Hit Writer Josh Osborne Signs With SMACKSongs As Partner

(L-R): SMACKSongs Creative Manager Robert Carlton, Kobalt Music Group Senior VP Whitney Daane, Josh Osborne, SMACKSongs Creative Director Robin Palmer, Shane McAnally, attorney Jason Turner, ASCAP Nashville VP Michael Martin and attorney Jordan Keller. Photo: Jason Krupek

SMACKSongs President and CEO Shane McAnally announced the signing of songwriter Josh Osborne as a full partner of the music publisher today (June 8).

Osborne’s No. 1 songs include Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over,” Billy Currington’s “We Are Tonight,” Eli Young Band’s “Drunk Last Night” and Blake Shelton’s “My Eyes.” He is a frequent collaborator of Sam Hunt (co-writing his No. 1s “Leave the Night On” and “Take Your Time”) and Kacey Musgraves (co-writing the GRAMMY-winning “Merry Go Round”). Osborne currently has three songs on the charts: Chesney’s “Wild Child,” Jake Owen’s “Real Life” and Shelton’s “Sangria.”

Kobalt, an independent music publishing and global music rights management services company, will serve as the exclusive worldwide administrator for SMACKSongs.

“Since the first time working with Josh, we always knew we wanted to someday build a partnership beyond just writing songs together,” said McAnally. “This partnership marks a new beginning for SMACKSongs and we are excited to welcome him to the SMACK family.”

“Becoming a partner at SMACK is an incredible opportunity,” said Osborne. “To get to be a part of so many projects I believe in professionally, and so many people that I believe in personally, is more than anyone in our business could ask for.”

“The addition of Josh Osborne to the SMACKSongs family further solidifies its position as one of the hottest indie publishers on Music Row,” said Kobalt Senior Vice President of Creative (Nashville), Whitney Daane. “Kobalt is proud and privileged to be a part of the team!”

Founded in 2012 by McAnally, SMACKSongs represents the songwriting catalogs of McAnally, Osborne, Matthew McGinn and Jo Eldridge (nee’ Joanna Smith). It also represents the works of Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen, members of Sony/RCA’s Old Dominion. The creative team consists of music publishing veterans Robin Palmer and Robert Carlton, with Michael Baum in business affairs and Tiffany Young running operations. SMACKSongs currently has 10 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Osborne was previously signed to Black River Publishing, which he joined in 2010.