Music News (01/17/24)

Hillary Lindsey Headed To Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Hillary Lindsey

Nashville songwriting icon Hillary Lindsey will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) alongside Timothy Mosley (Timbaland); Dean Pitchford; Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) and Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (Steely Dan).

Lindsey is behind some of the biggest hits of the modern era of country music, including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel,” Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” as well as “Always Remember Us This Way” and “Million Reasons” from Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s A Star Is Born. She is also a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF).

The Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

Brittney Spencer Inks Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music

Center Photo (L-R): Matt Cottingham, Alexa Morris (WCM), Spencer Nohe (WCM), Anna Kolander (Activist), Matt Maher (Activist), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Caitlin Stone Jasper (Activist), Brittney Spencer. Photo: Gina Di Maio

Rising singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

“Signing my first publishing deal in my 10th year of living in Nashville has to be the biggest cliche and I wear it like a badge of honor.. haha! As an artist, building out the publishing piece of my career with thoughtful, innovative, and capable partners feels both vital and creatively igniting. Warner Chappell has already played such a hand in projects that I’m really proud to have made and been a part of, which makes me all the happier to officially partner together in this next chapter of my musical journey,” shares Spencer.

Spencer has already accumulated millions of streams with her single “Sober & Skinny,” which the singer release independently in 2021. She has been on the stage with Willie Nelson, Jason Isbell, The Highwomen, Reba, Bobby Weir, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and more, and is set to release her debut album My Stupid Life on Jan. 19 via Elektra.

Of the deal, Ben Vaughn, President and CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville, says “Brittney is the type of person who, when you first meet her, leaves a lasting impression. And then, when you hear her voice and experience the insightful way she writes songs—wow! We’re very proud that she has placed her trust in our team and look forward to supporting her on her journey.”

“Brittney is a one-in-a-million talent making a major impact in country music and beyond. She is an incredible songwriter and artist who carries herself with humility, kindness, and joy. We are grateful that she chose Warner Chappell to partner with in this next chapter of her career,” shares Spencer Nohe, Senior Director, A&R, Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

Nathan Barlowe Renews Deal With Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution

Pictured (L-R, back row/standing): Matthew Beckett (Attorney, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC), Leisl Eschbach, (Attorney, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC), Gray Schubert (Creative Admin Manager, Spirit Music Nashville), Nathan Barlowe, Brian Bradford (GM/VP of Admin, Spirit Music Nashville), Kennedy Murphy (Creative Coordinator, Spirit Music Nashville) and Andy Hodges (Creative Coordinator, Spirit Music Nashville); (L-R, front row): Kara Jackson (Senior Creative Director, Spirit Music Nashville), AJ Burton (Vice President, Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution), Frank Rogers (Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville) and Mike Fiorentino (Director of A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville).

Singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Nathan Barlowe has renewed his publishing deal with Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution.

“I am so happy that I have the opportunity to continue working with Spirit and Fluid. It’s an amazing company with amazing people. I feel like the best is still ahead of us,” shares Barlowe.

Barlowe’s credits include songs by Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, Ayron Jones, Newsboys and more. With his catalog, he has earned three top 10 Billboard dance singles, a Grammy nomination and a top five Billboard Mainstream Rock single. Barlowe’s work has also been heard on NBC’s The Voice, American Idol, The Equalizer, Transporter, King of Queens and more.

Additionally, he the lead guitarist in Urban’s band, and won the 2017 CMA Award for Touring Musician of the Year. Barlowe is also the inventor of The Phantom, an electronic sampling machine played like a keyboard, as well as the frontman of pop-rock band Luna Halo. He started the band Five Knives, and went on tour with Twenty One Pilots, The Smashing Pumpkins and Icona Pop.

AJ Burton, Vice President, Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution says, “It’s truly an honor when a songwriter wants to continue their partnership and everyone at Spirit Fluid are fired up to keep our ‘Rock Star Nate’ in the fold. Lots of exciting things in the works for Nathan.”

Zach John King Signs Publishing Deal With Boom Music Group

Pictured (L-R): Emma Kiefer (Boom Music Group), Shaina Botwin (Boom Music Group), Zach John King, Joe Fisher (Boom Music Group), Matt Reed (Hyphen Media Group), Rachel Guttmann (Taylor Guttmann, PLLC)

Rising singer-songwriter Zach John King has signed a publishing deal with Boom Music Group.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of such a powerhouse team,” says King. “I don’t take this opportunity lightly and am so stoked to start working. I can’t wait to learn and grow in this new family of incredible writers, people and professionals. Here’s to the future!”

King, originally from Fayetteville, Georgia, formed a fire for songwriting by growing up listening to country music. The newcomer has already made a splash in the scene, after releasing his two debut singles “Just Missed You” and “Same Song, Different Dance” earned the singer over 1.5 million global streams. King has also earned recognition from Apple Music, Spotify, TIDAL, ACM, CMT, Whiskey Riff and more.

“I was so impressed by Zach’s work ethic and attitude from our first meeting,” shares Boom’s Vice President Shaina Botwin. “Once I heard the music he was writing, I knew we had to work together. I’m incredibly excited to welcome Zach into the Boom family and can’t wait for everyone to hear what he’s been working on!”

To celebrate the new deal, King will release his new single, “Anything But What It Was,” this Friday (Jan. 19).

The song shares a story about love lost with his rapidly growing fan base. “This is one of the most honest songs I’ve ever written,” he says. “It’s about a real conversation I had with somebody I loved, and we realized that I was going one way in life and she was going another. It’s about breaking up with someone without making them an enemy. Ending a relationship isn’t always black and white, most times that’s why it’s so hard to do.”