Spirit Music Nashville Adds Songwriter Kyle Rife To Roster

Pictured (L-R): Billy Lynn, VP, Creative, Spirit Music Nashville; Denise Stevens, Attorney, Loeb & Loeb; Kyle Rife; Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville; Brian Bradford, Sr. Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville; and Freeman Wizer, Sr. Director of Creative, Spirit Music Nashville.

Spirit Music Nashville has signed songwriter Kyle Rife to an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement, as announced today by Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville. Rife’s agreement with Spirit marks the latest in the company’s aggressive series of Nashville-focused signings and catalog acquisitions. One of Nashville’s most promising songwriters and performers, Rife has co-written songs with Jeffery Steele, Mac McAnally, Darius Rucker, and Spirit’s own Frank Rogers, and he’s performed alongside Rucker, Taylor Swift, Kid Rock and ZZ Top.

“Kyle is a gifted guitarist, performer, and songwriter. We are very excited to help Kyle take his songwriting career to the next level and beyond,” said Daniel Hill.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled or honored to be a part of such an incredible group of publishers. I respect Daniel Hill and Billy Lynn [Spirit Music Nashville’s Vice President of Creative] beyond words. For them and everyone at Spirit Music Group, to see value in what I do… I’m just truly grateful. I already feel right at home!” said Kyle Rife.

An Everett, WA native, Rife took up guitar at age six and was performing publicly by the third grade. After high school he toured with various bands and eventually headlined at a Jimmy Buffett music festival in Key West, Florida.

Rife’s talent impressed both Buffet and artist and songwriter Ilo Ferriera, which led to a number of opportunities including two years of touring with Buffet as direct support; opening for Dave Matthews Band in Sao Paulo, Brazil; recording sessions in Kingston Jamaica with Sly & Robbie under the direction of Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell; as well as a private performance for Bill and Hillary Clinton. Rife relocated to Nashville and began working with Joel Crouse, touring regularly with Darius Rucker. In 2013, Rife and Crouse opened 16 sold-out shows for Taylor Swift as part of her Red tour. Rife then joined Tim Montana as the band’s lead guitarist, which led to tours alongside Kid Rock and ZZ Top.