Music News (2/24/21)

Joe Lasher Signs With Warner Chappell Music Nashville And KJM Music

L-R): Kelly Janson (KJM), Lasher, Will Overton (WCM), Ben Vaughn (WCM)

Joe Lasher has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Kelly Janson‘s KJM Music.

Hailing from Weaverville, North Carolina, Lasher’s sound is influenced by genres ranging from traditional country and gospel, to rock and heavy metal. Lasher has over 500 shows under his belt, and has shared the stage with Brett Young, Old Dominion, Ashley McBryde, and more. Last year the emerging singer-songwriter released “Messed Up,” which he co-wrote along with a video that premiered on CMT.com.

KJM Music and WCM previously signed songwriter Mitch Ogelsby, who landed a two week No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for Chris Janson’s “Done” last August.
 

Rising Artist Nick Wayne Signs With EMPIRE Nashville Publishing Division

Pictured (L-R): Sarah-Beth Gerlecz (Counsel, EMPIRE), Eric Hurt (VP of A&R, EMPIRE), Heather Vassar (VP of Marketing, EMPIRE), Nick Wayne, William Dyer (Product Manager, EMPIRE), Janine Ebach (CEO, Ebach Entertainment), Leslie Roberts (Executive Director, Creative, BMI). Photo: Steve Lowry

Nashville artist and writer, Nick Wayne, has signed with EMPIRE Nashville’s publishing arm. Formerly with Black River Entertainment, Wayne has had his songs recorded by Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Lady A, and more. EMPIRE and Janine Ebach‘s Ebach Entertainment will concurrently work with Wayne in the country market, while expanding his presence in the pop/R&B world as a songwriter and artist.

Wayne’s musical influences of classic country, soul, and the blues can be heard across the Nashville native’s projects of Two Sides, Coffee Black, and Bourbon Neat. His three-song EP AMERICAN ORIGINAL[s], released in June 2020, delivers a blend of traditional and southern rock influence along with his own soulful delivery as he celebrates one-of-a-kind girls who make their own rules.

Wayne began to creatively release songs under his Coffee Black and Bourbon Neat projects in March of 2019. Coffee Black includes “Maybe I Do,” “I Knew It Was You,” and “I Love You More”. Bourbon Neat consists of “Drink,” “Til the Wine’s All Gone,” and “Drunk Again (feat. Hannah Ellis)”. Wayne’s acoustic cover video of “If The World Was Ending,” now at 6 million views, amassed 1 million views in only three weeks.

Sara Haze Signs With Sheltered Music Publishing

Pictured (L-R): Jenny Hall (Sheltered Music Publishing), Sara Haze, Darrell Frankling (SVP Sheltered Music Publishing)

Sara Haze has signed with Sheltered Music Publishing.

Haze began her career at 13 as a performer for film and TV scores. Her writing career took off soon after and she began securing placements in major films and in shows on MTV, Fox, WB, and E!. In 2011, Haze moved to Nashville to pursue a solo career where she toured with artists such as Little Big Town and Hunter Hayes. A collaboration she did with Hillary Scott of Lady A was discovered by Elle King, who recorded it for the 2015 film Hot Pursuit featuring Sofia Vergara and Reese Witherspoon, and the song later became the nationwide campaign for Coors Light Beer. Haze’s writing success has continued with cuts by Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Lady A, Carly Pearce, Hunter Hayes, and more.

“I am so proud to have Sara as part of the roster here in Nashville, said Darrell Franklin, SVP, Sheltered Music Publishing. “Having been an artist herself, Sara brings such a depth of vision and perspective to other artists and writers to help them express what they are trying to say lyrically and melodically.  She has a unique skillset that is truly one of a kind.”

“I am extremely grateful to be able to call Sheltered Music my new publishing home,” said Haze. “The excitement of a newly formed company with industry veterans such as Lance Freed, Darrell Franklin, and Dann Huff is an absolute dream come true. Darrell’s proven ability to recognize talented new artists, as well as his relationships with labels and producers throughout Music Row, is an invaluable asset as a songwriter. I am thrilled to work with Jenny Hall and the incredible roster of talented songwriters on this team.”

In its first year, Sheltered Music has completed deals with Burt Bacharach, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Melissa Peirce, and Jenna LaMaster, as well as established a creative development partnership with producer Dann Huff.