Fresh Ink: Bruno Mars Locks In Pub Admin Deal, Kenny Chesney Helps Launch HEY NOW Records

ROSTR & NIF track thousands of artist signings every year - Fresh Ink helps you keep track of some of the highlights over the past week. Let's dive into some of the signings you should know about in this week’s edition.

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Bruno Mars secured a global publishing admin deal with Avex Music Group, effective upon completion of his current BMG/Warner Chappell contract. The 16-time GRAMMY winner's agreement with the Japanese and LA-based company covers future works and comes on the heels of his newest solo album The Romantic.

After 10 years with the major label, country music’s Kane Brown has re-signed a multi-album deal with Sony Music Entertainment Nashville, marking the extension with new single ‘Woman.’ Brown has been busy starting up his own publishing venture with Sony Music Publishing in addition to starting up his own Nashville bar, Kane’s On Broadway.

Kenny Chesney has left Warner Nashville and the major label system to kickstart new independent label HEY NOW Records alongside longtime manager Clint Higham, former head of Warner Nashville John Esposito, and former Big Machine exec Kris Lamb. The new record home is named after Chesney’s Boat with him also saying that he looks forward to being at a label where “we could have the kind of fun that used to be such a part of our business.”

In other upstart news, Scott Borchetta has launched a management division under Borchetta Entertainment Group, signing GRAMMY/CMA/ACM winner Carly Pearce as inaugural client alongside manager Mike Blong (formerly Starstruck Entertainment). The move follows Borchetta's February HYBE AMERICA departure and Big Machine Records reacquisition, with Pearce releasing Riley Green duet ‘If I Don't Leave I'm Gonna Stay.’

Baltimore synth-pop band Future Islands has signed a global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group covering their full catalog and future works as the group celebrates its 20th anniversary. The ATC Management client broke through in 2014 with ‘Seasons (Waiting on You)’ and has become a live force headlining & selling out major festivals and venues.

Odetari, who gained traction on TikTok in Covid with singles like ‘GOOD LOYAL THOTS,' signed with Tanner Westimayer at MAC Agency for touring worldwide. The rapper-singer has an album due out in May followed by a world tour.

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