Music News (01/10/24)

Endurance Music Group Elevates Lauren Funk To VP Of Publishing

Lauren Funk. Photo: Ed Rode

Endurance Music Group (EMG) has elevated Lauren Funk to newly created position of Vice President of Publishing, effective immediately.

Funk joined EMG from Big Yellow Dog Music, where she spent seven years on the creative team working with Grammy winners Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, Josh Kear, Daniel Tashian and more. She began her tenure as an intern in 2014, and was hired as Creative Manager upon graduation from Belmont University. In the following years, she secured cuts with artists including Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, Dustin Lynch and more. In 2022, Funk was a member of the inaugural class of the CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy, a professional development program and group coaching experience for high-performing women in the country music industry.

Since joining EMG in 2021, she has been instrumental in the signing and/or retention of award-winning, multi-Platinum songwriter Jordan Schmidt, hit songwriter Scooter Carusoe and acclaimed singer-songwriter and producer Jake Rose. She will continue to manage the company’s relationships with its roster of hitmakers, including Records artist Matt Stell, songwriters and producers Seth Alley and Paul Sikes, among others, while identifying and signing promising new talent.

Shane Stevens Inks With Spirit Music Nashville

Pictured (L-R, back row): Leisl Eschbach, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; AJ Burton, Fluid Music Revolution; David Crow, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; Matthew Beckett, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; Brian Bradford, Spirit Music Nashville; Andy Hodges, Spirit Music Nashville; (L-R, front row): Derek Wells, Spirit Music Nashville; Kara Jackson, Spirit Music Nashville; Shane Stevens; Frank Rogers, Spirit Music Group/Spirit Music Nashville; Kennedy Murphy, Spirit Music Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Music Group

Shane Stevens has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spirit Music Nashville.

Stevens has co-written No. 1s including Lady A‘s “American Honey” and the massive 2021 smash “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track is certified 6X Platinum and was nominated in 2021 for a Best Country Song Grammy Award. The Myrtle Beach native is also a co-writer on the reimagined holiday version of the song, “Fancy Like Christmas,” which was released in November. Its accompanying music video hit No. 1 Top Country Music Video on iTunes.

“American Honey” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and won NSAI’s award for “Songs I Wish I’d Written.” The song also garnered Millionaire and Most-Performed Country Songs of the Year awards from BMI. Stevens has also had cuts with Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Carrie Underwood, Jesse McCartney, Sara Evans, Jordin Sparks, Meghan Trainor and more.

Warner Chappell Music & Space Colonel Publishing Sign Joey Green

Joey Green. Photo: Brofoto Productions

Warner Chappell Music and Space Colonel Publishing have signed NBC’s The Voice season 15 contestant Joey Green to a global publishing deal.

Green has released eight albums throughout his career, his latest being Heart Lessons, which he debuted while opening for Lainey Wilson in November at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. Heart Lessons blends rock, soulful country and ’90s alternative sounds. Multiple singles released from his last two albums have landed Green spots on Spotify’s New Music Friday, Fresh Finds Country and New Music Nashville playlists, among others.

The singer-songwriter has shared the stage with other artists including Parker McCollum, Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers, Kevin Fowler, Sean McConnell, Sam Riggs and Giovannie & The Hired Guns. Green was also a part of the 2023 “Texas Music Takeover Tour,” where he performed with Pat Green, Koe Wetzel, Vaden Todd Lewis of Toadies, Casey Donahew, Cody Canada and Wade Bowen.

“Joey Green has been a top-tier songwriter for years, and I am beyond excited to have him join our team,” says Beau Bedford, Partner, Producer & Songwriter at Space Colonel Publishing.

Chase McDaniel Inks Publishing Deal With Hang Your Hat Music & Concord Music Publishing

Pictured: (L-R, back row): Emily Baldridge (HYH), Melissa Spillman (CMP), Matt Turner (CMP), Courtney Allen (CMP); (L-R, front row): Jake Gear (HYH), Chase McDaniel, Brad Kennard (CMP). Photo: Sam Shelton

Virginia native Chase McDaniel has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Hang Your Hat Music and Concord Music Publishing. The deal includes the writer’s full catalog, which includes cuts with Logan Crosby, Reid Haughton, Emily Ann Roberts, Clayton Mullen and more, as well as all future work.

Hang Your Hat Music was founded by two-time ACM Songwriter of the Year Hillary Lindsey, and is in a joint venture with Concord Music Publishing.

“Hang Your Hat is so thrilled to welcome Chase to the roster,” says Jake Gear, Executive Vice President of Hang Your Hat Music. “He’s established a network of close writer/artist collaborators based on his songcraft as a topliner. He’s a well of ideas with incredible work ethic and ability to craft a memorable melody and lyric that’s feels fresh—all which makes him a valuable addition to any room. We’re excited to get to work!”

“Concord couldn’t be prouder to partner yet again with Hang Your Hat and to work with Chase,” adds Brad Kennard, SVP A&R at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “He’s a focused and determined craftsman, who represents the best of Nashville’s next generation of hit-makers.”

After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in finance, McDaniel moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting. He has quickly cemented himself as a rising talent, bringing fresh ideas and strong toplining to every writing session.

“It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to work with such great creative teams,” says McDaniel. “I’m super grateful to Hillary, Jake and Emily [Baldridge] for taking a chance on me. Looking forward to the next chapter!”