MusicRow Magazine has released its 2021 Publisher Issue print edition, with Mercury Nashville’s Lauren Alaina gracing the cover.

Alaina recently released her third studio album, Sitting Pretty On Top Of The World, which includes her current radio single “Getting Over Him” with Jon Pardi. As a co-writer on 14 of the project’s 15 tracks, the album reflects on the mountains and valleys of her journey over the years.

Alaina has received an array of RIAA certifications over the last decade, including Gold-certified “One Beer,” “Road Less Travelled,” “Getting Good,” “Doin’ Fine,” and “Like My Mother Does,” as well as the six-time Platinum “What Ifs” with Kane Brown. With multiple ACM, CMA, Billboard, and CMT Award nominations under her belt, the multi-faceted entertainer also starred in the film Roadhouse Romance on the Hallmark channel this fall and will release her book Getting Good At Being You on Nov. 23.

This annual resource includes the 2021 Publisher Directory, listing Nashville’s top publishing companies, as well as organizations and services available for songwriters.

In the 2021 Publisher Issue, MusicRow does a deep dive into the First Family of Music Row—The Bradleys—chronicling their impact on the Nashville music business and beyond. UMPG’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, and Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar give an update on the state of Nashville publishing in 2021; while Tree Vibez Music’s Leslie DiPiero and Verse 2 Music’s Kent Earls explain the process behind artist-led publishing ventures. This issue also offers conversations with Anthem Entertainment’s Tim Wipperman as well as Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon. The MLC’s launch and first year of operation is also a focus of this year’s Publishing issue as MusicRow talks with CEO Kris Ahrend.

MusicRow’s 2021 Publisher Issue also highlights the work and careers of some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, including Sony Music Publishing’s Michael Carter, Big Loud/UMPG’s Ernest, Warner Chappell’s Martin Johnson, Sheltered Music’s Alex Kline, UMPG’s Lee Thomas Miller, and breakout country artist Brittney Spencer, who is self-published.

“MusicRow‘s annual Publisher Issue highlights those publishers and tunesmiths that create the foundation and cornerstone of our industry,” says MusicRow Magazine Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “From the informative Publisher Directory and the songwriters highlighted on these pages, to the in-depth narratives discussed in the featured articles, this important resource and guide supports the creative talents of our industry’s songwriters and publishing teams.”

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2021 Publisher Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow memberships.

Pictured (top row, L-R): Jen Hubbard, Garrett Stephenson; (bottom row, L-R): Brad Kennard, Ashley Nite, Courtney Allen, Melissa Spillman, & Matt Turner at Concord Music Publishing headquarters in Nashville. Photo: Audrey Spillman

Concord Music Publishing has rounded out their Nashville creative team, adding several new hires to their Nashville office. These new hires are part of Concord’s intentioned effort to continue their success and growth in Nashville.

Melissa Spillman is joining Concord Music Publishing as VP, A&R. With over 17 years of experience in country, pop and rock, Spillman has worked with several notable artists including Lady A, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Keith Urban, Eric Church as well as Grammy award winning producer Jay Joyce. Spillman will lead the team in supporting the roster and developing new talent, reporting directly to Brad Kennard, Senior VP, A&R at Concord Music Publishing.

“I feel incredibly blessed to join the team at Concord,” Spillman says. “Concord has long been known for the quality of its music and its unique formula of commercial success and artistic spirit, so to be given the opportunity to promote and elevate its creators as part of the Nashville A&R staff is an honor. Brad has brought together a team of creatives that will prove itself to be one of the best in the business, and I look forward to having fun and sharing much success with this group!”

Matt Turner also joins the Concord team as a Senior Director, A&R. Turner began his career at Anthem Entertainment and then on to independent publisher, Big Loud Shirt, now known as Big Loud. During his time at Big Loud, he worked closely with founder, Craig Wiseman, as well as writers Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton, Matt Dragstrem, the Warren Brothers and was involved in the early songwriting careers of Morgan Wallen and Chris Lane. Later, Turner joined the Downtown Music Publishing team, representing the expansive roster of writers there including country music hit makers Andy Albert, Andrew DeRoberts and Joey Hyde, all of whom are now with Concord via the company’s recent purchase of Downtown’s publishing catalog.

“For me, joining Concord was the perfect fit because I wanted to work with good people and good music, and they have both. It’s new, it’s exciting and it’s only the beginning!! I’m extremely happy and grateful to be part of such an amazing team,” Turner shares.

“With all of the growth that Concord as a company has endured, Nashville in particular has seen a really great period of focus on our roster and our team,” say Kennard. “We’re happy to build out this team so that we can support this amazing roster, to serve the roster to the level that they deserve and to continue to compete in the market.”

Additional new hires include Courtney Allen as Director A&R. Allen joins Concord from BMG, where she served as Creative Director, working with their roster of songwriters and developing new talent. Prior to her time at BMG, she was the creative director of publishing at Starstruck Entertainment, where she worked with developing artists on the management roster.

Finally, Ashley Nite is joining Concord Music Publishing as a Manager, A&R; and Garrett Stephenson joins as Coordinator, A&R. Nite spent time as Creative Manager at JRM Publishing and Creative Manager at Mailbox Money Music. Stephenson comes from Downtown Music Publishing.

The new hires join Kennard and Jen Hubbard (Director, A&R) on the Concord Nashville creative team.

Concord Music Publishing has seen great success in Nashville from their joint venture, Hang Your Hat Music, which they formed with two-time ACM Songwriter of the Year, Hillary Lindsey, in November 2020. In 2021, Concord partnered with Creative Nation and PULSE Music Group to sign a multi-faceted agreement with lauded songwriter and artist, Lori McKenna, and acquired her publishing catalog.

“Our goals are to continue to identify and bring in high-level, quality talent,” Kennard sums. “We certainly have a focus on competing at country radio and competing with all of the great publishers in town, utilizing the talents of this diverse team to also serve a diverse roster and compete at the highest level. That’s the mantra: let’s go for the gold and let’s win. Concord really gave us the tools to be able to serve this team and compete.”