Music News (08/21/24)

UMPG Nashville Signs Rob Snyder

Pictured (L–R): UMPG Nashville’s Cyndi Forman, Rob Snyder and UMPG Nashville’s Troy Tomlinson. Photo: Courtesy of UMPG Nashville

UMPG Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Rob Snyder to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.

The West Chester, Pennsylvania native has penned songs recorded by Luke Combs, including four-week Billboard No. 1 “She Got The Best Of Me,” as well as Warren Zeiders, Zac Brown Band and more. In 2013, Snyder founded Revival, a platform spotlighting exceptional songwriters in Nashville.

“I have been a fan of Rob’s songwriting through the years,” says Cyndi Forman, Senior VP, A&R, UMPG Nashville. “I knew he was a great songwriter, but after getting to know him, I’ve come to realize he’s an even better person who is a true student of the craft.”

Snyder shares, “I’m thrilled to have found a home at Universal Music Publishing! They believed in me from the start, and I’m fired up to work with such an awesome group of hardworking, good people!”

Joe Ragosta Signs With Liz Rose Music

Pictured (L-R): Gracie Glass, Kate Shirley, Scott Ponce, Liz Rose, Dave Pacula, Joe Ragosta, Dan Killian (FBMM), Guy Evans (FBMM), Matt Cottingham (Lewis Brisbois) and Evyn Mustoe (ASCAP). Photo: Courtesy of Liz Rose Music

Singer-songwriter Joe Ragosta has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Liz Rose Music.

The genre-bending artist splits his time between Long Island and Nashville and most recently partnered with co-writers Austin Nivarel, Robert Ragosta, and Jelly Roll to pen the multi-genre No. 1  “Need A Favor.” The song is the first in the history of the Billboard Music Charts to go No. 1 at both country and rock radio. “Need A Favor” also charted with both top 40 and Hot AC, achieving No. 1 honors in Australia, Canada and Germany.

Ragosta has accumulated more than half of a billion streams with his cuts. He penned the title track to Jon Pardi’s latest album Mr. Saturday Night, and has had songs recorded by Austin Snell, Waterparks, Renee Blair, Brandon Davis and Kyle Clark. An artist in his own right, Ragosta is also a member of the electric duo Ya’Boyz, and is the singer of Long Island pop-rock group Patent Pending.

“Liz Rose Music is pumped to welcome Joe Ragosta to the family,” says Dave Pacula, VP of Creative at Liz Rose Music. “His fresh hooks, vibrant storytelling and endless supply of positive energy have already earned him tremendous accolades and a glowing reputation in Nashville and beyond. Joe has an incredible next chapter of his bright career ahead and we look forward to working and celebrating with him.”

Matt McVaney Inks With Round Hill Music

Pictured (L-R): Round Hill Music Director of A&R Taylor Antle; Round Hill Music GM/SVP of A&R Mike Whelan; Matt McVaney; Round Hill Music Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will

Songwriter and producer Matt McVaney has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Round Hill Music.

The Ohio native first made waves with writing and producing credits on Kane Brown’s “Used To Love You Sober.” He also is credited on Brown’s “I Love That I Hate You” and his debut single “Thunder In The Rain.” Since then, he has worked with Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Lainey Wilson, Scotty McCreery, Tim McGraw, Gary LeVox and Dalton Dover.

“I’m thrilled to work with a writer and producer of McV’s caliber,” says Round Hill’s Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will. “He has a proven track record of producing and developing some of the best talent in country music and we’re pumped to bring him on board to produce some of our artists at Round Hill. McV is an incredible writer and so much fun to be around; we’re so excited to welcome him to the RHM family!”

“I’m so excited to be signing with Round Hill Music,” adds McVaney. “Lindsay has been such a huge champion of me, and I love the way she thinks outside the box when it comes to the songwriting industry and has a forward-thinking approach to the music industry as a whole. I cannot wait to see what we accomplish together!”

The Young Fables Ink With BMG

Pictured (L-R): Wes Lunsford (The Young Fables), Laurel Wright (The Young Fables), Patryk Larney (Manager, Hope Tree Entertainment) and Chris Oglesby (BMG). Photo: Hope Tree Entertainment

Country/folk duo The Young Fables have signed a publishing deal with BMG.

Members Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford have made a mark in the country/folk scene with their vulnerable take on musical storytelling paired with their whimsical blend of the sounds.

“Authenticity and emotion can be hard to find. Laurel and Wes combine it with grit and determination. Laurel’s vocals pull you into every word, while Wes’s harmony and guitar complete the story. I am so excited to begin this journey and introduce you to The Young Fables,” says Chris Oglesby, VP, Publishing, BMG Nashville.

The Young Fables will release their fourth studio album, Short Stories, in October. They will host a release show at the Basement East in Nashville on Oct. 20. They also recently released their feature documentary The Fable of a Song, which won the Nashville Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award.

“BMG has been an inspiration to us. Chris Oglesby and the team have embraced us wholeheartedly and we’re excited to learn from their experience and their forward-thinking approach to publishing. We truly value their dedication and unwavering focus on supporting artists and are happy to call BMG a new member of our musical family,” share Wright and Lunsford.