Music News (1/27/16)

Pictured (L-R): Bradley Collins, BMI; Jody Williams, BMI; Tom Luteran, Sony/ATV; James McNair; Leslie Roberts, BMI; Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, Tree Vibez; Hannah Williams, Sony/ATV; Dane Schmidt, Tree Vibez; Josh Van Valkenburg, Sony/ATV.

Sony/ATV and Florida Georgia Line’s Tree Vibez have signed James McNair to a worldwide publishing deal.

The South Carolina native moved to Nashville in 2013 and has immersed himself in the creative community.

Tree Vibez is a publishing and artist development company started by Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard earlier this year.

Warner/Chappell Signs The Stellas and Latest Joint Venture with Neon Cross

Pictured (L-R): Genevieve Jewell, Manager; Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell; Alicia Pruitt, Warner/Chappell; Marylynne Stella; Brad Stella; Phil May, Warner/Chappell

Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Canadian country duo, The Stellas. Brad and Marylynne Stella wrote the majority of material on their 2011 self-titled album. They are the recipients of the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Group or Duo of the Year award, the 2013 Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) Group or Duo of the Year award, and the 2012 CCMA Video of the Year award for their song, “In This House.”

They are also parents to Lennon and Maisy Stella who are known for their roles as Maddie and Daphne on the ABC hit show Nashville.

Warner’s publishing entity has also revealed another joint venture signing with Jay Joyce‘s Neon Cross Music: Stevenson Everett. Everett is set to release his first digital EP, produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town) and recorded at Nashville’s St. Charles Studio.

The EP features his first digital single, “Born With It.

ole Inks Co-Pub Deal, Catalog Purchase With Songwriter Jeff Trott

Pictured (L-R): David Weitzman, VP Business Development, ole; songwriter Jeff Trott; Bennett Kaufman, Maverick Entertainment

ole has signed a co-publishing agreement and catalog purchase with songwriter Jeff Trott. Jeff’s credits include chart-topping singles “If It Makes You Happy,” “Every Day Is a Winding Road,” Soak Up the Sun,” “My Favorite Mistake,” and “There Goes the Neighborhood” for Sheryl Crow and numerous other successful co-writes.

Glen Phillips Upped At SESAC

Pictured (L-R): Glen Phillips with Nikki Sixx

Glen Phillips has been promoted to Associate Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, at SESAC. Phillips, who is located in the company’s Los Angeles office, will report to Sam Kling, SESAC’s Senior Vice President, Creative Operations.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Promotes Jennifer Knoepfle

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has promoted Jennifer Knoepfle to the role of Senior Vice President and Head of West Coast A&R, based in the company’s Los Angeles office.

At the same time, Amanda Berman-Hill has been elevated to the new role of Senior Vice President and Head of West Coast Writer Relations, also based in Los Angeles. Both take up their new roles effective immediately and report into Sony/ATV Co-President, U.S. Rick Krim.

Knoepfle, who was previously Senior Vice President, Creative, joined Sony/ATV in May 2009 in the role of Senior Director of Creative and has gone on to sign acts such as Grammy-winning songwriters Jack Antonoff and Andrew Dost of the bands Bleachers and fun., along with Grammy-nominated artist Leon Bridges, Grimes, Clams Casino, Band of Skulls, Lord Huron, Broods, up-and-coming artists Grace Mitchell and Kelela, as well as signing multi-platinum songwriter Tim Pagnotta jointly with Berman-Hill.

Downtown Music Publishing Tapps Emily Stephenson

Emily Stephenson

Downtown Music Publishing has hired Emily Stephenson as Senior Manager, International. In her new role in New York, Stephenson will manage global administration of Downtown’s copyrights, focusing on increasing efficiency in data management with its foreign offices, affiliates and over 40 international collections societies. She will report to Sean McGraw, Downtown’s Vice President, Administration.

Prior to joining Downtown, Stephenson served as Manager, Publishing Operations at the Company’s Songtrust division, a leading provider of rights management software. Originally from Nashville, Stephenson began her career as a Copyright Administrator at Bluewater Music in Nashville.