Music News (7/13/22)

Mojo Music & Media Acquires Catalog Of Sharon Vaughn

Sharon Vaughn. Photo: Jessika Jarl

Mojo Music & Media, the global independent publishing and marketing company, has acquired the catalog of songwriter Sharon Vaughn.

The deal spans 25 years of Vaughn’s work and includes 28 charting singles released between 1977-2004, including standards such as Willie Nelson’s “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys,” Waylon Jennings’ “Broken Promise Land” and The Oak Ridge Boys’ breakout single “Y’All Come Back Saloon.” Also included are the top 10 hits “I’m Not That Lonely Yet” (Reba McEntire), “Lonely Too Long” (Patty Loveless),“Out Of My Bones” (Randy Travis), and “Powerful Thing” (Trisha Yearwood).

Vaughn was in her early 20’s when she first came to Nashville from Orlando, beginning her career as a background singer and eventually charting two singles as an artist. After a stint as an on-air TV personality, she pivoted to songwriting and landed her first major cut with “Y’all Come Back Saloon,” the first single and title track from the Oak Ridge Boys’ 1977 debut album.

Around the same time, Jennings cut “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” on the 1976 release Wanted! The Outlaws, a collaboration with Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser, which became country’s first Platinum album. Nelson’s version, recorded for the soundtrack of the Robert Redford-starring Electric Horseman, topped the country chart in 1980.

Vaughn’s hit streak continued through the 80’s and into the 90’s, and she moved to Sweden in 2008. While there, she immersed herself with songwriters and producers across Europe and Asia and landed more than 100 cuts, including four chart-topping singles in Japan and a No. 1 dance record in the U.S. She also co-wrote The Sweet Potato Queens musical with composer Rupert Holmes and Melissa Manchester. Her post-2008 catalog is represented by BMG Scandinavia.

She has won numerous ASCAP awards, was inducted into the NSAI Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2005, and joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2019.
 

Peermusic Nashville Signs Kaylin Roberson

Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Senior Vice President, Peermusic Nashville; Kent Marcus, Marcus & Colvin LLP; Stephanie Westerman, Marcus & Colvin LLP; Jenn Littleton, management; Matt Michiels, Senior Creative Director, Peermusic Nashville; Kaylin Roberson; Kendall Lettow, Creative Director, Peermusic Nashville; and Jaron Boyer writer/producer, Peermusic. Photo: Emily Baldridge

Peermusic Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Kaylin Roberson to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. The agreement includes select catalog and future works.

Roberson moved to Nashville at 19 and has since landed 20 cuts with independent artists and celebrated more than 5 million streams of her songs. As an artist, she has released a handful of singles and opened for artists such as Chris Janson, Jon Pardi and RaeLynn. Roberson will be releasing her new single “Placeholder” on August 12.

“It is such an honor to be working with the incredible Peermusic Nashville team,” shares Roberson. “I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to do what I love while working with some of the best publishers in the business. I’m excited about this new partnership and what’s to come.”

“Kaylin has everything we look for in a young songwriter—talent, passion and drive. I am thrilled to welcome her to the Peermusic family and to help shape the next chapter of her career,” says Peermusic’s President & Chief Operating Officer, Kathy Spanberger.

“The first time I heard Kaylin sing it was a no brainer for me,” adds Peermusic Nashville’s Senior Vice President, Michael Knox. “Then you add on her work ethic and songwriter talent—mark my words, we will be at number one parties with her.”
 

BoomTown Saints Sign Recording Deal With 8 Track Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Ben Chism (BoomTown Saints), Noah Gordon (Pres./8Track Entertainment), and Chris Ramos (BoomTown Saints). Photo: Jenna Ramos

Rising country duo BoomTown Saints have signed an exclusive, long-term recording agreement with Nashville/Muscle Shoals-based entertainment company, 8 Track Entertainment.

Florida native Chris Ramos and Mississippi native Ben Chism formed BoomTown Saints in 2018. The two initially pursued careers outside of music–Ramos as a healthcare consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, and Chism, who was headed to medical school after graduating with a degree in biology.

After Chism won the regional Texas Country Showdown singing competition, he went on to the Southeast USA contest and finished in the top 10 nationwide, and elected to choose music over medicine. Meanwhile, after landing multiple cuts on pop, country and electronic music albums, Ramos decided to pursue his dream in music and form a band.

The pair will release their debut single, “All Trucks Go To Heaven,” to all digital service providers on July 15. Produced by Noah Gordon and Gary Kraen, the track was written by Taylor Phillips, Ben Stennis and Jeremy Bussey.

“Our team is pumped about the addition of BoomTown Saints to 8 Track Entertainment’s growing roster,” says Gordon, President of 8 Track Entertainment. “Their work ethic combined with their talent and energy are a perfect fit for our growing company and we look forward to getting their first single out in the world.”
 

Warner Chappell Inks Publishing Deal With Warren Zeiders

Pictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn (WCM); Ryan Beuschel (WCM); Warren Zeiders; Charly Salvatore (underscore works); Christian Barker (Attorney); and Brian O’Neil (underscore works)

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has signed a global publishing deal with rising Warner Records artist Warren Zeiders.

Zeiders has gone from collegiate athlete to Gold-selling artist with his hit single, “Ride The Lighting.” His original, solo acoustic version of the track racked up over 657 million global views on TikTok alone before going RIAA-certified Gold.

Zeiders released his debut EP, 717 Tapes, in October 2021, and followed it with 717 Tapes, Vol. 2. Shortly after the release of Vol. 2, he sold out his debut Nashville show at Exit/In and hit the road for his “The 717 Tapes Tour,” with dates running through September.

Hailing from Hershey, Pennsylvania, the 23-year-old singer-songwriter will make his Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday (July 9).