Carly Pearce has extended her publishing partnership with BMG in association with Altadena, the music company founded by Pearce's late producer and collaborator, busbee, and LEO33’s Daniel Lee. Pearce has been part of the BMG family for more than a decade and her career in country music continues to flourish.

"Carly’s strength, determination and writing skills are as fierce as her work ethic," BMG Nashville’s VP, Publishing Chris Oglesby said. "We are honored to continue this journey with her and Altadena.”

Pearce kicked off her Hummingbird World Tour this month in support of her latest album, hummingbird, which marks her debut as a co-producer and includes the Grammy-nominated “we don’t fight anymore” featuring Chris Stapleton and “truck on fire." Pearce released a video for the latter on Monday (10/14), her first since winning the CMT Award for Collaborative Video of the Year for “we don’t fight anymore" in April. Directed by Alexa Campbell, the visual revolves around a revenge fantasy aimed at a cheating ex.

Pictured wishing they could get revenge on us for merely existing are (l-r) Lee, Starstruck Entertainment's Mike Blong, BMG's Camryn Clark, BMG's Patricia Wittmer, Pearce, Oglesby, Altadena's Jess Busbee, BMG's Amy Scott and attorney David Crow.

UMPG Nashville has inked Matraca Berg to an exclusive, global publishing deal.

With a career spanning nearly four decades, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and BMI 2023 ICON Award recipient has accumulated 11 BMI Millionaire Awards.

Her credits include chart-toppers like Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine,” Trisha Yearwood’s Wrong Side of Memphis” and “XXX’s and OOO’s,” Patty Loveless’ “I’m That Kind of Girl” and Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila” f/Grace Potter.

“Cyndi Forman has known and worked with Matraca for more than 20 years. She and I were discussing songwriters that we both loved and respected, and it became obvious to both of us at the same moment that we needed to work with Matraca,” said UMPG Nashville Chairman/CEO Troy Tomlinson.

“I’ve been with the same publisher since my early 20s. Pat Higdon has always had my back. Finding another home after all these years was daunting,” added Berg. “It feels good and natural to be at Universal Music Publishing now. Troy and Cyndi have the same love of songs and deep respect for the music.”

Berg joins a roster that includes Chase McGill, Paul DiGiovanni, Troy Verges, Brad Tursi, Benjy Davis, Ray Fulcher, Jacob Davis, John Pierce, Caitlyn Smith, Brandy Clark and more.

Photo: Glen Rose

Sony Music Publishing has appointed respected British exec Caroline Elleray as VP, Creative, Songwriter Services. Based in London, the role is effective immediately.

Elleray will be responsible for leading and advancing SMP’s service efforts on behalf of the company’s songwriters and catalogs. She will also work closely with the publisher's global creative teams to identify new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

During her two-decade career, Elleray has worked closely with acts including Coldplay, Keane, Rex Orange County, Mumford & Sons, Laura Mvula, Feist, Little Simz and Bastille. She previously served in A&R at UMPG and BMG, which she joined in 1997.

In 2022, Elleray set up her own publishing and management venture Second Songs alongside Mark Gale, in partnership with SMP. She will continue to run that company alongside her new role, which reports into SMP U.K. Co-MD Tim Major and SMP U.K. President & Co-MD and SVP International David Ventura.

"If you have ever spent any time with Caroline, you will know instinctively that she lives and breathes our mission to be a true creative partner for songwriters and their songs," said Major, pictured right of Ventura and Elleray. "We are therefore delighted that she’s agreed to step into this vital role."