Music News (02/14/24)

UMPG Signs Grammy Winner Dan Wilson

Jennifer Knoepfle & Dan Wilson. Photo: Yazz Alali

UMPG has signed esteemed singer/songwriter/producer Dan Wilson to an exclusive, global publishing agreement. Under the new agreement, UMPG will represent Wilson’s future works, effective immediately.

A highly accomplished musician and lead member of famed band Semisonic, Wilson is a three-time Grammy winner. He recently took home the Grammy alongside Chris Stapleton for Best Country Song with Stapleton’s “White Horse.” He has also been awarded Song of the Year for co-writing The Chicks‘ “Not Ready to Make Nice” and Album of the Year for Adele‘s 21, which featured three of his co-writes including “Someone Like You.”

“I consider it a true gift to work alongside a person who is so storied and accomplished, and yet so open to new experiences and collaborations. Dan trusted UMPG in this vital chapter of his career and we could not be more excited,” shares Jennifer Knoepfle, UMPG Executive Vice President and Co-Head of A&R.

Wilson says, “This publishing relationship with UMPG begins a whole new chapter in my musical life. Jenn and the UMPG team are brilliant and inspire confidence. We’ve hit the ground running, to say the least. I’m very excited to be working with them.”

Carson Wallace Signs With Sony Music Publishing & Relative Music Group

Pictured (L-R, back row): Red Light Management’s Enzo DeVincenzo, Anthony DeVincenzo, Relative Music Group’s Caroline Bouldin, Sony Music Publishing Nashvile’s Rusty Gaston; (L-R, front row): Relative Music Group’s Dennis Matkosky, Carson Wallace, Relative Music Group’s Michael Hardy and Jesse Matkosky. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Singer-songwriter Carson Wallace has signed a global publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Relative Music Group.

The California native first gained recognition from his demos on TikTok featuring his modern, edgy style. He recently released his debut single, “Lonely Look Like,” and has achieved success with other tracks including “Leavin’ Season,” “Ghost in My Chevy,” “Light of Day” and more.

“Carson is the most driven writer I have come across in a long time, and at only 20 years old that’s an incredible characteristic to have,” says Hardy, Partner, Relative Music Group. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders and I truly think he understands the ins and outs of writing a hit song as well as how the music industry works. I can’t wait to hear the hits he turns in over the years and I know it’s only a matter of time until he breaks out as a big hit writer.”

“Thankful. That’s the word that truly describes how I feel,” says Wallace. “Thankful God put this passion in my heart to write songs, and thankful for the Relative/Sony team believing in me-they already feel like family. I cannot wait for what we’re going to do together!”

River House Artists Ups Kayla Adkins To Creative Director, Publishing

Kayla Adkins

River House Artists has promoted Kayla Adkins to Creative Director, Publishing.

In this position, Adkins will expand on her previous role of Creative Manager as she continues to develop and manage the publishing roster of new and existing songwriters.

She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)’s recording industry program, and joined River House Artists in 2018. Since then, Adkins has played a crucial part in the career development of the company’s publishing arm and the growth of artists such as Pillbox Patti, Austin Snell, Neil Medley, Zach Seabaugh and Knox. She was recently selected as part of MusicRow‘s N.B.T. Class of 2024.

“Watching Kayla grow as a publisher and become a true advocate for our songwriters over her time at River House has been inspiring,” says Zebb Luster, GM/VP, River House Artists. “She has great creative instincts, incredible working relationships with both our staff and our roster, and she truly cares about the long-term development of our songwriters. The respect she has earned in such a short time with the publishing community speaks for itself.”

“In one of my first classes at MTSU, each student was asked to share what our dream job in the music industry was and why. When it was my turn, I announced to the class that I wanted to be a Creative Director at a publishing company and my dream was to help songwriters make their dreams come true,” says Adkins. “Nine years later, I have been given that opportunity at River House Artists, my home away from home. A huge thanks to Lynn [Oliver-Cline] and Zebb for seeing something in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself. They have taught me everything that it means to be a champion of songs and their creators, and I am excited to continue working with our genre-bending roster that inspires me daily and for the future of our company as a whole!”

New Mountain Capital Closes Majority Growth Investment In BMI

New Mountain Capital, an investment firm with over $45 billion in assets under management, has completed its previously announced acquisition of BMI.

As part of the transaction, and in recognition of the creativity of the songwriters, composers and publishers they represent, BMI’s former shareholders will be allocating $100 million of the proceeds of the sale to affiliates. The allocation of those funds is expected to be made this spring, and while not a distribution of royalties, will be in keeping with BMI’s distribution methodologies, which are based on performance levels over a set period of time.

“Our partnership with New Mountain charts an incredibly exciting new course for BMI and our songwriters, composers and publishers,” says Mike O’Neill, who will remain President & CEO of BMI. “New Mountain shares our vision to build value for our affiliates and invest in their future success. With their support, advanced level of innovation and resources, we are now in the best possible position to accelerate our growth plan and explore new opportunities to benefit our creative community.”

Pete Masucci, Managing Director at New Mountain, states, “We are thrilled to officially begin our partnership with BMI. We believe in BMI’s mission and the music creators they represent, and we are looking forward to helping BMI build on their momentum to deliver maximum value to their affiliates.”

“Mike O’Neill and his team have set a dynamic path forward for BMI,” says Mike Oshinsky, Director at New Mountain. “We are excited to help modernize the performing rights space and support BMI’s mission of serving songwriters, composers and publishers and growing their royalty distributions for the long-term.”