Sony Music Publishing teams with Domain Capital to acquire career-spanning catalog from hit songwriter Ashley Gorley. (MBW’s sources put the deal at $40m.)

Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has partnered with Domain Capital Group to purchase a career-spanning portfolio from award-winning musician, Ashley Gorley.

One of the most consistent and acclaimed modern writers of country hits, Gorley – as part of the deal – also signed a follow-up deal that will see SMP publish both the latter and his future works.

In 2018, Gorley sold 50% shares in his catalog (until then) to New York headquarters Round Hill Music.

MBW understands that the agreement is additionally included 50% Song copyright for music Gorley will continue to write in the years 2018-2022.

Sources tell us that Sony x Domain has now acquired another 50% of Gorley’s work throughout his career, including his contributions to Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album – previous years Biggest LP on all formats (and on a pure streaming basis) in the United States.

(A source close to the new deal suggests that Sony x Domain may have acquired some additional ownership rights in some of Gorley’s songs over and over 50% of that share, although this suggestion has not been confirmed.) Verification.)

Round Hill retains its share of Gorley’s pre-2022 portfolio.

In addition, Domain x Sony has agreed to an exclusive partnership agreement with Gorley, allowing the acquisition of the rights to his music over the next several years.

MBW understands that Sony x Domain’s acquisition of Gorley’s portfolio has been agreed for a regional price of $40 million, although no interested parties have commented on that figure.

Interestingly, SMP partnered with Domain Capital to acquire Gorley’s portfolio following Sony’s partnership with another outside source – Todd Boehly’s Eldridge Industries – to get a catalog of Bruce Springsteen’s compositions in Q4 of last year.

As of September 2021, based in Atlanta Domain capital group manage about 6.5 billion dollars in total assets through its two registered subsidiaries, Domain Capital Advisors, LLC and Domain Timber Advisors, LLC.

Domain says its subsidiaries provide “comprehensive private investment management services… to institutions, public and private pension plans, corporations, foundations, foundations and individuals with high net worth”.

Announcing the new agreement, Ashley Gorley said, “Both Domain and Sony Music Publishing have a deep respect and understanding of the value of songs. I am grateful to Pete and the rest of the Domain team for their trust in me.

“I am especially pleased to be joining forces with longtime friends Jon Platt, Rusty Gaston, Cam Caldwell and the rest of Sony employees. I can’t wait to start this next chapter! ”

“Both Domain and Sony Music Publishing have a deep respect and understanding of the value of songs.”

Ashley Gorley

Gorley has set a record 59 number-one singles on the US charts, and has had over 400 songs released by artists such as Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Cole Swindell, Bon Jovi, Weezer, and more.

He had three cuts featured on the standard version of Morgan Wallen Danger: Double Albumincluding hits Sand in my boots.

Other recent hits penned/co-written by Gorley include You should probably leave by Chris Stapleton, and What is your country song? by Thomas Rhett.

Discussing the Gorley deal with SMP, Domain Capital Group’s Pete Chiappetta said, “Ashley Gorley is undeniably one of the most talented, hard-working and acclaimed musicians in the world.

“We are excited to see what he achieves next with Jon, Rusty, Cam and the rest of the incredible team at Sony.

“It is an honor to work alongside such a passionate and respected group of professionals.”

“It is an honor to work alongside such a passionate and respected group of professionals.”

Pete Chiappetta, Capital Domain

And Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston said, “I’ve been a fan of Ashley Gorley’s writing since the late ’90s when we were both at Belmont University.

“He was a true connoisseur of music in every sense of the word. His diverse influences combined with his sincere heart have made his songs the hallmark of country music.

“Sony Music Publishing is proud to partner with Ashley and our friends at Domain Capital to champion this new leg in his historic songwriting journey.”

“Sony Music Publishing is proud to partner with Ashley and our friends at Domain Capital to champion this new leg in his historic songwriting journey.”

Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing

Gorley was honored as AS SOON AS POSSIBLE Musician of the year eight times. He is a five times Billboards Top Country Musicians, Five-Time NSAI Musicians of the Year and 2021 iHeart Radio Musician of the Year in All Genres, receiving nominations again in 2022. He has multiple GRAMMY, CMA and ACM nominations.

As an advocate for the songwriting community, he has worked to promote musicians’ rights and bills like the Music Modernization Act (MMA).

Gorley also championed a roster of talented writers at his Tape Room Music publishing company, whose writers celebrated 35 #1 hits, including The body is like the back road by Sam Hunt and One of their girls by Lee Brice.

Ashley Gorley is represented in the transaction by Derek Crownover, John Rolfe and Megan Pekar from Loeb & Loeb, LLP.Worldwide music business