Music News (12/18/19)

James McNair Tees It Back Up With Sony/ATV

(L-R:) Tom Luteran, Sony/ATV VP A&R; Josh Van Valkenburg, Sony/ATV SVP A&R; James McNair; Katie Kerkhover, Sony/ATV Mgr. A&R; Dane Schmidt, Sony/ATV Dir. A&R

James McNair has re-upped with Sony/ATV in an extension of his exclusive worldwide publishing deal.

Since signing with the company in 2015, McNair has landed over 45 major label cuts with artists like Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Scotty McCreery, Chris Janson, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Chase Rice, HARDY, The Cadillac Three, Tyler Farr, Chris Lane, and more.
 

Ben Burgess Joins Warner Chappell Music Nashville

Pictured: Travis Carter (WCM), Ben Burgess, Ben Vaughn (WCM)

Warner Chappell Music Nashville has signed a global publishing contract with “Whiskey Glasses” writer Ben Burgess.

“Whiskey Glasses,” recorded by Morgan Wallen, became a three-week No. 1 hit earlier this year.

Burgess has also penned songs for Dierks Bentley (“My Religion”), Jake Owen (“Grass is Always Greener”), Tyler Rich (“The Difference”), Pat Green (“Drinkin’ Days”), and HARDY (“Signed, Sober You”). He also penned Martin Garrix’s global smash hit, “There For You,” which charted in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and more.

Burgess’ songs have been featured on Grey’s Anatomy and in commercials for Major League Baseball, Xbox, and Lexus.

Songland Writer IRO Signs With SMACKSongs

Pictured (L-R): SMACKSongs’ Shane McAnally; IRO; SMACKSongs’ Robin Palmer and Robert Carlton. Photo: Kaiser Cunningham

Songwriter and Songland winner IRO has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with SMACKSongs.

Discovered in a New York City subway station by one of Brazil’s most prominent DJs, IRO’s distinct talent as a songwriter has continuously led him to work with prestigious collaborators. He is best known for his collaboration with Macklemore, “Shadow,” which was featured on NBC’s Songland.

Through his participation on Songland, IRO found himself performing alongside Macklemore in front of 40,000 people at Lollapalooza Brazil in Sao Paulo. In 2019, he has performed in front of 400,000 fans while touring with Alok and Macklemore, accumulated over 4 million monthly streams and garnered 150 million lifetime streams.
 

Reservoir Signs “Juice” Songwriter Sam Sumser

Pictured (L-R): Greg Gallo, VP Creative, Reservoir; Sam Sumser; John Ozier, EVP Creative, Reservoir.

Reservoir has signed Grammy-nominated writer and producer Sam Sumser, including rights to Sumser’s catalog, which includes Lizzo’s “Juice” and “Lingerie” from her Grammy-nominated album Cuz I Love You. He also contributed to Anitta’s “Banana,” ft. Becky G, from Anitta’s album Kisses.

The Nashville-based Sumser co-wrote Lizzo’s catchy hit “Juice,” which has now been certified Platinum by the RIAA. He also contributed to Jason Derulo’s “Be The One,” Chris Brown’s “Overtime,” Shenseea’s “Blessed” ft. Tyga and more. His country collaborations include Mitchell Tenpenny’s “Alcohol You Later” and Chase Martin’s “Say Goodbye.” He has also written and produced with Usher, Austin Mahone, Dawin, and Plain White T’s, and is currently back in the studio with Lizzo, Usher, and Austin Mahone, plus Conrad Sewell, Daniel Skye, Eric Hudson, and R. City.

Reservoir’s publishing catalog includes pieces written and performed by greats like Billy Strayhorn, Hoagy Carmichael, and John Denver; the contemporary-classic catalogs of Sheryl Crow and Phantogram; and current hits performed by Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, Cardi B and more. The company’s roster of active writers and producers includes the award-winning James Fauntleroy, Ali Tamposi, and Jamie Hartman, plus popular performing artists 2 Chainz, Young Thug, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Migos’ Offset and Takeoff.

Reservoir’s collection of film music includes rights to scores created by Hans Zimmer, as heard in the motion pictures The Lion King, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Gladiator, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and over 150 other titles. The company also represents a multitude of recorded music through Chrysalis Records and Philly Groove Records and manages artists through its venture with Big Life Management.
 

Bobby Rymer Acquires Writer’s Den Music Group

Bobby Rymer has acquired the entire Writer’s Den Music Group catalog.

Rymer, who was previously the general manager for Writer’s Den, has formed a new venture, Company 318, but will still be doing business as Writer’s Den.

Some of the artists who have recorded songs out of the catalog include Alan Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton, Rodney Crowell, LANCO, Alabama, Patrick Droney, and Ricky Skaggs, as well as Lindsay Ell’s current single “I Don’t Love You.” Former catalog writers include Adam Wright, Bonnie Bishop, Drew Kennedy, Jerry Salley, Melissa Fuller, Tami Hinesh, Thom Schuyler and Trent Jeffcoat. Active writers currently on the roster include Gordon Kennedy, Brennen Leigh, and Noel McKay.

Rymer can be contacted at bobby@writersdenmusicgroup.com.