Music News (07/17/24)

Greylan James Inks With Relative Music Group

Pictured (L–R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Relative Music Group’s Caroline Clark and Ali Matkosky. (L–R, front row): Relative Music Group’s Dennis Matkosky, Greylan James, Relative Music Group’s Michael Hardy and Jesse Matkosky. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Singer-songwriter Greylan James has inked a global publishing deal with Relative Music Group in partnership with Sony Music Publishing.

“Greylan is talented across the board. He’s a great guitar player, he’s a great singer, and he’s a great songwriter,” says Michael Hardy, Partner, Relative Music Group. “The first song he turned in as a Relative writer blew me away, and I know that they are just going to keep getting better and better. I’m so excited to have Greylan on the team, and I can’t wait to hear the songs he’s going to write over the next few years.”

In 2023, the Knoxville, Tennessee native notched his first No. 1 hit with Jordan Davis’ chart-topper “Next Thing You Know.” The track went on to win ACM Song of the Year, and earned James his first CMA Award nomination for Song of the Year. He has also written tunes for Kenny Chesney, Cole Swindell, Chris Young, Bailey Zimmerman, Scotty McCreery and more. Currently, his songbook boasts over 650 million streams.

“I couldn’t feel more honored and blessed to be joining the team over at Relative,” shares James. “I’ve said for years that I want a career like Hardy; sell out arenas on the weekends and write hit songs on the weekdays. I can’t wait to learn from him and the folks that help get him there. Jesse [Matkosky], Dennis [Matkosky], Caroline [Clark], Ali [Matkosky] and the team at Sony are the dream team. It’s about to get real fun.”

Kashus Culpepper Inks With Big Loud Publishing & Warner Chappell Music

Pictured (L-R, front Row): Mike Giangreco (VP of A&R, Big Loud Publishing), Kashus Culpepper and Benji Amaefule (Manager, A&R, Warner Chappell); (L-R, back row): Kimberly Gleason (SVP, Big Loud Publishing), Ben Vaughn (President & CEO, Warner Chappell), Sara Knabe (SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records) and Jay Harren (Manager). Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith

Kashus Culpepper has signed a global publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing and Warner Chappell Music.

Raised in Alabama, Culpepper encapsulates the southern sound. His husky, sandpaper growl roars over self-written songs that are raw and real. He grew up singing in church starting at five years old, and in 2020, the singer-songwriter picked up a guitar and started playing covers in Rota, Spain during his deployment in the Navy. After coming back to the U.S., Culpepper played dive bars across the south before landing his first record deal with Big Loud Records. Culpepper released his debut single “After Me?” in June.

Now booked by CAA, Culpepper has played sold out headline club shows, and has shared the stage with Charles Wesley Godwin, Charley Crockett and Needtobreathe. He will be releasing his brand new single “Who Hurt You” this Friday (July 19). The tune originally caught the attention of his social media followers, which led the singer to perform the song for RadioWV last November, captivating country and Americana fans across the country.

“We are beyond excited to be working with Kashus,” says Warner Chappell Manager, A&R, Benji Amaefule. “He is one-of-one, and his stories have an ability to resonate with a wide demographic. His soulful take on country already is connecting with his audience and will continue to reach fans around the country and the world.”

“Anyone who’s heard Kashus sing knows why we had to have him on the label, but his songwriting was just as big of a draw as his voice,” shares Big Loud Records SVP of A&R, Sara Knabe. “It’s raw, it’s real, it’s lived in, it’s emotional, it has so much soul. He’s writing songs that will stand the test of time and we’re all here for it!”

Mae Estes Renews Publishing Deal With Kobalt

Pictured (L–R): Stephanie Cox, Kendall Warren and Mae Estes

Country artist Mae Estes has renewed her worldwide publishing deal with Kobalt.

She got her start at age seven, singing the national anthem at a rodeo in her home state of Arkansas. After making her way to Music City, Estes began releasing music in 2019, and inked her first publishing deal with Plaid Flag Music and Kobalt a year later.

Her tune “Thinkin’ ‘Bout Cheatin’” marked her first CMT video feature in 2022, and became the first single from her debut EP, Before The Record, last year. Also in 2023, Estes took home her third consecutive Arkansas Country Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year, and signed a global record deal with Big Machine Records. With more than 13 million streams across all digital streaming and social platforms, she is currently working on new music while touring with Jamey Johnson, Dierks Bentley and Lainey Wilson.

“Mae is one of the most exciting new artists to come onto the scene in a very long time,” says Stephanie Cox, General Manager/Senior Vice President of Creative, Kobalt Nashville. “She’s such an authentic songwriter and an important new voice in country music. We’re so happy that Kobalt will remain her home for this exciting new phase of her career.”

“From the very first moment I heard Mae’s voice to the moment I realized what an incredible human she was—I knew Stephanie Cox was the perfect partner and teammate for Mae,” notes Kendall Warren, Estes’ longtime manager. “We are lucky to have Stephanie leading the charge with Mae’s publishing—Stephanie is the best in the business.”

Round Hill Music Signs Brandon Day

Pictured (L–R): Round Hill’s Taylor Antle, Brandon Day, Round Hill’s Lindsay Will and Mike Whelan

Round Hill Music has signed songwriter and producer Brandon Day to an exclusive publishing deal.

After playing in rock bands, the North Carolina native decided to move to Nashville to pursue a career in songwriting, and has since penned tunes recorded by Brantley Gilbert, Randall King, Granger Smith and Eli Young Band. Day has also worked with Gilbert on the production side as well as the Plain White T’s, Austin Burke and Steven Lee Olsen.

“I’ve been a fan of Brandon for years and am so excited that we get to work together in his new chapter at RHM,” says Round Hill Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will. “He’s the full package as a songwriter; he can write, sing and fully-produce an unbelievable track. Not to mention, he has the most incredible work ethic and is a joy to be around.”

“I’m so proud to be a new addition to Round Hill’s growing roster,” shares Day. “It is truly such a blessing finding people who believe in what I can do in the writing room. I couldn’t be more excited to have such a stellar team working my songs, and to see what we can accomplish in the coming future.”