Music News (4/1/26)

Songwriters Hall Of Fame Member Chip Taylor Passes

Singer-songwriter Chip Taylor, a 2016 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, died in hospice care on March 23. He was 86.

Taylor was best known for writing the classic rock hit “Wild Thing,” a chart-topper for the Troggs, and “Angel of the Morning” for Juice Newton. Born James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, New York, Taylor was the younger brother of actor Jon Voight. He got his start in the music world as a singer under the name Wes Voight and made several recordings in the late ’50s and early ’60s, but later realized his true strength might be in writing songs for others. His first big success came when the Troggs recorded “Wild Thing” in 1966, which went to No. 1.

He later penned “Angel of the Morning” which first found success with the 1968 version by Merrilee Rush before Juice Newton covered it in 1981, selling more than a million copies and nearing the top of the charts. Other songs written or co-written by Taylor include Janis Joplin’s “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder),” Cliff Richard’s “On My Word,” “Billy Vera’s “Country Girl City Man” and Johnny Tillotson’s “Worry,” as well as songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, Emmylou Harris and Anne Murray.

Along with songwriting Taylor also maintained a recording career for decades, releasing about two dozen solo projects, including his most recent release, 2025’s The Truth and Other Things. He founded his own label, Train Wreck Records, in 1997.

He is survived by his daughters, Kelly and Kristian; his brothers, Jon and Barry; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan.

 

Sony Music Publishing Elevates Shane Knotts

Sony Music Publishing has promoted Shane Knotts to Senior Vice President, Global Royalties, effective immediately. Knotts is based out of the company’s Nashville office and reports to EVP, Worldwide Administration, Dale Esworthy.

In his new role, Knotts will continue to spearhead the company’s Global Royalty Center while also working on developing data accuracy, advancing royalty matching through AI and machine learning, and strengthening systems to support the long-term growth of the company and its songwriters.

Knotts first joined Sony Music Publishing in 1994 as Royalty Manager. Coming off his most recent role as Vice President, Global Royalties, he has played a key role in strengthening the organization’s operational efficiency, improving data management, as well as royalty matching capabilities globally.

“31 years later, I am still working for such a great company, doing something that I truly love,” says Knotts. “The growth that SMP has experienced over those years has been truly remarkable, and I am so very happy to be part of such a great team that continues to go above and beyond for songwriters.”

“Shane’s application of lean principles and love of making everything more efficient has allowed SMP to continually handle increasing volumes of data smoothly and proficiently for our songwriters and clients.” adds Esworthy. “We couldn’t be happier to recognize Shane’s ongoing contributions with this promotion.”

 

Singer-Songwriter David Ryan Harris Joins Spirit Music As VP, A&R

Singer-songwriter and musician David Ryan Harris has joined Spirit Music as VP, A&R and as a songwriter and JV partner with his company Peace Pourage, Inc.

In aligning with Spirit Music in his new position and creative collaboration, Harris brings nearly four decades of experience to mentor and nurture future generations of fellow creatives. Harris first rose to fame as frontman for the seminal Atlanta rock band, Follow For Now in the late 1980s, and later struck out on his own as a solo act while working with artists across genres. He’s written and produced for Hootie & The Blowfish, Christina Perri, Zayn from One Direction, Natasha Bedingfield, and others.

Harris recently won an APRA Billions Milestone for his work on Nelly’s 2010 single “Just a Dream,” which recently surpassed one billion streams. He was also a co-writer on the Guy Sebastian and Lupe Fiasco collaboration “Battle Scars” in 2012, which is certified Platinum, and nine-times Platinum in Australia. Other in studio and onstage collaborations include Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews and Santana. In addition to releasing his own music, Harris has been singing and playing guitar in John Mayer’s band since 2004.

“I am thrilled to welcome David Ryan Harris to the Spirit Music team,” declares Spirit Music CEO Frank Rogers. “Beyond being a fan and friend of David’s, I am excited at the wealth of knowledge and passion for music that he is bringing to Spirit. He will be a great asset and champion for our writers, artists and staff.”

“I look forward to using my years of experience writing, touring, playing, and making authentic connections in the business and the world at large to bring value and new perspectives to the amazing team at Spirit,” shares Harris.

Harris will amplify his work at Spirit in the coming years with a focus on mentoring other artists to further the mission of the boutique music publisher, whose global reach and extensive repertoire includes more than 100,000 songs spanning nearly a century and encompassing all genres.

 

ERNEST Inks Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music

ERNEST has inked a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

A Grammy, ACM, CMA Award nominee, and two-time Variety Hitmakers honoree, ERNEST has penned 13 No. 1 hits, including his breakout single “Flower Shops” featuring Morgan Wallen and the global hit “I Had Some Help,” cut by Post Malone featuring Wallen. He is set to be honored in April at the CMA Triple Play Awards for the fourth time. ERNEST is the founder of DeVille Records.

“This next chapter with Warner Chappell feels like an extension and expansion of the family,” ERNEST shares. “I always loved working with Austen Adams while he was at Big Loud, and have loved getting to know the team here. Looking forward to everything that’s ahead.”

“Ern is an innovative songwriter and artist who consistently defies genre boundaries to find the heart of a great song,” says Austen Adams, President, WCM Nashville. “Having worked with him for some time, I can truly say he is a generational talent with an undeniable work ethic. Our entire Warner Chappell team is honored to be his long-term partner in this next chapter of his career.”

ERNEST is currently on his Live From The South Tour, which will have stops in Boston, New York, and Houston, among many others. His third full-length album, DEEP BLUE, is set for release this summer.

Austin Bianco Inks With Concord Music Publishing

Songwriter and producer Austin Bianco has signed a co-publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing.

A Cleveland native, Bianco discovered his musical talent early. After first learning piano through the Suzuki method, he picked up other instruments including guitar, which he played in both punk bands and a jazz trio in high school. After attending Belmont University where he majored in songwriting and studied music production, Bianco signed his first publishing deal. He quickly started writing songs and producing in various genres including pop, hip-hop, country, and EDM, as well as writing music for film and TV.

Bianco has secured synch placement with credits including Grey’s Anatomy, American Horror Stories, All American, The Bold Type, Netflix’s Elite, HBO’s The New Pope, and more as well as placements in ads for L’Oréal, Ray-Ban, Xbox, and Google. He’s collaborated with Hayley Warner, Sierra Ferrell, Grey Zeigler, Sam Tinnesz, Breland, Fraser Churchill, Jeff Garrison, and many more, and has also had cuts by Madison Mars, Carda, Alexa Cappelli, Hannah Trager, and more.

“Austin fills a variety of roles in the writer room with such excellence and creativity,” says Melissa Spillman, VP A&R at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “He’s quickly becoming a favorite among our roster and in Nashville writing circles. We’re excited to add him to the Concord family!”

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the team at Concord,” says Bianco. “It felt like the right creative home from the start. There’s such strong vision and support here and being surrounded by those who truly believe in what I do means everything. I’m looking forward to building something special together.”