Maren Morris signs with Universal Music Publishing Group for exclusive administration deal

01 August 2019 - Press release

 

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a leading, global music publisher, today announced that superstar singer-songwriter Maren Morris has been signed to a worldwide administration deal.

At 29-years-old, Morris (Columbia Nashville) has amassed global success across both country and pop scenes and has been called "the future of country music" (TIME). Her debut album HERO (2016) entered at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200, earning Platinum certification. Her debut single "My Church" is RIAA-certified double Platinum and earned Morris a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance. The album also saw Platinum hits "80s Mercedes" and "I Could Use A Love Song," as well as Gold-certified "Rich."

Morris has also seen tremendous worldwide success in the pop world for her smash collaboration "The Middle" with fellow UMPG songwriters Zedd and Grey. The multi-Grammy nominated song reached No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100, spent six weeks at No. 1 at Top 40 Radio and five weeks at No. 1 at Hot AC radio.

Most recently, Morris' emotive sophomore album GIRL shattered the record for the largest-ever debut streaming week for a country album by a woman, with 23.96 million streams in its first week. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, while the Gold-certified title track – which is No. 1 on this week's Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts – achieved the highest debut on the Billboard Country Streaming Songs Chart by a female artist and the highest weekly streams by a female country artist ever. 

Said Morris: "I have loved working with the staff at UMPG for a while just through the past years of writing with their songwriters, so to officially be in the UMPG family feels like coming home in a way. I am so looking forward to our partnership together and can't wait for the songs to come!"

On making the announcement, UMPG Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson said: "Maren is an extremely talented songwriter, artist and producer whose songs have the world singing along to every hit. Even more exceptional, she has successfully crossed genres, moving seamlessly between beloved country music superstar and topping pop charts. Maren has a bright and exciting future ahead, and we are thrilled to welcome her to UMPG's creative global home."

Added Troy Tomlinson, UMPG Nashville Chairman and CEO: "Maren displays fearlessness and energy in every lyric, every melody and every performance. UMPG is so happy to have the opportunity to represent a talent of her caliber and looks forward to delivering outstanding creative opportunities." 

The Arlington, Texas-native has been nominated for numerous Grammys across pop, country, new artist and song categories. She has earned honors at the CMA Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and more. Morris has also been named 'Top Country Female Artist' at the Billboard Music Awards; Billboard's 'Breakthrough Artist;' and Breakthrough Artist Award by the Music Business Association.

Beyond co-penning her own music, Morris has written songs for Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson and many others. She is currently headlining her GIRL: THE WORLD TOUR with support acts Hailey Whitters, Tenille Townes, Ashley McBryde, and Kassi Ashton on select dates.