Music News (10/30/19)

UMPG Nashville Inks Deal With Justin Ebach

Pictured (L-R): Terry Wakefield, Cyndi Forman, Zach Lund, Missy Roberts, Justin Ebach, Troy Tomlinson, Ron Stuve, Travis Gordon. Photo: UMPG Nashville

Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville has entered into a global publishing agreement with award-winning songwriter Justin Ebach.

Ebach, who was named SESAC’s 2017 Songwriter of the Year, has earned four No. 1 songs including “Good Girl” by Dustin Lynch, “Here Tonight” and “Sleep Without You” by Brett Young, and “Singles You Up” by Jordan Davis. Other artists including Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Dan + Shay, Jimmie Allen, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Maddie & Tae have also recorded his songs.

Ian Christian Inks Publishing Deal With Kobalt, Still Working Music

Pictured (L-R): Chuck Fleckenstein (General Manager & COO, SWM), Evyn Mustoe Johnston (Director, ASCAP), Sara Beal (Publishing Director, SWM), Alex Orbison (Co-President, SWM), Emily Olson (Creative Director, SWM), Jesse Willoughby (GM, Kobalt Nashville), Matt Cottingham (Attorney, Ritholz Levy Fields LLP), Kevin Lane (Creative Director, Kobalt)

Songwriter and producer Ian Christian has inked a multi-year publishing deal with Still Working Music and Kobalt.

The Florida native’s love of music initially drew him to Los Angeles, and eventually to Nashville. He took part in ASCAP’s GPS program and has worked as a co-writer and producer for artists including Lauren Alaina, Chris Bandi, Temecula Road, and Lainey Wilson.

Darrell Franklin To Lead Blackbird Music Publishing Group’s Nashville Office

Darrell Franklin

Darrell Franklin has been named Sr. VP, Nashville of Blackbird Music Publishing Group, and will lead the company’s newly-opened office in Nashville’s Berry Hill area. Blackbird also has offices in New York and Los Angeles, and recently announced it had acquired the music catalog of composer Burt Bacharach.

Blackbird Music Publishing Group was founded by The Raine Group, Keith Wortman and Blackbird Presents, which provides production for large-scale concert events, TV series, broadcast specials and more. A few of Blackbird Presents’ well-known specials include “Willie: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw,” “All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration,” “Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard,” “The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson,” and more. Blackbird Presents is also creator/producer for The Outlaw Music Festival Tour, in partnership with Willie Nelson, as well as The American Roots Music & Arts Festival, in partnership with Eric Church.

Black River Entertainment Signs Josiah Siska

Pictured (L-R): Black River’s President & CEO Gordon Kerr, attorney Lauren Kilgore, Black River’s VP of Publishing Rebekah Gordon, Josiah Siska, Black River’s EVP Rick Froio, attorney Lannie Cates

Black River Entertainment’s President and CEO Gordon Kerr has announced the signing of Josiah Siska to the roster as both a recording artist and a songwriter. The Georgia native plays electric, acoustic and classical guitar, as well as the banjo and piano.

Late this summer, Siska came to Black River to perform for the staff at the entertainment company’s performance space, The Deck. During his set, Siska was presented with a cake emblazoned with the words “Welcome to the Family,” announcing that he was being offered a record and publishing deal.

Big Yellow Dog Music Signs Jim Beavers

Pictured (L-R): Carla Wallace (Big Yellow Dog Music), Jacee Badeaux (Big Yellow Dog Music), Jim Beavers (Artist), Lauren Funk (Big Yellow Dog Music), Kerry O’Neil (Big Yellow Dog Music).

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed songwriter and music industry professional Jim Beavers to its roster.

The former Capitol Records label executive’s nine No. 1 hits include “Drink a Beer” (Luke Bryan), “Watching Airplanes” (Gary Allan), “Why Don’t We Just Dance” (Josh Turner) and several by Dierks Bentley, among others. His compositions have received multiple CMA, ACM, BMI, and NSAI awards. Beavers serves on the board of both the CMA and NSAI and co-wrote the new Hootie & the Blowfish single, “Hold On,” with Chris Stapleton.