Music News (7/28/21)

Lori McKenna Enters Partnership With Concord, PULSE & Creative Nation

Pictured (L-R, back row): Luke Laird (Creative Nation), Scott Cutler (Pulse Music Group), Jim Selby (Concord Music Publishing), Duff Berschback (Concord Music Publishing); (L-R, front row): Beth Laird (Creative Nation), Lori McKenna, Josh Abraham (Pulse Music Group). Photo: Spencer Combs

Concord Music Publishing, Creative Nation and PULSE Music Group have partnered to sign a multi-faceted agreement with lauded songwriter and artist, Lori McKenna. Concord Music Publishing has acquired McKenna’s publishing catalog and in partnership with Creative Nation and PULSE, will co-publish McKenna going forward.

McKenna is one of the music industry’s most in-demand songwriters and has been awarded three Grammy wins as a songwriter for Best Country Song with Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” (2015), Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” (2016), and most recently, The Highwomen’s “Crowded Table” (2020). She has also won two CMA Awards and was named the ACM Songwriter of the Year in 2017. In addition to her work in country music, McKenna also co-wrote “Always Remember Us This Way,” which was featured in the Academy Award-winning film, A Star Is Born, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

“I’m thrilled and thankful to keep doing what I love most with my Creative Nation family in Nashville. I’m so excited to add PULSE and Concord in this next chapter and I look forward to what’s to come,” McKenna says.

McKenna catalog includes hits by Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes, The Highwomen, and many more, as well as her 12 solo albums. Her original music has garnered several Americana and Grammy Award nominations.

Jim Selby, chief publishing executive at Concord says, “As both a songwriter and an artist, Lori McKenna has contributed to some of the most notable and groundbreaking hits in country music and beyond. Concord is honored to be chosen as the home for her catalog—our creative teams worldwide are looking forward to working closely with Lori, alongside Creative Nation and PULSE, to champion the hits still to come.”
 

Tom Yankton Signs With Jay DeMarcus’ Red Street Records

Pictured (L-R): Mark Lusk, Red Street Records President/GM; Tom Yankton; Jay DeMarcus, Red Street Records CEO

Tom Yankton has entered into an exclusive distribution deal with Red Street Records. The Arkansas native is currently in the studio with producer Jimmy Ritchey with new music planned for release in August.

The son of a working-class family, his talent has led to tours and recording with artists like Chicago, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, and RaeLynn, among others. He has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, TODAY Show, The Grand Ole Opry, the ACM Awards, The Rolling Stones Zip Code Tour, and more. Yankton’s songs have appeared in Bad Mom’s Christmas, Lifetime’s Love At First Flight and Netflix’s Sex Education.

Hailing from Hot Springs, Yankton has been performing live across the U.S. with an eclectic stage show. His dynamic set earned him the winning slot at last month’s Pepsi Southern Original Contest, which enabled him to open for Luke Bryan at the rescheduled 2020 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam. Yankton also recently landed a residency at the Resorts World Casino complex in Las Vegas, which kicked off on July 20.

“I am beyond thrilled to have Tom In the Red Street family,” says Rascal Flatts member and Red Street Records CEO Jay DeMarcus. “He is an extremely exciting, talented artist. We pride ourselves here on finding the best of the best to partner with, and he certainly is.”

“I met Jay at an event in San Antonio Texas when I was 14 years old, and we got to jam out and play some music that night,” shares Yankton. “I never dreamed I’d get to work with Jay, Mark [Lusk], and the Red Street family on sharing my own music with the world. This is incredible!”
 

Lee Brice Joins The Double Down Music Publishing Roster

Pictured (L-R): Lauren Lieu, Creative Director, Double Down Music; Lee Brice; PIA Music Group founder Dallas Davidson; PIA Music Group CEO, Ryan Dokke

Double Down Music, a recently launched publishing division of PIA Music Group, has added multi-award-winning songwriter and artist Lee Brice to its roster.

The Curb Records artist has amassed over 2.8 billion on-demand streams, and over 3.6 billion spins on Pandora. He recently reached No. 1 at country radio with “One of Them Girls,” following his No. 1 with Carly Pearce on “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and his No. 1 single, “Rumor,” which was nominated for Single of The Year at the 55th Annual ACM Awards. Brice also took home the prize for Single of the Year and Musical Event of the Year at the 56th Annual CMA Awards for his duet with Pearce.

“In addition to his outstanding recording career, Lee Brice is one of the most prolific songwriters in music!” says Ryan Dokke, CEO, PIA Music Group. “The visual nature of his writing and what he can bring to life with a lyric and a melody put him among the best artist-writers in our business. Personally, it is a thrill to once again be able to work with Lee in a different way this time. His ideas and energy are infectious! He brings so much to the PIA Music Group/Double Down family.”

The new signing reunites Brice with Dokke, who served as head of radio promotion for Curb Records prior to being named Sr. VP/General Manager of Curb|Word Entertainment in 2018.

“Lee Brice is a massive hit-songwriter!” says Dallas Davidson, PIA Music Group founder. “After the creative success we have had together, we now have an opportunity to work together in a bigger way and put a giant spotlight on Lee Brice, the songwriter! And it’s always special when you get to work with one of your closest friends.”
 

Zarni deVette Signs With Big Yellow Dog Music

Zarni deVette

Songwriter and producer Zarni deVette has signed to Big Yellow Dog Music. deVette claimed the No. 1 spot on iTunes All Genre/Country and reached the No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Digital Sales Chart with her song “Somebody Does,” recorded by country duo Tigirlily and produced by Shane McAnally, earlier this year.

Originally from South Africa, deVette’s music reflects not only the deep roots she’s planted in Nashville, but also the cities she’s called home along the way, including Austin, Seattle and Boston. The Berklee College of Music graduate’s songs have been used in a wide variety of shows including the Late Late Show with James Corden, NBC’s Good Girls, ABC’s Mistresses, and WWE Monday Night Raw.

“From the first time we met Zarni, we knew she was a force,” says Senior Creative Director Lauren Funk. “She impressed us with not only her raw talent but her incredible work ethic. We are so excited to come alongside her in this next step in her career.”