Music News (02/21/24)

Nominees Revealed For 2024 AIMP Country Awards

The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has revealed the final nominees for its 2024 AIMP Country Awards.

Sponsored by Spotify, the awards will take place at the Ryman Auditorium on Monday, March 25 at 7 p.m. Storme Warren will serve as host for the members-only event.

“We are happy to present our 9th AIMP award show at the historic Ryman. Thanks to Spotify for being our title sponsor again this year,” says Ree Guyer, Owner, Wrensong Entertainment. “From the list of nominees, it looks like it will be another year of celebrating Nashville’s best independent writers and publishers.”

The 2024 AIMP Awards will recognize songwriters, publishers and songs in various categories, including Rising Songwriter of the Year, Rising Artist-Writer of the Year, Artist-Writer of the Year, Song Champion of the Year, Publisher’s Pick of the Year, Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and the AIMP Nashville Most Streamed Song.

The final voting period opens on Feb. 23 and closes at 5 p.m. CT on March 1. To vote, you must have been an AIMP member on or before Jan. 31, 2024. For any questions regarding voter eligibility and category requirements, email aimpnashville@gmail.com.

Click here for the list of nominees.

Josh Jenkins Signs With Young Guns Publishing

Pictured (L-R): Laurie Gore, Young Guns Publishing Creative/Admin Assistant; Jason Turner, Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC; Laura Alexander, Young Guns Publishing SVP, Creative; Josh Jenkins; Molly Shehan, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; Will Hamrick, Young Guns Publishing CEO. Photo: Mary Craven Photography

SESAC Songwriter of the Year and CMA Song of the Year award winner Josh Jenkins has signed a world-wide exclusive publishing deal with Young Guns Publishing.

Jenkins co-wrote the viral, six-time Platinum smash hit “Fancy Like,” recorded by Walker Hayes, which spent more than 10 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, reached Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and ruled every country sales and streaming chart for several weeks.

He is also a co-writer on the 2022 CMA Song of the Year “Buy Dirt,” performed by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan, and is a co-writer on Davis’ current single “Tucson Too Late.” His songs have been recorded by other artists such as Jake Owen, Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser and more. Additionally, Jenkins is the lead singer of the band Green River Ordinance, who have had several records top the Billboard Heatseekers chart throughout his 15-year tenure, along with many songs placed in TV/film.

“We are beyond grateful to welcome Josh Jenkins to Young Guns Publishing,” shares Laura Alexander, Young Guns Publishing SVP, Creative. “Josh is a songwriter I have admired since meeting him nearly 10 years ago. Josh is respected and admired for being a family man, a champion of fellow writers and a true friend to so many in our community. In a lot of ways, it’s his quality relationships that lend to him writing such meaningful, relatable songs. Will [Hamrick], myself and the entire Young Guns family cannot wait to hear the music to come, and we’re thankful we get to watch Josh continue to build on the incredible successes he’s already achieved.”

“I’m grateful to get to join Laura, Will and the entire crew at Young Guns Publishing,” shares Jenkins. “I love the songs coming out of this place and can’t wait to continue my songwriting journey with them.”

Rob Hatch Signs With Eclipse Music Group

Pictured (L-R): Penny Gattis, Rob Hatch, Anna Thiel and Kurt Locher

Award-winning songwriter Rob Hatch has signed with Eclipse Music Group.

His credits include songs recorded by Megan Moroney, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Randy Houser and more. Hatch has written three No. 1s, and was named SESAC Songwriter of the Year and won ACM Single of the Year for Lee Brice’s double-Platinum smash “I Don’t Dance.”

“We are thrilled to have Rob join the Eclipse Music family. Rob’s decades of songwriting experience along with the talent and energy he brings into sessions is a major asset and big advantage,” says Penny Gattis, Partner, Eclipse Music Group. “We are privileged to partner with Rob on the next chapter in his songwriting career.”

“I could not be more excited to be here at Eclipse with Kurt [Locher], Penny, Anna [Thiel] and the gang,” says Hatch. “The team atmosphere, the hustle, the brainstorming, the hits and the writers that they have makes this place feel like home and exactly the place that I wanted to be.”