Music News (12/20/23)

Bryan, Gorley & Jelly Roll End 2023 On Top Of MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

Pictured (L-R): Zach Bryan, Ashley Gorley and Jelly Roll

Zach Bryan ends 2023 as the No. 1 songwriter on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. He is the author of seven of his currently charting songs.

Ashley Gorley, who was recently named Variety‘s Songwriter of the Year across all genres, ends the year at No. 2. He is a co-writer on Chris Janson’s “All I Need Is You,” Dan + Shay’s “Save Me The Trouble,” Dylan Scott’s “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” Hardy’s “Truck Bed,” Nate Smith’s “World On Fire,” Chris Young’s “Young Love & Saturday Nights” and Morgan Wallen’s “Everything I Love,” “Last Night” and “Thinkin’ Bout Me.”

Jelly Roll ends 2023 at the No. 3 spot with his “Need A Favor,” “Save Me” and “Wild Ones.”

Randy Montana (No. 4) and Chayce Beckham (No. 5) complete the top five on the last Top Songwriter Chart of 2023.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Josh Phillips Renews Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music

Pictured (L-R): Warner Chappell’s Bethany Mako, Ben Vaughn, Guy Moot, Josh Phillips, Write or Die Music’s Brantley Gilbert and Warner Chappell’s Steve Butler. Photo: Lily Nelson

Songwriter Josh Phillips has renewed his global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

Originally from North Carolina, Phillips played shows all over the Southeast before moving to Nashville in 2015 to pursue a career in songwriting. His credits include “Dirt Cheap” from Cody Johnson’s latest album, Leather, as well as “Can I Get an Outlaw” and “Angels Working Overtime” recorded by Luke Combs, and “Small Town Small” recorded by Jason Aldean. Phillips has also had cuts with Brantley Gilbert, Chris Young, Michael Ray, Colt Ford and more.

“I’ve had a ringside seat in watching Josh Phillips grow as one of the finest songwriters on Music Row,” says Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “Josh can truly write every kind of song and has a real knack for writing a 100% song–most notably ‘Dirt Cheap,’ which Cody Johnson so masterfully sings. Here’s to many more great years of Josh Phillips songs in country music!”

“Having Ben Vaughn, Brantley Gilbert, Bethany Mako and the entire Warner Chappell team fighting for my songs is second to none and there’s no team that I believe in more,” says Phillips. “I couldn’t be happier to continue my journey with them and I’m beyond grateful to have these folks in my corner!”

Kobalt Music Signs Holden James

Pictured (L-R, back row): Austin Wells (Lewis Brisbois), Kevin Lane (Kobalt), Stephanie Cox (Kobalt); (L-R, front row): Matt Cottingham (Lewis Brisbois), Holden James, Morgan Brasfield (Kobalt)

Kobalt Music has signed writer-producer Holden James to a publishing deal.

James works in country, rock and pop. He is part of The Boat Boys trio, who toured with Brian Kelly last year.

“Holden is a unique talent and I’m so excited to continue growing his career on the row and beyond!” says Kobalt’s Morgan Brasfield.

“I couldn’t be more grateful and excited for my next chapter with Kobalt. If you know me, you know I’ve never been one to paint in the lines musically, and this team not only supports that habit but pushes it,” shares James. “Making records is tough; the business side is even more daunting, but with Morgan, Kevin [Lane] and Stephanie [Cox] on my side, I’m confident we are going to make some noise.”