Music News (1/29/25)

River House Artists & Sony Music Publishing Nashville Sign Hudson Westbrook

Hudson Westbrook. Photo: Peyton Dollar

River House Artists, in partnership with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, has signed rising country singer-songwriter Hudson Westbrook to a global publishing agreement.

Westbrook, a Texas native, has made a name for himself in just eight months of releasing original music, earning over 140 million global streams and averaging over 10 million streams a week. He has impressed fans and industry members alike with his viral debut “Take It Slow” and Texas radio No. 1 “Two Way Drive.”

In November, Westbook released his acclaimed self-titled EP featuring standouts “5 to 9,” “House Again” and “Take Your Time.”

“This team’s continued support has allowed me to produce great songs with great people really early in my career. I am excited to work with a team that feels like family,” he shares of the deal.

UMPG Nashville Signs Dalton Davis

Pictured (L-R): Roxy King (UMPG Nashville), Troy Tomlinson (UMPG Nashville), Dalton Davis and Alex Lunt (Type A Management). Photo: Alex Green

Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed Dalton Davis to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.

A native of Gastonia, North Carolina, Davis’ music reflects his personal growth and struggles from a life marked with adversity and perseverance. He has turned heads with “Made For Tennessee” and “Sit Crooked,” which is approaching half a million streams in just over a month since its release.

“Dalton’s authenticity, life experience, and charisma come together and create an undeniable star presence that is felt from the moment he steps into a room. He is a rare artist that knows exactly who he is and what he wants to say, and he has the talent to bring that to life through his songwriting,” says Roxy King, Senior Director, A&R, UMPG Nashville.

Troy Tomlinson, Chairman & CEO, UMPG Nashville, adds, “Every now and then, a singer-songwriter walks into my office and within five minutes it is so objectively clear that they have the ‘it factor;’ with Dalton, it took all of three minutes to know that we had to work with him.”

Ed Williams Inks With Jody Williams Songs & Warner Chappell Music

Pictured (L-R): Tenasie Courtright (JWS Creative Manager), Jody Williams (JWS Founder), Ed Williams, Spencer Nohe (Warner Chappell Music VP, A&R) and Nina Jenkins Fisher (JWS Senior Director, Creative). Photo: Aubrey Wise

Songwriter, producer and musician Ed Williams has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Jody Williams Songs (JWS) and Warner Chappell Music.

With the signing Williams joins his father Jody Williams, founder of JWS, and his brother Driver Williams, who also writes for the company. He previously worked for Sony/ATV Music Publishing in the creative department developing writers and producing artists, and also spent time in the creative departments at Bug Music and Crossfire 3.

Most recently, Williams collaborated with fellow JWS writer Harper O’Neill to co-produce sides and co-write her next single, “My Love, My Love,” alongside O’Neill and JWS writer Jason Nix. The single is set for release Jan. 31.

“Ed Williams writes timeless country songs. His music is inventive and deeply imaginative—you never really know what kind of story he’s about to tell, but you can always count on it being expertly crafted,” says Nina Fisher, JWS Senior Director, Creative. “Like all the Williams men, Ed has a deep respect for and knowledge of our genre. We’ve been looking forward to him being ready to dive in, and I’m thrilled that the time is finally here!”