Publishing Briefs
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Rock and blues singer-songwriter Chris Rea has sold his “music interests” to BMG. The deal includes the royalty shares of his 17 studio albums, including hits like “Driving Home for Christmas,” “On The Beach,” “Road to Hell,” and “Fool (If You Think Its Over).”
Electric Feel Entertainment has signed singer-songwriter Xplicit to a management deal, and Sony Music Publishing has signed the artist for publishing. Xplicit is known for penning some of pop’s stickiest hits of the last decade, including cuts like Justin Bieber’s “Anyone,” Fifth Harmony’s “Work From Home,” and Lil Dirk/Morgan Wallen’s “Broadway Girls.”
Liz Rose has renewed her publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. Rose is regarded as one of the most essential songwriters in Nashville today and is particularly known for her collaborations with Taylor Swift. She has also worked with Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Ingrid Andress, Little Big Town, and more.
BMG has acquired the royalty interests of Haddaway‘s recordings. A multi-platinum Eurodance act, Haddaway is best know for their songs “What is Love,” “Life” and “Rock My Heart.”
Concord Music Publishing has partnered with Chromatic Music to sign producer and songwriter Aaron Chafin to a co-publishing agreement. The deal entails both his back catalog and future works made under the term of the deal. It marks the second-ever signing for the Toger Brown-founded Chromatic Music, following their deal with Nashville-based talent Lauren Hungate.
Jesse Murphy has signed an exclusive publishing deal with peermusic Nashville. Son of country singer David Lee Murphy, Jesse is part of crossover band House Whiskey. This marks the first signing under the tenure of Michael Knox, president of peermusic Nashville.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame recently hosted a documentary film screening and panel of “Killing Me Softly With His Songs,” a tribute to composer Charles Fox that chronicles his life and work. The hitmaker behind classic cuts like “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “I Got A Name,” and “Ready To Take A Chance Again,” as well as iconic television show themes for Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, Wonder Woman and more, Fox is one of the most defining songwriters of his generation.
Big Yellow Dog Music has inked a publishing and label deal with Kyle Coulahan. The protege of legendary producer Chips Moman (Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson), Coulahan is an up and coming country act that also writes for other artists across Nashville.
AJ Smith has signed a new exclusive publishing deal with Wise Music Group. Born in Denver and now based out of New York City, Smith is a pop artist on the rise, with songs “We’re All Gonna Die,” “Confetti” and “Grammy.”
Centricity Publishing has renewed their publishing deal with songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist, Kyle Williams. A recent winner of ABC’s Songland, Williams is one of Christian’s most talented writers, and he has built a career out of writing for other Christian artists as well as working on his solo projects and band We Are the Messengers.
Warner Chappell Music has linked with the company Group Projects to launch a joint publishing venture. Group Projects’ new publishing outfit, founded by Anthony Manker and Cooper Anstett, has already found a first signee, Sam Martinez. Born and raised in Virginia, Martinez moved to Nashville to pursue music. He’s worked closely with collaborators like Zack Dyer, Ben Stoll, Jared Scott, and more.
Bucks Music Group has inked an exclusive publishing agreement with Yahael Camara-Onono. The musician is best known for his work as both the band leader and creator of West African collective Balimaya Project.
Sheltered Music Publishing has acquired “significant” interest in Dennis Linde‘s musical catalog, including hit songs like “Burning Love,” (Elvis Presley) “Goodbye Earl” (The Chicks) and “Callin’ Baton Rouge” (Garth Brooks). “It is not often that a catalog as distinguished and diverse as Dennis Linde’s becomes available,” said Sheltered Music svp, Darrell Franklin. “As a music publisher, this is the quality of work we all aspire to represent. I’m honored to be able to do that with this music and to help further raise awareness and appreciation of one of Nashville’s greatest songwriting talents.”
Downtown Music Services has signed Masego to a global publishing administration deal. The new agreement includes Masego’s Grammy-nominated back catalog as well as his future works, including his upcoming album, set for release in February 2023. Masego says of the new signing, “Sarah McCann [svp, international creative at Downtown Music Services] is the reason why I chose to work with the publishing company. Through her, I saw that Downtown and me shared a similar vision of creating global, unique, and impactful art.”
Warner Chappell has signed the catalog of Scissor Sisters. A popular early aughts pop group, Scissor Sisters’ works includes hits like “Laura” “Comfortably Numb” “Take Your Mama” and “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’.” The band, whose membership include Jake Shears and Ana Matronic (vocals), Scott ‘Babydaddy’ Hoffman (multi-instrumentalist) and Del Marquis (guitar/bass), has also appointed Fascination Management as their legacy managers.
Concord Music Publishing has signed Jennifer Wayne to a worldwide deal that includes her future works. Best known as part of the all-female country trio Runaway June, Wayne also has writing credits on songs for Keith Urban, Marie Osmond, Eric Paslay, RaeLynn, Brittney Spencer and The Shires. “I’m over the moon about signing with Concord. It’s a family and they are so passionate, creative, supportive, and work as a team to win for their writers,” says Wayne.
Bucks Music Group has signed Tom Webber to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. The rising talent was awarded Best Demo at Glastonbury 2022, and has supported acts like Nick Lowe, Deacon Blue and Richard Hawley. Webber says of the deal, “I’m very happy to have signed with Bucks Music Group. Simon, Sarah, James and the team really helped me make the decision to join them an easy one.
Singer/songwriter Taylor Grey has signed a new worldwide publishing administration deal with Regard Music, including global sync and creative services for her existing and future catalog. She joins Regard Music’s boutique roster, which includes Robin Thicke, Lyle Lovett, Tom Kelly, meditation company Headspace, and more.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed Songland season 2 champion Madeline Merlo to a publishing administration deal. The Canadian singer and songwriter caught the industry’s attention with “Champagne Night,” a country radio hit performed by Lady A, and soon after her work earned her a nomination for Canadian Country Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year Award. She also has released music of her own, including her new four-track EP Slide. “I am looking forward to working with this world class team that makes you feel like family every time you walk in the door! This is a huge next step for my career and truly is a dream come true,” says the songwriter.
Warner Chappell Music Korea has renewed its global publishing deal with 153/Joombas Publishing, one of the top independent music publishers in the country. The two companies have been working together since 2018 and the partnership has entailed 153/Joombas’ entire catalog, including songs for aespa, BTS, EXO, (G)I-DLE, GOT7, ITZY, IU, Lim Young-woong, Monsta X, NCT DREAM, Red Velvet, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, and Taeyeon. Founded by Hyuk Shin — a South Korean producer known for writing “One Less Lonely Girl” for Justin Bieber, “Growl” for EXO, and discovering Blackbear and DEAN — 153/Joombas Publishing has a roster of almost 100 writers whose work both defines K-pop and popular music worldwide. CJ Kim, general manager of Warner Chappell Music Korea, said: “Joining forces with 153/Joombas Publishing again will further strengthen and solidify our position as a leader in K-pop music. We are pleased to elevate our alliance to a new level, and can’t wait to take their incredible songwriters with us on our journey as we continue to maximise the opportunities and value for K-pop music in unprecedented ways.”
Afrojack, the Grammy-winning producer and DJ, has extended his worldwide publishing deal with BMG, including all the works written and produced by the Dutch talent since he signed with BMG in 2008, including hits like “Titanium,” “Take Over Control” and “Hey Mama.”
Spirit Music Nashville has signed a co-publishing agreement with Joy Williams, half of the long-defunct duo The Civil Wars. The deal also includes the acquisition of compositions from her various song catalogs, including but not limited to The Civil Wars, as well as some of her masters. Spirit will handle her publishing on a go-forward basis with the exception of Front Porch, her most recent release, which will also be included for administration.
Reservoir has acquired rights to the entire catalog and future works of Naughty By Nature member KayGee as well as distribution rights moving forward. Beyond his Grammy-earning work with the hip-hop trio, KayGee, aka Keir Lamont Gist, made a name for himself writing and producing for 50 Cent, Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe, Luther Vandross, and Queen Latifah. he also founded his own label in the 1990s, Divine Mill, which represented artists like Zhané, Next, and Jaheim — all of whom he produced and wrote for as well.
Baby Queen has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing. A critical darling in U.K. pop music, Baby Queen, aka Bella Lathan, says of the deal she is “excited to be working with Sony and with a team that truly undersands who [she is] as a person and as an artist.”=
Page 1 Management, a writer-producer management firm founded by Ashley Page and led in the U.S. by A&R Danielle Middleton, has signed Travis Mendes. Known for his work as a writer, producer and engineer, Mendes has played a hand in making songs like “All Time Low” and “Guillotine” by Jon Bellion, “Fools Paradise” by Isaac Dunbar, “Love Me for Now” by Cheatcodes and more. He says of the deal “I’m so happy to join this beautiful, amazing family of creatives at Page 1, and I’m excited to continue to learn and craft more amazing music for the world to hear!”
Milk & Honey Music has launched the new Milk & Honey U.S. Scholarship, an initiative to develop and mentor Australia and New Zealand-based women in songwriting and production, and its inaugural recipient is Chelsea Warner, a Sydney native making R&B, pop and hip-hop. As part of the scholarship, Warner will be given a two month residency in Los Angeles, where she will receive mentorship from top songwriters Oak Felder and Jenna Andrews. Organized by Milk & Honey leaders Lucas Keller, Milly Petriella, and Peter Coquillard, Petriella says of the program, “Less than 20% of our industry is female and the number of women in production is considerably less, it’s time to create real experiences, connections, and provide financial support if we are to truly going to change the future landscape of the music industry.”
Warner Chappell Music France has signed Some 1ne and Machynist, the duo behind some of the country’s biggest hits. They are perhaps best known for composing “Djadja” and “Pookie” for Aya Nakamura and No Crari, the sophomore album from French rapper OBOY.
Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop) has won the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. The annual award is presented to an ASCAP-affiliated musical theater composer that shows great promise at an early age. Previous recipients include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pasek & Paul, and David Hein & Irene Sankoff.
IMPF partnered with Music Publishers Canada to host Create Nordic Bridges, a songwriting camp that promotes publisher and songwriter collaboration between Nordic and Canadian talents. The camp took place in Toronto from Oct. 27-29 and brought together 12 songwriters, producers and artists from Canada, Estonia, Finland and Sweden.
Songclip has announced a partnership with Hipgnosis. Known as the “world’s only patented music clip company,” Songclip helps the music industry get clips of songs uploaded and properly licensed for apps like TikTok. The deal will allow Songclips to work with 100,000 new songs administered by Hipgnosis. This news arrives months after the 2022 NMPA Annual Meeting in which its CEO and president, David Israelite, announced that the organization will be partnering with Songclip to help remedy the issue of unlicensed music on emerging apps. To date, Songclip also has deals in place WMG, UMG, BMG, Kobalt and more.
Sony Music Publishing U.K. has signed producer and artist Lostboy to a global publishing deal. Known for his work with Tiesto and Ava Max’s “The Motto” as well as cuts with Bebe Rexha, Zedd, Kehlani, Why Don’t We, and more, he is considered by the Sony team to be one of brightest talents straddling pop, dance and electronic music. “He is without a doubt one of the world’s most exciting songwriters,” says Saul Fitton, senior a&r manager at SMP U.K.
Concord Music Publishing has signed Russell Dickerson, a multi-platinum country artist and songwriter. The deal includes Dickerson’s back catalog of songs — including “Yours,” “Every Little Thing,” and “Blue Tacoma” — as well as works made moving forward. Dickerson says of the deal, “I love that they are an independent company with worldwide reach. They value songwriters and today I’m humbled to be joining their roster of incredible talent.”
Bosworth Music (Wise Music Group) has announced its new worldwide publishing deal with Grandbrothers. The German-Swiss duo, made up of Erol Sarp and Lukas Vogel, release records via indie label City Slang and also work on respected film compositions, including a score for Hors Normes which debuted at the Cannes International Film Festival.
Warner Chappell Music has signed up-and-coming Nashville talent Jon Kraft to a publishing deal. A songwriter and artist in his own right, he will be represented by the company worldwide.
BDi Music has signed Aimée to a global publishing deal. The up-and-coming Irish pop writer and singer has been releasing music since 2018, and she now joins talents like Novo Amor, Amy Wadge, and more on BDi’s roster.
Round Hill Music has signed a worldwide publishing administration agreement with Coheed and Cambria, the progressive rock band that has recorded 10 studio albums and generated 3.4 million album consumption units in the U.S., according to Luminate. The band, fronted by Claudio Sanchez, is signed to Round Hill Music via its Fund 3 Plus vehicle.
“We are pleased to welcome Claudio and the band to the Round Hill family,” the company’s head of creative services John Baldi said in a statement. “Our team is excited to explore creative outlets and opportunities for their music and provide support wherever we can on their current release, “Vaxis Act II.”
The latter album has generated 55,000 album consumption units worth of activity since its release in February this year.
“Our music is dramatic and cinematic,” Sanchez said in a statement. “We’ve been looking for a home that will facilitate getting Coheed and Cambria front and center in the sync world. The folks and Round Hill have a firm grasp of our vision and an added creativity that will help achieve or goals, and we couldn’t be more excited about taking this journey together.”