Tyler Hubbard Extends With Warner Chappell, Plus More Publishing Deals

Natalie Hemby has renewed and expanded her partnership with independent publisher CTM Outlander through a new co-publishing deal. Building on a four-year relationship, CTM Outlander now acquires the majority of the two-time Grammy winner’s remaining publishing rights and writer’s share, ensuring long-term collaboration on her catalog and future works. Currently riding high with a Top 10 Country Radio hit via Parker McCollum’s “What Kind of Man,” Hemby boasts eight No. 1 Billboard country singles and songwriting credits for stars including Lady Gaga, Kacey Musgraves, Ed Sheeran and Miranda Lambert. She is a member of The Highwomen, a supergroup alongside Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires. Jody Williams Songs will continue managing Hemby’s writer relations.

Photo, top row: Jody Williams, Thomas Deelder, Derek Crownover; Bottom row: André de Raaff and Natalie Hemby

Universal Music Publishing Group has opened a new creative hub in Miami’s Wynwood district, strengthening its presence in the Latin music hub and offering songwriters, producers and artists a collaborative space with global connectivity. The launch was celebrated with a rooftop event in October at WYND28, attended by over 150 industry leaders and creators, including ICONS, Nesty, OG Flamez and MadMusick. The new hub underscores UMPG’s commitment to fostering creativity, community and cross-border collaboration in Latin and global music markets, said Alexandra Lioutikoff, UMPG’s president for the U.S. Latin and Latin America. “Miami represents a natural bridge between the Americas and the world for our creative community. Our newest space will offer a new hub for our songwriters to connect, collaborate, and create music that will travel beyond borders.”

Photo (L-R): Gabriela Diaz, Candice Delgado, Camely Medina, Ana Rosa Santiago, Alexandra Lioutikoff, Francisco de Felipe, Hazel Sarmiento, Vicky Rivas, Melissa Galvez, and Juanita Gomez Martinez

Armada Music Publishing has signed techno pioneer Adam Beyer to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal, covering his catalog—including the hit “Your Mind,” his new album Explorer Volume 1, and future works. Beyer founded Drumcode Records in 1996 and transformed it into one of techno’s most influential labels while building a prolific career that spans multiple albums, nearly 100 releases and multiple BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix contributions. “Adam Beyer is a true pioneer whose influence on techno cannot be overstated,” said Maykel Piron, CEO and co-founder of AMP. “From Drumcode’s legacy to his relentless innovation as an artist and curator, he represents the very best of electronic music.”

Nashville-based music company By Design, founded by music executives Josh Bailey, Jeremy Holley, Rod Riley, and Josh Thompson, has entered a global publishing partnership with Sony Music Publishing. SMP will provide worldwide administration for By Design’s growing roster, and collaborate on joint-venture signings to develop new songwriters. By Design’s roster includes Frankie Ballard, Zoe Levert, Alex Jude, and barlow. By Design also recently added Josh Pauley as vp of publishing and A&R.

Photo: Back row (L-R): Rusty Gaston, Josh Thompson, Josh Pauley; Front row: Jeremy Holley, Rod Riley, Josh Bailey

Spirit Music Nashville has signed Joe Bryson to an exclusive music publishing and artist development deal. Louisiana native Bryson has released the singles “Started in a Truck” and “Rosary on the Rearview,” and is working on an upcoming album. “They understand my voice and exactly who I am as an artist, and on top of that, they believe in me,” Bryson said. Kennedy Murphy, creative director of Spirit Music Nashville, called Bryson “an exceptional talent whose artistry and songwriting immediately caught my attention… I could not be more thrilled to welcome him to the Spirit family.”

Photo: Back row (L-R): Austin Wells, Ryan Johnson, Mike Fiorentino, Brian Bradford, AJ Burton, Will Cooper, Jasmine Pettus, and Lucy Widmann. Front row (L-R): Andy Hodges, Joe Bryson, Kennedy Murphy and Frank Rogers.

Brendan Walter, a rising singer-songwriter blending Texas country, folk and alt-rock, has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville. Originally from Dallas, Walter transitioned from a bourgeoning hockey career to music, performing at Austin venues before moving to Nashville in 2024. Walter, who debuted with I don’t know what I’m doing yet, recently released his sophomore album Disappearing Days — a nostalgic exploration of young adulthood — and has toured alongside WCM artists Wyatt Flores and Evan Honer. “Brendan is a rare artist whose songs feel fresh yet instantly familiar,” said Spencer Nohe, the publisher’s vp of A&R. “He’s an exceptional songwriter whose humility and work ethic set him apart.”

Inner Circle Publishing, a Nigerian music publishing company co-founded by Caleb Oyolola and Promise Dennis, has signed a global deal with Kobalt to amplify African talent and align with Kobalt’s strategy of empowering independent voices in emerging markets. Launched earlier this year, INCP has quickly made an impact by signing producers behind Nigeria’s biggest hits, including Choke Boi (“Joy Is Coming”) and Serotonin (“Venus”). The company also secured a long-term deal with rising Afrobeat star Dxtiny, best known for his 2024 hit “Uncle Pele.” Beyond publishing, INCP has achieved success with artist management and its label arm, breaking acts like Fido and Mavo. “Nigeria continues to be a wellspring of creativity and cultural influence, and this deal reflects our commitment to supporting diverse voices on a global stage,” said Kenny McGoff, head of creative UK & GSA, Kobalt Music.

Tape Room Music has signed Kentucky-born country artist Connor Hicks to an exclusive global publishing deal. Hicks just released his song “Lonely Season.” “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue growing into the artist I’ve always wanted to be,” Hicks said in a statement. “My goal has always been to create music that feels real, and I’m thrilled to do that alongside a team like Tape Room that is truly the best of the best. All glory to the man upstairs.” “From our first meeting with Connor, we knew we wanted to be a part of his journey as an artist,” added Tape Room Music president Blain Rhodes. “We are so excited to welcome him to the Tape Room family and help him bring his music to the world.”

Photo: (L-R): Caroline Hodson, Nick Tressler, Ashley Gorley, Connor Hicks, Blain Rhodes, Katherine Godwin
 

Nashville-based Back Blocks Music has signed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Burdick for management and publishing. Burdick is a Washington native who relocated to Nashville after being discovered on TikTok Live by Back Blocks Music’s founder/CEO Rakiyah Marshall. Burdick also recently signed with SESAC. Back Blocks’ roster also includes Ashley Cooke, Blake Pendergrass and Tucker Wetmore. “From the moment he arrived in Nashville, Ethan jumped straight into the work of shaping his artistry and sharpening his songwriting,” Marshall said. “He’s humble, introspective, and deeply self-motivated — the kind of artist who’s building in all the right directions.”

Photo: L-R: Lydia Cahill (SESAC), Abbey Watson (SESAC), Ethan Burdick, Elizabeth Cooke (Back Blocks), Rakiyah Marshall (Back Blocks)

UMPG chairman and CEO Jody Gerson accepted MBW’s International Executive of the Year award on Nov. 4, crediting her UK team for maintaining a powerful roster that includes Adele, Coldplay and Florence Welch. In her remarks, Gerson highlighted her ongoing mission to protect songwriters amid the rise of AI, calling for fair compensation and support for creativity. She reaffirmed UMPG’s commitment to signing and developing British and Irish talent with global reach, saying: “I want every British and Irish songwriter to hear this: I am on your side. I wake up every day with one overriding mission – to protect human songwriters. On that, I will never waver.”