Brent Rupard Inks With Creative Nation & EMPIRE

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Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Abby Holcomb, Luke Laird, Beth Laird and Cole Brown. (Front Row, L-R): Jack Johns (EMPIRE), Eric Hurt (EMPIRE), Brent Rupard, Emily Furman and Alex Albanese Graham. Photo: Emily Stearns

Brent Rupard has signed with Creative Nation, in partnership with EMPIRE.

Raised in Shepherdsville, Kentucky and later cutting his teeth in the bars of Bowling Green while attending Western Kentucky University, Rupard moved to Nashville in 2011 to pursue music full time. That same year, he signed a publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music and earned the ASCAP Leon Brettler Award.

Rupard later became one half of the duo Everette, signing with Broken Bow Records. The duo toured with acts including Brothers Osborne, Larry Fleet and The Cadillac Three, and played the Grand Ole Opry over a dozen times. As a songwriter, Rupard has earned cuts with artists including Josh Turner, Larry Fleet, Lee Brice, Tracy Lawrence, Thompson Square, Randy Rogers Band and more.

“This signing is a dream come true for me,” Rupard says. “From the way it all organically came together, to how quickly I felt at home with both teams, I knew this was going to be an amazing ride. Luke and Beth Laird have built something truly special at Creative Nation, with its own fingerprint on the Nashville community. I’ve always hoped I’d land here someday, and I’m incredibly grateful to join such a talented lineup and experience that creative culture firsthand. I was also immediately impressed by Eric Hurt’s genuine care for songwriters and artists — he is a rockstar and we connected so quickly. I’m incredibly excited for the journey we’re all about to go on together.”

“Luke [Laird] and I have been a fan of Brent’s songwriting and artistry for a long time,” shares Beth Laird, Creative Nation CEO and Co-Founder. “He has a special way of capturing nostalgia and making you feel something, whether it’s a fun tempo or descriptive ballad, and we have always loved his storytelling. He has been writing and hanging out with a lot of our Creative Nation crew for years so we are honored to add him to our roster and excited to work with Eric Hurt and the whole EMPIRE team on this deal!”

“EMPIRE is thrilled to partner with Creative Nation and Brent Rupard on this new publishing venture,” says Eric Hurt, EMPIRE VP, A&R Publishing. “I was a fan of Brent’s music and songwriting before I met him. After Larry Fleet introduced us, I was even more impressed with his character and approach to songwriting. He is not only a fantastic songwriter, but also an equally talented artist. This combination gives Brent the skillset to relate well with other artists and to craft songs with a unique, artistic perspective. Additionally, I’ve known Beth and Luke Laird for years, so partnering with them/Creative Nation on this deal is the cherry on top. We’re honored to be a part of this and look forward to future success with Brent and this impressive team.”

Lauryn Sink
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