Music News (1/24/18)

Lennon Stella Signs With RECORDS/Columbia Records

Lennon Stella

Lennon Stella, singer/songwriter and a star on the CMT show Nashville, has signed with the RECORDS/Columbia Records label. Stella has been working with songwriters and producers developing her debut that will be released later this year. Her signing coincides with RECORDS’ newly-established joint venture with Columbia Records.

The 18-year-old Ontario, Canada native made her musical debut along with her sister Maisy as part of the duo Lennon & Maisy. In 2012, a Lennon & Maisy video went viral on YouTube and their YouTube channel has gone on to log more than 100 million views with nearly 800,000 subscribers since then. Stella joined the cast of Emmy-winning music drama Nashville around that same time, which recently kicked off its sixth season on CMT.

 
UMPG Signs Josh Hoge

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Shannan Hatch, Sr. VP, Creative Services, SESAC; Ron Stuve, VP, A&R/Special Projects, UMPG; Kent Earls, Exec. VP/GM, UMPG; Kent Marcus, Marcus & Colvin, LLP; Cyndi Forman, VP, Creative, UMPG; Travis Gordon, Sr. Creative Director, UMPG. (Front Row, L-R): Josh Hoge and Missy Roberts, Sr. Creative Director, UMPG.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has signed Nashville songwriter Josh Hoge to a global publishing deal.

A Franklin, Tennessee native, Hoge has co-penned hit songs including “Think of You” and “I’m Comin’ Over” for Chris Young, as well as six songs on the artist’s latest LP, including title track and lead single “Losing Sleep.” Hoge also co-wrote Kane Brown’s certified gold song “Used to Love You Sober” and charted single “Thunder in the Rain.” In 2016, Hoge was named SESAC Songwriter of the Year.

Hoge’s musical career began as an R&B solo artist and pop songwriter working with artists such as Backstreet Boys and Jesse McCartney. He was part of a duo, Jukebox Mafia, and toured with Miranda Lambert.

 
Ashley Ray Signs With BMG Nashville

Pictured (L-R:) Chris Oglesby (VP Creative, BMG); Courtney Allen (Creative Director, BMG); Kos Weaver (Executive VP, BMG); Ashley Ray; Daniel Lee (VP Creative, BMG); Rakiyah Marshall (Creative Director, BMG)

Songwriter/artist Ashley Ray has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with BMG Nashville.

During her career, Ashley has recorded with producer Jay Joyce, performed with artists including Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, and Willie Nelson, and secured cuts with multiple major label artists. Ashley is currently writing and recording with fellow artist Sean McConnell for an upcoming solo release.

Fusion Music Signs Cassadee Pope

Cassadee Pope

Fusion Music has signed Cassadee Pope to its roster.

Pope won season 3 of NBC’s The Voice and later released the debut single, “Wasting All These Tears,” which topped the iTunes Country Chart. In 2016, she recorded the duet “Think of You” with Chris Young, which earned Pope her first Grammy nomination.

Currently, the Fusion Music roster also includes Jacob Davis, Ryan Kinder and Martina McBride. MusicRow has also confirmed that Fusion Music has parted ways with longtime management client Lady Antebellum. The trio is still represented by Red Light Management.

Justin Forshaw Signs With Shoalsville Music Publishing Co.

Vocalist and writer Justin Forshaw, a founding member of Nashville-based rock band As We Ascend, has joined Nashville-based publishing company Shoalsville Music Publishing. Forshaw is a former member of Atlantic Records group, We As Human.

Shoalsville Music Publishing launched in 2017 with the signing of Forshaw’s As We Ascend bandmates Jake Jones and Robert Venable

 
Demolition Music Signs Kelsey K

Pictured (L-R): Jon D’Agostino, Kelsey K

Demolition Music Publishing has signed Kelsey K to a publishing deal.