Music News (5/12/21)

Sony Music Publishing Gives Second Donation For Writer Foundation

Sony Music Publishing has made their second donation to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), half of which will fund grants through the non-profit organization called the WRITER Foundation (We’re Ready In Time of Emergency Relief).

“NSAI created the WRITER Foundation in 2020 to assist songwriters in financial need due to the Coronavirus pandemic following a generous donation from Sony Music Publishing to meet that need,” says WRITER Foundation Treasurer Bart Herbison. “Many songwriters are still experiencing great financial hardship as the live segment of the global music industry remains essentially shut down, impacting performance royalty income and other revenues. With the longevity of shutdowns and reciprocal effects, many songwriters who may not have initially experienced the Coronavirus-related economic impact are now struggling. Chairman/CEO Jon Platt and Sony Music Publishing recognized such needs and their generous gift will allow the Foundation to provide assistance to even more songwriters/composers.”

In addition to Sony Music Publishing, the Foundation received donations in 2020 from Concord Music Publishing, Troy Verges, MusicNotes, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, Tamara Casey, Amy Cranford, Tim Reiland and Scott Parker.

The WRITER Foundation will reopen applications on Wednesday, May 12 at 11 a.m. CST for $1,000 assistance grants. Visit www.writerfoundation.org for more details on eligibility and registration.
 

Warner Chappell Nashville Inks Global Publishing Deal With Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson

Warner Chappell Music Nashville has signed a global publishing deal with singer, songwriter, producer, and frontman of pop punk band Boys Like Girls, Martin Johnson.

Johnson most recently co-wrote and co-produced Lady A’s current single, “Like A Lady,” and penned and produced Elle King and Miranda Lambert’s “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).” Aside from his work as an artist, Johnson has past cuts and production credits with artists spanning genres including, Jason Derulo, Dan + Shay, Pentatonix, Flo Rida, Karmin, Gavin DeGraw, Daughtry, Avril Lavigne, and more.

Currently releasing new music as an artist under his new wave alternative project The Night Game, his sophomore album Dog Years was released earlier this year.

Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville, says: “I’ve known Martin for years and have always admired his work in and out of the Nashville market. He’s a true versatile talent whose sound isn’t bound by any one genre, and our team is so excited that he’s now landed in Nashville and has found a home at Warner Chappell.”

Johnson adds: “I’m jacked to take on the next chapter of my career with Warner Chappell. Ben, Katy Wolaver, and Spencer Nohe have been so supportive of me and it feels natural to join them as they lead the way to new opportunities in a new town. Katy has always been in my corner—even back during our time on the mean streets of the mid 2000s emo world—long before she had a stake in the game. And I’ll never forget Ben sticking his neck out to open doors and make me feel welcomed when I first came to Nashville. I’m so happy to have found a new friend and an incredible A&R in Spencer, and I look forward to the next phase of the ride with the entire Warner Chappell family.”
 

Peermusic Nashville Adds Lee Greenwood To Publishing Roster

Pictured (L-R): Kendall Lettow, Creative Manager, Peermusic Nashville; Lee Greenwood; Michael Knox, SVP Peermusic Nashville; and Matt Michiels, Senior Creative Director, Peermusic Nashville. Photo: Jeremy Westby.

Peermusic Nashville has signed legendary artist and songwriter Lee Greenwood to an exclusive global music publishing deal. Greenwood has scored seven No. 1 country hits and, through this new deal, Peermusic will administer some of his most iconic songs, including the classic “God Bless The U.S.A.”

“It’s important to me to have a publisher who will support my music and help me continue to share it with the world, and after getting to know Kathy, Michael and their team I know that they will. Peermusic has a long history with country music and I’m glad to now be a part of it,” says Greenwood.

Since beginning his career in the 1960s, Greenwood’s catalog features twenty-two studio albums and seven No. 1 hits, including “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Going, Going, Gone,” “Dixie Road,” and “Mornin’ Ride.” He has earned multiple awards, including a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance for “I.O.U.” in 1985.

Greenwood’s stand-out hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001, and 2003), making it the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It also reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 shortly after 9/11.
 

Kenna Turner West Extends Relationship With Curb|Word Music Publishing

Pictured (L-R): Curb|Word Music Publishing VP Christian A&R, Publishing Jonathan Mason; Kenna Turner West; Curb| Word Music Publishing Senior Director Publishing, A&R Trevor Mathiesen

Kenna Turner West is extending her publishing agreement with Curb|Word Music.

Over the last two decades, West has cowritten songs such as “Say Amen,” “Revival,” and “Even Me,” and has over 100 Song Of The Year nominations, 25 Song Of The Year wins, and eight BMI Awards to her credit. The multi Dove award-winning songwriter has also penned songs on projects by Jason Crabb and Lady A’s Hillary Scott. West also recently released her debut single as a Crossroads Label Group recording artist, “Calling All Prodigals,” which is currently rising on the charts. The full project, A Reason For Hope, is slated for release this summer.

“When I look back over the years and see what God has done with the songs He’s given us, it’s truly humbling. All I have wanted to do since I committed my life to Christ is to find creative ways to communicate the gospel—and He continues to allow me to do just that. Sometimes it’s through singing or teaching, and sometimes it’s through writing,” says West. “Since everything I am comes together around music, it’s a total joy for me to partner with the amazing team at Curb|Word Music Publishing. It really is a great place to call home as a songwriter.”

Curb | Word Music Publishing VP of Christian A&R and Publishing, Jonathan Mason, says, “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Kenna here at Curb | Word Music Publishing. To work with someone who has such a deep musical heritage alongside her own personal track record of success across multiple genres inspires us all.”
 

Noah Hicks Signs With RED Creative Group

Pictured (L-R): RED Creative Group VP of Publishing Taylor Lamb; RED Creative Group Owner Jeremy Stover; Noah Hicks; Red Creative Records General Manager John Cantu. Photo: Courtesy of RED Creative Group

Noah Hicks has signed an exclusive publishing, label, and development deal with RED Creative Group. The 22 year-old’s debut single for the label, “No More of ‘Em,” a duet with songwriter Rhett Akins, is set for release this Friday, May 14.

A Carrollton, Georgia native, Hicks quickly made a name for himself in Nashville as a promising writer and performer, and his musical talent and high-energy live shows initially caught the attention of RED Creative Group’s Taylor Lamb, who was recently promoted to Vice President of Publishing. “No More of ‘Em” (produced by Will Bundy and Jeremy Stover) kicks off a series of releases that Hicks has coined ‘Shot & Chaser’ – two back-to-back songs released simultaneously. (The follow-up single “Miss You Back,” produced by Paul DiGiovanni and Jeremy Stover, is due out May 28).

“Noah’s the real deal,” says Jeremy Stover, owner of RED Creative Group. “The energy and raw talent he brings to every writer’s room and every stage is next level. We’re proud to have him at RED Creative. We’re not knocking on doors, we’re about to kick some down.”

“RED Creative felt like home the second I walked in for my first meeting,” says Hicks of signing with RED. “Working with Jeremy and the team is a dream come true. I love their creativity, work ethic, and ability to move mountains. It’s going to be a fun year and we’re just getting started.”