Sony Pub U.K. is getting into the Pablo Bowman Navarro business, inking a global publishing deal with Chumba Music for ASCAP London’s newly crowned Songwriter of the Year. The deal was shepherded by SMP U.K.’s senior director of A&R, Saul Fitton. Seen toasting the deal with some bubbly just prior to a delicious repast of mushy peas are (l-r) writer-producer Rick Boardman, Fitton, Navarro and managers Holly Lintel and Will Gresford.
A key member of the U.K. songwriting collective The Six, Navarro most recently penned the chart-topping Calvin Harris/Ellie Goulding collab “Miracle,” which sat at #1 in Blighty for eight weeks. Of late he’s been in the studio with J Balvin and Tainy, and has also collaborated with Marshmello, Ava Max, Kid Cudi, Channel Tres, Bebe Rexha and Mimi Webb.
Founded in 2015 by Jason Evigan, Chumba Music is home to Gian Stone, Castle, GRACEY and Lionel Crasta, among others. “The moment I met Pablo I knew he was special,” reads a quote from Evigan. “He brings such a unique, left-of-center approach to his writing, and always comes at it from an artist’s lens.”
“This collaboration feels seamlessly natural,” adds Navarro. “I feel so creatively inspired and understood. I am extremely excited for the future!”
We, too, feel extremely excited for the future, as naptime is always on the horizon.
Joie Manda’s Platinum Grammar Publishing has officially partnered with Photo Finish Publishing.
Known as a record label for 18 years, Photo Finish previously had publishing ventures with Warner Chappell and UMPG, which aligned with label deals at Atlantic and Universal Music Group, respectively.
Under the partnership, Manda and Photo Finish will identify and ink new talent in the songwriter and producer spaces.
'With Photo Finish operating as an independent label for the past eight years and Joie starting up his new company independently, it made perfect sense to align,” said Photo Finish Founder, Matt Galle. “We have already hit the ground running with our first signing Ghostrage…”
“Galle has an incredible ear for identifying emerging talent, signing and developing artists as proven by his track record since the launch of Photo Finish in 2006. I look forward to ushering in this new phase with him, now signing and developing songwriters and producers under the Photo Finish Publishing and Platinum Grammar Publishing partnership,” added Manda, who founded Platinum Grammar in 2022 following his 2021 launch of Encore Recordings.
Big Machine Music has upped Michelle Attardi to senior director, publishing, effective immediately.
Since joining BMM seven years ago, Attardi has been part of the creative team representing BMM’s roster and catalog, which has grown to 14,000+ songs and more than 50 #1’s across radio formats.
She’s also been key in signing acts like Daniel Ross, Matt Roy, Troy Cartwright and Geoff Warburton, and has secured cuts with the likes of Jon Pardi, Lady A, Jason Aldean, Jake Owen and Mitchell Tenpenny, among others.
“Michelle has great ears and a passion for her songwriters. I’m happy to see her take this hard-earned next step in her career at Big Machine Music,” said BMM President, Mike Molinar.
“I have the privilege of working with incredible talent and I’m excited to continue fostering these exceptional songwriters and artists,” added Attardi. “I’m grateful for the support and mentorship of Scott Borchetta and Mike Molinar and look forward to contributing to the continued success of our publishing roster.”
Attardi is also a Berklee College of Music graduate is currently on the board of Wags and Walks Nashville.
Celebrating after turning a housekeeper’s door knock into a musical beat are, from left Tay Jasper, The Proof duo, Erika de Casier and Ryan Ashley.
Warner Chappell Music brought more than 300 songwriters, artists and producers to Las Vegas last week for its annual Songwriting Camp.
Between interactive and educational sessions on the publishing business, navigating the new songwriter economy and AI, songwriters gathered to come up with rhymes for “snake eyes,” “splitting eights,” “bottle service” and “Keno.”
“This year’s camp was the first time we brought together creators from all the major music markets—the U.S., Mexico, South Korea, U.K., Spain, and more,” Ryan Press, WCM’s president, North America, said. “We had rap producers working on K-pop briefs and Latin stars pairing up with country acts—we even had writers working with Nickelodeon actor and trending TikTok personality Trey Makai, and it was inspiring to see everyone get out of their comfort zones.”
WCM, in partnership with YouTube Music, Warner Records, Atlantic Records and RCA Records, wheeled out a solid lineup of talent that included Chlöe, Danna Paola, Bebe Rexha, K-pop songwriting and producing duo The Proof, Murda Beatz, Tay Keith, Amy Allen and many others.
Warner Music Group EVP of Business Development and Chief Digital Officer Oana Ruxandra and WCM executives Ashley Winton (SVP, Creative Services), Alicia Ripplinger (senior director, Legal & Business Affairs) and Alice Aleksandrovich led the sessions.
Camp attendees all wrote letters home saying the food sucked, the pool was too cold and diminished minor chords will be the wave of the future.
Influence Media and Warner Chappell Nashville on 9/19 announced a partnership with CMA-winning and Grammy-nominated songwriter-producer-DJ Jesse Frasure. Frasure’s longtime collaborator, WCM Nashville boss Ben Vaughn and Influence Founder/Co-Managing Partner Lylette Pizarro are credited with shepherding Frasure’s 160+-song catalog and future compositions into the fold. Seen celebrating Frasure’s birthday and album release during a party hosted by WCMN, Influence and Rhythm House at Soho House Nashville and girding themselves for the indignity of an appearance on this website are (l-r) VP Rhythm House Music Stevie Frasure, Pizarro, Vaughn, Jesse Frasure, WCM Sr. Director A&R Spencer Nohe, Influence Media Co-Founder/Partner Lynn Hazan and WCM SVP/GM Phil May.
Frasure’s credits include over 22 #1s, including Jon Pardi’s “Dirt on My Boots,” Thomas Rhett’s “What’s Your Country Song” and “One Mississippi” by Kane Brown, as well as tracks for the likes of Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Marshmello, Meghan Trainor, Steve Aoki and Miranda Lambert.
The two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year also recently nabbed the 2023 ACM Award for Song of the Year for Cole Swindell’s “She Had Me at Heads Carolina.” He released his latest album (as DJ Telemitry), Return to Calm Springs, on 9/15.
“Jesse is a mega-talent and trendsetter in the Nashville songwriting community, and we've been lucky to work alongside him for several years now,' reads a quote from Vaughn. 'He's multi-talented as a writer, publisher and producer who’s always ahead of the curve and looking for the next great musical moment. His undeniable talent and relentless work ethic have landed him some of the biggest collaborations in country music, and with the support of Influence Media and our entire WCM Nashville team, the best is yet to come. Now please stop calling me.'
“Jesse Frasure is the ultimate multi-hyphenate–songwriter, producer, artist, DJ, tastemaker and influencer–truly a rare, gifted breed,' goes a statement issued by Pizarro. 'His work is rooted in country but has a proven track record of reaching far wider audiences. And let me add that I sincerely hope never to have to deal with those idiots at HITS again.'
UMPG has signed música Mexicana sensation Ivan Cornejo to an exclusive global publishing agreement.
The 19-year old singer-songwriter, who just inked a recording pact with Interscope, has already topped the Latin Songwriters chart and earned a #1 on the Regional Mexican album chart with his sophomore album, Dañado.
Cornejo's songs “Esta Dañada,” “La Curiosidad,” “Hasta la Muerte” and “J,” among others, have generated hundreds of millions of streams. The SoCal native performed at Lollapalooza this summer and is currently on a sold-out headlining tour in the U.S. and Mexico.
UMPG SVP of Latin Music, Ana Rosa Santiago said, “It’s a joy and privilege to work with singer-songwriters like Ivan who have the ability to convey deep and complex emotions through their music that inspires and connects with so many people. The UMPG team is happy to welcome Ivan to our family.”
WCM U.S. and WCM Colombia have renewed their publishing deal with CASTA, neé Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, in partnership with Edgar Barrera’s BorderKid Publishing.
Last year, the multi-platinum Latin producer co-produced KAROL G & Becky G’s 23x multi-platinum, award-winning hit, “MAMIII,” as well as Manuel Turizo's 'La Bachata,” which has amassed 1b+ streams.
'I'm thrilled to continue working alongside Warner Chappell, and to now also add BorderKid to the equation,' said CASTA. 'With this team backing me, I will keep on working to reinvent my music and collaborate with rising talent.'
“CASTA is the epitome of musicianship and true talent,” added Gustavo Menéndez, president, U.S. Latin & Latin America, WCM. “We’re honored that he’s continuing to trust us as his publishing home and excited to work with Edgar and his BorderKid Publishing team.”
“Adding CASTA to my BorderKid Publishing and management team has been a great achievement. He has all the qualities we're looking for; he's creative, talented, and has a great work ethic and an amazing energy,” shared Barrera.
Beginning his career as a musical director for artists such as Manuel Turizo, Sebastian Yatra, Morat and Manuel Medrano, CASTA worked as a producer for The Voice USA for two years before becoming a full-time producer/composer in 2020 for acts like Ricky Martin, Maluma, Ozuna, Zion y Lennox and Arcangel, among others.
Seen actively ignoring are calls are (l-r) WCM’s Mariana Zawadzki, CASTA, Barrera, WCM’s Lazaro Hernandez and Menéndez.
Photo credit: PIPES
Lamberg & Schwartz: You’d swear it was a law firm that advertised on bus stop benches, but it’s really two guys who enjoy a great 11 o’clock number.
Talk about a “Wicked” signing: composer Stephen Schwartz has inked an exclusive, global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group.
Through the new agreement, UMPG represents the majority of Schwartz’ Broadway catalog, which includes Wicked, Godspell, Pippin and Working. Schwartz’s film work includes his collaborations with Alan Menken (Pocahontas’ “Colors of the Wind” ans “Just Around the Riverbend”), The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, and Enchanted. Schwartz also wrote music and lyrics for The Prince Of Egypt, including the Academy Award-winning song 'When You Believe.'
“Stephen Schwartz is one of the greatest generational hit songwriters of all time,” UMPG President of North America Evan Lamberg said. “From Wicked to The Magic Show, to all his wonderful songs for animated features and so much more, it’s a true honor for Jody Gerson and myself to welcome Stephen to our UMPG family as his global music publisher.”
Schwartz has won four Grammys, three Oscars, and a special Tony, and been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Schwartz was had a compliment for Lamberg and his team. “I value the great expertise and imagination they bring, and I have already experienced their high level of support and encouragement. I know we'll enjoy this adventure together.”
PULSE Music Group has renewed its deal with songwriter Solly, neé Sarah Solovay, via a JV with Beka Tischker’s Wide Eyed Entertainment.
The deal was announced by PULSE co-CEOs Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham and President/Head of Creative Ashley Calhoun.
“I'm so thrilled to be re-signing with my team at Pulse Music Group and Wide Eyed Entertainment,” said Solly. “Their expertise, creativity and collaboration have been essential to my growth as a songwriter, and I feel deeply inspired by the vision we all share for our next chapter together.'
“We’re thrilled to have worked with Beka to put together this deal with Solly, who's a tremendous talent that absolutely belongs on this roster,” said Abraham, Cutler and Calhoun in a joint statement.
“It’s such an honor and privilege to continue our relationship with Solly! Her talent and work ethic are unmatched,” added Tischker.
'Solly is a true talent,” echoed PMG VP A&R Annie Aberle. “The best is definitely yet to come.'
The New Yorker-turned-Angeleno's credits include Bebe Rexha, Jason Derulo, Shawn Mendes & Tainy, GAYLE and Alana Springsteen. Most recently, she co-wrote Marshmello & Dove Cameron’s “Other Boys,” David Guetta & Rexha’s “One in a Million” and five songs on Nessa Barrett’s latest EP.
Solly is represented for legal by Boyarski Fritz and managed by Adam Alpert's Disruptor.
Seen waiting for some kombucha to ferment are (l-r) Cutler, Tischker, Solly, Aberle and Boyarski.
Range Media Partners has appointed Casey Robison as the head of its new music publishing division.
Robison joins Range's music division following his tenure as co-president/partner of Big Deal Music Group. He also helped lead the company's 2020 acquisition by Hipgnosis Songs Group, where he most recently served as EVP, A&R.
Now, Robison will lead the new publishing division that includes Sam Drake, Federico Morris and Jared Cotter.
“Casey and the team believe there is a tremendous opportunity to launch a boutique publishing company inside of the Range ecosystem,” said Range Music founding partner/RMP co-founder Matt Graham. 'We couldn’t be more excited about what we can create together.”
“Range’s curated approach to identifying and fostering talent across genres will serve as a blueprint for how we build the publishing company, which will be dedicated to long-term career growth for both artists and writers,” added Robison.
Since beginning his music career as an intern at Capitol Records while attending USC, Robison has also held positions at Chrysalis Publishing and BMI, and served as a founding co-producer of the songwriting podcast And the Writer Is…With Ross Golan.
Photo Credit: Monica Reyes Photography
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