Music News (9/10/25)

NMPA Elects New Board Chair & Vice Chair 

Ralph Peer II and Golnar Khosrowshahi

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has elected peermusic Executive Chair Ralph Peer II to Chair of its Board of Directors. Golnar Khosrowshahi, Founder and CEO of Reservoir, has been elected Vice Chair. The election followed the retirement of former Board Chairman Irwin Z. Robinson.

Peer has served on the NMPA Board for 54 years. As an executive, he has become one of the most accomplished and respected figures in music publishing history. Under his leadership, peermusic has developed a global network of music publishing companies operating from 39 offices in 32 countries. With well over a million titles owned or administered, he directs the largest privately owned music publishing company of its kind in the world.

A lifelong advocate for the protection and crediting of copyright and lyric rights, Peer has been involved in every issue facing the music publishing industry over the past 50 years. He was the first music publisher to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards from the NMPA, as well as the Music Publishers Association (MPA). He was the inaugural recipient of the ICMP Award for outstanding contribution to global music publishing; a previous recipient of the Music Publishers Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame; and was previously honored as Music Maker of the Year at MIDEM.

In 2018, Peer received France’s top cultural honor “Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres,” recognizing his outstanding contributions to the arts in France and around the world.

Now serving as Vice Chair, Khosrowshahi has been an asset to the NMPA Board for over a decade. As Founder and CEO of Reservoir, she has built an award-winning independent music company headquartered in New York City with operations in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London, Abu Dhabi and Mumbai.

Established in 2007, Reservoir is the first female-founded and led publicly traded independent music company in the U.S. Golnar is consistently named a Billboard Power Player, and in 2022, she was recognized as Billboard‘s Women in Music Executive of the Year and subsequently joined the Hall of Fame. She was honored as Music Week’s International Woman of the Year in 2023 and was named to Fast Company’s Most Creative People In Business, Forbes’ 50 Over 50, Inc.’s Female Founders 250 and Variety’s New Power of New York and Power of Women lists. Reservoir has twice been awarded both Publisher of the Year at Music Business Worldwide’s The A&R Awards and Independent Publisher of the Year at the Music Week Awards.

Khosrowshahi also sits on the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation Board of Directors and served as Board Chair of Yo-Yo Ma’s musical collective, Silkroad. In 2022, she was elected to the Board of Directors for the New York Philharmonic.

NSAI Elevates Three, Adds Two Team Members

Pictured (L-R): Allison Barrett (Chapter Relations Manager), Natalie Flynn (Songwriter Services Coordinator), Maxwell Trotter (Sr. Songwriter Services Rep), Sarah Arnold (Songwriter Services Rep), Lillian Creasy (Reception)

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has elevated three team members and added two new members.

Allison Barrett, who joined NSAI in July of 2021, has transitioned from Songwriter Services Coordinator to Chapter Relations Manager, where she will now oversee NSAI’s global network of chapters. Natalie Flynn has stepped into the role of Songwriter Services Coordinator, handling billing, song contest administration and assisting with the annual Member Awards held during Tin Pan South week.

Sarah Arnold, previously in reception, has accepted the role of Songwriter Services Rep where she will meet with existing and prospective members on how to best utilize NSAI’s resources. Lillian Creasy joins the team as the new receptionist.

Maxwell Trotter has been promoted to Senior Songwriter Relations Rep, a role he stepped into in March of 2025.

Avery Roberson Inks With Sea Gayle Music

Pictured: (L-R, front row): J.D. Groover (Sea Gayle Music) Avery Roberson (Sea Gayle Music) and Chris DuBois (Sea Gayle Music.). (L-R, middle row): Row 2: Brandon Gregg (Sea Gayle Music) Emily Craig (Sea Gayle Music) and Kim Wiggins (Sea Gayle Music). (L-R, back row): LJ Stoll (Big Machine ) Davis Forney (Sea Gayle Music) and Carly Strickland (Big Machine).

Avery Roberson has signed a global publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music.

Hailing from Rutherfordton, North Carolina, Roberson blends traditional country storytelling with today’s energy. Roberson first gained traction competing on The Voice. He also earned a cut on Bailey Zimmerman’s Religiously.

“From the first time I hung out and heard Avery, I knew there was something special in his voice and writing. He’s authentic, hardworking, and driven- all things that make great artists last. He respects tradition while bringing his own fresh perspective. We are so thrilled to be on this journey with him” says J.D. Groover, Sr. Creative Director at Sea Gayle Music.

“Some of my favorite songs ever have been written by so many of the writers here at Sea Gayle,” adds Roberson. “To now be apart of the family and writing with these guys, it is a full circle moment for me. I couldn’t be more grateful for the belief they’ve shown in me, and I’m ready to get to work and write songs that matter.”

“Avery Roberson is the kind of talent that shines on every level,” shares Chris DuBois, CEO of Sea Gayle Music. “He has undeniable star power as an artist, and his instincts as a storyteller give his songwriting a depth and authenticity that truly set him apart. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Sea Gayle family and to be part of helping share his music with the world.”

Eden Joel Signs With Concord Music Publishing & Big Family

Eden Joel. Photo: Luke M Rogers

Eden Joel has inked a global publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing in partnership with independent label, publishing and management company Big Family Music, led by Damon and Julian Bunetta, and Ben and Daniel Parmar. The deal includes Joel’s full catalog and future works.

A Nashville native, Joel’s sound combines indie coastal pop with the Southern music he grew up on. The last three years, Joel traveled around the world as a touring musician, playing Stephen Sanchez, Annie DiRusso, Mercury, Venus and the Fly Traps, Hannah Cole, Briston Maroney and more. In May, he opened for The Greeting Committee before opening for In Color in July.

“I feel extremely lucky to be joining the Big Family and Concord teams! They are, without a doubt, some of the most passionate and genuine people, who truly care about helping grow and develop creatives sustainably.” says Joel.

In March, Joel produced and co-wrote on Annie DiRusso’s debut album Superpedestrian, as well as releasing his own debut single “Deadweight” in May. The track fuses infectious indie pop melodies and clever lyricism. Before the release, the teaser clip on Joel’s socials had racked up over 600,000 views. Upon its release “Deadweight” was featured on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds Indie” playlist with Eden Joel as the featured artist for ‘Fresh Finds’.

This past year has been busy for Eden Joel. In March, he produced and wrote on Annie DiRusso’s debut album Superpedestrian, and released his own debut single, “Deadweight,” in May. This single showcases Joel’s infectious indie pop melodies and clever lyricism, a clear product of years of honing his craft and soaking up his surrounding Music City influences. Prior to the song’s release, Joel had been teasing his unique sound on Instagram Reels, racking up over 600,000 views of his unreleased music. When it debuted, “Deadweight” was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds Indie playlist, as well as finding Joel as the featured artist for Fresh Finds.

“It’s an indescribable feeling when you find an artist who reminds you why you started,” says Lily Bunta, A&R Manager at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “Eden Joel is truly one of a kind. His vision, spirit, and artistry embody a bold new generation of creatives. To champion his music, alongside our talented friends at Big Family, is the start of a story I will be celebrating forever.”

“I’ve been a massive fan of Eden for years,” Wes Geiken, Head of Creative at Big Family, adds. “His personality and storytelling ability stood out to me from the start – honest, dynamic, and wise beyond his years. He writes with an emotional depth that’s truly rare. Eden is exactly the kind of writer who will bring value to both the Nashville and LA songwriting communities. I speak on behalf of the whole team at Big Family when I say we’re incredibly excited for what’s ahead and deeply grateful to be part of his publishing team, alongside Lily and the rest of the incredible crew at Concord.”

Joel released his latest single “Used To” on Aug. 20, which serves as the first single from his debut EP coming in 2026. The track explores themes of purging self-doubt, shame and negativity and regaining different and more objective perspectives on life.

Peytan Porter has inked a global publishing agreement with Jody Williams Songs and Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

“I’m incredibly excited to begin this next chapter of my artistry and songwriting career with Jody Williams Songs and Sony Music Publishing,” shares Porter. “For the past five years, JWS has been a safe, inspiring space for me to grow and create, so I’m deeply grateful to continue evolving with them while also stepping into new possibilities by joining the powerhouse that is SMP. Like the best art, this partnership lives at the intersection of familiarity and forward momentum. I can’t wait to see what we build together.”

“I’ve been a fan of Peytan for years now. She’s an incredibly talented vocalist who knows exactly who she is as an artist and a songwriter. I have so much respect for the Jody Williams Songs team and the talent they’ve been fostering – I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with them as we champion Peytan and her music,” says Synnovea Halsel, Manager of Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

“Partnering with Synnovea on this next chapter in Peytan’s career was such an obvious choice,” adds Nina Jenkins Fisher, JWS Vice President/General Manager. “She has an incredible ear and is laser focused. Alongside Rusty, she hypes up her roster like no one else. They see the vision for this next season with Peytan, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

A genre-blending artist, Porter combines her Appalachian country roots with her passion for songwriting. The Georgia native’s breakout In My Head has amassed over 10 million streams, and her recently released EP Grown featured fan favorites such as “God’s Hotel,” “Speaking of Georgia” and “Lemonade.” She has opened for Tim McGraw and has shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Ian Munsick, Hailey Whitters, Brett Eldredge and Jon Pardi. Across her social media platforms, Porter has grown her platforms with 330k followers across various channels and has 50 million TikTok views.