Music News (5/17/23)

SESAC Ups Shannan Hatch To SVP, Head Of Nashville Creative

Shannan Hatch. Photo: Katie Kauss

SESAC Performing Rights has promoted Shannan Hatch to SVP, Head of Nashville Creative.

Rising from Vice President, Creative Services in the Nashville office, Hatch’s new role will maintain leadership of the Nashville-based Creative Services team in supporting SESAC-affiliated songwriters and publishers. Reporting to Chief Creative Officer Sam Kling, she will work closely with senior management to support creator-focused initiatives.

“Shannan is a staple in the Nashville songwriting community,” says Kling. “Her commitment to our affiliates is unparalleled and I am thrilled to announce this well-deserved new role.”

Hatch and her team are responsible for the recruitment, signing and nurturing of songwriters and publishers as well as the retention of existing SESAC-affiliated writers and publishers. During her more than 20 years at SESAC, Hatch has worked closely with affiliates Lee Brice, Jamey Johnson, Runaway June, Craig Campbell, Matt McGinn, Josh Hoge, Jesse Lee, Richard Leigh, Jaron Boyer, Cary Barlowe, Lance Miller, Monty Powell and Michael Tyler, along with Americana tunesmiths Hayes Carll, Jim Lauderdale and Allison Moorer, among many others.

Tape Room Music Signs Songwriter/Producer Andy Sheridan

Pictured (L-R, back row): Tape Room’s Kelly Bolton, Blain Rhodes and Caroline Hodson; (L-R, front row): Ashley Gorley and Andy Sheridan. Photo: Courtesy of Tape Room Music

Tape Room Music, the publishing and artist development company founded by Ashley Gorley, has signed songwriter and producer Andy Sheridan to a joint venture with Red Light Management. Sheridan will work with Tape Room’s creative staff to cultivate and expand his network of co-writers while continuing to work with long-time collaborators.

“We are excited to welcome Andy to the Tape Room family,” shares Blain Rhodes, Tape Room Music President. “We’ve been big fans for a long time and look forward to sharing many hits together.”

Sheridan has played with artists Phil Vassar, Hunter Hayes and Ben Rector. He recently earned his first No. 1 on SiriusXM with Avery Anna‘s viral hit “Narcissist” and has landed other cuts by Dustin Lynch, Sam Riggs and Tyler Farr. He has also produced “Warmer” by Rascal Flatts and the music for Skipstone Pictures’ God’s Country Song, a Pure Flix Original

“I am absolutely jazzed to be at Tape Room Music,” shares Sheridan. “Ashley, Blain, Kelly [Bolton] and Caroline [Hodson] are pros and veterans in this business and I’m honored to be a part of the family. Excited to get to work!”

Emily Falvey Inks With Warner Chappell Music & SMACKSongs

Pictured (L-R): Robert Carlton (SMACK), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Carly Sater (SMACK), Jeremy Groves (SMACK), Emily Falvey, Lee Krabel (SMACK), Robin Palmer (SMACK), Phil May (WCM), Christina Wiltshire (WCM), Sam Sarno (SMACK)

Singer-songwriter Emily Falvey has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and SMACKSongs.

Starting her career at Belmont University, Falvey fought her way into the competitive songwriting major, which then led to her landing internships at Warner Chappell Music and SMACKSongs. Through the internships, Falvey introduced her demos to SMACK executives and landed her first publishing deal before she graduated.

With a catalog of over 70 songs recorded over the past five years, Falvey’s genre-bending style has led to recent cuts and collaborations with a cross section of artists, from country artists Walker Hayes and Callista Clark, to leading dance music acts Le Youth and Sick Individuals.

“I’m honored and excited to have the opportunity to continue to build on an extraordinary working relationship with SMACK & bring on a powerhouse partner in Warner Chappell Music,” says Falvey. “I interned with both of these companies in my Belmont years, so it’s special and full circle for me. Thank you to Christian Barker for your wise legal counsel, to Robert Carlton, Robin Palmer and Lee Krabel for your continued belief, to Ben Vaughn and Phil May for your leadership and vision, and to Jeremy Groves and Christina Wiltshire for being fierce day-to-day champions. Overwhelmed with gratitude for this next chapter!”

BMG Nashville Signs Hunter Metts

Pictured (L-R): Shelter Music Group’s James Robinson, Jackson Stubner, BMG’s Kelsey Niccoli, Hunter Metts and BMG’s Chris Oglesby

BMG Nashville has signed artist, songwriter and producer Hunter Metts to a global publishing agreement.

Metts grew up in a musical family and began to play piano at age 10, eventually picking up a guitar and starting to writing songs. He gained national attention as a contestant on American Idol in 2021. Since his time on the show, Metts has continued to write and perform his own music as well as write and produce music for other artists. He has released several songs independently, including “Nothing to Lose” and “Paper Moon.”

“Signing an artist like Hunter is a dream come true. His music is so unbelievably emotive—it makes you nostalgic while also sounding like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Hunter has an understanding of songwriting, production and artistry that is beyond his years, and BMG is so excited to be a part of his journey,” says Kelsey Niccoli, Sr. Creative Director, A&R, BMG Nashville.

“I feel like I found people who understand me and my sound, who are truly invested in the trajectory of my life and career,” adds Metts.

Metts’ frequent collaborators include Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Henry Brill, Tristan Bushman, Chandler Leighton, Dave Thomas Jr, Caleb Hearn, Cody Lovaas, Anna Hamilton, Luke Niccoli, Jonah Kagen and more.

Dalton Mauldin Signs Joint Publishing Deal With Big Machine Music, King Henry

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s Michelle Attardi and Alex Heddle, Dalton Mauldin, King Henry, Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar

Dalton Mauldin signed an exclusive songwriting agreement in a joint publishing deal with Big Machine Music and Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer King Henry.

The Savannah Bananas baseball team member is on the road performing solo acoustic shows. His Nashville stops include Third and Home (June 1) before two nights at First Horizon Park (June 2 and 3) on the field with the team. Mauldin is already readying new music, including a new song “Miss You, Love You” co-written alongside BMM songwriter Daniel Ross and produced by King Henry, arriving May 19.

“When King Henry and Big Machine Music’s Senior Director of Publishing Timmy Haehl, first introduced us to Dalton, we immediately felt the star wattage,” says Mike Molinar, BMM’s General Manager. “I’m so grateful for Henry’s belief in us as partners and Dalton’s trust in taking the next step of his career.”

“Dalton is one of the most genuine, positive and good-hearted humans I’ve ever met,” adds King Henry. “From the moment he first messaged me on social media and sent songs that matched the caliber of his personality, I knew we were going to build something special together. I’m excited to watch him grow in his artistry and am thrilled to be partnering with Big Machine Music for the journey.”

“I couldn’t be happier to be part of the Big Machine Music family and to work with King Henry,” shares Mauldin. “Getting to know everyone on the team has really made me feel at home. I’m so excited to continue to progress as a songwriter surrounded by such a talented community.”