Music News (10/7/26)
Lee Thomas Miller Inks With Warner Chappell Music Nashville & Perfect Game Creative
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (Perfect Game Creative), Lee Thomas Miller and Austen Adams (WCM). (Back Row, L-R): Scott Safford (Safford Motley, PLC), Bethany Mako (WCM) and Phil May (WCM). Photo: Grace Hartrick
Lee Thomas Miller has inked with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Perfect Game Creative.
Since moving to Nashville in 1991 and signing his first publishing deal in 1996, the Grammy-nominated songwriter has earned seven No. 1 country singles, including Brad Paisley’s “The World,” “I’m Still A Guy,” and “Perfect Storm,” Tim McGraw’s “Southern Girl,” Joe Nichols’ “The Impossible,” and Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This,” which earned Song of the Year honors from NSAI and ASCAP, as well as Single of the Year at the 2009 CMA Awards.
Additionally, he co-wrote “In Color,” written with and recorded by Jamey Johnson, which earned Song of the Year at both the 2009 ACM Awards and CMA Awards, as well as the 2009 MusicRow Awards. Miller has earned additional credits with Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, Parker McCollum, Morgan Wallen and more. He currently serves as President of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and as the 2026 BMI Songwriter Ambassador in Residence.
On Oct. 26, Miller will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
“Lee was one of the first writers I had the privilege of working with when I became an A&R at Warner Chappell nearly 10 years ago, and over the past decade, we’ve become even better friends,” shares Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, Perfect Game Creative. “Before we ever met, his songs had stamped my life; from ‘In Color’ playing over a video at my grandfather’s funeral to ‘Old Boots, New Dirt’ being the soundtrack to my move to Los Angeles. I’m so excited to have him join me at Perfect Game Creative for this next chapter of both of our careers, and to be alongside him as he continues to write the songs that will become the soundtrack to so many people’s lives.”
“Let’s put the band back together. In Nashville, relationships are everything. I watched Jessi Vaughn Stevenson work her way up the ranks at Warner Chappell, and when she became A&R she asked Ben Vaughn if she could be my person,” says Miller. “Was I a guinea pig? Possibly… but my career is better because of her. Years later, she has established herself as one of Nashville’s most successful, respected publishers. I’m excited to be a part of her brand new venture, Perfect Game Creative, and for the opportunity to reunite with my Warner Chappell family. Cheers to our next chapter. “
“Lee first joined the Warner Chappell fold back in 2013, and it’s incredibly exciting to have him back with us as part of Jessi’s new venture with the company,” adds Austen Adams, President of Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “He draws on his extraordinary, expansive creativity to pen a rich diversity of songs that touch the range of human emotions and moods, from deeply moving life stories to outright country-rockers. In the midst of his fourth decade in the business, his talent is burning brighter than ever, and we’re looking forward to more amazing work from one of Music City’s true greats.”
Music Services Reveals Two Key Leadership Appointments
Nick LaPointe and Jay Sudarma. Photo: Courtesy of Music Services
Music Services, a division of SESAC Music Group, has added Nick LaPointe as Senior Director of Business Development, and elevated Jay Sudarma to Vice President of Marketing for Music Services and CCLI Group.
In this role, LaPointe will focus on bringing new clients into the division with an emphasis on YouTube administration, publishing and label administration, and distribution for artists and labels who own their masters. Most recently, LaPointe served as Senior Director, Business Development at FUGA AVS, where he led the signing of major and independent music publishers and expanded the company’s presence in Nashville. He previously held the same title at AdRev following nearly two decades at Warner Chappell Music.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Nick to the team. Throughout his career, he has earned the trust of independent publishers and labels by helping them turn their rights into meaningful revenue,” says Rose Cook, Chief Operating Officer, Music Services. “He brings a relationship-driven approach that aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering best-in-class service to our clients.”
Sudarma steps into a new role as Vice President of Marketing for Music Services, alongside a promotion to Vice President of Marketing at CCLI Group, where he previously served as Director of Marketing. In this expanded capacity, he will lead global marketing strategy across both businesses, and guide the division’s forthcoming rebrand and roll-out of its shared services platform. He brings experience in brand development, digital marketing, content strategy, website modernization and cross-functional partnerships.
“During his tenure at CCLI, Jay has proven the value of a disciplined, data-driven approach to marketing, and this expanded role is a natural next step,” says Cook. “He will work across brands in the Music Services portfolio, including AudioSalad, Audiam, Music Services Inc., The Harry Fox Agency, HAAWK, and CCLI, bringing a unified voice to a growing collection of brands while preserving the qualities that make each one unique.”
Laura Veltz’s ‘Songwriter Soup’ Kicks Off Season 5 With A New Mission As A Nonprofit
Kevin Sokolnicki, Laura Veltz & Tracy Hackney
Laura Veltz’s Songwriter Soup podcast has officially become nonprofit as it kicks off Season 5.
Hosted with Tracy Hackney and Kevin Sokolnicki, the move expands the podcast’s mission beyond its weekly conversations to create new ways to educate, support and advocate for songwriters, with a focus on helping them protect their minds, their money and their legacies. The first episode of Season 5, lovingly dubbed Season 5-01(c)(3), kicks off with Joybeth Taylor, co-writer of Ella Langley’s record-breaking hit “Choosin’ Texas.”
Songwriter Soup has expanded its overall mission, but the podcast isn’t changing the formula that has made it a must-listen for songwriters both in and outside of Nashville. The new nonprofit status gives the team an opportunity to take its mission further while continuing to create the candid, insightful conversations that have become a hallmark of the show.
“The songwriting community is abysmally underserved and incredibly small. That tiny group of creators is who Songwriter Soup has always served,” says Veltz. “Every time we tried to think of the podcast itself as a business we were trying to grow, something just felt off. Converting Songwriter Soup to a nonprofit allows us to keep our mission the same as it’s always been: to protect, inspire, educate and support songwriters so they can navigate, survive and thrive in this kaleidoscopic business. Providing frank, unsanitized, unfiltered conversations about the parts of the job that are seldom talked about is the best way we know how to actually support songwriters at every stage of their careers. That’s what we plan to continue doing.”
As part of the nonprofit launch, Songwriter Soup has also officially established its board, which includes the three hosts along with songwriters Connie Harrington, Thomas Daniel and Ava Suppelsa. Together, the board will help guide the organization as it grows its programming and resources for the songwriting community.
In addition to co-hosting Songwriter Soup, Veltz continues her songwriting hot streak, and among this year’s collaborations are songs with Ella Langley (“Broken”), Shaboozey (“Born to Die”), Stella Lefty (“The Kill”), frequent collaborator Jessie Murph (“Certain Kind of Love”), the faith-driven “Maker’s Mark,” co-written for Drew Baldridge and Anne Wilson, and Bryan Andrews’ “Yeehaw.”
She is also set to host a sold-out round at The Listening Room on Nov. 4, with Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde and Luke Dick in a special night of music, storytelling and giving in support of the M.A.D. Mavericks, a local Nashville 12U baseball team, as they work to make a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cooperstown Dreams Park in New York next year.
BMI & Studio Bank Renew Partnership
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Nina Carter, Studio Bank’s Eunice Hernandez, Studio Bank’s Aaron Dorn, Tim Nichols (BMI), Drew Holcomb (BMI), Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, BMI’s Mason Hunter and Studio Bank’s Ron Cox. Photo: Madi McGee for BMI
BMI and Studio Bank have renewed their partnership that began in 2023.
The longtime collaboration between the organizations supports BMI’s 2026 Christian Awards, BMI’s Next Big Wave Mixer and its industry-exclusive No. 1 party celebrations. At each No. 1 party, Studio Bank celebrates with a charitable donation to an organization of the artists’ choosing. Highlights from this year include support for Face The Fight on behalf of Tucker Wetmore, Heart Like A Truck on behalf of Lainey Wilson, Judge Dinkins Educational Center on behalf of Jelly Roll, Mental Health Initiative on behalf of Parmalee, Opry Trust Fund on behalf of Scotty McCreery and Hootie & The Blowfish, Pawsitive Rescue Division on behalf of Ella Langley and The Buford Bonds Charitable Fund on behalf of Riley Green.
“As longtime partners, BMI and Studio Bank have always shared a meaningful commitment to supporting creators,” BMI VP of Creative, Partnerships and Events, Mason Hunter shares. “Together we are able to fuel and provide the foundation for these one of a kind experiences and we look forward to elevating this partnership with Ron Cox and his team.”
“Our partnership with BMI is about celebrating the creators who make Nashville’s music community so special,” says Ron Cox, Music, Arts & Entertainment Executive at Studio Bank. “We’re proud to continue supporting songwriters through events like this annual showcase and look forward to what we’ll accomplish together in the years ahead.”
“Music is part of Nashville’s identity, and songwriters are at the heart of it,” adds Aaron Dorn, Chairman, President and CEO of Studio Bank. “We’re honored to partner with BMI to support the creative community and help ensure these artists and industry professionals continue to thrive.”
The organizations celebrated the continued partnership on Tuesday (Sept. 29) with a songwriter round on BMI’s Nashville rooftop featuring Drew Holcomb, Tim Nichols and Emily Weisband.
The MLC Holds Annual Membership Meeting
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) held its Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 29).
The organization has announced that the congressionally mandated process for distributing remaining unclaimed accrued royalties will begin in April 2027. Under the Music Modernization Act (MMA), The MLC is required to hold and continue efforts to match and distribute unclaimed accrued royalties, which include unmatched royalties and unclaimed royalties, for a minimum of three years before distributing any remaining royalties through a market share distribution process. Through this process, The MLC is required to distribute remaining unclaimed accrued royalties, plus applicable interest calculated at the statutory rate, to rightsholders based on their relative market shares. Information about the about the market share distribution process can be found here.
During the Annual Meeting, The MLC also highlighted its continued growth and progress over the first five years of its operations, culminating with the U.S. Register of Copyrights’ decision to continue The MLC’s designation as the statutory mechanical royalties collective established under the MMA. The organization has processed nearly $5 billion in total royalties and distributed more than $4.2 billion in total royalties to rightsholders. It has added more than 27,000 Members to date in 2026, adding to its over 100,000 members total.
“We’re proud of the progress The MLC has made since beginning operations in 2021 and we’re grateful to our Members and industry partners for their continued engagement and support,” says Kris Ahrend, CEO of The MLC. “Distributing more than $4.2 billion in total royalties to rightsholders is an important milestone. We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue our work following the Copyright Office’s decision to continue our designation. The start of market share distributions in April 2027 represents another important step in fulfilling The MLC’s statutory responsibilities under the MMA. We remain focused on carrying out that work and continuing to serve our Members and the broader rightsholder community.”
More information about the information shared at the Annual Meeting can be found here.
Tyla Rodrigues Inks With Sony Music Publishing Nashville
Pictured (L-R): Alex Torrez, Val Rodrigues, Tyla Rodrigues, Matt Cottingham, Aubrey Landon, Alli Sommers and Emily Vincent. Photo: Savannah Spencer
Tyla Rodrigues has signed a global publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
Rodrigues has quickly made a name for herself as one of Australia’s rising country artists, with more than 10 million streams across her catalog. Her single “Can’t Keep Doing This” recently reached No. 9 on Australia’s Country Airplay chart in less than three weeks. She released an EP, Hold On Tight, earlier this year.
Rodrigues has performed at major country festivals throughout Australia and on international stages. Her recent appearances include C2C, CMA Fest, shows in New Zealand and a Canadian run as part of the CCMA International Exchange Program.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Sony Music Publishing family and to be surrounded by such an incredible community,” says Rodrigues. “There are so many artists and writers at Sony whose work I’ve admired for years, and to now be a part of that is really special. I’m so grateful for the team believing in me and my songwriting, and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me.”
“The first time I heard Tyla sing it stopped me in my tracks,” adds Aubrey Landon, Senior Director, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “I knew right away that she was special and was eager to be a part of her songwriting journey. She is pure country gold, and I’m so excited to work alongside her in this next chapter!”
She has also grown her profile through collaborations such as “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” with Braxton Keith and “What’s Left To Hold Onto” with The Kruse Brothers. She is now preparing her debut album, which is set for release in 2027, and will hit the road with Braxton Keith in the spring.
Category: Music News
