Music News (12/11/24)

Lainey Wilson Renews With Sony Music Publishing Nashville

Lainey Wilson

Grammy-winning and multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson has renewed with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, extending their partnership that first began in 2017.

Wilson has notched seven No. 1 hits, including “Watermelon Moonshine” and the double-Platinum “Heart Like A Truck,” as well as award-winning collaborations with Cole Swindell, Jelly Roll and Hardy. The CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year winner won her first-ever Best Country Album Grammy Award in 2024 for Bell Bottom Country. With her latest album, Whirlwind, released earlier this year, she clenched her second consecutive Best Country Album nomination at the upcoming 2025 Grammy Awards.

“I couldn’t be happier to continue my partnership with Sony Music Publishing. I’ll always be a songwriter first and I appreciate having such a supportive team that agrees it all starts with the songs,” shares Wilson.

Wilson has earned nine ACM awards, nine CMA awards, and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry this year. She was also named Female Country Artist of The Year at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards and took home Country Song of the Year with “Heart Like A Truck” at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

“Lainey Wilson is one of the most inspiring songwriters the world has ever known,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville Vice President, Creative Anna Weisband. “She is continuing to redefine the country music genre with every song she writes. I am so proud to be on her team and to continue this journey with her—I can’t wait to see what she does next!”

River House Promotes Kayla Adkins, Hires Lauren Lieu

Kayla Adkins, Lauren Lieu

River House Artists has promoted Kayla Adkins to Senior Director, Creative/A&R, and hired Lauren Lieu as Director, Creative.

Rising to her new position from Creative Director, Adkins joined River House in 2018 and has played a pivotal role in the career development of the River House publishing roster and artists like Pillbox Patti, Austin Snell, Hudson Westbrook, Zach Seabaugh, Knox and more.

Lieu joins the publishing team alongside Adkins and Creative Coordinator Hailey Rama to help support the roster. Originally from Athens, Georgia, Lieu graduated from MTSU in 2016 and joined Ole Music as Creative Coordinator in 2018. In 2021, she joined Play It Again, where she oversaw the publishing department. She has worked with writers and artists including Dallas Davidson, Dylan Marlowe, John Morgan, Kyle Fishman, Lee Brice, Tyler Farr, Justin Wilson and John Edwards.

“We are so excited to announce Kayla’s new position and the addition of Lauren to the team,” says Lynn Oliver-Cline, River House Artists President and Founder. “Kayla’s relationships with our writers and her peers are more than impressive. She has an innate sense for music publishing and has been an essential part of the growth of our roster. Lauren’s experience and passion for songs and writers perfectly complement the reputation RHA has built in our ever-expanding industry. I appreciate them trusting Zebb and me in the process of achieving more than we could have imagined!”

“Zebb and Lynn were two of the first people I connected with when I started my career in publishing, and I have always admired their vision for songwriters and creatives,” says Lieu. “I’m excited to join RHA and can’t wait to be a part of their incredible growth!”

Wide Open Music & Open Door Apostolic Publishing Sign Matt Gorman

Pictured (L–R): Jaron Boyer, Paul Compton, Haley Vassar, Matt Gorman and Ash Bowers

Wide Open Music and Jaron Boyer’s Open Door Apostolic Publishing have teamed up to sign singer-songwriter Matt Gorman.

The Philadelphia native moved to Nashville in 2019 to attend and play baseball at Lipscomb University. His days were spent in class and on the field, while his nights consisted of writing, playing rounds and hitting lower Broadway.

Now solely focused on music, Gorman aims to pour his life experiences and observations into his work. He has currently amassed millions of streams with songs like “Little Things,” “I Pray” and “Lakehouse,” among others.

“It has been such a gift to watch Matt grow as a songwriter and artist,” says Boyer. “I know God has big plans for him, and I’m so excited to see it all come to fruition. I’m so lucky to be a part of this venture with Matt Gorman and Wide Open.”

“I’m thankful to be in a place with some of the best people I know,” shares Gorman. “From Jaron Boyer, Ash Bowers, Paul Compton and every writer on this roster, I’m so proud to call this place home. Being surrounded by people that are so talented is extremely inspiring, but also being surrounded by people that put God first makes this place what it is. I’m excited for what’s to come for this company, and there is absolutely no other place I’d want to be.”