Publishing Briefs: Chris Rea and Haddaway Sell Rights to BMG; Liz Rose Renews WCM Deal

Rock and blues singer-songwriter Chris Rea has sold his “music interests” to BMG. The deal includes the royalty shares of his 17 studio albums, including hits like “Driving Home for Christmas,” “On The Beach,” “Road to Hell,” and “Fool (If You Think Its Over).”

Electric Feel Entertainment has signed singer-songwriter Xplicit to a management deal, and Sony Music Publishing has signed the artist for publishing. Xplicit is known for penning some of pop’s stickiest hits of the last decade, including cuts like Justin Bieber’s “Anyone,” Fifth Harmony’s “Work From Home,” and Lil Dirk/Morgan Wallen’s “Broadway Girls.”

Liz Rose has renewed her publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. Rose is regarded as one of the most essential songwriters in Nashville today and is particularly known for her collaborations with Taylor Swift. She has also worked with Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Ingrid Andress, Little Big Town, and more.

BMG has acquired the royalty interests of Haddaway‘s recordings. A multi-platinum Eurodance act, Haddaway is best know for their songs “What is Love,” “Life” and “Rock My Heart.”

Concord Music Publishing has partnered with Chromatic Music to sign producer and songwriter Aaron Chafin to a co-publishing agreement. The deal entails both his back catalog and future works made under the term of the deal. It marks the second-ever signing for the Toger Brown-founded Chromatic Music, following their deal with Nashville-based talent Lauren Hungate.

Jesse Murphy has signed an exclusive publishing deal with peermusic Nashville. Son of country singer David Lee Murphy, Jesse is part of crossover band House Whiskey. This marks the first signing under the tenure of Michael Knox, president of peermusic Nashville.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame recently hosted a documentary film screening and panel of “Killing Me Softly With His Songs,” a tribute to composer Charles Fox that chronicles his life and work. The hitmaker behind classic cuts like “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “I Got A Name,” and “Ready To Take A Chance Again,” as well as iconic television show themes for Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, Wonder Woman and more, Fox is one of the most defining songwriters of his generation.

Big Yellow Dog Music has inked a publishing and label deal with Kyle Coulahan. The protege of legendary producer Chips Moman (Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson), Coulahan is an up and coming country act that also writes for other artists across Nashville.

AJ Smith has signed a new exclusive publishing deal with Wise Music Group. Born in Denver and now based out of New York City, Smith is a pop artist on the rise, with songs “We’re All Gonna Die,” “Confetti” and “Grammy.”

Centricity Publishing has renewed their publishing deal with songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist, Kyle Williams. A recent winner of ABC’s Songland, Williams is one of Christian’s most talented writers, and he has built a career out of writing for other Christian artists as well as working on his solo projects and band We Are the Messengers.

Warner Chappell Music has linked with the company Group Projects to launch a joint publishing venture. Group Projects’ new publishing outfit, founded by Anthony Manker and Cooper Anstett, has already found a first signee, Sam Martinez. Born and raised in Virginia, Martinez moved to Nashville to pursue music. He’s worked closely with collaborators like Zack Dyer, Ben Stoll, Jared Scott, and more.

Bucks Music Group has inked an exclusive publishing agreement with Yahael Camara-Onono. The musician is best known for his work as both the band leader and creator of West African collective Balimaya Project.