Music News (5/24/23)

Spencer Crandall Inks With Warner Chappell & Stem

Pictured (L-R): Hudson Hill Management’s Jeff Cherry, Warner Chappell’s Sara Latimer and Christina Wiltshire, Spencer Crandall, Stem’s Alison Junker and Jeff Tobias, Lewis Brisbois’ Matt Cottingham, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn. Photo: Nina Long

Rising country artist Spencer Crandall has added to his team, signing with Warner Chappell Music for publishing and Stem for distribution and label services.

Crandall has earned more than 300 million global streams since breaking onto the scene in 2016 with tunes such as “Made,” “My Person” and “Girls Like You.” His most recent project, Western, has already notched over 60 million streams since its October 2022 release.

“The partnerships with Warner Chappell and Stem make so much sense for us right now. These teams are made up of some of the hardest working people in country music,” says Crandall. “I really respect how these teams grow artists, especially independently, and I couldn’t be more excited to do this next chapter with them.”

“I’ve never met an artist as business-focused, goal-oriented and driven as Spencer,” shares Christina Wiltshire, Sr. Director, A&R at Warner Chappell. “His fan club is called the Stadium Gang because he won’t stop until he’s playing stadiums. I want to help him get there.”

Adam Hambrick Signs With Sheltered Music

Pictured (L-R): Sheltered Music’s Darrell Franklin, Adam Hambrick and Sheltered Music’s Freeman Wizer

Singer-songwriter Adam Hambrick has signed a publishing deal with Sheltered Music.

Hambrick penned Dan + Shay’s “How Not To” and Justin Moore’s “Somebody Else Will,” both of which went to No. 1, as well as his own top 40 track “Rockin’ All Night.” His songs have also been recorded by Miranda Lambert, Walker Hayes, Maddie & Tae, Eli Young Band and more.

He is currently prepping his next project featuring the single “Built For A Small Town,” that will be released independently this Friday, May 26. Hambrick wrote the genre-bending single, featuring longtime friend Logan Mize, alongside Kelly Archer and Dylan Guthro, with Guthro producing.

“I’ve been a fan of Adam, both as an artist and songwriter since I first became aware of him,” says Darrell Franklin, Sr. VP of Sheltered Music Nashville. “Whether he is in the room creating for another artist, or he is digging into his own soul as an artist, he brings such a powerful skillset of both music and lyric. I’m honored to have the chance to represent Adam in this next chapter and he is going to be such a crucial piece of our growing roster at Sheltered.”

“I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people since starting my career, and I am thrilled to now be working with the team at Sheltered,” shares Hambrick. “They are true song people who have such a great reputation with the music creators of Nashville. I’m grateful for their support and partnership as we begin building the next phase of my career together.”

Warner Chappell Music Signs Josh Ross

Pictured (L-R): The Core’s Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Tracy Martin, Simon Tikhman, Josh Ross, Warner Chappell’s Bryce Sherlow, The Core’s Kenzie Woodson and Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn

Warner Chappell Music has signed singer-songwriter Josh Ross to a global publishing deal.

Managed by Simon Tikhman and Chief Zaruk at The Core Entertainment, Ross signed with Universal Music Canada/UMG Nashville earlier this year. He was named one of Spotify’s Hot Country Artists To Watch for 2023 and has recently been on tour supporting industry heavyweights such as Bailey Zimmerman, Nickelback, Lee Brice, Chase Rice and Brantley Gilbert.

Ross’s songs regularly land in Billboard’s Canadian Hot 100 chart, and in 2022 his debut single, “First Taste Of Gone,” climbed to No. 5 on Billboard’s Canada Country chart. Later that year he followed up with another chart-topping single, “On A Different Night,” which reached No. 4 on the Canada Country chart. Also in 2022, Ross was a top three finalist in SiriusXM’s Top of the Country contest, and was nominated for Rising Star at the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA).

He will make his Grand Ole Opry debut in July.