Hillary Lindsey Advances Into No. 2 Spot On ‘MusicRow’ Top Songwriter Chart

With co-writer credits on three charting singles, Hillary Lindsey advances into the No. 2 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Ashley Gorley maintains his reign this week for his eighth consecutive week. The top five is rounded out by Jon Nite at No. 3, HARDY at No. 4 and Blanco Brown at No. 5.

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

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

BREAKING: Shannan Hatch Named President For New Publishing Venture Fourward Music

Shannan Hatch

Shannan Hatch has been tapped to serve as President for Fourward’s new publishing venture, Fourward Music. Hatch will serve as President with offices in both Nashville and Los Angeles.

Just over three months since CEO Will Ward announced the launch of Fourward’s Nashville office, the global management, production and business development company announces the formation of new music publishing company, Fourward Music, LLC.

“I am excited to expand and grow the Fourward brand in the publishing space,” says Fourward CEO Will Ward. “Our focus is to sign the most talented songwriters across all genres while bringing competitive advantages, particularly in the sync space, for the benefit of our writers at Fourward Music.

“With over two decades of music industry experience, Shannan Hatch has an incredible reputation for discovering talent in music,” adds Ward. “Her relationships are unparalleled; coupled with her remarkable work ethic, arresting wit and infectious laugh, she was my first choice to head this venture. I’m honored to have her join the Fourward family.”

“I have long held great admiration for Will, as he has built some of the biggest movie stars and touring acts in the business,” shares Hatch. “Will’s experience combined with his passion and vision inspires and empowers those around him. I look forward to combining my own experience and relationships with his global access to create a truly diverse and world-class publishing company. I will forever be thankful for my 17 years at SESAC as being a member of that team has been an incredible experience. I am proud to announce this next chapter that affords me an exciting opportunity to continue to service the music community only now from the publishing side.”

A member of the SESAC team since 2002, Hatch most recently served as Vice President of Creative Services for SESAC PRO, where she led the Nashville-based Creative Services team in supporting SESAC-affiliated songwriters and publishers. She serves on T.J. Martell’s Southern Region’s Board of Governors and as a Director at Large for the Academy of Country Music.

Congratulate Shannan Hatch at shatch@fourward.com.

Anthem Entertainment, RED Creative Group Extend Deal With Adam Hambrick

Pictured (L-R): Lauren Lieu, Brooke Antonakos, Adam Hambrick, Tye Worobess, Alex Tamashunas. Bottom (L-R): Jeremy Stover, Helen Murphy, Tim Wipperman, Gilles Godard, Tim Hunze

Anthem Entertainment and RED Creative Group, the publishing venture of Anthem songwriter/producer Jeremy Stover, have extended their publisher deal with Adam Hambrick. Under the deal, Anthem will handle global co-publishing for Hambrick’s future copyrights.

“I am very excited to be continuing to work with Anthem,” said Hambrick. “They have been fantastic partners in helping me establish my career, and I am thrilled to see what we will accomplish together in the years to come.”

“I’ve been a fan of Adam Hambrick since Jeremy Stover gave me a copy of his independent LP in 2011,” said Anthem Nashville’s Senior Director of Creative, Tim Hunze. “It’s taken me eight years and moving to Anthem to be able to work with him professionally…and I could not be more excited!”

“Adam not only has one of the most gifted voices in music, but his fresh melodic approach mixed with vivid lyrics truly make him one of the best,” added Jeremy Stover, President of RED Creative Group. “Working with Adam has been an amazing experience and I look forward to what the future holds.”

Hambrick has written songs for artists including Miranda Lambert and Eli Young Band as well as No. 1 hits for Dan + Shay (“How Not To”) and Justin Moore (“Somebody Else Will”). He released his own debut single “Rockin’ All Night Long” last fall and is currently in the studio working on his debut album with producers Andrew DeRoberts (James Blunt, Miley Cyrus) and Paul DiGiovanni (Blake Shelton, Jordan Davis).

Play It Again Music Signs Walker Montgomery To Publishing, Artist Development Deal

Pictured (L-R): Dallas Davidson and Walker Montgomery

Play It Again Music has signed Walker Montgomery to a multi-faceted music publishing and artist development deal. Play It Again founder and CEO Dallas Davidson, who has earned 25 No. 1 singles, will produce a new project for Montgomery, the son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Eddie Montgomery, which will be released on the company’s independent label.

“I know a superstar when I see one, and as soon as I met Walker I knew we had to make him a part of our team. With that much talent running through his blood, it won’t be long before everyone knows how incredible he is,” Davidson says.

Before signing his deal, Walker Montgomery earned more than 3 million streams with his self-penned first single “Simple Town,” which earned the attention of Play It Again’s President, Juli Newton-Griffith. Griffith looks forward to spearheading the development of Montgomery’s career and establishing him as a major songwriter and recording artist.

“There is something very special about Walker. He is a natural super star. This is going to be really fun!” says Newton-Griffith.

“This is totally BUCKET LIST for me!! I’ve been in awe of Dallas Davidson since I was a teenager and only dreamed about the opportunity to shake his hand someday. To be signed to his music company and have him produce a record on me is just mind boggling. And, I’m also very lucky to have Juli as a mentor and leader. I feel very blessed and I’m so appreciative of this opportunity,” Montgomery adds.

Spirit Music Group Signs David Garcia

Pictured (L-R): Derek Crownover, Attorney (Dickinson Wright PLLC); David Garcia; Megan Keelan, Legal Intern (Dickinson Wright PLLC); Michelle Davey, Director of Administration/Office Manager (Spirit Music Nashville); Cam Caldwell, Attorney (Dickinson Wright PLLC); Derek Wells, Sr. Director of A&R/Production (Spirit Music Nashville); Brian Bradford, VP of Administration and Operations (Spirit Music Nashville); David Crow, Attorney (Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC); Matthew Beckett, Attorney (Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC); Frank Rogers, CEO (Spirit Music Nashville); Freeman Wizer, Sr. Director of Creative (Spirit Music Nashville)

Spirit Music Group has signed a multi-faceted deal with songwriter and producer David Garcia, which includes the purchase of his catalog as well as a publishing deal for future works.

“Spirit Music Group is honored to partner with David Garcia in both his catalog and new works,” said Jon Singer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group. “David has a proven track record of hits, and the impressive ability to write in multiple genres—the entire global team at Spirit is excited to give David our full support.”

“David Garcia is a force of nature,” said Frank Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville. “His songs, his production, his energy and his personality are addictive. We could not be more excited to partner with David and welcome him to the Spirit Music family!”

“I am so excited to be partnering with Frank Rogers and the whole Spirit Music team for this next chapter of my songwriting career,” said Garcia. “The energy and excitement that is coming out of the Nashville office is amazing, and I am thrilled to have them on-board as my publishing partner.”

Four-time Grammy recipient Garcia co-wrote and co-produced the smash hit “Meant To Be,” recorded by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line. The song spent 50 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. In 2017, he earned a No. 1 hit for co-writing and co-producing “More Girls Like You,” recorded by Kip Moore.

Garcia has penned more than 20 No. 1 Contemporary Christian songs. He was named ASCAP’s 2019 Christian Songwriter of the Year earlier this week (he previously earned the honor in 2015), and has earned nine Dove Awards.

He worked with Carrie Underwood on her sixth studio project, including the lead single “Cry Pretty,” and “Southbound.” His latest single, “Hell Right,” recorded by Blake Shelton (ft. Trace Adkins) is currently at radio.

Since announcing the appointment of Frank Rogers to Chief Executive Officer of Spirit Music Nashville in May of this year, the company has made quick impact with the formation of a JV with Grammy-nominated Platinum producer Derek Wells (also appointing Wells as Senior Director A&R Production); the signing MusicRow‘s Song of the Year co-writer Jeremy Bussey; as well as the signings of Bobby Hamrick and Brinley Addington. Other recent successes by Spirit Music Nashville and Fluid Music Revolution include ASCAP’s Song of the Year (“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell and Josh Osborne); SESAC’s Song of the Year (“It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” by Billy Currington); CMA Song of the Year (“Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban) and CMA Album of the Year From a Room: Volume 1 by Chris Stapleton); and a publishing interest in ACM nominations for Song of the Year (“Whiskey & You” by Chris Stapleton); Single of the Year (“Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton and “Drinkin’ Problem” by Midland) and Songwriter of the Year (Josh Osborne).

Spirit Music Group and Spirit Music Nashville have had a string of signings and acquisitions over the past year. In January, Spirit Music Group executives Singer and Ross Cameron formed Lyric Capital Group to take ownership of Spirit Music Group and secure a recapitalization of over $350 million. Spirit Music Group is now wholly-owned by the newly formed Lyric Capital Group.

BREAKING: Janine Appleton Ebach Resigns From Curb|Word Entertainment Role

Janine Appleton Ebach

Janine Appleton Ebach has resigned from her role as VP of Publishing for Curb|Word Entertainment, MusicRow has confirmed.

During her six year stint as what started as Word Country prior to the Curb acquisition, Ebach celebrated five No. 1 singles including Brett Young’s debut single “Sleep Without You,” Jordan Davis’ “Singles You Up,” Jon Pardi’s “Heartache on the Dance Floor,” Dustin Lynch’s “Good Girl,” and more recently Brett Young’s multi-week single “Here Tonight.”

Ebach is a 2019 honoree of MusicRow Magazine’s Rising Women on the Row as well as AIMP’s Song Champion of the Year, and an active member of the W.O. Smith Board.

She can be reached at appletonj@gmail.com.

BREAKING: Tim Wipperman Named President At Anthem Music Publishing, Nashville [Exclusive]

Tim Wipperman

Tim Wipperman has been appointed President of Anthem Music Publishing, Nashville and will report to CEO Helen Murphy. The move brings Wipperman’s Rezonant Music Publishing, which was founded in 2016, under the Anthem umbrella.

Wipperman will lead the Nashville team in developing and executing Anthem’s new growth strategy for publishing worldwide, and work with key songwriters and catalogs.

“I am excited to announce that Tim Wipperman has joined the Anthem Entertainment leadership team. Tim brings a wealth of music industry experience, excellent creative relationships and a great sense of humor,” commented Anthem Entertainment CEO Murphy.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Helen Murphy and contribute to the Anthem team. It’s wonderful to be part of a real publisher’s vision, and bring Rezonant under the Anthem umbrella,” said Wipperman. “Our desire is to create a first class, encouraging environment for creative people to excel at what they do. To give people the tools and support to thrive.”

Ree Guyer, President and Owner of Wrensong Entertainment, added, “Tim Wipperman and I have been friends and business associates for many years. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue that creative and forward-thinking relationship.” Anthem recently acquired 50% of the Wrensong catalog.

Wipperman began his career in Nashville where he was hired by Chet Atkins to run Vector Music Publishing. He worked for Cedarwood Publishing as a song plugger, and at Combine Music pitching songs for writers such as Kris Kristofferson. He was tapped to lead Warner Brothers’ Nashville office shortly after it opened, and then he became the head of Warner Chappell Music for 29 years, where he was the youngest publisher to receive the ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year honor. He has earned ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC Publisher of the Year honors more than 10 times.

Wipperman was responsible for signings including Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean with Michael Knox, Trace Atkins, Restless Heart, David Alan Coe, and multiple Hall of Fame songwriters and producers. Wipperman then became CCO of Equity Records, and subsequently founded Rezonant Music. Rezonant had 21 of the top 100 country singles in 2018.

Anthem Entertainment is comprised of a music publishing division, recorded music label, production music division, and a leading film and television audio-visual secondary rights (AVSR) management company. Anthem Entertainment operates offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Nashville, and Toronto, with a team of approximately 200 industry professionals.

“Knockin’ Boots” Co-Writers Reside In Top Ten On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

“Knockin’ Boots” co-writers Hillary Lindsey (No. 3), Jon Nite (No. 4) and Gordie Sampson (No. 10) reside in the top ten on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, as the Luke Bryan-recorded hit makes its way to the top of the charts.

Ashley Gorley maintains his position at No. 1 this week, as does HARDY at No. 2. Luke Combs moves up three slots to No. 7, with his co-written tunes “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and “Even Though I’m Leaving,” charting.

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

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Exclusive: Anthem Entertainment Acquires Half Of Ree Guyer’s Wrensong Entertainment Catalog

Ree Guyer

Music and entertainment content and service company Anthem Entertainment has acquired 50% of Ree Guyer’s Wrensong Entertainment catalog and entered into a co-venture with Wrensong Publishing Corp. Wrensong continues to be run by Guyer.

The Wrensong catalog includes over 20 No. 1 country hits, including Old Dominion’s “Make It Sweet,” “No Such Thing As a Broken Heart” and “Hotel Key,” as well as chart-topping hits by Dierks Bentley, The Band Perry, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Jason Aldean. The catalog also includes “Dive Bar”—performed by Blake Shelton and Garth Brooks—peaking at No. 16 on Billboard’s US Country Airplay chart.

“I am thrilled to announce our co-venture with Ree and the acquisition of the Wrensong Entertainment catalog. Ree is a powerful, creative force and runs one of the top independent music publishing companies on Music Row. I feel privileged that Ree has selected Anthem to partner with and I am personally very excited to have a new sister in our house,” commented Anthem Entertainment CEO, Helen Murphy.

Guyer, President and Owner of Wrensong Entertainment said, “I am thrilled to be partnering with Anthem. Helen is a strong and imaginative leader who has empowered me to expand my company through Anthem’s global resources.”

Wrensong Entertainment is an Independent Music Publishing/Artist Development company with offices in Nashville, TN and Minneapolis, MN. It was founded in 1983 by father-daughter team, Ree and Reyn Guyer. It has been instrumental to the careers of several significant country artists, including Old Dominion, the Pistol Annies, Ashley Monroe, and Jon Randall.

Guyer and the Wrensong team have focused on developing a catalog that includes “Where’ve You Been,” “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye” and “Whiskey Lullaby,” all Grammy or CMA-nominated Songs of the Year. Other hits in the Wrensong catalog include “Better Dig Two” (The Band Perry), “Hell on Heels” (Pistol Annies), “Wild One” (Faith Hill), “Gonna Take A Lot of River” (Oak Ridge Boys), “Heart Like Mine” (Miranda Lambert), “Drink On It” (Blake Shelton), “Am I the Only One” (Dierks Bentley), “The Truth” (Jason Aldean), “Sangria” (Blake Shelton), “Say You Do” (Dierks Bentley), “Break Up With Him” (Old Dominion), “Ask Me How I Know” (Garth Brooks), and many more. Wrensong is also home to album cuts by many other major label acts from Ray Charles to Heart and Reba to Kenny Chesney—selling over 130 million albums.

Anthem Entertainment is comprised of a music publishing division, recorded music label, production music division, and a leading film and television audio-visual secondary rights (AVSR) management company. Anthem Entertainment operates offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Nashville, and Toronto with a team of approximately 200 dedicated industry professionals.

Jake Owen Inks New Publishing Deal

Pictured (L-R): Phil May (WCM), Will Overton (WCM), Jess Rosen (Greenberg Traurig), Jake Owen, Christina Wiltshire (WCM), Ben Vaughn (WCM)

Jake Owen has inked a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville. Owen has earned seven No. 1 songs at country radio, including “Beachin’,” “American Country Love Song,” and most recently, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” off his latest album, Greetings From… Jake, which marked his first album for Big Loud.

The project followed Owen’s American Love album, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 4 on Billboard’s 200 all-genre albums chart, while his 2011 album Barefoot Blue Jean Night produced four consecutive No. 1 songs including the 2x platinum title-track “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” and the platinum-certified hits “Beachin’,” “Anywhere With You,” “Alone With You,” and “The One That Got Away.”

Owen recently made his acting debut in the feature film The Friend, which was presented at the Toronto International Film Festival. Owen is repped by WME for booking and managed by Good Company Entertainment.