MULTI-AWARD-WINNING SONGWRITER AND PRODUCER JONATHAN SMITH EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH ESSENTIAL MUSIC PUBLISHING, SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM DEAL WITH SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING
ront row L-R: Aubrey Rupe, SMP; Jonathan Smith; Holly Zabka, Provident Entertainment
back row L-R: Rusty Gaston, SMP; Kenley Flynn, SMP; Jamie Rodgers, EMP
Smith, also a two-time GRAMMY Award® winner, has produced and written many of today’s biggest songs, such as Worship/CCM hits “House of the Lord” by Phil Wickham, “I’m So Blessed” by CAIN, Zach Williams’ “There Was Jesus (feat. Dolly Parton)” and “Chain Breaker," and “Glorious Day” from Passion.
“Our relationship with Jonathan started from a cold call to ask him to join a co-write, and after that day of writing led to an incredible cut with Kenny Chesney and another with breakthrough talent Nate Smith," says Rusty Gaston, CEO, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. "We are massive fans of Jonathan’s work - it is the heartbeat behind his craft that leaves a unique mark on every one of his songs. We couldn’t be happier to partner with Jonathan and Essential to lead his country music charge.”
Holly Zabka, President/CEO of Provident Entertainment, shares, “Jonathan continues to be one of the most sought-after songwriters and producers in our market. We are excited about partnering with Rusty and his team at Sony Music Publishing Nashville to extend Jonathan’s songwriting talents into the country space and continue our long-standing partnership with Jonathan in the CCM/worship genre.”
About Essential Music Publishing (EMP):
EMP is a full-service music publishing company providing publishing rights management and administration, licensing, royalty collection, and payment on behalf of their award-winning songwriters and catalog administration clients. EMP has quickly become a vital creative community that empowers songwriters whose songs impact the world in various media and multiple genres.
Essential Music Publishing has more than 15,000 copyrights and 60+ No. 1 songs, including "You Say" recorded by Lauren Daigle, which also went No. 1 on the Mainstream Adult Contemporary Top 40 Chart, Cory Asbury's "Reckless Love," Zach Williams' "Chain Breaker," "Only Jesus" by Casting Crowns, and "Known" by Tauren Wells, among many others. EMP is responsible for developing the Essential Worship imprint and church marketing platform representing hundreds of worship songs to the church, including "Great Are You Lord," "The Blessing," "King of Kings," "Reckless Love, "O Come to the Altar," "Tremble," "Glorious Day," as well as worship/church platforms Elevation Worship, Vertical Worship, one sonic society, Red Rocks Worship and others.
Essential Music Publishing is under Provident Entertainment, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Find out more at
EssentialMusicPublishing.com.
About Sony Music Publishing (“SMP”):
Sony Music Publishing (“SMP”) is the leading global music publisher, home to the world’s greatest songwriters and many of the most iconic songs ever written. Headquartered in New York with an international network of 38 offices, Sony Music Publishing supports the vision, artistry, and goals of its songwriters by amplifying opportunities, fostering collaboration, and defending their rights.
SMP represents classic catalogs including The Beatles, Queen, Motown, Carole King, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Leiber & Stoller, Leonard Cohen, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, AC/DC, and The Rolling Stones, as well as contemporary superstars such as Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Calvin Harris, Daddy Yankee, Gabby Barrett, Jay-Z, Luke Bryan, Luis Fonsi, Maluma, Marc Anthony, Miranda Lambert, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Sara Bareilles, Sean Love Combs, The Kid Laroi, Travis Scott and many more. Sony Music Publishing is a part of Sony’s suite of powerful entertainment brands. Learn more about SMP
here.
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