Music News (1/25/23)

Abbey Cone Signs With Warner Chappell Music & Truth Or Dare Publishing

Pictured (L-R): Missi Gallimore (Truth), Sophia Gallimore (Truth), Abbey Cone, Ben Vaughn (WCM), Christina Wiltshire (WCM) and Alexa Morris (WCM)

Abbey Cone has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Truth or Dare Publishing. The agreement is part of the recently announced partnership between the two publishing entities.

Cone was raised in Texas and moved to Music City to hone her craft when she was 16. She burst onto the country scene in 2021 with the release of her single “Rhinestone Ring,” and in 2022 released her debut EP, Hate Me, featuring six tracks she co-wrote and co-produced.

After wrapping up a tour with Brittney Spencer, she headed out as a supporting act on CMT’s “Next Women of Country Tour” with Maddie & Tae and Sacha.

The CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2020 inductee was named one of Pandora’s 2022 Country Music Artists to Watch and has collaborated with writers such as Lori McKenna, Heather Morgan and Jessie Jo Dillon.
 

Brooke Lee Inks With Spirit Music Nashville/2 Mix Music

Pictured (L-R): Kara Jackson, Senior Creative Director, Spirit Music Nashville; Attorney Austin Wells; Brooke Lee; Attorney David Crow; Derek Wells, Vice President, A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville; Kennedy Murphy, Creative Coordinator/Executive Assistant, Spirit Music Nashville; Brian Bradford, GM/VP of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville; Mike Fiorentino, Director of A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville; Frank Rogers, CCO, Spirit Music Group/CEO, Spirit Music Nashville; and Attorney Elizabeth Lombardi (Milom, Crow, Kelley, Beckett, Shehan PLC)

Brooke Lee has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spirit Music Nashville/2 Mix Music.

Born in Charlotte and raised on Lake Norman, Lee started performing as a teen and was named Best Female Country Vocalist Queen City in 2020 and 2021. Upon turning 21, she packed her bags to chase her dreams and play gigs around the world. She released the single “Well Runs Dry” in 2022, written with Paul Ebersold and 2 Mix Music/Spirit Music Nashville writer Jessica Cayne, and has new music in the works being produced by Spirit’s own Derek Wells.

“Since our first meeting, Spirit has been family to me,” shares Lee. “They have believed in my dream, my voice as a songwriter/artist, and me as a person. Their fire, drive, and passion is undeniable. I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to grow with them and see the magic we create.”
 

Clara Park Joins SmackSongs’ Writing Roster

Pictured (L-R): Carly Sater, Jeremy Groves, Clara Park, Lee Krabel, Jim Landers, Robin Palmer and Sam Sarno.

SMACKSongs has inked a worldwide publishing deal with Clara Park.

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Park moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University. While there, she majored in songwriting and took freelance work producing, while also writing hundreds of songs throughout her four years. Graduating in 2021, Park continued writing, producing and getting cuts with artist such as Linsey Urrea and Jules Paymer.

“This is a huge milestone for me, and something I have been chasing since I moved to Nashville,” Park shares. “I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and I’m so grateful to be around such talented people.”

Park joins a roster of over 20 staff writers with more than 50 No. 1s–seven of which were from last year alone–including multi-Grammy award winners Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.
 

Ross Ellis Signs With UMPG Nashville & Brad Tursi

Pictured (L-R): Roxy King (UMPG Nashville), Brad Tursi, Ross Ellis, Cyndi Forman (UMPG Nashville) and Mason Hunter (BMI)

Ross Ellis has signed an exclusive, global publishing agreement with UMPG Nashville and songwriter Brad Tursi, who is also a member of country band Old Dominion.

A native of Monterey, Louisiana, Ellis formed a band at 15 and gained a strong following throughout high school and college, playing venues across Louisiana and Mississippi. After graduating from University of Louisiana at Monroe, he moved to Nashville to pursue music full time. Ellis has had cuts by Lainey Wilson, Tim McGraw, Gary Allan and Tyler Farr.

“I’m so honored to join forces with UMPG alongside the ever so talented, Brad Tursi, to kickstart this new and exciting chapter in my songwriting career,” Ellis shares.