Music News (2/26/20)

Caitlyn Smith Signs With UMPG Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Cyndi Forman, Missy Roberts, Caitlyn Smith, Terry Wakefield, and Travis Gordon.

Singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.

Smith, who is signed with Shane McAnally and Jason Owen‘s Monument Records, will release her sophomore album Supernova on March 13. She is a co-writer on the 4x multi-platinum No. 1 hit “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” from Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend. She also co-wrote the 2020 Critics’ Choice Award-winning “Glasgow” from the movie Wild Rose.
 

John Pierce Signs With Universal Music Publishing Nashville

(L-R): David Crow, Missy Roberts, Cyndi Forman, Terry Wakefield, John Pierce, Troy Tomlinson, Ron Stuve and Travis Gordon

John Pierce has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.

Pierce has had songs recorded by Chris Young, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and Trace Adkins, and was a co-writer on the No. 1 hit “Sweet Annie” for Zac Brown.
 

Reba McEntire Returns To Universal Music Group Nashville

Pictured (L-R, front row): UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan, Reba McEntire, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe; (L-R, back row): UMG Nashville EVP/COO Mike Harris, Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, UMG Nashville EVP Promotion Royce Risser, UMG Nashville EVP A&R Brian Wright. Photo: Chris Hollo

Country superstar Reba McEntire announced today (Feb. 20) that she will return to her original label home, Universal Music Group Nashville, where she spent the first 32 years of her famed career. During her time on both Mercury and MCA Records, two of the four labels that form Universal Music Group Nashville, Reba saw 33 of her 35 career singles hit No. 1 and sold over 56 million albums worldwide. Reba performed at the CRS Team UMG At The Ryman Luncheon this afternoon.

It was also announced that on March 20th, Reba will hit the road on her first headlining arena tour since 2011. Rising singer/songwriter Caylee Hammack is set to join her for the dozen stops. Reba will also continue her residency with Brooks & Dunn at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with 24 new dates through December.

For a full list of tour dates, news and more, visit www.reba.com.
 

Tim McGraw Returns To Big Machine Label Group

Tim McGraw has returned to Big Machine Label Group, a rep for the label has confirmed with MusicRow Magazine. McGraw’s return to Big Machine follows his recent exit from Sony Music Nashville. Billboard first reported McGraw’s return to the label.

McGraw was with Scott Borchetta‘s Big Machine Label Group from 2012 until 2017. With Big Machine, he released the albums Damn Country Music, Sundown Heaven Town, and the Gold-certified Two Lanes of Freedom. His Damn Country Music album included the Lori McKenna-penned track “Humble and Kind,” which earned a CMA Award for Song of the Year in 2016, as well as a Grammy for Best Country Song, and an American Music Award for Favorite Country Song. The song was certified 2x multi-Platinum by the RIAA. Two Lanes of Freedom included the No. 1 hits “One Of Those Nights” and “Highway Don’t Care,” featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Sundown Heaven Town brought the chart-topper “Shotgun Rider.”

McGraw joined the Sony roster in 2017 and released a long-awaited duets album with wife and fellow artist Faith Hill, The Rest of Our Life. Most recently, McGraw released the tracks “Neon Church” and “Thought About You,” and is set to release a new album, Here on Earth.

McGraw’s Here on Earth tour launches July 10 with openers Midland and Ingrid Andress, and includes two stadium shows with Luke Combs.

McGraw has expanded his portfolio of business ventures recently, partnering with Snap Fitness for the TRUMAV line of boutique fitness centers in 2018, and launching the book Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life in November 2019. He also teamed with historian Jon Meacham to co-write Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music That Made a Nation.
 

Round Hill Music Nashville Adds Three

Brenner, Bottari, Wirths

Round Hill Music Nashville has welcomed three new hires to its administration, sync licensing, and label operations services. Robert Brenner will take on the role of Manager, Royalty Services – Label Operations after spending two years as a Joint Venture Analyst at Warner Music Nashville. Lindsay Bottari will assume the title of Senior Coordinator, Administration after working as a Licensing Coordinator at Fast Track Music Publishing, and Marin Wirths will handle duties as Coordinator, Sync Licensing.

Mark Brown, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Round Hill Music’s Nashville office, said, “We have been very fortunate to attract many talented and driven people to Round Hill. I am excited to add Lindsay, Robert, and Marin to our team.”

Round Hill Music Publishing Nashville recently celebrated their 40th No. 1 single with Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes” (writer: Ashley Gorley), and they will be celebrating their 41st with Dustin Lynch’s “Ridin’ Roads” (writer: Ashley Gorley) and their 42nd with Maren Morris’ two-week No. 1 single “The Bones” (writer: Jimmy Robbins).