Music News (6/1/22)

Warner Chappell Music Extends Global Publishing Deal With Jessi Alexander

Jessi Alexander

Warner Chappell Music has extended its worldwide publishing deal with chart-topping songwriter, Jessi Alexander.

The Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter has multiple No. 1 hits to her credit, including Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson’s “Never Say Never,” Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” and “Drink On It,” Scotty McCreery’s “In Between,” and Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck.” Her most recent success includes Morgan Wallen’s record-breaking single, “Don’t Think Jesus,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, making it one of only 11 songs to ever debut at the top of the chart. The song also drew 18.1 million US streams within its first week of release and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales and all-genre Digital Song Sales charts.

“Starting a new partnership at Warner Chappell is kind of a surreal, full-circle moment for me. Twenty years ago, Warner Chappell took a chance on me as a young writer and signed me to my first publishing deal,” Alexander says. “Fast forward, here I am, getting to work with a powerhouse team that feels like family with Jessi Vaughn Stevenson and Ben Vaughn! I feel more inspired than ever to write a new chapter in the same Warner Chappell building and hopefully create some songs we can all be proud of.”

Alexander has been playing music since she was a child, and started writing songs at 11. The Tennessee native first gained prominence with Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.” Since then, she’s earned an NSAI Song of the Year honor, as well as ACM and CMA awards for Song of the Year with “I Drive Your Truck.”

“[My songwriting has changed in] so many ways!” Alexander tells MusicRow. “I have so much more life and songwriting experience to bring to the table now. It took the first 10 years to figure out what my strengths were, find my voice in the writing room, build confidence and finally have a radio hit. And over the last ten years I’ve become more grateful and trusting of the process. I can honestly say that I love my job and am somehow not tired of it yet.”

Alexander has also released two albums throughout her career, Down Home and Decatur County Red, in which several country artists are featured including Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, and Randy Hoser.

When it comes to songwriting, Alexander is most excited for the talented artists and songwriters she will continue to get to work with as she extends her partnership with Warner Chappell.

She sums, “Most days I’m truly blown away by their talent and it keeps me inspired! Also being a devotee and lover of the old school, more traditional country music style, I am thrilled to get to work with more and more artist that lean in that direction.”
 

AIMP Global Publishing Summit To Feature Ashley Gorley As Keynote Speaker

Ashley Gorley

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has released the schedule for this year’s Global Music Publishing Summit to be held June 14 at the 3 West Club in New York City. The Summit will take place both online and in-person, and feature a full day of panels and keynotes on the business, sync, and creative areas of the industry.

This year’s keynote conversation will feature songwriter/producer/publisher Ashley Gorley. With a record 60 No. 1s and more than 400 songs recorded, he will discuss his success and more with Tim Hunze, VP of Publishing for Big Machine Music and host of the AIMP Nashville Pubcast.

In a joint statement, John Ozier (AIMP National Chair and Nashville Chapter President/Reservoir), Teri Nelson-Carpenter (AIMP LA Chapter President/Reel Muzik Werks), and Michael Lau (AIMP NY Chapter President) share: “Music publishers would be nothing without songwriters, and we’re so fortunate to be able to have Ashley Gorley join us on June 14, along with the rising stars that our partners NYC3 and Music Publishers Canada have put together for the evening showcase. Our program hits all the current hot topics, from catalog acquisitions and the metaverse, to the latest on the U.S. legislative and international fronts. It will be a great day to be together in New York!”

The NYC3 and Music Publishers Canada will close out the day with a showcase featuring performances from Canadian and U.S. songwriters Jewels Gold (Rainbow Rock Music), Sarah MacDougall (Arts & Crafts Music Inc.), Tatiana Owens (Angry Mob Music), and Poesy (Daytripper Music Publishing).

Ahead of the Summit on Monday, June 13, the AIMP Young Professionals Committee and Music Publishers Canada NXTextGen will be hosting a mixer welcome event aimed towards people starting their careers in publishing at Turntable LP Bar; the event is free, but advance registration is required.
 

Connor James Signs With Universal Music Publishing Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Ron Stuve (UMPG Nashville), Connor James and Cyndi Forman (UMPG Nashville)

Connor James has signed an exclusive, global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.

The New York native is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with writer, producer, and artist credits in multiple genres. He has had sync placements with Apple, Motorola, and Toyota, as well as cuts by Caylee Hammack and Josie Dunne.

“Ron Stuve and I have been Connor James fans for several years,” shares Cyndi Forman, Senior Vice President, A&R at UMPG Nashville. “His writing ability, production chops and creativity are unlimited.  We’re proud to welcome him to the UMPG family.”

James adds: “I couldn’t be happier for the chance to work with Cyndi, Ron and the rest of the UMPG family. The care and dedication for their writers is second to none. I am so thankful to have them along for this journey.”