stable of writers and opportunities the whole team can be passionate about and proud of.”

Combustion also developed multi-award winning singer-songwriter Jameson Rodgers, leading to his deal with Sony Music Nashville, as well as Bones Owens, leading to his deal with Thirty Tigers, and Leanna Crawford with Provident.

The company has partnered with Broken Bow Records to continue the growth of touring and streaming powerhouse Kolby Cooper, and most recently partnered with Sony Music Nashville for the signing of streaming star Corey Kent.

Lydia Farthing
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