Music News (7/27/16)

Jessi Alexander Signs With Warner/Chappell, THiS Music

Pictured (L-R, back row): Austen Adams, attorney; Jon Platt, Warner/Chappell Music; Anna Weisband, THiS Music; Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Music; Phil May, Warner/Chappell Music; Tim Nichols, THiS Music. Front: Rusty Gaston, THiS Music; Jessi Alexander; Connie Harrington, THiS Music.

Warner/Chappell Music and THiS Music have signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Jessi Alexander.

Alexander’s hits include Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” and “Drink On It,” Eric Paslay’s “Song About a Girl,” and Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” which earned Song of the Year honors from the CMA (2013), ACM (2014) and the 2013 NSAI Awards. The song was also nominated for a Grammy for Country Song of the Year. Alexander co-wrote the title track for Tim McGraw’s most recent project, Damn Country Music, and contributed two songs to Shelton’s current album, If I’m Honest, including “Savior’s Shadow” and “Friends.”

Alexander also wrote the upcoming single “The Way I Talk” for Big Loud Records’ artist Morgan Wallen. Alexander’s own self-released album, Down Home, includes collaborations with Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley, and Alexander’s husband and frequent collaborator Jon Randall.

THiS Music was formed in 2006 by publisher Rusty Gaston and songwriters Tim Nichols and Connie Harrington—launched in partnership with Warner/Chappell Music—and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Jon Pardi Enters Publishing Deal With Sony/ATV And Song Factory

Pictured (L-R): Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV; Jon Pardi; Jennifer Johnson, Song Factory; Tom Luteran, Sony/ATV

Jon Pardi has inked an exclusive publishing agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, in partnership with Song Factory.

A songwriter in his own right, Pardi co-wrote eight tracks on the Capitol Nashville project California Sunrise, including his gold-certified single, “Head Over Boots.”

Warner/Chappell Extends Deal With Bobby Campbell

Pictured: Front row (L-R): Will Overton, Bobby Campbell, Ben Vaughn. Back row: BJ Hill, Alison Junker, Matt Michiels, Alicia Pruitt, Ryan Beuschel, Travis Carter. *Old Fashioned mixed by B.J. Hill

Warner/Chappell Nashville has extended its worldwide publishing agreement with producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Bobby Campbell.

Campbell’s work as a producer has been featured in national television commercials for Coca-Cola, Glade, and Belvita, and he has written songs for 98 Degrees and James Durbin.

A regular in the Nashville pop country circuit since relocating in 2010, Campbell works out of his Safari Studio in East Nashville.

Razor & Tie Signs Belmont Student Thomas Finchum

Pictured (L-R): T.D. Ruth, Attorney; Thomas Finchum; Brad Kennard, VP Creative, RTMP; Jen Duke, Creative Manager, RTMP.

Razor & Tie Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Thomas Finchum. A former Olympic diver, the Indianapolis native is currently a senior in the music business program at Belmont University.

Finchum’s foray into music began later than most, after picking up the guitar at age 21. He spent the next couple of years playing local bars and clubs around Indianapolis before enrolling in Belmont University. Now 26, Finchum found himself being sought after by several music publishers, before deciding to sign with Razor & Tie Music Publishing.

In June, Finchum performed his music during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for diving, as part of the Road to Rio Tour in Indianapolis. Finchum was a platform diver on the U.S. 2008 Olympic Team before pursuing a career in country music.

BMI Welcomes Kalie Shorr As New Affiliate Member

Pictured (L-R): Cassetty Entertainment’s Helena Capps and Todd Cassetty, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI songwriter Kalie Shorr, writerslist’s Christy DiNapoli and Nicole Wyatt

Singer-songwriter and Sirius XM Highway Find Kalie Shorr visited BMI’s Nashville office to affiliate with the company as a BMI writer. Shorr is on board with writerslist for publishing, CAA for booking, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy for business management and Cassetty Entertainment for management.

JJ Lawhorn Signs Administrative Deal With ole

Picured (L-R): Shellien Kinsey, Creative Admin. Manager, ole; Brooke Antonakos, VP of Creative, Red Creative Group; Songwriter/Producer Jeremy Stover; JJ Lawhorn; John Ozier VP of Creative, ole; Mike Whelan, Sr. Creative Director, ole; Ben Strain, Creative Director, ole; Emily Mueller-Olson, Creative Manager, ole

JJ Lawhorn and New Kid on the Block Entertainment LLC have entered an agreement with ole. The independent rights management company will provide exclusive administrative rights for Lawhorn’s music.

Lawhorn is a country singer-songwriter discovered on YouTube by Jeremy Stover, an ole songwriter and producer. In 2016, Lawhorn released his EP Rural Route, which was produced by ole’s Jeremy Stover and Andrew Petroff.

New Kid on the Block Entertainment LLC is a music publishing and management venture created by Stover and artist manager Pete Hartung.

Dreamlined Entertainment Group Inks Joint Venture With Prescription Songs

Kevin MaC

Keith Stegall‘s Dreamlined Entertainment Group has announced a joint venture with celebrated Prescription Songs (Katy Perry, Diplo and 50+ others) on the signing of writer/artist Kevin MaC. Virginia Beach native MaC’s first single “#Winning” is forthcoming. Promotion efforts will be helmed by Star Farm Nashville.

Stegall launched Dreamlined Entertainment Group earlier this year and last month announced a partnership with Star Farm Nashville to handle promotion and artist development for the company.