Tyler Booth Signs With Warner Chappell Music

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Back row (L-R): Ben Vaughn (WCM), Will Overton (WCM). Front row (L-R): Phil O’Donnell, Tyler Booth

Tyler Booth has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

Born and raised in Southeastern Kentucky, Booth began playing guitar and writing songs at age 10 and went on to attend Morehead State University. After building a grassroots following in Kentucky from his live performances, Booth moved to Nashville to pursue his passion for writing and singing full time. In 2017, he teamed up with songwriter/producer Phil O’Donnell to record his self-titled debut EP, featuring “Hank Crankin’ People,” If We Make It To Mexico,” and “Surrender.”

“When I walk into the Warner Chappell building I feel like I’m at home,” said Booth. “This is where I want to hang my hat. Their team have become family. It all just feels right for the songs I write and sing.”

Booth is represented by CAA and was recently announced as the first signing to Sony Music Nashville and Villa 40’s joint venture agreement.

Endurance Music Group Acquires Wide Open Music

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Pictured (L-R): Endurance Music Group’s Michael Martin, Wide Open Music’s Ash Bowers, Endurance Music Group’s Mark Ahlberg and Josh Saxe. Photo by Ed Rode.

Endurance Music Group has acquired Wide Open Music, adding a roster of artist-writers including Jimmie Allen and Matt Stell, Wide Open co-founder Ash Bowers, and songwriters Seth Alley and Paul Sikes to the Endurance fold.

Endurance President Michael Martin said, “We are thrilled to welcome Wide Open Music into the Endurance family. Mark Ahlberg and Amplified Administration have helped lay the foundation for a successful relationship with Ash and his team, and we can’t wait to see where this new partnership takes us.” Raven Capital Management Co-Founder Jeremy Tucker added, “The Wide Open Music roster is an exciting addition to the Endurance team of songwriters. We’re confident this partnership will bring even greater success for our newly expanded musical family.”

Bowers added, “Our Wide Open roster of artists and songwriters is the foundation of what we have been fortunate enough to build over the past few years. It was important for me to help our writers reach new levels, and we have been blessed with the opportunity to join the Endurance team. With Endurance we have a publishing home that not only has some of the best players in the business, but is also a group of people that strive for greatness and encourage integrity.”

Bowers and Steve Williams launched Wide Open Music as a publishing company in 2013 and earned success with songs including Brett Young’s double-platinum, 2018 BMI Country Song of the Year “In Case You Didn’t Know.” In 2017 the company expanded into management, representing Broken Bow/BMG artist Jimmie Allen, whose single “Best Shot” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the country radio charts in 2018. The company also signed Matt Stell, who signed a label deal with Arista and earned a No. 1 hit with “Prayed For You” in 2019.

Endurance Music Group made its debut in mid-2019 with hit songwriters Scooter Carusoe (“Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson, “For the First Time”- Darius Rucker) and Clint Lagerberg (“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban, “Here Comes Goodbye” – Rascal Flatts), emerging songwriter-artists Jake Rose and Ryan Plappert, and songwriter Ben Stoll. Endurance also represents the catalogs of hit songwriters Kevin Kadish (“All About That Bass” – Meghan Trainor, “Whiskey Glasses” -Morgan Wallen), BMI Country Songwriter of the Year Ross Copperman (“Tip of My Tongue“ – Kenny Chesney, “Love Someone” – Brett Eldredge), Hillary Lindsey (“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban), Extreme Writers Group (“I Saw God Today” – George Strait, “I Loved Her First” – Heartland), and Matt Jenkins (“Confession” – Florida Georgia Line, “Cop Car” -Keith Urban).

 

Curb Publishing Signs Darren King

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Pictured: ET Brown (SESAC), Darren King, Joel Timen (VP, Publishing and A&R, Curb | Word Entertainment), and Jordan Mattison.

Curb Publishing has inked an exclusive songwriting deal with Darren King. King is a founding member of MuteMath and was one of the creators behind reimagining five of Twenty One Pilots’ songs for MuteMath’s EP TOPxMM.

The Nashville-based King has also co-written and co-produced tracks with Kanye West and Travis Scott and is currently working on his debut album DK the Drummer Presents Lockers: Vol. 1.

“I am beyond excited to welcome Darren to Curb Publishing,” shares Joel Timen, VP, Publishing and A&R at Curb. “He is one of the most talented songwriters and producers I have encountered in my career. Darren is the type of songwriter, artist and producer that inspires me to show up and work hard every day, and is the perfect addition to our already impressive roster of pop writers.”

Darren adds, “I’m honored to join the Curb Publishing team. Joel Timen has earned a reputation amongst the music community as being one of the most affable, trustworthy, and inspiring people you can find. I am thankful that I get to work with him and I’m excited to hear what songs come from our collaborations.”

“We have known Joel for a long time and have been impressed with the work he has done while at Curb,” comments Jordan Mattison of Goodfolk, Darren’s manager. “We are excited to be a member of the family and have a lead who aligns with a big vision and is able to carry out and execute our mutual goals for Darren.”

Spotify Rolls Out Songwriter Pages

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Spotify has revealed the beta launch of the new feature Songwriter Pages, which will highlight the songwriters who craft today’s top hits. “Written By” playlists are also being rolled out in partnership with music publishers and labels. These pages can be accessed while listening to music on Spotify, which lets listeners learn more about the people behind their favorite music.

“Spotify is always working to create new and better ways to promote music discovery—for artists, for songs and, increasingly, for songwriters,” Jules Parker, Head of Publishing & Songwriter Relations at Spotify said via a press release.

“The launch of publicly visible songwriter credits on Spotify in 2018 was merely a first step. Together with the publishing industry, we’ve continued to evolve our data sharing and analytics efforts, and are proud to unveil this next iteration. Clicking on the credits in this pilot will take users to dedicated songwriter pages—providing a home for a songwriter’s work—and present listeners with ‘Written By’ playlists, a new series of playlists dedicated to songwriters.”

Warner Music Group To Revamp Nashville Offices

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Warner Music Group has announced that Warner Chappell Music Nashville will move its operations next door to 21 Music Square East, as part of an effort to renovate Warner Music Group’s music label and music publishing properties at 20-21 Music Square East. Both buildings will be renovated and equipped with first-rate amenities, contemporary furniture, and modernized fixtures.

John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville said, “The heartbeat of our music community has long been on Music Row and we have found it an important part of our identity and soul. We’re excited to continue our longstanding presence on The Row in a new, more creative atmosphere.”

Ben Vaughn, President/CEO, WCM Nashville said, “We’re thrilled to have our own building entirely dedicated to WCM, and still right near our friends at WM Nashville. A welcoming space for writers to create and clients to come experience the best music from WCM writers, it’ll allow us to collaborate in an artistic environment all our own.”

Prescription Songs Signs Tim Gent

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Pictured (L-R): Christian Conant (Prescription Songs), Rachel Wein (Prescription Songs), Farrah Usmani (Loeb & Loeb LLP), Tim Gent, Katie Fagan (Prescription Songs), Eric Holt (SYZGY Management), Zack Cobb (SYZGY Management)

Prescription Songs has signed hip-hop artist, writer and rapper Tim Gent to its publishing roster. Gent is managed by SYZYGY Management’s Eric Holt and Zack Cobb.

“Just feels good to be a part of the actual underground culture here in Nashville and have the opportunity to bring that to the forefront by partnering with a company like RX,” Gent says.

Gent has become a mainstay on the local Nashville music scene, thanks in part to songs such as 2016’s “Lady America,” which featured Drisana DeSpain. In 2018, Gent released the full-length project Life Away From Home, which features collaborations with Jamiah Hudson, Bryant Taylorr, Case Arnold, Kyro $wanks and more. Two tracks from the album are slated to be featured in the upcoming film The Violent Heart.

“We couldn’t be more happy for Tim! His talent, work ethic and personality proves that he is on his way to an amazing career. We are excited he joined the RX team and look forward to continuing our work together,” added SYZYGY Management’s Holt and Cobb.

“Tim Gent and his managers have worked tirelessly to elevate homegrown hip-hop in Nashville, and Katie Fagan has played an important role in nurturing the city’s non-country songwriting community for many years,” says Usmani. “As such, Tim’s partnership with RX is a natural fit, and I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish together,” said Farrah Usmani of Loeb & Loeb.

 

Runaway June Inks Publishing Agreement With BMG

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BBR Music Group trio Runaway June has inked a new global publishing administration agreement with BMG.

The trio’s Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne celebrated a Top 5 hit last year with “Buy My Own Drinks,” making them the first all-female trio in more than 16 years to earn a Top 5 hit.

All three members of the group wrote or co-wrote the majority of the songs on their debut album Blue Roses. The trio is also part of the upcoming Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces of Country Music class.

“We are so excited for our next venture with BMG, our new publishing partners,” said Wayne. “Since our partnership, our writing has excelled tremendously… they have given us great enthusiasm and support and we cannot wait for what’s to come!”

Monti Olson, BMG SVP, Head of Frontline Music Publishing, North America, said, “Runaway June are phenomenal songwriters at the forefront of the next generation of country music. Already part of the BMG team, this is a wonderful opportunity to work even closer alongside them and BBR Music Group to help take their creativity and careers to the next level.”

Laura Veltz Maintains Pinnacle Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Laura Veltz spends her second week at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with Ashley Gorley holding the No. 2 position. Veltz has a hand in three hits, including Maren Morris’ “The Bones,” Lady Antebellum’s “What If I Never Get Over You,” and Ryan Hurd’s “To A T.”

Ross Copperman moves up three slots to No. 3, with “What She Wants Tonight” (Luke Bryan), “Catch” (Brett Young) and “Nobody But You” (Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani) fueling his rise. Luke Combs (No. 4) and Jimmy Robbins (No. 5) round out the top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Rusty Gaston Officially Begins Reign At Sony/ATV As Publishing Powerhouse Acquires THiS Music

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Rusty Gaston

Rusty Gaston has officially started in his new role as CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville. MusicRow broke the news that Gaston would be joining the music publishing giant back in July 2019.

Gaston leads all creative and operations for the company’s Nashville division, including the signing of new songwriters and development of strategies to exploit its catalog. He reports to Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

Sony/ATV has also acquired THiS Music, the Nashville-based publishing company Gaston co-founded with Nashville ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ inductee Tim Nichols and acclaimed songwriter Connie Harrington. THiS Music’s roster includes Ben Hayslip, two-time ASCAP ‘Songwriter of the Year’ winner and member of The Peach Pickers, as well as Grammy award winning artist Emily Weisband, who has written major pop hits for BTS, Halsey and Camila Cabello, among others.

Platt said, “Rusty is one of music’s most influential executives today, and his success in developing game-changing opportunities for songwriters makes him the perfect leader to step into this important role at Sony/ATV. I’m excited to work alongside Rusty and our Nashville team on nurturing the next generation of music’s hitmakers.”

Gaston added, “It is a tremendous honor to join Jon and the Sony/ATV family. The Sony/ATV Nashville catalog is the undisputed greatest collection of country music on the planet. As a music lover, I am in awe of the legacy of the songs and the songwriters…past, present and future…and I look forward to working with this amazing team and roster.”

 

 

Taylor Lamb Appointed Creative Director At RED Creative Group

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Taylor Lamb

Taylor Lamb has been named Creative Director for Nashville-based RED Creative Group. Lamb’s responsibilities in his new position will include creative publishing and writer management duties, as well as aiding in artist development initiatives.

He previously served as A&R Coordinator at Los Angeles-based indie publisher/record label/management company Position Music.

“Taylor has quickly proven himself to be a major asset for our writers and creative team. We are excited to welcome his talent and strong work ethic to our growing roster,“ said RED Creative Group president Jeremy Stover.

“I’m so excited to be part of such a hardworking team and can’t wait to come alongside our writers and artists to help them continue progressing in their art,” Lamb said.