New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Universal
Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville has re-signed Grammy winning hitmaker and songwriter/producer Luke Laird, extending his longstanding successful relationship with the company, it was announced by Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville.
Laird's exclusive worldwide deal encompasses his entire catalogue as well as futureworks. Throughout more than a decade with UMPG Nashville as his publisher, Laird has become one of music's most talented and prolific songwriters with over 800 credits to his name.
"From his first No. 1 co-written single in 2007 through his 19th No. 1 last week, we have been honored to work with Luke Laird every step of the way. His tireless passion, endless creativity and genre leading songwriting excites the UMPG staff every day. We look forward to what he delivers next!," said Earls.
"I've been part of the Universal
Music Publishing family for over 10 years and I'm excited to continue the partnership with Kent and the entire team," said Laird.
Over his career, Luke Laird has co-written nineteen No.1 songs on Billboard's Nashville Country Airplay chart. To date, his songs have contributed to the sales of more than 20 million albums. Laird has penned No.1 hits for a multitude of artists including
Luke Bryan ("
I See You"),
Kenny Chesney ("
American Kids"),
Lady Antebellum ("
Downtown"),
Tim McGraw ("One of Those Nights"),
Rodney Atkins ("Take a Back Road"),
Eric Church ("Give Me Back My Hometown," "Talladega," and "Drink in My Hand"),
Chris Young ("You"),
Carrie Underwood ("Undo It," "So Small," "Last Name," and "
Temporary Home"),
Brad Paisley ("Beat This Summer"),
Sara Evans ("A
Little Bit Stronger"),
Blake Shelton ("
Hillbilly Bone" feat. Trace Adkins),
Little Big Town ("
Pontoon"),
Frankie Ballard ("Sunshine and Whiskey), and
Hunter Hayes ("Somebody's Heartbreak"). In 2012, Laird received both BMI's prestigious Country Songwriter of the Year award and won the
Frances W. Preston Award Song of the Year Award for "Take A Back Road." In 2014 he received his first Grammy Award in 2014 for co-producing Kacey Musgraves' album, Same Trailer Different Park. In early 2015, he also received his fourth CMA Triple Play Award for three No.1 singles in a 12-month period.
Laird has additionally worked with such other major artists as
Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Ne-Yo, Rascal Flats, Lee Ann Womack, Amy Grant,
Lauren Alaina and
Charlotte Church among many others.
