Creative Nation Adds To Roster, Extends Deals

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Abby Holcomb, Luke Laird, Alex Tamashunas, Kelsey Granda; (L-R, front row): Emily Furman, Beth Laird, Sandra McCracken, Abigail Bruner. Photo: Emily Stearns

Sandra McCracken has signed a publishing deal with Creative Nation.

McCracken is a Grammy-nominated and Dove-award winning singer-songwriter and hymn writer from Nashville. She has produced 15 solo albums over two decades, including Psalms (2015) and God’s Highway (2017), which made the top 50 on Billboard Heatseekers chart without support from a major label.

She has had many songs featured in TV, including “Ten Thousand Angels” on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, and has over 15 million streams. Blending the old and new, McCracken has also shown a unique ability to recast sacred scripture texts into theologically rich songs, including the release of November Songs with fellow Shadowlands band members Brett Tyler and Creative Nation’s Luke Laird. 

“We are excited to partner with Sandra McCracken as she broadens her writing community. Luke and I have long admired Sandra’s artistry — after we worked together on the Shadowlands project, we were eager to do more,” says Creative Nation Founder and CEO Beth Laird. “She is a great new addition to our team to diversify our roster.”

“I’m such a fan of these writers with a catalog of songs with so much depth and heart. So grateful to join this stellar, storytelling team at Creative Nation,” McCracken says.

Pictured (L-R, back row): Jayne Hamblin, Abigail Bruner, Brandon Gill, Kelsey Granda; (L-R, front row): Abby Holcomb, Emily Furman, Beth Laird, Jonathan Hutcherson, Luke Laird. Photo: Emily Stearns

Additionally, Steve Moakler and Jonathan Hutcherson have also extended their deals with the company.

Laird shares, “We are happy to announce that we have extended our deals with Steve Moakler and Jonathan Hutcherson.  They are both outstanding artists, songwriters and people that bring so much passion and creativity to our roster and culture at Creative Nation.”

Hutcherson, a Kentucky native, moved to Nashville in 2018 after appearing on The Voice at age 16. His independent single “Strangers” racked up more than 1 million Spotify streams as he logged countless sessions around Music City, balancing a job at Lowe’s to stay afloat. He signed his deal with Creative Nation in 2019 and has since cultivated his sound, releasing his self-titled EP in 2021.

“The last four years with CN have been some to remember. I’ve gotten to chase down a lot of dreams with this crew and it’s become a true home for my songs and for me as an artist. This team, the culture, and the heart behind the company is everything I want to be a part of. Grateful to God for the road behind us and the road ahead,” Hutcherson says.

Pictured (L-R, back row): Abby Holcomb, Alex Tamashunas, Jayne Hamblin, Brandon Gill, Luke Laird; (L-R, front row): Abigail Bruner, Kelsey Granda, Steve Moakler, Beth Laird, Emily Furman. Photo: Katie Kauss

Moakler is a Pennsylvania native whose more than 15 years in the industry has resulted in hits with Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Ben Rector, Reba McEntire and more. As an artist, Moakler has toured with Old Dominion, Willie Nelson, Dan + Shay and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. He released his most recent album Make A Little Room last year, containing “Let’s Go To The Lake,” “Numbered,” “You Being You” and more.

“I’m thrilled to continue working with Creative Nation… I’m truly inspired by everyone on the team and so grateful to be a part of it,” Moakler says.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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