Pictured (L-R): CEO, Sony Music Publishing, Rusty Gaston; President of Verse 2, Kent Earls; Rivers Rutherford; Kane Brown

Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford has signed with Verse 2 Music, a Sony Music Publishing joint-venture helmed by multi-Platinum entertainer Kane Brown and publishing veteran Kent Earls.

“Rivers is a true songwriting craftsman in every sense of the word,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome him to the Sony Music Publishing family, and we look forward to supporting him as he continues to push the boundaries of Nashville songwriting.”

One of music’s most talented and accomplished singer-songwriters, Rutherford’s cuts include hits for iconic legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, and Kris Kristofferson.

Over the course of his prolific career, Rutherford has had numerous No. 1 hits, multiple Grammys, CMA and ACM nominations, and over 20 ASCAP awards—including both of the coveted awards for Country Song Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year. In addition to recent hits with Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and Reba McEntire, the award-winning writer has penned No. 1 songs by Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and Brooks & Dunn. His hit “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You” won Billboard’s and ASCAP’S Song Of The Year and spent 6 weeks at No. 1, marking Brooks & Dunn’s most successful single to date.

“I am very happy to sign to Verse 2 and be working again with my good friend Kent Earls. I am also grateful to be working with an artist as talented and exciting as Kane Brown, whose creativity and work ethic I greatly admire. Rusty Gaston and the rest of the Sony Music Publishing family are superstars and I’m honored to contribute to such a deep and storied catalog of classic country music,” shares Rutherford.

“Rivers Rutherford is a Nashville songwriting icon. He is a timeless creator of ultra cool, soulful country music. Rivers is an incredibly successful Hall of Fame songwriter but is an even better person at heart. To be able to sign him to Verse 2 is an honor and we’re excited to add him to our roster,” says Earls.

Pictured (L-R): Chase Cooper (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Davis Danziger (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Chris Van Belkom (Falcon – Combustion Music), Chris Farren (Combustion Music), Jeb Hurt (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Kolby Cooper, Jared McManus (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Jon Loba (President, BMG Nashville), Chris Poole (Director A&R, BBR Music Group), JoJamie Hahr (SVP, BBR Music Group). Photo: Wales Toney

BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records has signed recording artist Kolby Cooper in partnership with Combustion Music.

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, who has already racked up over 110 million streams, has been playing sold-out shows around the country and built an audience of thousands of fans. With a fresh sound, Cooper’s music is influenced by his Texas roots layered over a wailing electric guitar.

“The observational perspective of Kolby’s songwriting immediately piqued my interest but seeing the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response at live shows has been really exciting to witness,” says Chris Poole, Director A&R, BBR Music Group. “I’m so excited to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent and help expand his wildly passionate fanbase he’s been cultivating and take everything to the next level.”

“It’s badass, I’m really excited to be a part of a team that wants to make what I do as huge as possible and is down for it all,” says Cooper. “We’re about to light this thing up!”

Cooper will release his first song as a signed artist, “Excuses,” on June 25. Inspired by his guitar player’s sudden breakup, the new song delivers overwhelming relatability paired with his rough-hewn vocals. The song is available for pre-save and pre-add now.

Kolby is managed by Floating Leaf Entertainment, booked by Red 11 Music, and is a staff songwriter at Combustion.

Toby Keith

Country recording artist Toby Keith is continuing his Country Comes To Town Tour June 20 in Prescott, Arizona after recently launching in California, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. The run will visit over two dozen markets across the country through the end of the year.

The tour name originates from Keith’s hit of the same name which was featured on his How Do You Like Me Now?! album. After adding the track back to the set list on his 2019 That’s Country Bro Tour!, Keith knew that its lyrics were perfect for this newest touring effort. As the song says, “You better be ready when the sun goes down, that’s when country comes to town.”

Keith recently hosted his annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic in Oklahoma. The 16th annual classic in 2019 raised $1.3 million and over the years the event has raised $13.7 million used to build and operate the OK Kids Korral, the cost-free home for families of children being treated at area hospitals.

Toby Keith’s Country Comes to Town Tour:
6/20 – Findlay Toyota Center- Prescott, AZ
6/25 – Country Jam USA – Grand Junction, CO
6/26 – Nebraskaland Days – North Platte, NE
7/10 – Pendleton Whisky Music Festival – Pendleton, OR
7/15 – LaPorte County Fair – LaPorte, IN
7/17 – Meadow Event Park – Doswell, VA
7/30 – Adirondack Bank Center – Utica, NY
7/31 – Summer Stage at Tag’s – Big Flats, NY
8/1 – Orange Motorsports & Ent. – Middletown, NY
8/8 – Jackson County Fair – Jackson, MI
8/13 – Ashley for the Arts – Arcadia, WI
8/14 – First National Bank Arena – Jonesboro, AR
8/15 – Illinois State Fair – Springfield, IL
9/2 – The Great Allentown Fair – Allentown, PA
9/3 – Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT
9/4 – Bank of NH Pavilion/Meadowbrook – Gilford, NH
9/5 – Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – Atlantic City, NJ
9/10 – Freedom Fest – Fort Polk, LA
9/18 – Nugget Event Center – Sparks, NV
10/14 – Xtream Arena – Coralville, IA
10/15 – InTrust Bank Arena – Wichita, KS
10/16 – Budweiser Events Center – Loveland, CO
10/17 – Ford Wyoming Center – Casper, WY
10/23 – Laughlin Event Center – Laughlin, NV
12/3 – Hertz Arena – Estero, FL

On Friday (June 11), the Copyright Royalty Board announced a royalty rate increase for digital performances of sound recordings over the Internet by nonexempt, noninteractive transmission services—or webcasters like Pandora and SiriusXM.

The ‘Web V’ rate increase for 2021 is $0.0026 per performance on commercial subscription services and $0.0021 per stream for ad-supported non-subscription services. The rates for the period 2022 through 2025 for both subscription and non-subscription services shall be adjusted to reflect the increases or decreases in the Consumer Price Index. Prior to the increase, the rates had been $0.0024 for paid subscription services and $0.0018 for ad-supported services.

Although SoundExchange was aiming for an increase to $0.0031 for paid services and $0.0024 for ad-supported services in the Web V royalty setting proceedings, the organization’s President/CEO Michael Huppe is pleased with the “step forward toward building a healthier music industry.” His full statement is below:

“This CRB decision means that creators will be compensated more fairly when their recordings are played on digital music services. While the rates are lower than SoundExchange and others proposed, they represent a step forward toward building a healthier music industry.

The decision reflects the compelling case made by SoundExchange and our allies that we need to close the gap between what artists and rights holders have been paid and what they should be paid for their work. We haven’t fully closed that gap, but today is a step in the right direction.

As an organization representing the entire recorded music industry, SoundExchange is committed to the principle that artists and rights holders should be respected for their work. That includes when their music is played on AM/FM radio. The music industry is in a state of transformation, and that means each player in the industry – creator and streaming platforms alike – need to evolve, as well. SoundExchange will continue to drive that evolution, because it knows that a healthy music industry is integral to society.

We also want to recognize the tireless efforts and dedication exhibited by the CRB judges and staff throughout this process.”

Songwriter Ben Johnson is No. 9 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with Hardy’s “Give Heaven Some Hell” and Dierks Bentley’s “Gone” fueling his rise.

Corey Crowder remains at No. 1 on the chart for the third consecutive week. He is a co-writer on “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” (Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line), “Famous Friends” (Chris Young and Kane Brown) and “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton).

The top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart remain the same this week, with Jesse Frasure at No. 2, Ashley Gorley at No. 3, Nicolle Galyon at No. 4, and Zach Crowell at No. 5.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.