Music News (6/16/21)

Vince Gill Signs Publishing/Writer Management Agreement With Jody Williams Songs

Vince Gill. Photo: John Shearer

22-time Grammy Award winner Vince Gill has signed a publishing/writer management agreement with independent music publisher Jody Williams Songs. This agreement marks the first time the songwriter has engaged creatively with any publishing entity, as Gill has been self-published since the beginning of his career.

JWS founder Jody Williams says, “I’ve known and appreciated Vince since the mid ’80s when he first started having solo success as an artist. His self-recorded body of work has always been anchored by his exceptional skill as a songwriter. Those songs, along with that unmistakable voice and skill as a musician, have earned him a place of honor among the entire songwriting community… not to mention the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Now, we look forward to helping forge new writing relationships and facilitating the next chapter of his song catalog.”

“I look forward to my partnership with Jody and Nina Jenkins and their passion for songs,” adds Gill. “Having never done this before, I am grateful for their willingness to champion what’s next for me creatively, and for an even closer friendship that’s already pushing forty years.”

In addition to Gill, JWS represents talents such as four-time Grammy nominee Ashley McBryde, Driver Williams, Nathan Chapman, Jeremy Spillman, Greg Bates, Jason Nix and Peytan Porter. Through JWS’s partnership with Warner Chappell Music Nashville, Williams develops writers and writer-artists, secures covers, sources legacy catalogs and represents select WCM writer catalogs.
 

Rivers Rutherford Inks Publishing Deal With Kane Brown’s Verse 2 Music

Pictured (L-R): CEO, Sony Music Publishing, Rusty Gaston; President of Verse 2, Kent Earls; Rivers Rutherford; Kane Brown

Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford has signed with Verse 2 Music, a Sony Music Publishing joint-venture helmed by multi-Platinum entertainer Kane Brown and publishing veteran Kent Earls.

One of music’s most talented and accomplished singer-songwriters, Rutherford’s cuts include hits for iconic legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, and Kris Kristofferson.

Over the course of his prolific career, Rutherford has had numerous No. 1 hits, multiple Grammys, CMA and ACM nominations, and over 20 ASCAP awards—including both of the coveted awards for Country Song Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year. In addition to recent hits with Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and Reba McEntire, the award-winning writer has penned No. 1 songs by Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and Brooks & Dunn. His hit “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You” won Billboard’s and ASCAP’S Song Of The Year and spent 6 weeks at No. 1, marking Brooks & Dunn’s most successful single to date.

“I am very happy to sign to Verse 2 and be working again with my good friend Kent Earls. I am also grateful to be working with an artist as talented and exciting as Kane Brown, whose creativity and work ethic I greatly admire. Rusty Gaston and the rest of the Sony Music Publishing family are superstars and I’m honored to contribute to such a deep and storied catalog of classic country music,” shares Rutherford.
 

BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records Sign Kolby Cooper

Pictured (L-R): Chase Cooper (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Davis Danziger (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Chris Van Belkom (Falcon – Combustion Music), Chris Farren (Combustion Music), Jeb Hurt (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Kolby Cooper, Jared McManus (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Jon Loba (President, BMG Nashville), Chris Poole (Director A&R, BBR Music Group), JoJamie Hahr (SVP, BBR Music Group). Photo: Wales Toney

BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records has signed recording artist Kolby Cooper in partnership with Combustion Music.

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, who has already racked up over 110 million streams, has been playing sold-out shows around the country and built an audience of thousands of fans. With a fresh sound, Cooper’s music is influenced by his Texas roots layered over a wailing electric guitar.

Cooper will release his first song as a signed artist, “Excuses,” on June 25. Inspired by his guitar player’s sudden breakup, the new song delivers overwhelming relatability paired with his rough-hewn vocals. The song is available for pre-save and pre-add now.

Kolby is managed by Floating Leaf Entertainment, booked by Red 11 Music, and is a staff songwriter at Combustion.
 

Stephanie Greene Named President Of Deluge Music

Stephanie Greene

Stephanie Greene has been named President of Deluge Music. She will helm the company’s Nashville office, which boasts a publishing roster that includes Madeline Merlo, Johnny Gates, Jason Saenz, Danny Myrick, Kylie Sackley and Mason Thornley.

Greene joins Deluge Music following tenures as Director of Publishing at My Good Girl Music, VP at Combustion Music, and Creative Director of Chrysalis Music. She will continue to operate her company, Gravity Gone Music, which is currently a joint venture partnership with Deluge Music and Saenz.

“Deluge has fostered an incredible group of songwriters and artists,” shares Greene. “I care about people and their stories. I want to help songwriters grow yet challenge them at the same time. I am very grateful and excited to be a part of this team!”

Mark Friedman, co-founder of Deluge Music, will continue with Deluge as Senior Advisor and be responsible for the company’s activity in Los Angeles.