Kane Brown. Photo: Diwang Valdez

HarbourView Equity Partners (HarbourView) has purchased certain publishing assets from multi-Platinum and award-winning country star Kane Brown.

Some of Brown’s country chart-topping hits include “What Ifs,” which received eight-time Platinum RIAA certification, “Homesick,” “Used to Love You Sober,” “Like I Love Country Music” and “Lose It.” Additionally, Brown has had top 40 hits including “One Thing Right” and “Be Like That,” which both remained on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 23 and 22 weeks respectively. Brown has also collaborated with noteworthy artists such as Khalid, H.E.R., Marshmello, Becky G, John Legend and Nelly.

“Partnering with someone like Kane who adds such a beautiful texture to the country genre is consistent with who we are as a firm. Kane is a special talent, and we are excited to be on the journey,” says Sherrese Clarke Soares, HarbourView Equity Partners CEO & Founder

“I’m grateful to Sherrese and HarbourView for their belief in my songwriting catalog. These songs that I’ve written are very meaningful to my fans and my career,” shares Brown.

With the acquisition of some of Brown’s publishing assets, HarbourView adds to a diversified catalog of more than 24,000 songs across both master recordings and publishing income streams.

Fox Rothschild LLP served as legal counsel to HarbourView in this transaction. Brown was represented by Jess L. Rosen at Greenberg Traurig LLP. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Pictured (clockwise): Cindy Gonzalez, Lia Okenkova, Jenny Methling and Simba Woodard

Musicians On Call (MOC), the nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments, has welcomed Jenny Methling as Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Cindy Gonzalez and Simba Woodard as Program Coordinators and Lia Okenkova as Grants Coordinator.

Methling joins the organization after most recently working for 615 Leverage + Strategy, where she focused on brand partnerships and strategic artist marketing initiatives. she also oversaw projects for brands including Dunkin’, Anheuser-Busch, Six Flags, Crown Royal and more. In her new role, Methling will lead the vision and strategy of MOC’s Corporate Partnerships department and will be responsible for identifying, developing and managing high-level strategic partnerships with corporate partners to advance MOC’s mission and drive organizational growth.

With a passion for nonprofit work and a love for giving back to her community, Gonzalez will manage MOC’s bedside programs in New York City and Philadelphia while recruiting and coordinating volunteers and serving as the liaison with local hospital partners. Woodard has worked as an educator, a teaching artist and a DEI consultant, focusing on the use of individual stories and cultural experiences to achieve equity in all spaces. In his new position, he will manage the organization’s national virtual and streaming programs.

Okenkova is a Vanderbilt University graduate who has worked within the arts nonprofit and corporate philanthropy sectors, particularly in corporate social responsibility, development and education. As Grants Coordinator, she will oversee and execute grant applications and stewardship as well as provide general support to the Fundraising department.

“This is an exciting time for Musicians On Call as we welcome new team members whose creativity and passion will help take our mission to new heights,” says Pete Griffin, Musicians On Call President & CEO. “We can’t wait to see all the wonderful contributions they will make to our organization.”

Pictured (L-R, back row): Concord’s Shawn Thompson, Melissa Spillman, Matt Turner, Brad Kennard and Ritholz, Levy, Fields LLP ‘s Chip Petree; (L-R, front row): Aaron Eshuis and Jessica Turri Eshuis. Photo: Audrey Spillman

Songwriter and producer Aaron Eshuis has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing. The deal, effective immediately, includes a selection of his existing catalog and all future works.

The Kalamazoo, Michigan native has had cuts by Rascal Flatts, A Thousand Horses, Kameron Marlowe, Corey Kent, Cole Swindell, Kylie Morgan, Meghan Patrick, Mason Ramsey and more. He scored his first No.1 in late 2018 with Scotty McCreery’s “This Is It.”

In addition to songwriting, Eshuis produced Ryan Hurd’s debut album Pelago, which included No. 1 song “Chasing After You,” as well as McCreery’s Seasons Change, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and his “Damn Strait,” “You Time” and “It Matters To Her.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Aaron to the Concord roster,” says Melissa Spillman, VP of A&R at Concord Music Publishing Nashville. “He has already proven himself a multi-faceted songwriter, and Aaron’s success as a producer in Nashville only adds to the excitement. We look forward to the future!”

“I’m thrilled to be joining up with the team at Concord,” says Eshuis. “These are some of the best people I’ve met in Nashville, and I knew from our first meeting that we could do some great work together.”

UMGN CEO and Chair Cindy Mabe Presents RIAA 5x Platinum Plaque to Brenda Lee. Photo: Chris Hollo

Rock and Roll Hall and Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee is celebrating the 65th anniversary of her classic signature holiday hit, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” with a brand new video of the song, out now.

Featuring cameos by Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood, the video shows Lee getting ready for her favorite holiday by trimming the tree and baking cookies, and there is even a special visit by Santa. Released when Lee was just 13 years old, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was written by Johnny Marks, who wrote many of the holiday standards. Last year the song was the second-highest streamed Christmas song with 240 million streams, and was recently certified 5x Platinum.

“For those out there who know me and have supported me and my music through the years, I’ve very proud to be putting out the first ever music video for ‘Rockin’.’ This song has been so special to me—I never thought it would be my signature song, but I love that it is because it brings so much joy,” shares Lee. “I remember the day I recorded this wonderful Johnny Marks song, and here we are 65 years later and I’m only here because of you. I won’t ever meet all of you, but I know you are there and have been since I was a little girl—so Thank You and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!”

A new EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee, is also out now featuring Lee’s hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and other holiday favorites including “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock” “A Marshmallow World” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous.

Lee will perform “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” on the upcoming NBC television special Christmas at the Opry, which airs Thursday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET and streams next day on Peacock.

The CMA has announced the slate of presenters for Wednesday night’s 57th Annual CMA Awards.

Among those appearing as presenters on this year’s telecast are Paula Abdul; Bill Anderson; Nate Bargatze; Tony award-nominated actor Kevin Cahoon; Jordan Davis; Grammy, Emmy and Tony-winning actress, singer, author and producer Cynthia Erivo; Sara Evans; Brian Kelley; Lady A; Martina McBride; Parker McCollum; Craig Morgan; Darius Rucker; 2023 World Series MVP Corey Seager; “The Golden Bachelor” Gerry Turner; Keith Urban; Hailey Whitters and Chris Young.

Hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, The 57th Annual CMA Awards broadcasts live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 7-10 p.m. CT on ABC. It will be available next day on Hulu.