Rising singer-songwriter Kinsley has signed a worldwide exclusive publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

The announcement follows the release of her debut tracks, “Pieces of Me,” which explores heartbreak, identity and the lasting impact of love and loss, and “Whiplash,” a song that taps into her lifelong love of rock.

“From the moment we first met Kinsley, I knew I had to work with her,” shares Synnovea Halsel, Manager, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “It’s impossible not to be moved by the storytelling in her lyrics and the emotion in her voice. Kinsley is such a special talent and we’re so lucky to get to work with her at SMP.”

From growing up in California to learning music on her family’s land in North Carolina and moving to Texas in high school before eventually settling in Tennessee with her family, each chapter has left its mark on Kinsley’s perspective and her sound. Poetry became her creative outlet to process her emotions, laying the foundation for a songwriting style that blends vivid storytelling, poetic lyricism and raw, soulful vocals in a way that resonates deeply with listeners. Kinsley first connected with audiences through her Midnight Sessions on YouTube, with intimate performances that offered an early glimpse into her deeply personal songwriting.

“Finding a home with Sony Music Publishing feels incredibly special,” shares Kinsley. “This team has quickly become like family to me, and I am beyond thankful for their belief in me. Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world and will always be my first love. I’ve always wanted to write songs that make people feel understood. I’m so excited to have a team that is so passionate in helping me grow as a songwriter.”

By Design, the Nashville-based modern music company founded by Josh Bailey, Josh Thompson, Rod Riley and Jeremy Holley, has added Austin Cain, Chris August, Jillian Edwards and Jon White in partnership with Sony Music Publishing, and Alison Turner, who signed a co-publishing deal directly to By Design Music Publishing.

“Great songwriting requires exceptional craft and an environment built to sustain it,” says By Design’s Vice President of Publishing and A&R, Josh Pauley. “We signed Alison, Austin, Chris, Jillian and Jon because their talent and creativity is undeniable. Our role isn’t to over-engineer the creative process, but to eliminate friction and give them the strategic partnership to operate at their absolute best.”

Memphis-born songwriter and producer Cain has spent eight years building a reputation in Nashville with writing and production credits with Josiah Queen, Franni Cash, Caleb & John and Thunderstorm Artis. He has toured alongside The Band CAMINO and Stephen Sanchez.

August has spent 25 years in the industry with cuts including Keith Urban’s “God Whispered Your Name” and work for Pentatonix, Ben Rector, Hootie & the Blowfish, Mac Powell and Tenille Arts, plus his own hits like “Starry Night” and “7×70.”

Texas native Edwards writes from the perspective of faith, motherhood and finding beauty in the ordinary. Her catalog spans multiple Billboard-charting releases and placements across Grey’s Anatomy, Nashville, Pretty Little Liars and the Disney+ film Out of My Mind.

White is a songwriter and producer with more than 1 billion career streams, best known as co-founder of the Dove Awards-nominated duo Capital Kings. He has written and produced with Anne-Marie, TobyMac, Noah Cyrus and the late Liam Payne, among others.

Turner is a 23-year-old Nashville-based songwriter by way of California’s Bay Area. Before graduating from Belmont University, Turner co-wrote “Good for Nothing,” later recorded by Cory Asbury.

“By Design exists to give creators the space to unlock their God-given design,” says co-founders Bailey and Thompson. “These five writers shape culture through purpose-driven storytelling, and they are the reason we built this. Sony gives us the global reach to back them at scale, and Josh Pauley gives them the hands-on support and leadership that great songs are built on.”

“Our passion for songwriters and great songs drives everything we do, and By Design shares that same spirit,” adds Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “This group of writers is a statement of intent, and we’re proud to champion them alongside the entire By Design team.”

The 502s will kick off their upcoming “Just A Little Run” tour beginning this fall on Oct. 7.

The trek will feature stops in Atlanta, Charleston, Nashville and more, and takes its name from their 2021 viral hit “Just A Little While,” which has logged over 170M streams to date and appears on their album Could It Get Better Than This.

Pre-sale for the tour begins tomorrow (Aug. 11), followed by public on-sale on Aug. 14.

“Five years ago, Could It Get Better Than This changed everything for us – it took us from tiny rooms to stages around the world,” shares the band. “To celebrate that journey, we’re hitting rewind with the ‘Just a Little Run’: a run of intimate, sweaty venues. We can’t wait to be back shoulder to shoulder with the fans who have been with us from the beginning.”

The band has been busy over the last year since the release of their fourth studio album Easy Street, which includes the playful smash “Your Nonsense Makes Sense” (which has racked up nearly 25 million streams), as well as “Summer Fling” that they debuted on Good Morning America. The 502s just embarked on their “The Up, Up, Up The Coast and Across The Pond Tour” last weekend, with remaining stops in Nantucket, Queens, United Kingdom, Ireland and more set through early September.

“Just A Little Run” Tour Dates:
October 7 – Vinyl Center Stage – Atlanta, GA
October 8 – Radio Room – Greenville, SC
October 9 – Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC
October 11 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC
October 12 – The Basement – Nashville, TN