Songs & Daughters Launches Publishing Division, Signs Tiera

Pictured (L-R, back row): Big Loud Publishing’s Samantha Jervey (Sr. Creative Director); Warner Chappell Music Nashville’s Ben Vaughn (President & CEO). (L-R, back row): Songs & Daughters’ Nicolle Galyon (President & CEO); Tiera; Big Loud Publishing’s Kimberly Gleason (Director Of Operations), Michael Giangreco (Creative Director). Photo: Julia Cox

Songs & Daughters, which hit songwriter Nicolle Galyon launched in 2019 in partnership with Big Loud Records, has expanded into music publishing.

The company partnered with Big Loud Records and Warner Chappell Nashville on signing singer-songwriter Tiera as Songs & Daughters’ first songwriter to the publishing division.

“Been waiting since March to announce that @songsxdaughters is now a publishing company too. Proud to {{finally}} welcome our first songWRITER daughter signed to the fam. For the last year @tieramusic has been giving everyone at @bigloud @warnerchappellmusic all the feels, and we are proud to partner with them on every bop and banger this girl is writing,” Songs & Daughters shared via Instagram.

In a series of Instagram posts announcing her signing, Tiera wrote, “Nicolle Galyon. When I moved to Nashville 3 years ago I made a list of all the people I wanted to write with in this town and you were at the very top of that list. I guess I was selling myself short because not only do I get to write with you but I also get to be the very first writer signed to your publishing company! Excited to share this song journey with you.”

“Tiera is an amazing writer and artist whose talent is undeniable. Her positive energy and enthusiasm continually inspire us,” Big Loud Publishing’s Kimberly Gleason, Director of Operations, said in a statement. “On behalf of the Big Loud Publishing team, we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Nicolle [Galyon] (Songs & Daughters) and Warner Chappell Music in this signing.”

“Exciting day to see the continued evolution of our longtime partner Nicolle [Galyon] as a publisher, and thrilled to start this new journey with the light that is inside the incredible Tiera,” Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville, added. “Always a pleasure to be working with Seth [England] and the talented Big Loud team as well. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate Songs & Daughters’ one-year anniversary.”

Tiera is part of CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2020., as well as the platform’s 2020 Listen Up campaign. Alabama native Tiera began playing guitar at age 13. She competed and won her episode on USA Network’s Real Country, after being invited to join the show by Shania Twain.

Nicolle Galyon, Tiera. Photo: Julia Cox

Josh Kear Joins Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville (Exclusive)

Josh Kear.

Josh Kear has signed a global publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville.

Kear has earned four Grammys for his works, and is the only songwriter to win the Country Song of the Year Grammy honor three times. He has also earned several RIAA multi-Platinum certifications, as well as ACM, ASCAP, and CMA honors.

He has penned hits for Carrie Underwood (“Before He Cheats,” “Two Black Cadillacs,” “Blown Away”), Florida Georgia Line (“God, Your Mama, and Me”), Dierks Bentley (“Drunk On A Plane,” “Woman, Amen”), Lady A (the RIAA certified 9x multi-Platinum “Need You Now”), Tim McGraw (“Highway Don’t Care,” featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban), and Lee Brice (“Drinking Class”). His music has been featured in television shows including The Bachelorette, Glee, The Glee Project, and The Voice, as well as films such as Zero Dark Thirty and Country Strong.

“Rusty Gaston was one of the main driving factors for me,” Kear told MusicRow of joining Sony/ATV Music Publishing. “I did 17 years with Big Yellow Dog with Carla Wallace and Kerry O’Neil and my love affair with that company certainly didn’t end. It was time for me to try something else, and because Rusty was at THiS Music for so long and is still so closely connected with independent publishing, I felt like I might be able to get the best of both worlds by teaming up with him. He understood where I was coming from—I had worked on the more corporate side of things many years ago. I did six years with BMG at the beginning of my career. It felt like it was a return and a fresh start, but also still staying connected to the part of the business I love dearly.”

Sony/ATV Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston stated, “Josh is truly one of a kind – his songs have elevated the standards of country music, and they convey genuine emotion that everyone can relate to. I’m thrilled to welcome Josh to the Sony/ATV family and to deliver the best opportunities for his music.”

Kear also recently joined NSAI’s Board of Directors. He has made regular trips to Washington D.C. to help advocate for his fellow songwriters, and testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2018, as part of an initiative to pass the Music Modernization Act, which was signed into law in October 2018.

“[NSAI Executive Director] Bart Herbison is possibly the best friend in Nashville or anywhere in the United States of a songwriter—he’s been our defender, our advocate,” Kear says. “He cares so deeply about this community. I’m always happy to jump in to be of service. The work they do here and especially in Washington, D.C. is so important to the long-term health of our business.”

Mike Smith Named Global President For Downtown Music Publishing

Mike Smith.

Downtown Music Holdings has appointed Mike Smith as Global President of Downtown Music Publishing. Beginning Sept. 1, 2020, he will assume day-to-day operations for Downtown’s music publishing division. He will be based in London and will report to Downtown Music Holdings CEO Justin Kalifowitz.

“Since its founding in 2007, we’ve carefully built Downtown Music Publishing, writer by writer, guided by an appreciation for the craft of songwriting, a focus on creative partnership, and a belief that a global music company for the modern era should be rooted in an understanding that the song is a foundational element to everything else in the music business. The addition of Mike Smith as Global President of Downtown Music Publishing is in complete alignment with these principles and I know under Mike’s stewardship our publishing business is in the best of hands,” said Kalifowitz. “For as long as I’ve been in the music industry, Mike has set the standard in cultivating strong relationships with some of the most influential songwriters, artists and producers, while also mentoring the next generation of global music executives.”

Smith said, “Since my first job in the music industry I have been guided by my underlying love for artists and songwriters. I thoroughly enjoyed the years I spent on the recordings side of the business, but music publishing is where my heart is. Downtown’s ability to build a formidable, twenty-first century music publishing company unencumbered by the baggage of the past has made them an impressive and compelling proposition for songwriters and composers, and I am delighted to become part of their vision.”

Smith, who received the prestigious ‘Sir George Martin Award’ at the 2016 A&R Awards, most recently served as Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music in the U.K., where he oversaw the signings of Liam Gallagher, Dave, J Hus, Celeste and Foals. Prior to joining Warner Chappell, he was Managing Director of Columbia Records and President of Music at Mercury Records and Virgin/EMI. His past signings include Mark Ronson, Calvin Harris, Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, and Arcade Fire, and he has overseen deals with Iggy Azalea, Lizzo, Duke Dumont and The Chemical Brothers, among others.

Anthem, Wrensong Sign Deal With Mother-Daughter Songwriters EmiSunshine, Alisha Hamilton

EmiSunshine, Alisha Hamilton

Anthem Entertainment and Wrensong have signed mother-daughter songwriters EmiSunshine and Alisha Hamilton to a global publishing deal.

Music listeners first became aware of EmiSunshine in 2014 when, at 9 years old, she performed a rendition of the Jimmie Rodgers classic “Blue Yodel No. 6.” Her family posted a video of the performance on YouTube and it went viral, earning more than one million views. In 2017, Rolling Stone named her as one of the “10 New Country Artists You Need To Know,” and in 2018, she was featured in the Elvis Presley documentary The King. EmiSunshine was also selected as the 2019 recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Desmond Child Anthem Award and recently collaborated with Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Bootsy Collins on the song “Stars.”

EmiSunshine said, “Being included with such a prestigious roster of writers is such a huge honor and I’m more than excited to be a part!”

Hamilton added, “Being accepted as a writer is all I ever dreamed of! I can’t imagine a better place to create new music.”

Ree Guyer, President and Owner of Wrensong Entertainment, said, “Emi and her mom, Alisha, have been writing together since Emi was four years old. They are a magical writing team. Emi has a bright future as an artist/writer who is a storyteller to her peers and thinks outside the box. We are so pleased to be working with Emi and Alisha making their dreams come true.”

Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville, added, “Emi is an Artist/Writer brought into the family by Ree Guyer and our Wrensong J/V. She is an amazing young artist, and she and her mother Alisha have created a compelling body of music to propel that artistry forward. Look out world! Here they come.”

Singer-Songwriter Adam Sanders Inks Co-Publishing Deal With Round Hill Music Nashville


Singer-songwriter Adam Sanders has signed a co-publishing deal with Round Hill Music Nashville. Sanders has written “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” a chart-topper for Cole Swindell, and “Hell Of A Night” (Dustin Lynch), as well as cuts from Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Scotty McCreery and Tracy Lawrence.

“I am very excited to be working with Adam,” said Round Hill’s Mark Brown. “He has a track record as a hit songwriter, he’s an exceptional artist, and he brings with him a solid work ethic. We look forward to having great success together.”

“When you find a team that is willing to work just as hard as you, it’s a dangerous combo. Round Hill Music’s success speaks for itself and I’m fired up to be working with Bob and Mark, along with the rest of the Round Hill staff,” Adam Sanders shared.

The Lake City, Florida native moved to Nashville in 2009, and initially worked construction to pay bills while he worked on songwriting. He signed a publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog in 2011. After earning No. 1 hits for Swindell and Lynch, Sanders launched his artist career and independently sold over 70,000 singles, scored over 90 million total streams and charted at No. 33 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart with his self-titled, debut EP. Sanders has also released the single, “Make Em Wanna Change.”

Round Hill Music Nashville has celebrated 42 No. 1 songs since opening its doors in 2014. Round Hill’s roster of writers includes Adam Sanders, Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, Derek Austin, Devin Guisande, Early James, Eric Arjes, Gareth Dunlop, Jimmy Robbins, Katie Pruitt, Lindsey Lee Taylor, SHEL, and Wade Kirby. Through its partnership with Big Loud, Round Hill also represents Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman, Jamie Moore, Joey Moi, Matt Dragstrem and Rodney Clawson. Notable catalogs include those of Bob DiPiero, Josh Kear and Marti Frederiksen.

Jonathan Singleton Joins Spirit Music Nashville

Pictured (L-R, front row): Kayce Singleton; Jonathan Singleton; Frank Rogers, CEO, Spirit Music Nashville; (L-R, middle row): Katie Flynn, Creative Director, SMN; Michelle Davey, Director of Administration/Office Manager, SMN; Kara Jackson, Creative Director, SMN; David Crow, Partner, Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; (L-R, back row): Derek Wells, Sr. Director A&R/Production, SMN; Derek Crownover, Partner, Loeb & Loeb LLP; Brian Bradford, VP of Administration and Operations, SMN; Tali Canterbury, President/Co-Owner, 50 Egg Music; Chris King, Partner, King Business & Financial Management LLC; Matthew Beckett, Partner, Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC.

Songwriter Jonathan Singleton has inked a global publishing deal with Spirit Music Nashville. Spirit has also acquired a portion of Singleton’s song catalog.

Singleton is a co-writer on the current No. 1 country song in the nation, Carly Pearce and Lee Brice’s “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” as well as Scotty McCreery’s Top 5 single “In Between,” which was also co-written and produced by Spirit Music Nashville CEO Frank Rogers. Singleton also has a co-writing credit on Maddie & Tae’s Top 20 single “Die From A Broken Heart.”

“Jonathan Singleton is a true renaissance man,” said Rogers. “He is a world-class songwriter, singer, musician, producer and businessman. After years of recording his songs and writing songs with him, I could not be more excited to get the opportunity to partner with him as a publisher. The entire Spirit Music Nashville is fired up to welcome Jonathan to the family! PS – Jonathan, you should go ahead and buy your wife that truck!”

“I’m so very excited to start a new chapter with Frank and the Spirit team,” Singleton said. “I can’t wait to see what we can get done, and I know we’ll have fun doing it!”

Singleton’s additional hits including Luke Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Tyler Farr’s “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” Rascal Flatts’ “Yours If You Want It,” Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” David Nail’s “Let It Rain,” and Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools.” Singleton has also penned Gary Allan’s “Watching Airplanes,” Nail’s “Red Light” and Billy Currington’s “Don’t,” along with other songs recorded by Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Chris Young, Little Big Town, Ronnie Dunn and many more.

Since Rogers’ appointment to the role of CEO for Spirit Music Nashville, the company has signed writers including David Garcia, Jeremy Bussey, Derek Wells and his 2 Mix Music enterprise, Bobby Hamrick, Brinley Addington, Frank Ray, Abe Stoklasa and Neil Thrasher.

Other recent successes by Spirit Music Nashville include a publishing interest in Billboard’s No. 1 and No. 2 “Songs of the Decade” (“Meant To Be” via David Garcia and “Body Like a Backroad” via Zach Crowell); the top two Billboard Albums of the Decade (Traveller by Chris Stapleton and Montevallo by Sam Hunt); 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). The company also has a publishing interest in hits including Sam Hunt’s “Kinfolks,” Carrie Underwood’s “Drinking Alone,” Dustin Lynch’s “Ridin’ Roads,” and more.

Mojo Music And Media, Neil Medley Extend Co-Publishing Relationship

Neil Medley. Photo: Blu Sanders

Mojo Music and Media has extended its exclusive co-publishing partnership with songwriter Neil Medley.

Medley has had songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Tyler Farr with Jason Aldean and more. He has co-written two singles currently at country radio, including “I Don’t Love You” (Lindsay Ell) and “Made For You” (Jake Owen).

“Neil’s lyrical prowess and true song sense combined with his always grinding work ethic makes for a great fit here at Mojo,” said Mojo Sr. Creative Director, Keithan Melton. “Our team is thrilled Neil continues to trust his career and songs to us and we look forward to what lies ahead.”

Medley added, “It was an easy decision to extend my partnership with Mojo. I am proud of the opportunities, the success, and most importantly, the catalog of music this team and I have built
in just three short years. I believe we are on to something very special.”

Butch Baker, Mojo Sr. VP adds, “We are so excited to continue our relationship with Neil. We’ve already started this year with a bang and I believe this will be his best year yet. His commitment to a great lyric teamed with a unique melody is only matched by an incredible work ethic. Can’t wait to see what the future holds and I know it will be bright!”

Mojo Music and Media’s Nashville roster also includes Mike Walker, Joe Clemmons and writer/producers Bart Butler and Lalo.

Big Machine Music’s Executive Team Extends Tenure

Pictured: Alex Heddle, Mike Molinar, Grayson Stephens

As Big Machine Music celebrates its eighth anniversary this month, Big Machine Music General Manager Mike Molinar and Vice President Alex Heddle have both extended their tenures with the company. Grayson Stephens also rises to Sr. Director of Royalties and Finance at the company.

Leading BMM since inception, Molinar is a graduate of Leadership Music Class of 2015 and was named a member of the 2012-2013 MTSU Class of Distinguished Alumni. Heddle joined the company in 2013 and was vital in signing Dillon and Hurd as well as providing day-to-day duties for Maddie & Tae. A graduate of Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, Stephens held positions at Sony/ATV prior to accepting a finance position at Big Machine Label Group in 2016 then Big Machine Music in 2017.

“What Big Machine Music has become in just eight short years is nothing short of amazing,” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “Rising from the spark of an idea and a desire to ‘do it ourselves,’ all the way to an industry-leading powerhouse, Mike Molinar has built a publishing company to be reckoned with every day of the week. A sincere and heartfelt congratulations to Mike, Alex, Grayson and the entire BMM team for a job extremely well done.”

BMM celebrates its 30th No. 1 with Luke Combs’ “Does To Me” featuring Eric Church, and 33 consecutive weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart thanks to crossover smashes  Maren Morris’ “The Bones” (Laura Veltz) plus Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber’s “10,000 Hours” (Jessie Jo Dillon).

“Proud doesn’t begin to express how I feel about our entire team and roster of writers,” said Molinar. “I’m grateful to Scott Borchetta, Andrew Kautz and Malcolm Mimms for their long-standing faith and guidance as well as the support of Scooter Braun and SB Projects who continue to help open doors to new opportunities. I’m elated that Alex Heddle and Grayson Stephens can be recognized for their significant contributions to the growth of Big Machine Music and support of our songwriters.”

Previous BMM catalog No. 1s include “Sleep Without You,” “In Case You Didn’t Know,” “Like I Loved You,” “Mercy,” “Here Tonight” and “Catch” ( Brett Young); “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “One Number Away,” “She Got The Best of Me,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Even Though I’m Leaving” (Luke Combs); “Yours If You Want It” and “A Guy Walks Into A Bar” (Singleton); “I’ll Name The Dogs,” “Any Ol’ Barstool” and “Drowns The Whiskey” (Josh Thompson); “I Could Use A Love Song,” “What If I Never Get Over You” and “Speechless” (Laura Veltz); and “Break Up In The End” (Jessie Jo Dillon), among others. BMM was named to Billboard’s Year End Top Ten Hot 100 Publisher Corp and Hot Country Publisher Corp for three consecutive years, in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

SNG Music Promotes Three

Kathleen Mullet, Aubrey Schwartz, Sierra Crider

Publishing company SNG Music has promoted three staffers, Kathleen Mullet, Aubrey Schwartz and Sierra Crider.

Mullet, who joined SNG in 2016, has been promoted to Sr. Director of Licensing and Administration. Schwartz has been with the company since 2017 and has advanced to Sr. Director of Creative. Crider joined SNG in 2019 and will now serve as Manager of Creative and Marketing.

“All of us at SNG Music are proud of the thoughtfulness, drive and determination that these three ladies bring to the office every day,” said SNG Music Managing Partner, Gary Reamey. “They go the extra mile to support our songwriters and are at the core of what makes us a unique independent music publishing company in Nashville.”

Founded in 2014, SNG is a Nashville-based music publishing and theatrical production company with a writer roster that includes Mark Nesler, Marty Dodson, Wyatt McCubbin, Carson Chamberlain, Zarni de Vette, Lee Starr, Oran Thornton, Reamey and David Spangler.

Jody Williams Launches New Publishing Venture With Warner Chappell Music

Jody Williams. Photo: John Paul-Bruno

Jody Williams has returned to music publishing after a 14-year run as VP, Creative for performing rights organization BMI (his third run at the company).

Williams has launched Jody Williams Songs in partnership with Warner Chappell Music Nashville, to develop writers and artist-writers, secure covers, source legacy catalogs and represent select Warner Chappell Music catalogs for pitching. Jody Williams Songs will represent Ashley McBryde, Nathan Chapman, Jeremy Spillman and Greg Bates, and will also represent Pat McLaughlin in a writer management/publishing role.

Former Curb|Word Music Publishing Creative Director Nina Jenkins will serve as Creative Director for Williams’ new publishing company.

“My time at BMI taught me volumes about the business. I’ve seen how music, consumption, and income streams have changed over the last decade and a half,” said Williams. “Those great publishing catalogs that became the cornerstone of Nashville’s music industry, and those songwriters, provide continual inspiration for me. They are the catalyst for the song-forward nature of Jody Williams Songs. And having Ben Vaughn and the Warner Chappell team as the top publisher supporting us is a game-changer. Our Creative Director, Nina Jenkins, brings energy and an unmatched passion for songwriters. Between our team and theirs, I have very high hopes for the future.”

“It’s a huge honor that Jody chose to make his return to the scene with Warner Chappell Music,” said Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville. “In his long and storied career, Jody has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of Nashville’s leading industry figures. His commitment to quality is matched only by his unwavering support for the songwriting community. We value Jody’s wisdom and experience and our team looks forward to working alongside he and Nina as an extended part of the WCM family.”

Nashville native Williams has spent more than four decades in Nashville’s music community, including serving as President for MCA Music Publishing Nashville, as well as roles at Tree Publishing, Chappell Music and Screen Gems Music. In 1999, he formed Jody Williams Music, where he worked with Liz Rose, Josh Turner, and McLaughlin. JWM’s catalog was later sold to ole Media Management (now called Anthem) and contained songs recorded by Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Tim McGraw, Bonnie Raitt, and many others.

Williams is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of CMA and remains a current board member, and is currently a trustee of the Country Music Hall of Fame.