Niko Moon. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Multi-Platinum artist Niko Moon is releasing his new Coastin’  EP on June 10. Moon’s upbeat new track, “Easy Tonight,” is out now and was co-penned by Moon and wife Anna alongside co-producer Joshua Murty, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, Patrick Davis, and Kevin Mac.

The new project from the emerging RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville star features five songs co-written and co-produced by Moon himself, and once again highlights the same sunshine-and-gravel vocal that is front and center on his double-Platinum, No. 1 debut single “Good Time.”

The rising hitmaker just finished his headlining “Good Time Tour” and will continue bringing his live show to fairs and festivals across the country this summer, including appearances at CMA Fest, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, Riverbend Festival, Summerfest, Windy City Smokeout, Boots and Hearts, Country Thunder, and more. He’ll also take the stage at CMC Rocks QLD 2022 in Australia, marking his first show down under.

Pictured (L-R): BJ Hill (VP of A&R – Warner Chappell), Christina Wiltshire (Director of A&R – Warner Chappell), Jason Turner (Attorney: Keller, Turner, Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC.), Ben Vaughn (President & CEO, Warner Chappell Nashville), Brandon Day, Al McLean (SVP, A&R Publishing – EMPIRE), Vinny Kumar (SVP, Legal & Business – EMPIRE) , Eric Hurt (VP, A&R Publishing – EMPIRE), Sarah Beth Gerlecz (Counsel, Nashville – EMPIRE)

EMPIRE’s Publishing division, in partnership with Warner Chappell Music Nashville, has signed Nashville-based producer and songwriter Brandon Day.

Day has production credits with artists including Brantley Gilbert, Plain White T’s, Austin Burke, and Steven Lee Olsen, as well as writing credits with artists such as Gilbert, Jimmie Allen, Granger Smith, and Eli Young Band. He also lent his skills to Brett Kissel’s recent hit, “Make A Life, Not A Living,” which was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2022 Juno Awards.

“I’ve been a fan of Brandon Day for a long time and am very excited to add him to our EMPIRE Publishing roster,” notes Eric Hurt, VP of A&R Publishing, EMPIRE. “His growing success in the country market along with his songwriting and production versatility will be a great fit for EMPIRE Publishing as we continue to grow our Nashville division and work across multiple genres. When Ben Vaughn called about exploring this deal between Warner Chappell and EMPIRE, it felt like a no-brainer. We are thrilled to have Warner Chappell as partners.”

“Brandon Day is a rising star-a songwriter we really wanted at EMPIRE,” adds Al McLean, SVP, A&R Publishing, EMPIRE. “Together with Warner Chappell, we feel Brandon will navigate the broad creative frontier of songwriting by being able to cross several genres. Needless to say, we feel Brandon will utilize his broad writing ability so we can maximize various co-writing, placement and synchronization opportunities.”

“Brandon is extremely gifted in all aspects of music, from producing and playing guitar, to writing lyrics and crafting melodies, he’s a true master of his craft,” says Christina Wiltshire, Senior Director, A&R, WCM. “He knows how to see a song through, from the initial writing session, to the final mix, and we can’t wait to get started with him alongside EMPIRE.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to have such an amazing team behind my songs,” Day shares. “There’s such a wide variety of opportunities when working with companies as diverse and experienced as EMPIRE and Warner Chappell. I’m grateful for them putting their talents to work for me.”

Jimmie Allen. Photo: Chris Beyrooty

Jimmie Allen has revealed the 17-song track list for his upcoming album, Tulip Drive, due out Friday, June 24 via Stoney Creek Records/BBR Music Group. The album’s pre-order and first instant grat track, “On My Way” featuring Jennifer Lopez, will be available this Friday (May 27).

Allen also collaborates with CeeLo Green & T-Pain, Katie Ohh, and Aadyn on the new project, which features tracks penned by Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Cary Barlowe, Matt McGinn, Ross Copperman, and more.

Much like its predecessors, the album’s title is deeply personal to Allen’s family as Tulip Drive is the name of the street his late grandmother grew up on. Allen’s 2018 debut album Mercury Lane was named for the street Allen grew up on, and his 2020 & 2021 releases–Bettie James & Bettie James Gold Edition–were named for his grandmother (Bettie Snead) and father (James “Big Jim” Allen).

“This is the first [album] where I chose to write songs about my own personal experiences, thoughts and hopes,” Allen shares.

Beginning this fall and through spring 2023, Allen will take his live show to 43 arenas nationwide as special guest on Carrie Underwood’s “The Denim & Rhinestones Tour.”

Tulip Drive Track List:
Be Alright (Jimmie Allen, Jason Evigan, Gian Stone, Castle) *
What I’m Talkin Bout (Zach Abend, Michael Hardy, Seth Ennis) ^
Kissin You (Jimmie Allen, Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell) ^
Down Home (Jimmie Allen, Rian Ball, Cameron Bedell, Tate Howell) ^
Settle on Back (Jimmie Allen, Tate Howell, Trip Howell, David Pramik) ^
Pesos (Feat. CeeLo Green & T-Pain) (Jimmie Allen, Edward Martin, Vincent Venditto, T-Pain, Thomas Callaway, Yannique DeLisle Barker, Chris Doyle, J. ”Lonny” Bereal) +
Love in the Living Room (Jimmie Allen, Jesse Frasure, Brandon Day, Alysa Vanderheym, Cary Barlowe) **
on My Way (Jimmie Allen & Jennifer Lopez) (Ivy Adara, Leroy Clampitt, Michael Pollack) ^^
Broken Hearted (Feat. Katie Ohh) (Jimmie Allen, Ashley Gorley, Will Weatherly) *
Habits & Hearts (Steven McMorran, Derrick Southerland, Jess Cates) ^
Right Now (Jimmie Allen, Matt Rogers, Jordan Schmidt) ^
Wouldn’t Feel Like Summer (Alysa Vandereheym, Matthew McGinn, Jimmie Deeghan) ^
Undo (Matt Rogers, Matt McVaney, Daniel Breland) ^
Get You a Girl (Jimmie Allen, Justin Ebach, Matt Jenkins) ++
Keep Em Coming (Jimmie Allen, Brad Tursi, Will Weatherly) ^
Every Time I Say Amen (Travis Hill, Jon Nite, Ross Copperman) ^
You Won’t Be Alone (Feat. Aadyn) (Jimmie Allen, Justin Ebach) ***
* Produced by Jason Evigan and Gian Stone
^ Produced by Ash Bowers and Jimmie Allen
+ Produced by Vinny Venditto and Vic “BillboardKiller” Martin
** Produced by Jesse Frasure and Jimmie Allen
^^ Produced by Keith Hetrick
++ Produced by Ilya Toshinskiy and Jimmie Allen
*** Produced by Ash Bowers and Eric Torres

Austin Burke. Photo: Raul Esparza

Independent artist Austin Burke has released his newest single “Take My Life,” penned by Emma White and Jamie Kenne. With the release, Burke is committing to giving 15% of his masters to songwriters in an effort to even the playing field for the creative community.

“When we were writing ‘Take My Life,’ it took us several days to get it exactly how we wanted. We fought to make sure every word and every melody was exactly like we imagined. Without Emma and Jamie, it wouldn’t be what it is now. They were undoubtedly one of the largest parts of the process and that’s exactly what made me want to be able to give a portion of my masters to them,” shares Burke.

“I’ve seen what the income looks like from the artist’s side and have also seen it from a songwriter’s side and to say the numbers aren’t fair would be an understatement,” he continues. “I just hope that other artists will follow my lead so that we can begin having actual change and taking care of the songwriters who help make all of this possible.”

During the pandemic, Burke and his wife Lexy created the “Venmo Challenge” by crowdfunding to surprise members of the service industry with unusually generous tips.

This release follows Burke’s most recent EP, Changed Everything, which has already amassed over 7 million streams. The singer-songwriter was included on Spotify’s Top Country Songs of 2021 playlist, and his therapeutic track, “Let It Burn,” climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard country digital charts earlier this year.