Universal Music Publishing Re-Signs Luke Laird

Pictured (L-R): Evan Lamberg, President, UMPG North America; attorney Derek Crownover; Luke Laird; Kent Earls, EVP/General Manager, UMPG Nashville; Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI; and Beth Laird, Creative Nation.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today announced the re-signing of Nashville’s award-winning songwriter, Luke Laird, to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement. Through the deal, UMPG will now also administer select writers from Creative Nation, the publishing entity of Luke and Beth Laird.

Luke Laird has co-written three No. 1 singles in the last 12 months (“Take a Back Road” recorded by Rodney Atkins, “Drink in My Hand” recorded by Eric Church, and “You” recorded by Chris Young), earning his second consecutive Country Music Association Triple Play Award.

In total, Laird has co-written nine singles that hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts: the three mentioned above as well as Carrie Underwood’s “Undo it,” “So Small,” “Last Name,” and “Temporary Home;” Sara Evans’ “A Little Bit Stronger;” and Blake Shelton’s “Hillbilly Bone” featuring Trace Adkins. Laird celebrated multiple wins at the BMI Country Awards in November, and is nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the April 1 ACM Awards. His songs have contributed to the sales of more than 20 million albums. Laird is also co-producing Kacey Musgraves’ debut album on Mercury/Lost Highway.

“It’s an honor, for Universal Music Publishing, to continue to work with Luke who is one of the most successful songwriters to come out of any music genre in years. And it’s an additional honor to start a business relationship with Beth Laird and Luke’s Creative Nation Music,” said Evan Lamberg, President, UMPG North America. “Kudos to Kent Earls and his staff for continuing to put songwriter relationships at the core of what matters most.”

“We are excited and thrilled to continue our already successful relationship with Luke Laird,” said Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville. “Luke continues to deliver smash after smash after smash. He has solidified his place among the Nashville hit-makers with nine No. 1 songs over the last few years. As well, we look forward to working with Beth Laird and the Creative Nation writers to help accomplish their goals.”

“I am so blessed to have the opportunity to make music every day and have really enjoyed working with Evan, Kent and the whole UMPG team,” summed Laird. “With the addition of Creative Nation, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the future.”