Applications Now Open: MusicRow’s 2026 Publisher Company Directory
Applications are now open for the company directory in MusicRow’s upcoming Publisher Issue. Companies can apply for inclusion through Friday, Aug. 21. Previously included companies will be solicited separately.
Along with the directory with contact information for Nashville’s publishing community, the issue also features exclusive editorial content focused on this essential segment of the music business.
Click here to access the application.
For questions, please contact the MusicRow team at directory@musicrow.com.
To reserve ad space in the 2026 Publisher issue, contact srobertson@musicrow.com. Rate card information is available here.
Subscribe to MusicRow here to make sure you don’t miss the annual Publisher Issue.
Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Announces 2026 Inductees
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) revealed its Class of 2026 inductees this morning (Aug. 11) at a press conference on Music Row. It was announced that Taylor Swift, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Channel, Shawn Camp and Lee Thomas Miller will become members of the esteemed Hall.
The five electees will join the 254 previously inducted members of the organization when they are formally inducted during the invitation-only 56th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala later this year.
The news was shared today by Mark Ford, the organization’s executive director at Belmont University’s R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center.
“This is always one of the most anticipated days on our calendar – the annual reveal of our incoming class,” says Ford. “We’re excited to once again add new names to a legendary list that began more than a half century ago.”
Ford introduced each member of the new class during a press conference. Camp and Miller were elected in the contemporary songwriter category; Swift in the contemporary songwriter/artist category; Channel as the veteran songwriter, and Lovett as the veteran songwriter/artist.
Read more about each inductee here.
Dave Turnbull Inks With WinSongs Music
Pictured (L-R): Erin Kidd, Dave Turnbull and Chris DeStefano. Photo: Courtesy of WinSongs Music
Dave Turnbull has inked an exclusive publishing deal with WinSongs Music.
Turnbull has earned chart-toppers including Luke Combs’ “Where The Wild Things Are,” Montgomery Gentry’s “Lucky Man”, Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys Of Fall,” and Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me” and “Old Alabama” which features Alabama. He has additional cuts with Blake Shelton, Jordan Davis, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Sheryl Crow, Mark Chesnutt, Brooks & Dunn, Neil McCoy, Craig Morgan and Craig Campbell, among others.
“I’m beyond excited to be joining the team at WinSongs,” says Turnbull. “I’ve been a huge admirer of Chris DeStefano’s work for years and I can’t wait to see where this new partnership and our future collaborations take us! From the first time I sat down with Erin Kidd I could instantly feel the passion she has for a song and songwriters, and I was hoping we would do a deal! With a roster that already has workhorses like Styles Haury and Jason Duke, it only motivates me more to want to work and build onto the already impressive catalog at WinSongs!”
“We are so excited to welcome Dave Turnbull to our roster,” adds Chris DeStefano. “Dave is a consummate professional—an exceptional talent driven by fresh ideas, an incredible work ethic, and a genuine passion for the craft. He’s already built an impressive body of work, and we believe the best is still ahead of him. We’re excited to partner with Dave and help create new opportunities as he enters this next chapter of his career.”
“It’s such a privilege to work with Dave – he’s a high caliber talent and a genuinely great person,” shares Erin Kidd. “I was moved to tears by his storytelling when I heard him perform at a round; there are very few people in this town with that kind of mastery of the craft. We are thrilled to welcome him to our roster and I look forward to playing a supportive role in the continued impact he will make in this landscape.”
By Design Adds First Five Songwriters To Roster
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Austin Cain and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Jeremy Holley, Josh Thompson and Hayley McGee. Photo: Courtesy of By Design Music
By Design, the Nashville-based modern music company founded by Josh Bailey, Josh Thompson, Rod Riley and Jeremy Holley, has added Austin Cain, Chris August, Jillian Edwards and Jon White in partnership with Sony Music Publishing, and Alison Turner, who signed a co-publishing deal directly to By Design Music Publishing.
“Great songwriting requires exceptional craft and an environment built to sustain it,” says By Design’s Vice President of Publishing and A&R, Josh Pauley. “We signed Alison, Austin, Chris, Jillian and Jon because their talent and creativity is undeniable. Our role isn’t to over-engineer the creative process, but to eliminate friction and give them the strategic partnership to operate at their absolute best.”
Memphis-born songwriter and producer Cain has spent eight years building a reputation in Nashville with writing and production credits with Josiah Queen, Franni Cash, Caleb & John and Thunderstorm Artis. He has toured alongside The Band CAMINO and Stephen Sanchez.
August has spent 25 years in the industry with cuts including Keith Urban’s “God Whispered Your Name” and work for Pentatonix, Ben Rector, Hootie & the Blowfish, Mac Powell and Tenille Arts, plus his own hits like “Starry Night” and “7×70.”
Texas native Edwards writes from the perspective of faith, motherhood and finding beauty in the ordinary. Her catalog spans multiple Billboard-charting releases and placements across Grey’s Anatomy, Nashville, Pretty Little Liars and the Disney+ film Out of My Mind.
White is a songwriter and producer with more than 1 billion career streams, best known as co-founder of the Dove Awards-nominated duo Capital Kings. He has written and produced with Anne-Marie, TobyMac, Noah Cyrus and the late Liam Payne, among others.
Turner is a 23-year-old Nashville-based songwriter by way of California’s Bay Area. Before graduating from Belmont University, Turner co-wrote “Good for Nothing,” later recorded by Cory Asbury.
“By Design exists to give creators the space to unlock their God-given design,” says co-founders Bailey and Thompson. “These five writers shape culture through purpose-driven storytelling, and they are the reason we built this. Sony gives us the global reach to back them at scale, and Josh Pauley gives them the hands-on support and leadership that great songs are built on.”
“Our passion for songwriters and great songs drives everything we do, and By Design shares that same spirit,” adds Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “This group of writers is a statement of intent, and we’re proud to champion them alongside the entire By Design team.”
Shoalsville Music Publishing Co. Signs Robert Venable, Mark D. Conklin & Steven Dale Jones
Photo: Courtesy of Shoalsville Music Publishing Co.
Robert Venable, Mark D. Conklin and Steven Dale Jones have all signed with Shoalsville Music Publishing Co.
“We are extremely excited and thankful to get the opportunity to partner with and represent such an incredibly gifted roster of talent. These guys are the best of the best!” says Chad Green, Owner, Shoalsville Music Publishing Co.
Venable is a five-time Emmy Award-winning mix engineer, four time Grammy Award nominee and Dove Award winner. Over his career, he has worked with Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, Twenty One Pilots, Megadeth, CeCe Winans, Rod Steward and many more. As a songwriter he’s contributed to multiple top 10 singles and landing a Billboard No. 1 single as writer/drummer/producer of the rock band As We Ascend.
Conklin has earned cuts by artists across the Gospel, country, blues and bluegrass genres with songs landing in the top 10 on Billboard‘s Blues and Bluegrass charts and top 40 on the Country Breakout Chart. As an artist, Conklin earned a Grammy nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album for his acclaimed debut, The Gospel According to Mark. He’s worked Gloria Gaynor, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, The Fairfield Four, Mike Farris, Rita Wilson, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Rhonda Vincent, John Berry and more.
Jones is an ASCAP Award-winning, Dove Award-winning, Grammy-nominated songwriter, and has worked with Diamond Rio, John Waite, The Little River Band and the Gaither Vocal Band.
Kinsley Signs With Sony Music Publishing Nashville
Pictured (L-R, top row): Rusty Gaston, Tom Luteran and Aubrey Landon (L-R, bottom row): Kinsley and Synnovea Halsel.
Rising singer-songwriter Kinsley has signed a worldwide exclusive publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
The announcement follows the release of her debut tracks, “Pieces of Me,” which explores heartbreak, identity and the lasting impact of love and loss, and “Whiplash,” a song that taps into her lifelong love of rock.
“From the moment we first met Kinsley, I knew I had to work with her,” shares Synnovea Halsel, Manager, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “It’s impossible not to be moved by the storytelling in her lyrics and the emotion in her voice. Kinsley is such a special talent and we’re so lucky to get to work with her at SMP.”
From growing up in California to learning music on her family’s land in North Carolina and moving to Texas in high school before eventually settling in Tennessee with her family, each chapter has left its mark on Kinsley’s perspective and her sound. Poetry became her creative outlet to process her emotions, laying the foundation for a songwriting style that blends vivid storytelling, poetic lyricism and raw, soulful vocals in a way that resonates deeply with listeners. Kinsley first connected with audiences through her Midnight Sessions on YouTube, with intimate performances that offered an early glimpse into her deeply personal songwriting.
“Finding a home with Sony Music Publishing feels incredibly special,” shares Kinsley. “This team has quickly become like family to me, and I am beyond thankful for their belief in me. Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world and will always be my first love. I’ve always wanted to write songs that make people feel understood. I’m so excited to have a team that is so passionate in helping me grow as a songwriter.”
Lucas Ball Inks With Warner Chappell Music Nashville & Twelve6 Entertainment
Pictured (L-R): Austen Adams (WCM), Willow Belenski (Twelve6), Lucas Ball, Travis Myatt (Twelve6), Brooke Pauley (Twelve6) and Bethany Mako (WCM). Photo: Gina Di Maio
Lucas Ball has signed a global publishing with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Twelve6 Entertainment.
“I’m so happy to be a part of the fantastic Warner Chappell and Twelve6 teams,” says Ball. “I never thought I’d be in this position in life. Everyone has been so welcoming to me, and I’m excited to see where this road leads. God Bless Country Music.”
Ball has been building a digital audience through his performances on TikTok. Twelve6 President and GM Travis Myatt first discovered Ball performing the song on the platform, where he quickly garnered nearly one million views. Rooted in the sounds of ‘80s and ‘90s country, the signing comes on the heels of his recent single, “You Only Call When It’s Raining.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Lucas and the team at Twelve6,” says Bethany Mako, Manager, A&R, WCM Nashville. “His voice stopped me in my tracks the first time Travis sent over the music – it’s the perfect mix of classic and current with such an authentic delivery. Beyond that, he’s an incredible human with a great attitude, and I can’t wait to see where his career takes him. Let’s get the Ball rolling!!”
“When we signed Lucas at Twelve6 earlier this year, we weren’t just betting on a great voice – we were betting on a complete artist,” says Myatt. “His songwriting is honest, timeless, and every bit as captivating as his vocals. I know that Bethany, Austen Adams, and the entire Warner Chappell team share that belief, and I couldn’t be more excited to have them alongside us as we build the next chapter of Lucas’s career.”
Ava Hall Inks With Universal Music Publishing Nashville
Ava Hall and Roxy King. Photo: Courtesy of UMPG Nashville
Ava Hall has signed with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.
Originally from the Detroit area, Hall is a graduate of Belmont University’s Songwriting program and was the first student selected by Ashley Gorley for his inaugural songwriting apprenticeship program. Her self-penned debut single, “Georgia Heat,” was quickly added to Spotify’s Fresh Finds Country and Apple Music’s Country Risers playlists.
“Ava’s sparkle is felt the moment she walks into a room,” says Roxy King, Senior Director, A&R, UMPG Nashville. “That energy, coupled with her natural songwriting ability, powerhouse voice, and unstoppable work ethic, make her a force to be reckoned with. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”
“I’m so excited to sign with Universal Music Publishing. I truly feel a part of their family and culture,” Hall adds. “I am so blessed to work with such amazing people who nurture the craft of songwriting.”
Rich Harris Inks With Prescription Songs In Partnership With Pray For My Haters
Rich Harris
Producer, songwriter and RIAA platinum-certified engineer Rich Harris has signed with Prescription Songs, in partnership with Pray For My Haters.
With roots in the St. Louis hip-hop scene, Harris blends rhythm-driven production with polished, modern vocals. He has worked with artists including SZA, DJ Khaled, Luh Kel, December 10 and Sexyy Red. His music has also been featured in projects for brands including Giorgio Armani, the NFL, Maybelline, VH1, Google and Hulu.
“This is the dream team,” says Harris. “I’m very grateful to be working with a group of people that so personally understands my work and operates with such intention. Everyone on this crew has already been pushing hard for me and I couldn’t be more excited to have made this official.”
“Rich exemplifies everything we look for in a PFMH signing: depth, versatility, creativity, crazy (or complete lack of) hair, technical skill, and the relentless drive to keep leveling up,” shares the Pray For My Haters team. “As quality of a human as he is a producer/songwriter, we’re proud to partner with Rx and help Rich reach what’s next.”
“Rich and I originally connected through an online community during the pandemic via Tony Esterly, and it’s been a really cool full-circle moment to now be partnering with him on this signing,” adds Chris Martingago, Prescription Songs A&R. “We’re excited to be part of the next phase of Rich’s career, and for people to hear his skills in the room and across every release.”
“Rich has a rare versatility that allows him to bring any creative vision to life, paired with an exceptional ear for distinctive production that helps every record stand apart,” shares Sophia Battaglia, Prescription Songs A&R. “I couldn’t be more excited to officially welcome him to the team!”