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Russell Sutton, Tommy Karlas Ink With Sony Music Publishing & Droptine

February 1, 2023/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Pictured (L-R, front row): Jim Catino, Russell Sutton, Tommy Karlas and Rusty Gaston. (L-R, back row): Tom Luteran, Kenley Flynn, Anna Weisband, Dale Bobo, Aubrey Rupe and Synnovea Halsel.

Russell Sutton and Tommy Karlas have both signed global deals with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Droptine Music Publishing.

Sutton first achieved prominence as part of the duo Grassroots Revival. As a songwriter, he recently earned chart success with his first No. 1 single “My Boy” by Elvie Shane as well as with cuts by Drew Green. Sutton’s latest hit “Whiskey On You” by Nate Smith has topped the Canadian charts and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart this week.

Karlas has written songs for Blake Shelton, Warren Zeiders, Old Dominion, Randy Travis, and Montgomery Gentry, including their multi-week No. 1 “Roll With Me” which became the fastest rising and most downloaded song of Montgomery Gentry’s career, and earned Karlas an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year nomination. In 2021, he released his debut album, Put It In Drive.

“We couldn’t be happier to expand our relationship with Jim Catino and his Droptine Publishing team. Russell and Tommy are true Nashville craftsmen with the abilities to make big things happen,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston.

“I’m so excited to be working with Tommy and Russell,” adds Droptine Founder Jim Catino. “Both seasoned songwriters who know their craft well. It’s an honor to work their songs and I know they will both continue their great success.”

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Lorie Hollabaugh
Lorie Hollabaugh
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.
Lorie Hollabaugh
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