Music News (07/24/24)

Eclipse Music Group Adds Courtney Crist As VP Of Publishing

Courtney Crist. Photo: Katie Kauss

Eclipse Music Group has hired Courtney Crist as Vice President of Publishing.

She joins from her most recent position as Senior Director at Anthem Entertainment, where she played a key role in signing Joey Hyde and the late Keith Gattis as well as re-signing Jordan Davis and Chris Janson. Before her tenure at Anthem, Crist spent time at Hori Pro Entertainment and as A&R at Frank Rogers Productions.

At Eclipse, she will work with writers Ronnie Bowman, Nick Connors, Jeff Garrison, Rob Hatch, Early James, Jim McCormick, Jackson Nance, Payton Smith and Brit Taylor.

“We are thrilled to welcome Courtney to the Eclipse Music Group family,” says Penny Gattis, Partner, Eclipse Music Group. “Courtney is a songwriter’s best friend, ultimate ally and has the best ears in the business. She shares our passion for delivering exceptional service, fostering creativity and community, and creating opportunities. The writers at Eclipse couldn’t ask for a more dedicated executive in their corner.”

BMG Strikes Admin Deal With Triple Play Music

Pictured (L-R): BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Kurt Allison, Jason Aldean, Neil Thrasher, Tully Kennedy, BMG’s Amy Hendon Scott and BMG’s Camryn Clark

BMG Nashville has formed a joint venture with Triple Play Music, the publishing company owned by Jason Aldean with longtime bandmates Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy.

Triple Play’s roster includes John Edwards and BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville/Night Train Records’ John Morgan, as well as new signee Neil Thrasher. The veteran songwriter has had hundreds of songs recorded over the last 25 years by artists such as Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Randy Houser, Ronnie Dunn, Tyler Farr, Reba McEntire and more. Thrasher’s songs have sold more than 50 million records and have spent 25 weeks at No. 1 including Aldean hits “Tattoos On This Town,” “Fly Over States,” “Night Train” and “Rearview Town.”

“Jason, Kurt, and Tully are BBR Music Group/BMG family. We are thrilled to partner with Triple Play and welcome Neil Thrasher. It is amazing to watch the creative energy between these long-time friends. The talent is unmatched, and we are proud to be on this journey with them,” says Creative Director, BMG, Amy Hendon Scott.

UMPG Nashville Signs Solon Holt

Pictured (L–R): UMPG Nashville’s Roxy King, Solon Holt and UMPG Nashville’s Troy Tomlinson. Photo: Courtesy of UMPG Nashville

UMPG Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Solon Holt to an exclusive global publishing agreement.

The 20-year-old got his start in the Piney Woods of Texas. As the youngest in a family with a rich musical heritage, Holt was exposed to various genres, including classical, blues, jazz, folk, pop, country and bluegrass. However, it was the time he spent as a teen playing gospel music in an all-Black church each Sunday that helped him to curate his sound.

“Solon exemplifies wisdom beyond his years in every aspect. His songwriting and musical prowess are a true reflection of his upbringing and have an authenticity that cannot be taught,” says Roxy King, Senior Director, A&R, UMPG Nashville. “Solon has an amazing journey ahead of him, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

“I would like to thank UMPG for their vision and belief in me,” adds Holt. “I am truly honored to be a part of such a writer-focused team. It means everything to me.”

Jonnie Macson To Become Concord’s New VP Of Royalties

Jonnie Macson

Jonnie Macson will become Vice President of Royalties for Concord Music Publishing.

Expected to be based in Concord’s Nashville headquarters, Macson will focus on improving global royalty systems to help ensure that Concord’s songwriters and publishing clients around the world are fairly, accurately and promptly compensated. He will report to General Manager of International Operations Jeff Van Driel.

Macson spent nearly 20 years in Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG)’s offices in Franklin, Tennessee and London, England, working his way up from Global Royalties Assistant to Vice President in charge of all global administration. While there, he led the launch of the client services portal UMPG Window, project-managed the successful distribution of UPMG’s first-ever TikTok deal and advised senior leadership on administration projects across the company.

“I can think of no one better suited than Jonnie to join our team. He has such a deep understanding of royalty systems and a wealth of technical knowledge needed to significantly enhance our processes,” says Van Driel. “As we continue to grow, it is vital we have people like Jonnie working on behalf of our songwriters, their estates and their legacies.”