Morgan Wallen Launches Wilder Music; Signs Flagship Songwriter Jared Mullins
Pictured (L-R): Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (WCM), Jared Mullins, Morgan Wallen and Phil May (WCM). Photo: David Lehr
Morgan Wallen has established his own publishing company, Wilder Music. The first songwriter on the company’s roster is hitmaker Jared Mullins, in partnership with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
“I’ve been lucky enough to know Morgan for over a decade,” shares Mullins. “As an artist, he’s obviously one of the greatest of all time, but he’s also one of the best writers in the world. I’m extremely grateful and incredibly humbled that he believes in me enough to make me the first signing of Wilder Music.
“Warner Chappell is known for championing great songs and for signing and re-signing some of the best writers ever to put words and melodies together,” he continues. “Working with Jessi [Vaughn Stevenson] and getting to know the rest of the WCM crew has been amazing. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for us.”
Splitting his childhood between Maryland and West Virginia, Mullins moved to Nashville in 2013 to write country music. By forging connections and honing his craft, Mullins has established himself as a hitmaker on Music Row, penning multiple No. 1 hits including Kane and Katelyn Brown’s “Thank God,” Jake Owen’s “Homemade” and more. He has also had cuts by Wallen, Little Big Town, Mitchell Tenpenny, Cole Swindell, Justin Moore, Granger Smith, Runaway June, Parmalee and Locash, among others.
“I’ve seen first hand the amount of talent Jared has as a writer. He brings passion, authenticity and fresh ideas in every write he’s in. It’s undeniable,” says Wallen. “I’m humbled to be launching this new venture with Warner Chappell, and even more excited that Jared is the first signing at Wilder Music.”
Ethan Escue Signs Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music & Ignition Nashville
Pictured (L-R): BJ Hill (WCM), Chase Matthew, Ethan Escue, Lloyd Potts (Ignition) and Christie Walls (Ignition). Photo: Courtesy of Ignition Nashville
Singer-songwriter Ethan Escue has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville and Ignition Nashville.
A native of White House, Tennessee, Escue’s musical talent first caught the attention of artists like Hayden Coffman and Austin Williams while he was working at a car dealership. His songwriting quickly gained recognition, and he landed cuts including Williams’ latest single, “Between Us” and Coffman’s “Better Off.” Escue recently made the leap to pursue songwriting full time, and with over 100 million streams as a songwriter, has been steadily building his name on Music Row, collaborating with Chase Matthew and Brandt Carmichael, among others. He penned five tracks on Coffman’s Love And A Heartbreak album, including “Only Smoke When I Drink,” “Another Girl, Another Bar” and “Woke Up Drunk (Again).”
“Ethan paints stories in a way that’s both familiar and memorable,” says BJ Hill, SVP, A&R, WCM Nashville. “He’s an incredible songwriter—and even more so, an excellent human being. We’re excited to support his growth alongside our amazing partners at Ignition Nashville.”
UMPG Nashville Signs Mitch Crego
Mitch Crego and TC Courtney (UMPG Nashville). Photo: Trey Bonner
Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed songwriter and producer Mitch Crego to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.
Originally from Rome, Georgia, Crego moved to Nashville in 2018 to attend Belmont University. While still a student, he began forging connections with a rising class of songwriters, artists and music professionals.
Since graduating, he’s continued to collaborate with Nashville’s next generation of hitmakers, writing with the likes of Vincent Mason, LECADE, Colton Venner, Chase McDaniel, Trent Wayne, Matt Mulhare, Mia Mantia and more. Known on Music Row for his fast, polished production style, Crego has quickly become a go-to creative partner in both writing and studio sessions.
“As both a songwriter and producer, Mitch has built himself a brand of relentless work ethic, consistent quality, and lightning-fast efficiency. Our team is excited to partner with a songwriter whose standard of excellence is as high as ours,” says TC Courtney, Manager, A&R, UMPG Nashville.
Crego shares, “I’m so excited to work with TC and the UMPG team. Being at Universal truly feels like home, and I couldn’t be happier here. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and am eager to see where this journey takes me!”
Milk & Honey Launches Publishing Arm, Signs Gabriella Scotto [Exclusive]
Gabriella Scotto. Photo: Lily Nelson
Milk & Honey Music + Sports has officially launched a new Nashville-based publishing division, with rising songwriter Gabriella Scotto as its first signing. The publishing venture, administered by Kobalt, marks the company’s first standalone entry into the publishing space after years of partnerships tied to its clients.
The new venture has been in the works for over a year, with the team taking time to find the right songwriter who could move seamlessly between Nashville and Los Angeles and understand the creative culture of both markets. Milk & Honey’s Nashville head Jeff Skaggs met Scotto years ago while she interned for him at Creative Nation, and brought her into the fold when the search began.
“When we set out down the publishing road it was important to find a writer who was someone we believed in from a creative perspective but also someone who could forge real relationships in the industry,” shares Milk & Honey’s GM & Partner Nic Warner. “Gabriella filled those roles perfectly and we’re all excited to continue to build upon what she started on her own!”
“We’ve been patiently waiting to find the right songwriter to get Milk & Honey Publishing off the ground with, and Gabriella is without a doubt that writer,” adds Skaggs. “Her talent is matched only by her drive, and we’re excited to work with her and watch her have hits across multiple genres.”