Music News (12/06/23)

Jordan Minton Inks Deal With Sony Music Publishing Nashville

Jordan Minton

Jordan Minton has sold a portion of his catalog and signed a new go-forward deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

The deal includes Minton’s No. 1 hits “Good Time” by Niko Moon and “Best Thing Since Backroads” by Jake Owen, and was coordinated by Hit Ranch, a local catalog sales brokerage firm helmed by Grammy-winning songwriter Jordan Reynolds and business partner Nick Burnett.

Minton is currently climbing the country charts as a co-writer on Dan + Shay‘s “Save Me The Trouble.” He has also had songs recorded by Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Morgan Wallen, Dustin Lynch and more.

“I am so pumped to have landed with an incredible team at Sony and can’t wait to see what we will do together,” shares Minton. “I’m grateful to my buddies at Hit Ranch for their expertise in guiding me through the catalog sale process.”

Sony Music Publishing Nashville VP of Creative, Anna Weisband, says, “We are so proud to welcome Jordan to the SMP family. He is such a talented songwriter and an even better person. We are excited to see what this new chapter of his career brings!”

“Jordan is such a talented writer, and we worked hard to find the right deal for him, not only in catalog value but in finding the right partner moving forward,” says Reynolds. “We believe this is a great fit for Jordan and can’t wait to watch his career continue to thrive.”

Tape Room Music Partners With Warner Chappell & Red Light Management To Sign Ned Cameron

Pictured (L-R): Tape Room’s Caroline Hodson, Warner Chappell’s Spencer Nohe, Tape Room’s Blain Rhodes, Ned Cameron, Tape Room’s Ashley Gorley and Kelly Bolton. Photo: Elise Darby

Ned Cameron has signed a global publishing deal with Tape Room Music, in partnership with Warner Chappell Music and Red Light Management.

With over one billion worldwide streams, the Grammy-nominated writer and producer has collaborated with artists including Kid Ink, Machine Gun Kelly, Wiz Khalifa, Sean Kingston and more. Hailing from San Francisco, Cameron found early success in the West Coast hip-hop scene, independently writing and producing with Kid Ink. He has also collaborated with bay area artists such as E-40 and Keak da Sneek, among others.

“Ned brings a unique and fresh sound to country music,” says Ashley Gorley, Founder, Tape Room Music. “He is equally humble, driven and talented, which makes him a great addition to the Tape Room team. We’re fired up to be working with him!”

Spencer Nohe, Senior Director, A&R, Warner Chappell Music Nashville adds, “Ned checks all the boxes you hope for as a publisher – he is talented, humble and hard-working. He burst onto the scene in Nashville and immediately made an impact with his songs and relationships with his co-writers. We are so grateful to help amplify his talents and partner with Tape Room on this deal.”

“I’m beyond excited to join the team. Ashley, Blain [Rhodes], Kelly [Bolton], Caroline [Hodson], Spencer [Nohe], and their entire rosters are superstars, and I’m grateful to be in such good company,” says Cameron. “It’s been a hell of a road so far, and I’m just happy to be here.”

Spirit Music Nashville & 2 Mix Music Sign Justin Richards

Pictured (L-R, back row): Andy Hodges (Creative Coordinator, Spirit Music Nashville), Mike Fiorentino (Director of A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville), AJ Burton (Vice President, Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution), Matthew Beckett (Milom, Horsnell, Crow, Kelley, Beckett, Shehan) and Liesl Eschbach (Milom, Horsnell, Crow, Kelley, Beckett, Shehan); (L-R, front row): Kara Jackson (Senior Creative Director, Spirit Music Nashville), Kennedy Murphy (Creative Coordinator, Spirit Music Nashville), Justin Richards, Derek Wells (Vice President, A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville/2Mix Music) and Frank Rogers (Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville). Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Music Group

Spirit Music Nashville and 2 Mix Music have signed songwriter and producer Justin Richards to a worldwide publishing deal.

The Chico, California native moved to Nashville in 2011. Writing and performing in rock bands such as Brighten and A Rocket To The Moon, Richards decided to pursue a career in country music. He has played guitar for Dan + Shay since the duo formed in 2012.

“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Justin! He’s an incredibly talented lyricist and musician with a refreshing drive to succeed in the songwriting world. Justin has hit the ground running. He can truly do it all and I can’t wait for what the future holds for him,” says Kennedy Murphy, Creative Coordinator, Spirit Music Nashville.

“I’ve been a fan of Justin for many years now and I’m thrilled that things have aligned for us to partner in this way. He’s just an all-round special writer, musician, singer and a great human being,” comments Derek Wells, Vice President, A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville/2Mix Music. “This is gonna be a lot of fun!”

“The family we have at Spirit goes way beyond just a publisher/writer relationship. The support and love we have for each other is mirrored on and off the field,” shares Richards. “We have all worked so hard to be here and it feels good to finally have a home. Very excited for the future!”

Bob Squance & Michael Thomas Partner With CTM To Launch Withrow Street Music

Pictured (L-R): Withrow Street Music’s Bob Squance, CTM’s Jitze de Raaff, Withrow Street Music’s Michael Thomas, CTM’s André de Raaff, CTM’s Thomas Deelder

Bob Squance and Michael Thomas have launched a new publishing company, Withrow Street Music, in a joint venture with global independent company CTM Publishing.

Squance, a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, recently joined the team as Creative Director at Lady Luck Songs. His previous experience includes positions at Round Hill Music, Big Yellow Dog Music and Ten Ten Music Group. The list of songwriters Squance has worked with through the years includes Meghan Trainor, Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell, Josh Kear, Valerie Broussard, Daniel Tashian, Renee Blair and Kevin Griffin.

Thomas has spent the last decade in the entertainment industry, beginning as an actor and musician before moving behind the camera. This experience led to Thomas being asked to manage a select group of artists and writers through his company, Stable Mgmt.

“Michael and I are incredibly excited to partner with CTM in this exciting new venture,” says Squance. “Their success speaks for itself and we look forward to serving and expanding the music community together.”

“Our mission is to cultivate and foster a creative atmosphere backed by global resources,” adds Thomas. “Bob’s experience and reputation coupled with CTM’s knowledge and track record give us a unique opportunity to offer something truly different and beneficial for our writers.”

CTM publishing has headquarters in The Netherlands and international offices in Nashville, London, Miami and Brussels. The company represents world famous writers and catalogs and is active as a record label and a TV and Film producer. CTM is owned by André de Raaff and Jitze de Raaff.