Producer and songwriter Aaron Chesling has launched a new label, Asphalt Music Group. The label has signed its first artist to a worldwide recording contract, Boston native Tim Buono.

The new label will include a recording division focusing on country and pop releases, and its synchronization department will be seeking opportunities within film, gaming, social media programming and other media.

Chesling previously worked in Logistics Coordination for Big Machine Label Group and as a Distribution Specialist for Universal Music Group. He has provided services ranging from logistical solutions, A&R, management, production, and radio promotion. Chesling has written songs for Buono and Canadian country star Gord Bamford, and did A&R work for the late Joe Diffie.

“Asphalt is a brand concept I have been thinking about and holding onto for some time now. It has taken on many different forms in my head and on paper, but now it has become clear that a new home for music has taken shape. After producing a few tracks with Tim Buono for a period, and about 25+ solid cowrites later, it became an ideal scenario to ink up. Tim is an exceptional artist and songwriter that deserves his chance to be heard. I am excited to share his music with the world. My goal is to help artists like him to ‘keep moving forward’,” said Chesling, CEO Asphalt Music Group.

Buono started his musical journey early. Brad Paisley had a major influence on his style and songwriting, and in a few short years after honing in on his craft and learning from his idols, Buono established a YouTube presence covering his favorite hits. Buono has been in Nashville working on new original music.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Asphalt team,” Buono said. “We’re gonna hit the ground running and put out music we feel good about. I can’t wait to show the world what we’ve been working on!”

Just over a year ago, Nashville-based artist Bren Joy released his breakthrough single “Henny in the Hamptons,” as well as “Sweet” (ft. Landon Sears). Together the two tracks have earned more than 5.5 million streams to date, and are featured on his independently-released project Twenties.

Today, he celebrates the release of a new single, “Freezing,” and the signing of a new label deal with Warner Records.

“‘Freezing’ is about taking the initiative. It’s about taking a leap of faith into what you want to be and achieve. I want my fans to take away that too much is never enough. I think all of my music rides the line between ‘more is more’ with a splash of nostalgia. That’s my goal.”

“When we put the album out, we started getting calls from labels and Warner felt right,” Bren Joy tells MusicRow. “I wanted to sign with a group of people that were really hungry and fresh and wanted it. Everything lined up with Warner and I took a few trips to Los Angeles and they just really showed their support.”

The 23-year-old, who is managed by Nashville-based company Big Loud/Maverick, incorporates elements of pop, R&B, jazz and more into the project’s tracks, all centered around his soothing piano/vocal.

He teamed with other producers and writers such as Caleb Lee, Anthony Perry, Landon Sears, Alaya Morris and more to create his Twenties EP.

“We made this project for like $400,” Joy says. Prior to his label signing, Bren Joy earned more than 10 million streams to date. Even more impressive, considering the first songs he ever wrote are included on the Twenties project.

“I’m a big risk taker,” he says.

Though he was raised in Nashville, Bren Joy didn’t begin singing until high school, and later enrolled as a vocal major at Belmont University.

“In college, I grew up on a lot of Black music and in college I got into alternative music, country music and more. I think that’s the cool thing about growing up in Nashville is I have so many different inspirations surrounding me that my music subconsciously incorporates all of that.”

Joy, who counts Kirk Franklin, Luther Vandross, and John Legend among his inspirations, chose Rascal Flatts’ “God Bless The Broken Road” among the songs for his audition at Belmont. “Singing just took over my life,” he said. “And I was obsessed with John Legend’s writing process. That idea of music that could fit at a jazz club or an arena was so cool.

“Making this [Twenties] project, we had no ambitions to get publishing or get signed. We just made what we found was cool. All eight of these songs I did at the piano,” he recalls.

While enrolled at Belmont, he won the school’s Urban music showcase and later performed at the school’s annual Best of the Best showcase. From there, music execs heard “Henny in the Hamptons,” which made its way to the top of Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist.

Bren Joy is currently hard at work on a full-length project, his first for a major label.

“I want it to be a storybook from top to bottom, and I’m taking my time to make sure everything—the visuals to the artwork to the songs to the production—is gorgeous. I could put out a new album today if I wanted to, but I want people to hear the growth, just top to bottom.

“It is young, and whimsical and boy-next-door. I just want it to feel fun because these times are so dark. I think this is a time to find the best version of ourselves. Creatives are so hard on themselves but it’s more about just making sure that the growth and self-love during this period is shown.”

Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced that Davidson County will enter Phase 3 in its “Roadmap for Reopening Nashville” on Monday, June 22.

Phase 3 of the plan now includes verbiage that says event space venues and small music venues must cap maximum event attendance or crowd size at 50% capacity, or 250 attendees, depending on venue capacity. Schools and educational facilities are allowed to open with restrictions determined by county COVID-19 metrics, and all metro parks and facilities will be open.

It maintains that restaurants and retail companies can open at 75% of capacity (while maintaining social distancing), and exercise, high-touch and close contact businesses like hair and nail salons may continue to operate at 50% capacity. Bars may now open at 50% capacity.

Phase 3 also recommends that gatherings be limited to 25 or fewer people.

Metro Public Health Department officials announced today (June 18) a total number of 7,539 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nashville/Davidson County.

For more information, visit http://covid19.nashville.gov.