Will Linley Inks With Big Machine Music
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Music President Mike Molinar, Will Linley and Big Machine Music Sr. Director Timmy Haehl. Photo: Sophie Gurwitz
Island Records singer-songwriter Will Linley has signed a publishing deal with Big Machine Music.
“Will’s music is so joyful and addictive. Only one song into the first time I saw his live show, it was easy to understand why legions of fans from Cape Town to Los Angeles adore him.” says Mike Molinar, President of Big Machine Music. “On behalf of the entire team, we are so excited to officially welcome Will to the BMM family!”
The Cape Town, South Africa native had his breakout moment with “Last Call” going viral in 2022. Since then, he has performed at Calabash Festival, Lollapalooza and headline shows in the U.S. and Europe. Linley will embark on a new European tour on May 26. He also released his new single “Cinematic” last Friday (May 16). Linley’s catalog also includes his South African radio chart-topper “Miss Me (When You’re Gone),” as well as his EPs Kill All My Feelings and Magic.
“It’s been such a dream getting to know Timmy [Haehl] and Mike, as well as the rest of the team at Big Machine Music,” adds Linley. “I feel like it couldn’t be a better fit, and I’m so excited for what’s to come. I feel unbelievably supported and confident in my creative ability because they allow me to take the reins of my own career. They are ‘writer/artist first’ people which I really respect about them. I am so pumped to join the Big Machine family and continue to grow my career with them by my side.”
Sheltered Music Publishing Partners With Crystal Pony Publishing; Signs Will Banister
Pictured (L-R): Roger Springer, Dena Weaver (Crystal Pony Publishing), Will Banister & Darrell Franklin (Sr VP Sheltered Music).
Sheltered Music Publishing has began a new creative partnership with Roger Springer, Dena Weaver and Crystal Pony Publishing. The first signing for the joint venture is country singer-songwriter Will Banister.
“This partnership with Roger and Crystal Pony felt like a perfect fit from the first conversation,” says Darrell Franklin, Senior Vice President of Sheltered Music Publishing. “Roger’s passion for country music and his track record of nurturing talent is unmatched. We’re excited to work together to find and elevate artists who are carrying the torch for authentic country music.”
“Thank you Lance [Freed], Darrell, and Freeman [Wizer] for your passion and belief in what we’re building together,” adds Springer. “We’re honored to have your guidance and love for country music alongside us.”
New Mexico native Banister grew up on traditional country, and has curated a dedicated fanbase with his classic sound. Co-produced with Chuck Ainlay, his new EP will drop this spring with the first single “Forever” released last Friday (May 16). He also co-wrote Jake Worthington’s “It Ain’t The Whiskey” alongside Worthington, Jeff Hyde and Springer.
“When I first heard Will I was immediately struck by the tone and texture of his voice—it reminded me of Merle Haggard and Keith Whitley,” continues Franklin.
“It is such an honor to sign with Crystal Pony and Sheltered,” shares Banister. “I’m excited to be part of a team that truly believes in me and in the kind of country music I grew up loving.”
“Will Banister is one of the best artist-writers I’ve seen in a long time,” adds Springer. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to Crystal Pony and can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on.”
Katie Cecil Signs With Electric Feel
Pictured (L-R, top row): John Bradley (Country A&R – Electric Feel) and Austin Rosen (CEO & Founder – Electric Feel). (L-R, bottom row): Chandler Nicole Sherrill (Senior Director, Creative- Electric Feel), Katie Cecil and Joel Timen (Perspective Music Group). Photo: Courtesy of Electric Feel
Songwriter, vocalist and vocal producer Katie Cecil has inked with Electric Feel Entertainment on their Nashville roster.
Cecil has written across genres, with cuts including Lanie Gardner’s “Buzzkill,” Chandler Leighton’s “Monster,” Mod Sun’s “Battle Scars,” Shaylen’s “Do It Right The First Time,” Gareth’s “What You Don’t Know” and 408’s “We Don’t Get High Like We Used To.” Her additional collaborations include tracks from Caleb Hearn, Austin Mahone, Dalton Dover, Knox, Lakeview, Big Time Rush, Michael Clifford (5 Seconds of Summer) and more.
“I’m so excited to be working with Electric Feel!” says Cecil. “As a multi-genre writer, I’m thrilled to have found a team who supports a diverse approach to music and has built such an incredible creative community. I was first drawn to EF through collaborating with their talented roster and can’t believe I get to be a part of this family. A huge thank you to my manager, Joel Timen, for facilitating this partnership; my attorney, Matt Cottingham, for making the deal happen; and to John [Bradley], Chandler [Nicole Sherril], Austin [Rosen] and the entire Electric Feel team for welcoming me with open arms. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to grow as a songwriter alongside some of my favorite people!”
Through her production work, Cecil has also worked with Zach Crowell, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins, Nick Bailey and Chris Ganoudis, among others.
“Katie’s a total rockstar,” shares Bradley, Country A&R, Electric Feel Entertainment. “From discovering talent early on to writing with the best in the game, she brings unmatched energy and a fresh, genre-spanning perspective. I couldn’t be more proud to have her as the first female writer to join the EF Nashville roster.”
Cecil was also a part of the band KSM, before releasing a solo project, Wayfarers. The solo album earned TV, film and ad sync placements.
Jordyn Shellhart Inks With Kobalt
Pictured (L-R): Stephanie Cos (Kobalt), Jordyn Shellhart and Kevin Lane (Kobalt).
Singer-songwriter Jordyn Shellhart has signed a global publishing deal with Kobalt.
With over a decade in Music City, Shellhart has had her tunes cuts by Little Big Town, Cody Johnson, Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and more. Her own debut album Primrose has amassed widespread acclaim. She also recently released her new song “Strange Thought,” which serves as a look into her new project coming soon.
“Jordyn is the type of artist you hope you have the chance to work with when you think about a career in music,” says Kobalt’s Kevin Lane. “She is a lyricist of the highest order and an artist in the truest sense. She creates a world that engulfs the listener, and it is an honor to work with her.”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville & Verse 2 Music Extend Partnership
Pictured (L-R): Kent Earls, Kane Brown & Rusty Gaston. Photo: Amy Allmand
Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Verse 2 Music, led by Kane Brown and Kent Earls, have renewed their partnership.
“I’m so excited to continue our company Verse 2 with Sony Music Publishing,” shares Brown. “I’m proud of the writers that Kent and I have signed and grateful for the hits that they’ve written.”
Established in 2021 as a joint venture with Sony Music Publishing, Verse 2 Music represents Josh Hoge, Rivers Rutherford, Dylan Schneider, Joybeth Taylor, Gabe Foust, Alex Maxwell and more.
Since its inception, Verse 2 has cut over 200 major label releases, released 11 country airplay singles and have notched four No. 1 hits including Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown’s “Thank God,” which was also named the 2023 SESAC Country Song of the Year.
“We’re thrilled to renew our deal with Sony Music Publishing and Rusty Gaston,” says Earls. “We’ve had a great start so far building something special alongside Sony’s amazing team. They have delivered in every way from consistently pitching to landing cuts for our incredible writers. We look forward to building on our mantra of signing exceptional artists & writers while aspiring to make musical history.”
“Kent and Kane are a creative and business dynamic duo,” adds Gaston, CEO, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “Just within a few years, they’ve gone from zero songs to celebrating four No. 1 singles, with multiple singles on the chart currently. Their success is just getting started, and we are so excited to continue this journey with them.”