Photo credit: Jai Lennard
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today announced that Brandi Carlile, a multi-Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/performer/producer, and Tim and Phil Hanseroth, Grammy Award-winning songwriters/musicians, have been signed to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement.
Said Carlile: “I can’t wait to work with Universal Music Publishing. I’ve been a Jody Gerson fangirl for years and I have great respect for the impact she’s made on women in music and leadership. I recently met the entire Universal Music team and was inspired to take my songwriting into uncharted territories knowing it’s in such capable hands. I have no words for how excited Tim, Phil and I are... but I’d damn well better get to writing some!”
Since releasing her critically acclaimed album ‘By The Way, I Forgive You’ in 2018, Carlile has won five Grammy Awards. The acclaimed album features ten songs written by Carlile and longtime collaborators and bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth including “The Joke.” The hit song was awarded Best American Roots Songs and Best American Roots Performance and earned nominations for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Carlile also won Best Country Album at the 2020 GRAMMY Awards for her work coproducing Tanya Tucker's acclaimed 2019 album ‘While I’m Livin’.’ Carlile and the Hanseroth twins co-wrote seven of the album's ten tracks including "Bring My Flowers Now,” which won Best Country Song. The song was also nominated for Song of the Year, making for the trio’s second consecutive nomination in the all-genre category.
Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of UMPG, said: “I’ve been a personal fan of Brandi Carlile’s for a long time. She is one of the best songwriters and storytellers of our generation. My first meeting with Brandi, Tim and Phil was unforgettable, one of the best “first dates” I’ve ever been on. I knew immediately that I wanted to work closely with them to bring their collective talents to an entirely new level. Along with my UMPG global team, we look forward to supporting their creative journeys and beautiful songs that are destined to last a lifetime.”
Troy Tomlinson, Chairman and CEO of UMPG Nashville, said: “Brandi, Tim and Phil have the natural ability to put into words the emotions we all feel, but find difficult to articulate. Their writing and Brandi’s music and voice are intimate and raw. Their talents will stand the test of time, and we are beyond honored to represent them.”
In 2019, Carlile founded The Highwomen alongside Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires. The collaborative movement’s critically acclaimed, self-titled debut album was released last fall and includes current hit "Crowded Table."
Carlile also produced albums for The Secret Sisters and has collaborated with numerous artists including Dolly Parton, Sam Smith, Elton John, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Yola, Dave Matthews and more.
The recipient of multiple, prestigious honors, Carlile has been awarded Billboard’s Women In Music “Trailblazer Award,” CMT’s Next Women of Country “Impact Award” and was named Artist of the Year at the 2019 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards. She was also the most nominated woman at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, earning six nominations including for Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
An outspoken activist and humanitarian, Carlile along with the Hanseroth twins cofounded the Looking Out Foundation, an organization which amplifies the impact of music by empowering those without a voice. Looking Out has varied initiatives including campaigns focused on Children in Conflict/War Child, The If Project, Fund Racial Justice, Fight The Fear, Looking Out For The Hungry and more. To date, the organization has raised over $1 million benefiting children whose families, communities and schools have been torn apart by war through their 2017 Cover Stories project and, overall, over $2 million to grassroots causes.