Big Machine Music And Universal Music Publishing Group Sign Laci Kaye Booth
Pictured (L-R, top row): UMPG Nashville Chairman/CEO Troy Tomlinson, BMM Creative Dir. Michelle Attardi, UMPG Sr. VP of A&R Cyndi Forman; (L-R, middle row): Red Light Management’s Rachel Silver, Laci Kaye Booth, Red Light Management’s Autumn House; (L-R, bottom row): BMM General Manager Mike Molinar
Big Machine Music and Universal Music Publishing Group on Monday jointly announced the signing of BMLG Records/19 Recordings artist and songwriter Laci Kaye Booth, to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement. The American Idol alum is currently writing for her debut album.
Booth moved to Nashville following her time on season 17, which ended with her placing in the Top 5 thanks to her impressive covers of artists ranging from Brett Young to Miranda Lambert. She recently signed a record deal with BMLG Records and 19 Recordings.
BMM General Manager Mike Molinar said, “On behalf of myself, Michelle Attardi and our entire team at Big Machine Music, we are incredibly excited to work with an undeniable talent like Laci! It is truly a privilege to be part of her stellar team alongside our friends at UMPG, BMLG Records, 19 Recordings and her producer Dann Huff.”
Cyndi Forman, UMPG Nashville Sr. Vice President of A&R added, “When Laci first performed for our staff, we were all captivated by her voice and songwriting. She is building a great team around her and we’re excited to be part of it. Mike and Michelle share the same belief in Laci so it’s exciting to partner with them at Big Machine Music.”
“To be able to say I have one publishing partner is incredible but to be able to say I have two is insane,” said Booth. “When I met Troy [Tomlinson] and Cyndi, they understood who I am as an artist and songwriter immediately and when Mike and Michelle showed the same incredible passion for my songs…the rest is history. I’m so grateful to Universal Music Publishing Group and Big Machine Music for being willing to work together to create the best team I could ever ask for. I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Black River Publishing Signs Blake Ruby
Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Katie Barolak, Rebekah Gordon, Blake Ruby, Rachael Skvorak, Gordon Kerr. Photo: Provided courtesy of Black River Entertainment
Black River Publishing has signed Blake Ruby to its writer roster, expanding Black River’s footprint in the pop and sync world. Maryland native Ruby moved to Nashville in 2016 and is a Belmont University graduate.
During his time at Belmont, Ruby assisted at Ocean Way Studios, where he refined his writing, production, and engineering skills. He also wrote and produced several of his own artist projects, including his most recent single “Dirty Laundry.”
“It’s a real blessing to be on this team. Everyone already feels like family, and it’s an honor to create music with so many talented writers on the roster. I know we are going to make some amazing stuff together, and I’m looking forward to it!” shared Ruby.
Black River’s Vice President of Publishing Rebekah Gordon offered Ruby a publishing deal right after his college graduation.
“Blake was such an obvious standout while searching for young songwriters. His musical intuition blew us away. We are thrilled to be building something new and special around his talent,” shared Gordon.
Thomas Archer Signs With Madfun Music And Warner Chappell Music
Pictured (L-R): Madfun Music’s Alicia Pruitt, Thomas Archer
Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Madfun Music have signed a global co-publishing agreement with hitmaker Thomas Archer, co-writer of No. 1 songs including Jason Aldean’s current smash “Got What I Got,” and the Luke Combs hits “Lovin’ on You” and “Hurricane.”
Madfun Music is the new music publishing division of Madfun Entertainment, the full-service talent management company launched in 2018 by longtime publisher Alicia Pruitt in association with Red Light Management.
Pruitt says, “Thomas has the ability as a songwriter to make you believe he has lived every word he writes. That is what I love about his songwriting. With his work ethic and true love for music, I knew I wanted to work with him the first time we met. I’m thrilled to have him as part of this team and look forward to celebrating lots of wins together with my Warner Chappell family.”
Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville adds, “Thomas is one of the hottest writers in Music City and we’re over the moon to be on his team. We’re also excited to keep growing with Alicia and adding even more good times to our shared successful history.”
Archer also co-wrote Walker Hayes’ “You Broke Up With Me,” which peaked at No. 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart. Archer has more than 60 cuts by other artists including Mitchell Tenpenny, Dustin Lynch, Jon Langston, Jordan Rager, Colt Ford, Waterloo Revival, and Payton Smith.
Endurance Music Group Inks Publishing Agreement With RECORDS Nashville’s Chase Martin
Chase Martin. Photo credit: Jason Myers
Endurance Music Group has signed RECORDS Nashville artist-songwriter Chase Martin to a global publishing agreement. Her single, “Levi Denim,” released Oct. 9, marking the debut release from the newly-launched Nashville division of Barry Weiss’ RECORDS. The track was co-written by Martin’s labelmate Matt Stell, alongside Abby Anderson and Allison Veltz-Cruz, and produced by Endurance Music Group songwriter Ash Bowers.
“Chase has it all: natural talent, incredible energy, a strong work ethic and a passion for songwriting,” said Endurance Music Group President Michael Martin. “She’s the real deal, and we’re so excited to introduce her to the world alongside Ash and our friends at RECORDS Nashville.”
Endurance Music Group launched in 2019 with songwriters Scooter Carusoe and Clint Lagerberg, as well as rising writer-artists Natalie Madigan, Ryan Plappert and Jake Rose, songwriter Ben Stoll, and more. In early 2020, the acquisition of Wide Open Music brought hit songwriter-artists Jimmie Allen and Stell, songwriter/producer Bowers, and songwriters Seth Alley and Paul Sikes into the Endurance family, along with a catalog of cuts by Keith Urban, Brett Young, Dustin Lynch and more. To date, Endurance has earned 45 No. 1s, 19 top fives and seven top 10 singles.
Jenna LaMaster Inks Co-Venture Deal With Sheltered Music And 50 Egg Music
Pictured (L-R): Joey Harris, 50 Egg Music; Jenny Hall, Sheltered Music Publishing; Jonathan Singleton, 50 Egg Music; Tali Canterbury, 50 Egg Music; Darrell Franklin and Lance Freed, Sheltered Music Publishing; along with Jenna LaMaster
Jenna LaMaster has signed a co-venture deal with Sheltered Music and 50 Egg Music.
LaMaster was raised in California and spent time as a PRCA Rodeo Cowgirl in Texas before moving to Nashville to pursue a career as an artist and songwriter. She counts her deep-seated love for ’90s country as a primary influence in her own songwriting style.
Sheltered Music is the Nashville branch of Lance Freed’s All Clear Music, a company that in its first year has already completed deals with Burt Bacharach, Emmylou Harris, and Rodney Crowell, as well as established a creative development partnership with superstar producer Dann Huff. Sheltered Music is under the leadership of longtime publishing executive Darrell Franklin.
50 Egg Music is a full-service artist development and publishing company co-owned by Jonathan Singleton, Luke Combs, and publishing/A&R executive Tali Canterbury. Since its inception, 50 Egg Music has been a part of nine No. 1 songs and continues to build an incredibly diverse roster which includes Ashland Craft, Tyler Braden, Shane Minor, Rob Snyder, Kenton Bryant, Reid Isbell, Rob Pennington, and Jacob Lutz.