Spirit Music Acquires Selection Of HARDY’s Song Catalog, Signs Go-Forward Deal

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Derek Wells (Spirit Music Nashville/2Mix); Michael Hardy; Frank Rogers (Spirit Music Group, Spirit Music Nashville) and Andy Hodges (Spirit Music Nashville); (L-R, back row): Brian Bradford (Spirit Music Nashville); Kennedy Murphy (Spirit Music Nashville); Matthew Beckett (Milom/Crow/Kelley/Beckett/Shehan PLC); Michelle Davey (Lyric Capital Group); David Crow (Milom/Crow/Kelley/Beckett/Shehan PLC); Jesse Matkosky (Relative Music Group); Thomas Hartsock (Lyric Capital Group); AJ Burton (Fluid Music Revolution/Spirit Music Nashville); Will Cooper (Spirit Music Nashville); Mikey Fiorentino (Spirit Music Nashville); Troy “Tracker” Johnson (TRACK mgmt.); Jasmine Pettus (Spirit Music Nashville) and Lexie Rigler (Safford Motley PLC). Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Music Nashville

Spirit Music has acquired select compositions from the music publishing catalog of country rock superstar HARDY. He has also signed a go-forward exclusive songwriting agreement with Spirit Music Nashville.

“HARDY is a multi-genre force of nature as an artist, a world-class songwriter and a great human being,” says Frank Rogers, Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville. “Spirit could not be more excited to welcome HARDY to the family and we are excited about helping him build on his already legendary career.”

“After years of making music together, I couldn’t be more proud to start this new chapter with my pal HARDY here at Spirit,” adds Derek Wells, Vice President, A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville/2Mix. “Great music with great people is the business we want to be in here, and HARDY hits that nail on the head. He is truly a ‘1 of 1’ talent and human that elevates every room he’s in.”

“I’m pumped to be joining the Spirit Music family,” shares HARDY. “They believe in the songs I write and that means a lot to me. I’m excited to see what we can build together.”

HARDY is a five-time ACM award winner and two-time CMA Award winner. He has won three CMA Triple Play awards, was named the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year and is a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year with 16 No. 1 singles under his belt. Some of his chart-topping hits include his own triple-Platinum “One Beer” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson; the Platinum Dierks Bentley and BRELAND collaboration “Beers On Me,” the triple-Platinum duet “Wait In The Truck” feat. Lainey Wilson and his first-ever rock radio No. 1 “JACK.”

HARDY has also collaborated with Morgan Wallen (“Born With A Beer In My Hand” and “Tennessee Fan”); Jelly Roll (“Church”); Carrie Underwood (“Hate My Heart”); with other songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett, Dylan Scott, Nate Smith, Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny, Brantley Gilbert, Vince Gill, Diplo, Zac Brown, Danielle Bradbery, Chase Rice, Ryan Hurd, Michael Ray, BRELAND, Brian Kelley, Nelly, George Birge, Kolby Cooper, Matt Stell, Dillon Carmichael, Lily Rose, The Reklaws, Jon Langston and more.

His new album COUNTRY! COUNTRY! is set for release on Sept. 26 via Big Loud. He is currently on his “JIM BOB World Tour” for a slew of festivals and headline dates, culminating with his first-ever headline show at Madison Square Garden the week of the album’s release.

HARDY was represented in the deal by Scott Safford (Safford Motley PLC). Spirit was represented by Matthew Beckett and David Crow (Milom/Crow/Kelley/Beckett/Shehan PLC).

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