Music News (5/31/23)

Jamie Paulin Signs With Anthem Entertainment [Exclusive]

Pictured (L-R): Gracie Glass (Anthem Creative Coordinator), Jamie Paulin, Noah Dewey (Anthem VP of Creative), Gilles Godard (Anthem President), Courtney Crist (Anthem Sr. Creative Director), Chandler Thurston (Anthem Creative Director)

Songwriter Jamie Paulin has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Anthem Entertainment.

Hailing from the small logging and farming community of Adna, Washington, Paulin’s love of country music started at five years old when his grandmother introduced him to Marty Robbins’ Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs album. He cites Merle Haggard, George Strait, Steve Earle, John Denver, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and John Schneider as artists who have inspired him. Paulin first started writing songs at the age of 11 and moved to Nashville in 1998.

Paulin has penned No. 1 hits for Chris Janson (“Done”) and Kenny Chesney (“Happy Does”), and has had numerous other successful cuts including Justin Moore‘s hit single “Backwoods” and Tim McGraw’s “How I’ll Always Be” from his 2015 studio album Damn Country Music as well as his latest Greatest Hits collection.

Paulin has also had songs recorded by Jordan Davis, Jon Pardi, Kane Brown, Ian Munsick, Shane Proffit, Travis Denning, Scotty McCreery, Jack Ingram and Frank Ray. He currently writes with several Anthem writers, including Janson, Davis, Shane Profitt, Nate Kenyon, Trae Landon and Justin Lantz.

“I’ve tried to sign Jamie for years, but the timing was never right,” shares Noah Dewey, VP of Creative for Anthem Nashville. “We finally figured it out! I’m elated that he’s joining the Anthem family. His infectious personality is only overshadowed by his immense talent as a songwriter. I’m looking forward to continuing to build on Jamie’s already successful career!”

“After being friends with Noah Dewey for years and seeing the success he has had working with other writers, when the opportunity presented itself for us to work together, it just seemed like it was meant to be,” says Paulin. “I’m looking forward to this new venture and working with Gilles [Godard], Noah, Courtney [Crist], Chandler [Thurston] and all the other folks at Anthem!”

Black River Publishing Signs McCall Chapin

Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Gordon Kerr, Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton’s Lauren Kilgore, McCall Chapin; Black River’s Sarah Hudspeth, Rebekah Gordon and Preston Berger. Photo: Courtesy of Black River Entertainment

Black River Publishing has signed songwriter McCall Chapin.

The Tallahassee, Florida native moved to Nashville in 2018 to study songwriting at Belmont University. During her time at Belmont, she had the opportunity to work for Warner Chappell Music as a songwriting intern, putting her in the room with notable hitmakers and opening many doors. Chapin’s powerful lyrics and melodies have already garnered her several major cuts and indie releases.

“McCall was a stand-out, no brainer writer to pursue as a partner with Black River,” says Rebekah Gordon, VP of Publishing, Black River Entertainment. “I’m beyond excited for the rest of the music community to get to know her amazing ability to craft a song that is impactful to audiences from all genres. She is an exceptional human being, and I’m so proud to be a part of her career as a future hit songwriter.”

“I am so excited that I get to call Black River home,” says Chapin. “From the moment I met the team, I was so drawn to their passion for well-crafted songs and loved the way they champion their writers. I feel that they share my vision for the future, and I just can’t wait to see what we do together.”

Concord Music Publishing Promotes Jen Hubbard To Director, Sync A&R

Jen Hubbard

Concord Music Publishing has appointed Jen Hubbard to the newly formed role of Director, Sync A&R.

Hubbard joined Concord in 2018 and most recently served as Director of A&R out of the Nashville office. She will continue to work with artists, producers and writers including Ruelle, Madi Diaz, Paige Blue, Jung Youth, Lucas Arens, Fleurie, Jeff Bowman, Tofer Brown, Jeremy Lutito, Aaron Chafin and more. Hubbard was instrumental in signing indie-pop artist Charli Adams and has served as the lead contact in the Nashville office for writers, artists and producers outside of the country market.

In her new role, Hubbard will be responsible for the development and management of Concord’s U.S. songwriter roster for the purpose of sync activity, bridging the gap between the A&R and Sync teams. She will support Concord’s overall strategy to streamline sync-forward initiatives and provide more opportunities for writers across film, television, ads, gaming and more.

Hubbard reports to Brad Kennard, SVP of A&R with support from Kourtney Kirkpatrick, VP of Publishing Sync and Brooke Primont, EVP of Global Sync.

Beginning her career with Razor & Tie in 2014, Hubbard served as Creative Coordinator and then Creative Manager. Over the course of her career, she has contributed and assisted with the creation of music for numerous placements in film and prominent television series including This is Us and Nashville, as well as cuts for Platinum artists such as Lady A, Brothers Osborne, Calum Scott, Birdy, Chloe Moriondo, Joy Oladokun, Patrick Droney, Valley, Randall King, Scotty Sire, Matt Stell, LoCash, Runaway June, Molly Tuttle, Adam Doleac, Caylee Hammack, Charli Adams, Hunter Hayes and more.

Makayla Lynn Signs With Dreamlined Entertainment Group & Wrensong Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Maurna Donovan, Artist Development and Label Services, Wrensong; Jen Stegall, Co-Producer/Writer; Justin Roddick, Manager; Ree Guyer Co-Publisher, Wrensong; Keith Stegall, Co-Producer/Publisher, Dreamlined; Abbe Nameche, Co-Publisher, Harvey Dog Hits; Makayla Lynn

Canadian artist Makayla Lynn has signed with Keith Stegall‘s Dreamlined Entertainment Group and Wrensong Entertainment.

Lynn spent time at No. 1 on CMT’s 12-Pack Countdown and is a two-time East Coast Music Award winner in Canada. Her latest release, “Oldest Daughter,” is an ode to family dynamics. Lynn is working on an album with Grammy-winner and Dreamlined Entertainment President Stegall, and his co-producer/daughter, Jen Stegall.

“When looking for an artist/writer that we want to work with, we want someone who has an outstanding voice, a skilled instrumentalist, a charismatic and authentic personality, a dynamic performer, a brilliant songwriter with a strong work ethic,” says Ree Guyer, Wrensong Entertainment. “It is hard to find all of the above in one artist/writer, yet Makayla Lynn has it all. We are so excited and privileged to work with her.  She is an international superstar in the making.”

“Makayla is wise beyond her years and blessed with the gifts of writing and performing that is beyond explanation,” adds Keith Stegall.