Warner Chappell Music
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Zach Bryan, whose “Something In The Orange” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts, has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. Warner Chappell declined to disclose terms of the deal.
Bryan, who is signed to Warner Records, has broken through as one of the brightest new artists of the past few years, including being named Billboard’s Top New Country Artist of 2022.
Los Angeles-based David Goldsen, WCM head of A&R, Australia and vp of creative, signed Bryan. “Zach is a truly generational songwriter and that was obvious from the first time I heard his music. Those songs then, along with countless more since, resonate with everyone who hears them. He’s a natural storyteller with an innate ability to write songs that are unapologetically raw and vulnerable. In a short amount of time, he’s captivated fans of all music, and we’re beyond lucky and thrilled to work with him.”
Goldsen began courting Bryan some time ago. “I’d like to personally thank David and the team over at Warner Chappell. I was just a confused kid in the Navy four years ago and they were the first people I talked to in the industry, literally,” Bryan said in a statement. “They never pushed a four-man writing team on me, they never asked me to do anything I didn’t want to do, they just believed in me. I owe them more than just support, I owe them back the faith they had in me as a barely 23-year-old Oklahoma kid walking around New York like a sore thumb.”
Bryan’s major-label debut, American Heartbreak, came out in May with Bryan penning all 34 songs by himself. It debuted atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and hit No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. According to Warner Chappell, he has surpassed one billion global streams.
“Zach has already had a record-breaking start to his career and there’s so much more to come,” said Warner Chappell Music president of North America Ryan Press. “He isn’t afraid to do things differently, and it’s been incredible to see him become such a positive force in the industry and reshape how singer/songwriters release music. This is a huge moment, and we’re very proud to be on this journey together as he continues to carve out his own path.”
Bryan’s Burn Burn Burn North American Tour kicks off May 10 at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va.
Warner Chappell Music is the first major publisher to step into Web3 through a new deal with Defient — a Web3 entertainment incubator. The deal will allow the Warner Chappell roster, which includes Bruno Mars, David Bowie, Katy Perry and Lizzo, to tap into blockchain technology through digital collectibles, events and memorabilia.
The first project is a digital museum launching early 2023 called “Archives,” which will shine a light on songwriters through an exhibition of music, artwork and collectibles built around the song creation process. A limited-edition NFT mint pass will also give holders access to highly curated drops, auctions and virtual experiences.
WCM believes the partnership will allow the publisher to unlock new methods of monetization. “By embracing the power of blockchain technology, we can create impactful new revenue streams and creative opportunities for our songwriters while giving music fans access to unique experiences,” said WCM senior vp of creative services Ashley Winton. “Not only are [founder & CEO] Sidney [Swift] and his whole team at Defient experts in this space, but they also have deep roots in music and know how to champion the voices of creators.”
Defient is a Web3 incubator with experience across the music industry and the emerging NFT landscape. Founded by Grammy-nominated producer Sidney Swift, Defient was instrumental in developing a Web3 record label, ChillRx, which has generated over $1 million in volume since launching in February 2022.
In a statement about the collaboration, Swift said, “We’re proud to be working with Warner Chappell as they expand into the web3 community that Defient is already so ingrained in. Having started my career as a songwriter and producer, it’s exciting to join forces with a forward-thinking partner and work towards making it easier and more accessible for songwriters and artists to leverage web3 platforms. Together, we want to use technology to empower creatives and help them elevate their brands.”
Major labels have already made the leap into NFTs via dedicated Web3 imprints such as 10:22PM at Universal Music Group and Probably a Label at Warner Records UK. Publishers have taken a slower approach, but WCM is optimistic that blockchain technology will offer new opportunities for its songwriters. “This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of music publishing,” said WCM co-chair and CEO Guy Moot and co-chair and COO Carianne Marshall in a joint statement. “With Defient’s support, we’ll be able to unlock new avenues in web3 on behalf of our songwriters and find different ways for them to grow their legacies and engage with fans.”
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.