Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal With BigXthaPlug
Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing, Ari Gelaw, VP, Creative, Sony Music Publishing and BigXthaPlug. Photo: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI
Award-winning, multi-Platinum breakout star BigXthaPlug has signed a global publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing.
BigXthaPlug has broken ground with his sound that delves into his Texas roots, earning him widespread acclaim across rap, hip-hop and country. With a catalog that includes celebrated albums like Amar (2023) and Take Care (2024), his hits include “Texas” (double-Platinum), “Mmhmm” (triple-Platinum), “Levels” (double-Platinum) and “The Largest” (Platinum).
His latest album, I Hope You’re Happy, reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country and Top Rap Album charts and landed at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. It features collaborations with country powerhouses like Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey. BigXthaPlug’s single “All The Way” with Bailey Zimmerman hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first track to claim No. 1 spots on both Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs and Country Songs charts simultaneously.
BigXthaPlug recently surprised fans with his brand-new single “Cold” featuring Post Malone, released in tandem with the deluxe version of I Hope You’re Happy.
Of the publishing news, BigXthaPlug shares, “Sony Music Publishing gets my vision and believes in my music, and I’m excited to be working with them. I look forward to all the great music that’s ahead.”
Ari Gelaw, Vice President, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing, says, “BigXthaPlug is a generational talent whose voice resonates on such a deep level. His ability to speak truth through his music is inspiring. It’s an honor to be partnering with him and his team and we look forward to championing his success into the future.”
Back Blocks Music Elevates One, Adds Two
Elizabeth Cook, Megan Clemens & Laine Lonero
Back Blocks Music has promoted Elizabeth Cook to Creative Director, and has added Megan Clemens as Director of Digital Marketing and Laine Lonero as Marketing Coordinator.
Cook joined Back Blocks in 2023 as Creative Coordinator while attending Belmont University. As Creative Coordinator, she worked on A&R admin, pitching songs, managing interns, coordinating writers’ calendars and retreats and more. She played a key role in the writing process for Tucker Wetmore’s What Not To, and was recently named to MusicRow’s Next Big Thing Industry Directory. In her new role, she will lead creative development, calendars and catalog management, supporting artists like Ashley Cooke, Tucker Wetmore and Ethan Burdick.
Clemens joins Back Blocks from previously serving as Head of Digital at CSM Management, where she worked with Chris Isaak, Def Leppard, Fleetwood Mac, Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Nicks and more. In her new role, she will lead Back Blocks’ digital strategy for the company’s roster of artists and will focus on creating genuine fan relationships, through content.
In her new role, Lonero will oversee a wide range of marketing and digital initiatives, including content creation, website management, scheduling, data analysis and social media management. Lonero was previously an intern for the company in 2024, and recently graduated from Belmont University, where she studied media and entertainment industries and music. She has also held internships at Fort Nash and PEG Music.
“I am thrilled to welcome Megan and Laine to the Back Blocks team, while also celebrating the well-deserved promotion of Elizabeth, whose leadership has been instrumental in the growth for our writers over the past year,” says Founder/CEO Rakiyah Marshall. “Our team is entering a new season of growth and we’re sharpening our focus on long-term artist and songwriter development. Each of these women represent the caliber of leadership, passion and expertise that aligns with Back Blocks’ vision as we look ahead to 2026.”
Nashville In Sync Unveils 2026 Board Of Directors
Nashville In Sync has revealed its 2026 Board of Directors.
Big Yellow Dog Music’s Alex Stefano will lead as President. Honestly Good Music’s Katie Jelen will serve as Vice President. Additionally, Heather Cook, Paige Reese, Amanda Kelso, Sarah Flick, ET Brown, Amber Stoneman, Liz Rogers Langham, John Moses, Kourtney Kirkpatrick, Brandon Schott, Ben Short, Emma Smith, Daniel Higbee, Emily Belue, Zach Green and Jamie Baranski will take on various roles within the Board.
Nashville In Sync is a coalition of music licensing professionals dedicated to elevating the sync community, focusing on the core pillars of opportunity, connection, education, diversity, celebration and event excellence.
Click here to see the full Board of Directors.
ASCAP Foundation Appoints Patricia Leonard As Executive Director
Patricia Leonard
The ASCAP Foundation has appointed Patricia Leonard as Executive Director. She follows Nicole George-Middleton, who was recently promoted to Executive Vice President, Head of Creative Membership at ASCAP.
“For 50 years, The ASCAP Foundation has succeeded by providing recognition and support so that developing music creators of all kinds can flourish,” says Paul Williams, ASCAP Foundation President. “We are elated to have Patricia Leonard take over the Executive Director role and confident that her love of music and her deep background in the arts and philanthropy will enable the Foundation to continue to thrive for years to come.”
“I couldn’t be happier to join an organization with such noteworthy roots in the music community,” adds Leonard. “The Foundation’s history of providing music education and nurturing aspiring songwriters and composers while extending the legacies of some of its most accomplished members is truly special and I look forward to sustaining that mission.”
She was formerly Chief Philanthropy Officer with the Princess Grace Foundation, where she led the planning and execution of charitable events and sponsorship opportunities and created new programs such as the Crown Patrons Society for high-value donors. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Institutional Giving for the Manhattan Theatre Club and as Director of Institutional Relations for the Metropolitan Opera. Leonard serves on the boards of the New York New Music Ensemble and New York Women Composers, and is a founding member of the New York Composers Circle.
Matt McKinney Signs With Position Music
Pictured (L-R): Mark Chipello (President, Position Music), Chandler Thurston (Position Music, A&R), Matt McKinney and Tyler Bacon (Founder & CEO, Position Music)
Matt McKinney has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Position Music, joining the Nashville based roster of Dave Cohen, Matt Geroux, Khal Yassein, Steve Solomon and Zach Skelton.
“I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this roster and team at Position moving forward in my career, and thankful to have a champion like Chandler [Thurston] in my corner as we turn a page to this exciting chapter,” shares McKinney.
Hailing from Augusta, Georgia, McKinney moved to Nashville after graduating from the University of Georgia and signed his first publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing. He has earned cuts with Jordan Davis, Elle King, Jon Pardi, Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Ernest and more.
“I’m very excited to welcome Matt to the Position roster,” adds Thurston, A&R at Position Music. “His songwriting is honest, authentic, and genuine. He has all the qualities of a great storyteller. Can’t wait to help shape this next chapter of his career.”
“We are proud to welcome Matt McKinney to Position Music and our team is excited and ready to lean in to help unlock new opportunities for him,” says Mark Chipello, President of Position Music.
Ricky Manning Inks With Electric Feel Publishing & Plush/Push Play Publishing
Ricky Manning. Photo: Jessica Amerson
Singer-songwriter Ricky Manning has inked a publishing deal with Electric Feel Publishing and Plush/Push Play Publishing.
“Signing with Electric Feel/Push Play Publishing feels like coming home” shares Manning. “I truly believe I have finally found a group of people that I believe in just as much as they believe in me. It is invaluable to have a team that champions you in every room, and I am so lucky to have more than one with EF/Push Play.”
Nashville-based Manning has had cuts with Wyatt Flores, Boy In Space, LEW, Jamie Miller, Willow Avalon, Matt Schuster, Knox, Thomas Day, Maddie Zahm, and Johnny Orlando. He also co-penned Alexander Stewart’s breakout hit “blame’s on me,” which charted on Spotify’s Viral 50, featured on Pop Rising, and has garnered 135 million streams.
Manning co-writes with a variety of hit songwriters and artists, including Steph Jones, Sasha Sloan, Mike Robinson, Ross Copperman, Laura Veltz, Blake Pendergrass, Whakaio Taahi, King Henry, PJ Harding, Daniel Ross, Riley Biederer, Jordan Minton, Johnny Simpson, Sam Fischer, Dasha, Ashley Cooke, Ne-Yo, James Bay, Ben Kessler, Very Gently, MNEK, Jason Mraz, NEIKED, Loud Luxury and Sadie Jean, among others.
As an artist, Manning is currently working on his debut project. His solo-penned “Someone Else & Jesus” has garnered over 5 million views across platforms and more than 4 million streams. He released a new version of the tune with Dasha last Friday (Dec. 5).
“The first time I met Ricky, I knew he was special,” says Chandler Nicole Sherrill, Senior Director Creative, Electric Feel. “Ricky Manning is a truly exceptional talent, and we couldn’t be more excited to officially welcome him to the Electric Feel Publishing family alongside Push Play Publishing. His songwriting, artistry, and work ethic are rare, and with one of the most exciting voices in music today, we’re thrilled to support him as he continues to grow and create meaningful, impactful music.”
“PushPlay Publishing is thrilled to welcome Ricky Manning, one of the most exceptional singer-songwriters of his generation—exceptional because he is so deeply in touch with his own humanity and unafraid to pour it into his music,” shares Ethan Curtis, Founder, PushPlay. “A true puppeteer of emotion, Ricky pulls on the heartstrings of every listener with lyrics that feel lifted straight from their own minds and melodies that are nothing short of hypnotizing.”
“Ricky is an incredible and rare talent, both as a songwriter and artist,” adds Aton Ben-Horin, CEO, Plush Management. “The combination of his special vocal tone and compelling storytelling is infectious, and the authenticity shines through his music. We could not be more excited to join him on this next chapter of his journey!”
Jake Puliti Signs With Young Guns Publishing
Pictured (L-R): Matthew Jafari (Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem PLLC), Laura Alexander (SVP Creative, Young Guns Publishing), Jake Puliti, Will Hamrick (CEO, Young Guns Publishing), Laurie Gore (Creative/Admin Assistant) and Jason Turner (Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem PLLC. Photo: Mary Craven
Singer-songwriter and producer Jake Puliti has inked a global exclusive publishing deal with Young Guns Publishing.
Puliti co-penned Bailey Zimmerman’s “Comin’ In Cold” from his multi-Platinum project Different Night Same Rodeo. He has worked with artists across country and pop as a producer and songwriter. Across his credits, Puliti’s work has amassed millions of views across TikTok and other social platforms.
Puliti was a contestant on American Idol in 2019, and plays bass in Graham Barham’s band.
“I’m so amped to be a part of Young Guns Publishing. This partnership represents years of dedication, growth, faith, and a true belief in the power of songwriting,” shares Puliti. “I’m so blessed for the opportunity to evolve alongside such an incredible team.”
“Jake has a sense of musicianship that stuns me, and I just know his faith is driving him to really want to grow as a human and songwriter,” adds Young Guns Publishing’s Head of Creative, Laura Alexander. “After a two hour initial meeting with him, I immediately knew his personality and work ethic were going to fit in with our family at Young Guns. We are so excited to have Jake join Young Guns Publishing!”