Round Hill Music Adds Three To Nashville Team

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Round Hill Music has added three new employees to its Nashville team: Glen Thomasson, Charlotte Rowe, and Trey Wehrmeyer. 

Thomasson has been named Vice President, Finance/Controller. He joins Round Hill from Viacom, where he served as a Senior Director in their Global Business Services center and was responsible for global ancillary revenue accounting, master data governance, and residuals processing. Prior to Viacom, Glen served two years as the Chief Financial Officer of Bigger Picture Group and five years with EverGreen Copyrights, where he held the role of Vice President of Finance and Royalties.

Rowe joins the company as Senior Coordinator, Sync Licensing and Creative. Prior to joining Round Hill, Charlotte worked as a Licensing Research Coordinator with YouTube via Vaco in New York, where she was responsible for working with metadata in their Content Management System and maintaining the music asset database. She most recently worked as a Licensing Agent at the Harry Fox Agency in New York.

Wehrmeyer joins Round Hill as Coordinator, Royalty Services. Wehrmeyer previously worked as a Copyright and Royalties Assistant at Modern Works Music Publishing, where he was responsible for processing receipts, drafting license agreements, and preparing royalty statements for distribution.

“I am pleased to welcome our new arrivals in finance, sync, and royalties to the Round Hill Music family,” says Mark Brown, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Round Hill Music Nashville. “The addition of these new team members will help us continue to deliver great service for our clients.”

Round Hill Music Nashville’s writer roster includes Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, Jimmy Robbins, Danny Myrick, Wade Kirby, Katie Pruitt, Devin Guisande, SHEL, Gareth Dunlop, Schmarx & Savvy, and Suzie McNeil. Through its partnership with Big Loud, Round Hill also represents Craig Wiseman, Rodney Clawson, Sarah Buxton, Matt Dragstrem, Joey Moi, The Warren Brothers, Chris Tompkins, and Jamie Moore.

Sony/ATV Signs John King To Publishing Deal

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Pictured (Front row, L-R): Berkley Myers, Starstruck Entertainment; John King; Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV. Pictured (Back row, L-R): Cliff Williamson, Starstruck Entertainment; Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment; Dane Schmidt, Sony/ATV; Josh Van Valkenburg, Sony/ATV.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed artist/songwriter John King to a worldwide publishing agreement. John’s success as a songwriter includes the 2016 No. 1 hit “We Went” recorded by Randy Houser; the track, co-written with Matt Rogers and Justin Wilson, earned King his first ASCAP Songwriter Award.

King, who is managed by Starstruck Entertainment, also saw his debut single “Tonight Tonight” featured on CBS’ Thursday Night Football during the 2014 NFL season. His most recent single, “I Still Pick Up,” has earned more than 1 million streams.

“We are thrilled to partner with John for this exciting phase of his career,” says Dane Schmidt, Director of Creative at Sony/ATV. “The energy and passion he brings to every writing room is truly inspiring; we are honored to be working with John and his team at Starstruck!”

Troy Tomlinson, president of Sony/ATV Nashville added, “Working with someone as gifted as John, and a team of quality people surrounding him makes for a winning combination.”

RED Creative Group Signs Songwriter-Producer Nathan Spicer

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RED Creative Group has signed songwriter-producer Nathan Spicer to a global publishing deal.

Spicer, an Alabama native and Belmont University graduate, has previously toured as lead guitarist with Mat Kearney, and spent four years on the road with Katy Perry’s Prism tour. He also earned success as a writer with “The Bad Guy,” co-written and performed by Canadian artist Meghan Patrick. He also co-wrote and produced Brandon Ray’s “Bring Your Love Back.”

“RED has built a team of some of the most talented writers and artists in Nashville. I’m so honored that they want me to be a part of it, and I can’t wait to see what we do together,” said Spicer.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have the multi talented Nathan Spicer at RED. His talents and diverse musical background are great tools for success in today’s cross genre landscape,” said Jeremy Stover, Owner/President, RED Creative Group.

RED’s Brooke Antonakos, VP of Creative, also adds, “Nathan has a musical delivery that is bold yet delicate, complex yet anthemic. I think this is the thing that keeps great co-writers coming back for more.”

Since its inception in 2014, RED Creative Group has celebrated over 200 cuts and 20 singles to include hits such as; Tim McGraw’s “How I’ll Always Be,” Justin Moore’s “Somebody Else Will,” Brett Young’s “Sleep Without You,” and Dan+Shay’s “How Not To.” RED also represents songwriters Kelly Archer, Travis Denning, LJ, Jeremy Stover, & Adam Hambrick.

Given Music Publishing Signs Tommy Karlas

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Pictured (L-R): Michael Hollandsworth, VP/GM, Given Music Publishing; Jenny Hall, Creative Director, Given Music Publishing; Tommy Karlas.

Tommy Karlas has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Given Music Publishing. The singer-songwriter has had songs recorded by Blake Shelton and Randy Travis, as well as the multi-week No. 1 “Roll With Me,” recorded by Montgomery Gentry. The song earned Karlas a 2009 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year nomination.

“Tommy’s quest for perfection as a songwriter is thoroughly evident in the songs he writes,” said Given VP/GM Michael Hollandsworth. “He brings a standard and work ethic to his writing that impress not only us here at Given, but also his many talented cowriters. We are extremely fortunate to have Tommy join the Given team of writers.”

Karlas’ relationship with Nashville and songwriting began when he was 14 years old and making trips to Music City from his hometown of East Alton, Illinois. Hollandsworth, who at that time was heading Zomba Music Publishing, was the first person he met.

“Mike was nice enough to meet with me to critique my songs and offer me advice,” Karlas said. “I made the move to Nashville when I was 19. Shortly after, I met Jeff Carlton who signed me to my first publishing deal. I’ve spent almost 10 years writing for some great publishers, and now I am reuniting with Mike. There are a lot of publishing companies I would’ve been happy to sign a deal with, but I honestly can’t think of one that would’ve been a better fit for me than Given. Mike is an incredible, no-nonsense song guy and [Creative Director] Jenny [Hall] is a hard worker who gets what I do.”

one77 Music Launches With 6,000-Song Catalog

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Jennifer Blakeman

one77 Music, a new publishing venture, has launched this week, with a 6,000-song catalog and $27 million in assets. The company, which is backed by private equity firm Virgo Investment Group, has entered a deal with Kobalt Music, which will serve as one77’s global administration partner.

Jennifer Blakeman will serve as the company’s president and chief creative officer. A former exec at Universal Publishing, Atlas Publishing and Atlantic Records, Blakeman was also a former Warner Bros. recording artist, a touring keyboardist with Billy Idol, Savage Garden and Brian Wilson, and held creative posts at Atlantic Records, Universal Pictures, and Zomba Publishing.

The new company’s catalog includes songs recorded by Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Dr. Dre, Mike Posner, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, T.I., Meek Mill, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Keyshia Cole, BJ The Chicago Kid, Weezer, Kelsea Ballerini, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Ludacris and more.

Sony/ATV’s Sam Reas Promoted To Manager, A&R

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Pictured (L-R): Sony/ATV Co-President, U.S. Danny Strick, Sony/ATV Manager, A&R Danielle Middleton, Sony/ATV Manager, A&R Sam Reas and Sony/ATV SVP, Head of East Coast A&R Rich Christina.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has promoted Sam Reas to the role of Manager, A&R, based in the company’s New York office.

In her new role, Reas will liaise with the Nashville music community on behalf of Sony/ATV’s non-country writers while continuing to work with talent including JR Rotem (Fall Out Boy, Gwen Stefani, Keith Urban), Sam Fischer (Clean Bandit, Jennifer Hudson), Brett McLaughlin a.ka. Leland (Kelsea Ballerini, Daya, Selena Gomez, Troye Sivan), Geoff Warburton (Shawn Mendes) and newer signings.

The move follows the previously-announced transition of Mark Abramowitz from Sony/ATV to Kobalt.

Reas’ most recent signing was Nashville-based pop artist Stela Cole, whose first single was recently released by RCA. Reas joined Sony/ATV in New York in 2015 as Creative Assistant to Sr. VP, Head of East Coast A&R Rich Christina. She has spent the last three years working closely with his roster and has been imperative to the team’s success.

FCM Songs Signs Tommy Iceland

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Pictured (L-R): Seth Mosley (President of Full Circle Music), Tommy Iceland, Stacey Willbur (VP of Publishing and A&R at Full Circle Music)

Full Circle Music Songs and writer-producer Seth Mosley have signed Sweden-based singer-songwriter Tommy Iceland.

Iceland’s catalog already includes cuts with artists like We Are Messengers, Stars Go Dim, David Leonard, Jesus Culture and Chris Tomlin. He will join FCM Songs, which is home to writers including former Sanctus Real member Matt Hammitt. In addition to FCM Songs, Full Circle Music serves as a hub for creatives with The Full Circle Music Academy, FCM Records and more.

“Part of our mission for Full Circle Music is to empower artists and writers from all around the world, not just in our backyard,” shares Mosley, President of Full Circle Music. “Signing Tommy is a big step forward for us in becoming an international company and the songs that he is already writing bring such a fresh life and sound to what typically comes out of a music hub like Nashville. We are so excited to partner with Tommy and his family in this new season!”

“I couldn’t be more excited about seeing what’s in store for this God-made partnership,” shares Iceland. “I love the fact that I get to work with people who are not only good friends but also feel like family!”

New music is expected from Tommy in early 2019.

Mosley earned his first Grammy in 2015, for his production work on For King & Country’s album Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. He has helmed No. 1 singles including For King & Country’s “Fix My Eyes,” Francesca Battistelli’s “He Knows My Name,” Jeremy Camp’s “He Knows,” and more. Mosley’s full-service production company, Full Circle Music, has contributed to over 20 No. 1 chart-topping songs and worked with artists, both signed and independent, including Skillet, Mat Kearney, TobyMac, Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Newsboys and country acts like High Valley, Ricky Skaggs and more. The team writes and produces an average of 150 songs each year in their Franklin, Tennessee-based studio.

Combustion Music To Be Administered Worldwide By Kobalt

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Nashville indie publisher Combustion Music has announced it will be administered by Kobalt Music via a new agreement recently signed by Combustion’s financial partner, Virgo Investment Group.

Chris Farren, Owner and President of Combustion Music said, “I have long been intrigued by Kobalt Music and their cutting-edge administration and creative services. All of us at Combustion are fired up to see the heights to which this partnership can take us.”

“We’re thrilled to have concluded a global administration deal with Kobalt that will maximize efficiencies and revenue for Combustion Music’s exceptional roster of songwriters. Our partnership with Chris and his team has been incredibly successful, and we look forward to an even more productive relationship,” said Scott Guthrie, Managing Director of Virgo Investment Group.

“We’re honored to be working with Combustion, a company that’s been at the pinnacle of the Nashville Independent publishing community for over a decade now.” said Jesse Willoughby, General Manager of Kobalt, Nashville. “Farren, Falcon and Kenley have built an incredible company and diverse roster, we’re excited for this new chapter and the opportunity to help grow their company to even greater success.”

Combustion’s partnership with Virgo began in 2014, when the two entered a joint venture and the investment company acquired a portion of the Combustion catalog, including the No.1 hits: “Crash My Party,” “That’s My Kind of Night,” and “Play It Again” recorded by Luke Bryan; Jason Aldean’s “Confession”; “Break Up In a Small Town” and “House Party” with Sam Hunt; “Bottoms Up” by Brantley Gilbert; “Good Girl” and “Somethin’ in the Water” with Carrie Underwood; Dustin Lynch’s “Where It’s At”; “Hello, My Name Is” and “Strong Enough” by Matthew West; “Beer Money” by KipMoore; “Hey Girl” and “Do I Make You Wanna” by Billy Currington; “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” by Randy Houser; “Don’t Ya” by Brett Eldredge; “Mr. Know It All” by Kelly Clarkson; “Rewind” by Rascal Flatts; and “I Hold On” by Dierks Bentley, among many, many others.

Virgo has brought the Combustion catalog into one77 Music, its new publishing company led by industry veteran Jennifer Blakeman. As one77 President and Chief Creative Officer, Blakeman and her team will provide additional creative services to Combustion Music writers.

Farren founded Combustion Music in 2001 as a venture to develop writers and artists. Over its 17-year history, Combustion artists have earned over 100 No.1 singles in five different genres, multiple Grammys, and CMAs from a catalog and roster including five-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, Ashley Gorley; Zach Crowell, co-writer and producer of the Billboard top-selling Country song of 2017, “Body Like A Back Road”; three-time ASCAP Christian Songwriter-Artist of the Year honoree, Matthew West; and chart-topping writers, artists, and producers: Bones Owens, Matt Jenkins, Luke Foley, Jameson Rodgers, Walker McGuire, AJ Pruis, and Everette.

Rezonant Music Publishing, Stryker Music Group Sign Ryan Plappert

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Pictured (L-R): Mark Ahlberg/Stryker; Rebekah Gordon/Rezonant; Ryan Plappert; Tim Wipperman/Rezonant; Michael Martin/ASCAP.

Songwriter Ryan Plappert has signed a joint venture publishing deal with Rezonant Music Publishing and Mark Ahlberg’s Stryker Music Group. Plappert, a Belmont University graduate, was selected to be part of ASCAP’s GPS Project Class in 2013 and previously wrote for Sony/ATV.

“I feel honored to have the opportunity to work alongside such a diverse and talented writer roster,” Plappert said. “Mark, Rebekah, Tim and the rest of the creative team at Rezonant and Stryker have a passion for songwriting that rivals my own. Never have I felt more inspired to create music. This is exactly where I want to be and I couldn’t be happier to be here.”

“The partnership with Mark and the addition of Ryan to our Rezonant family is truly exciting,” said Rezonant’s VP Creative, Rebekah Gordon. “Ryan has an incredible ability to create a lasting melody and an insatiable work ethic. We look forward to building upon the success that he and Mark have with Stryker.”

“Ryan is a class act writer and remarkable talent,” noted Ahlberg. “Expanding the team around him to include Rebekah Gordon and Tim Wipperman from Rezonant will further help Ryan prove himself to be one of Nashville’s most creative and dedicated new writers.”

Downtown Music Publishing Nashville Announces Six New Hires, Promotions

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Pictured (L-R): Matt Turner, Natalie Osborne

Downtown Music Publishing has announced a round of hirings and promotions in its Nashville office.

Matt Turner, formerly of Big Loud, has joined Downtown as Sr. Director, A&R, where he will oversee management of writing sessions and opportunities for the Nashville roster, securing song placements for Downtown’s songs and signing/developing songwriters. Turner’s career also includes time at ole.

“We are so excited to have Matt Turner at Downtown Nashville,” said Steve Markland, Senior VP of A&R, Nashville. “Matt brings very valuable and rich experience from his time at Big Loud Music. He is a champion of writers and will add a fantastic balance to our team.”

Natalie Osborne has been promoted to Director of A&R. She was hired in September 2015 as Creative Coordinator/Admin. Assistant, and was promoted to Creative Manager in 2017.

Additional new hires including Garrett Stephenson as office coordinator, Caylan Hays as Sync Licensing Assistant, and Kyle Coker as copyright assistant. Katie Roth has been promoted and joined the A&R team as creative coordinator.

MusicRow spoke with Osborne about her promotion and about some of the recent developments at Downtown Music Publishing.

MusicRow: What has the learning curve been like as you progressed through those roles?

Osborne: I was Downtown’s first intern, and we really had to figure it out as we went. I remember in the very beginning, it was simple things like using Google Calendar to manage writers’ schedules as a Creative Coordinator. But then it was learning all the details of publishing, in going from an assistant role into a more creative role. The great thing about Steve Markland is that he always gives me the freedom to prove myself creatively. While I was a coordinator, he said to come to him with new ideas or pitch ideas of writers to consider signing.

MR: Downtown has focused on having country and pop artists do a lot of collaborating, and one of your best-known signings has been Fancy (Jake Hagood). How has that affected what you do?

Our other offices in London, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, and Amsterdam have supported us so much. While they might have more of an outreach in the pop world, their support is very important. They are always sending us songs and asking, “Would this song work in your world?” Or, “Is this writer somebody you think we should send to Nashville?”

While we live in Nashville, there is a pop industry growing here. It’s definitely a goal of mine to diversify our roster. My heart is in country music, but there is so much great music here in Nashville and I want to be a champion for those who might have a bit of a harder time because they are not your standard country writer.

With Fancy, I saw him open for Emily West like six years ago. It completely stopped me in my tracks. You just couldn’t take your eyes off of him and he had everyone laughing and he was getting standing ovations after every song. We became good friends over the years and I’ve always been a fan of what he does.

MR: You were also very involved in launching the Kendell Marvel Honkytonk Experience.

I go to those shows because we work with Kendell, but also because they are so fun. Kendell writes with Keith Gattis a lot and Keith was like, “You are one of the best country singers I know, you should do a record.” He also pulled songs from years ago that he had written with Chris Stapleton. The album was rockin’ and it was Kendell and Keith were like it would be fun to do this. Kendell is really connected, and it just came together organically.

I believe the first show, Jamey Johnson and Alison Krauss were the special guests and that brought a lot of attention to the people of Nashville and the music fans here. So each month, it was like, ‘Who can we get up there?’ I set him and Natalie Hemby up to write so we had her as a featured guest. It’s been really fun seeing the evolution of it. You just never know who is going to show up—although I do, usually.

MR: How do you see the role of A&R developing going forward?

I see A&R playing even more of a role in bringing genres together. I want to work with writers I’m passionate about and I feel that way about our entire roster. I feel really lucky to have landed at a company like Downtown that is small, where we all get to work together, but it is a global company with so much outreach and the ability to travel to all these other cities. Songwriters Without Borders came about after we planned a trip to C2C and hosted a writer’s round. It went over so well, we had our writers writing with writers in those cities, that we thought we should do more of that.