UMPG Extends Deal with Striking Matches

Before the Striking Matches show at the Bud Light stage during CMA Music Fest 2015. Pictured (L-R): Missy Wilson, UMPG Nashville Sr. Creative Director; Kent Earls, EVP/GM UMPG Nashville; Justin Davis; Sarah Zimmermann; Cyndi Forman, UMPG Nashville VP Creative; and Ron Stuve, UMPG Nashville VP A&R.

Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis of I.R.S. Nashville duo Striking Matches have extended their exclusive global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville. The announcement was made by Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville.

“From the moment we met Striking Matches, we knew they were the true triple threat…great singers, great songwriters and great musicians,” said Earls.

Since 2011, UMPG has dedicated significant resources to develop and help advance the career of Striking Matches through releasing their debut EP, securing multiple high-profile synch placements, and promoting their repertoire. The company arranged for the then-unknown songwriters to perform for Frankie Pine, music supervisor for ABC’s Nashville, who featured their song “When the Right One Comes Along” on the show. Eight of their songs have since appeared on the series in its first three seasons.

In March, the band released a debut album Nothing But the Silence, produced by T Bone Burnett. Striking Matches are currently on tour to support the record, with multiple dates scheduled in the U.S. and U.K. throughout the summer and into the fall.

“UMPG has become a family to us and we are so excited to continue our journey with them. The support they have given us is immeasurable and we can’t wait to see where this next chapter leads us,” said Davis and Zimmermann.