Music News (8/22/18)

Warner/Chappell Nashville Signs Jason Massey

Jason Massey

Songwriter and producer Jason Massey has signed a worldwide agreement with Warner/Chappell Nashville. Among his many accomplishments, Massey co-produced Kelsea Ballerini’s debut album, The First Time, in 2015 and recently co-produced her second full length album Unapologetically, including the lead single “Legends.”

Other recent projects include producing/co-writing on Hannah Ellis’ debut EP, as well as Chris Bandi’s breakout “Man Enough Now,” and co-producing/co-writing Waterloo Revival’s “What Guy Wouldn’t.”

Previously, the California native played drums and guitar in a number of bands and saw his music placed in mainstream television shows.

Kobalt, 3 Ring Circus Sign Adam James

Pictured (L-R): Darrell Franklin, 3 Ring Circus, Kevin Lane, Kobalt, Laura Alexander, Kobalt, Adam James, Casey LeVasseur, 3 Ring Circus, Jeffrey Steele, 3 Ring Circus, Jesse Willoughby, Kobalt

Kobalt has joined forces with 3 Ring Circus Music to sign singer-songwriter Adam James. The worldwide admin agreement includes James’ future works.

James was raised in central Illinois, and has been working with songwriter-publisher Jeffrey Steele and his 3 Ring Circus Music since 2014. James’ credits including “Roses and a Time Machine,” from Dierks Bentley’s Black album.

Copperline Music Group Signs James Patrick Morgan

James Patrick Morgan

Nashville-based indie record label Copperline Music Group has expanded its music roster with the signing of pop singer-songwriter James Patrick Morgan.

Influenced by the works of Sam Cooke, John Mayer, and Freddie Mercury, Morgan has mastered the guitar, piano and harmonica and fills his live shows with looping, wide vocal ranges, soulful danceable beats, and contemplative, emotive lyrics.

The Atlanta resident performs up to 300 shows per year and, despite being a pop act, has opened for the country duo Sugarland as well as Jennifer Nettles throughout the years. Copperline Music Group also represents Craig Wayne Boyd and Ciera Mackenzie. Earlier this year, Copperline inked a distribution deal with The Orchard.

 
Matt McGinn Extends Publishing Deal With SMACKSongs

Pictured (L-R): SMACKSongs’ Josh Osborne, Robin Palmer, Matt McGinn, Shane McAnally, Lee Krabel and Kobalt’s Stephanie Cox

Songwriter and producer Matt McGinn has extended his worldwide publishing agreement with Nashville-based music publishing company, SMACKSongs. The deal, exclusively administered by Kobalt, comes on the heels of McGinn’s back-to-back No. 1 hits recorded by Kane Brown.

McGinn moved from Virginia to Nashville in 2012, landing his first publishing deal with SMACKSongs six months later, and marking Shane McAnally’s first signing at his soon-to-be award-winning publishing powerhouse. During his time at SMACKSongs, McGinn has written songs recorded by Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Walker Hayes, Jake Owen, Carly Pearce, Michael Ray, Cassadee Pope and more. He has also produced forthcoming projects by artists on the rise, including Renee Blair and Teddy Robb.

In 2017, McGinn earned his first No. 1 with Brown’s triple-platinum smash with Lauren Alaina, “What Ifs” which spent five consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. He recently earned his second No. 1 with Brown’s double-platinum, two-week chart topper, “Heaven.”

 
David Tolliver Extends Agreement With Three Hounds Music

Pictured (L-R): Tom Harrison, CEO/Founder, Three Hounds Music; David Tolliver; Tyler Bell, GM, Three Hounds Music

David Tolliver has extended his exclusive publishing agreement with Three Hounds Music. Best known as half of the duo Halfway to Hazard, Tolliver is also a veteran songwriter. Along with co-writing the majority of Halfway to Hazard’s three albums, he has also had cuts by Tim McGraw, Jerrod Niemann, Brantley Gilbert, Wynonna, Neal McCoy and numerous others.

Three Hounds Music is also home to writers Sarah Beth Terry and Bobby Terry.