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.) – Music Business Worldwide

Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has partnered with Domain Capital Group to acquire a career-spanning catalog from multi-award winning songwriter, Ashley Gorley.

One of the most consistent and praised modern writers of country hits, Gorley – as part of the agreement – has also inked a go-forward deal that will see SMP publish both his back catalog and his future works.

In 2018, Gorley sold a 50% stake in his catalog (up to that point) to New York-headquartered Round Hill Music.

MBW understands that deal additionally included 50% of the song rights for music Gorley would go on to write in the years 2018-2022.

Sources tell us that Sony x Domain has now acquired the other 50% of Gorley’s works across his career, including his contributions to Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album – last year’s biggest LP across all-formats (and on a pure streaming basis) in the United States.

(One source close to the new deal suggests that Sony x Domain may have acquired some additional ownership for certain Gorley songs over and above that 50% stake, though this suggestion is unverified.)

Round Hill retains its share in Gorley’s pre-2022 catalog.

In addition, Domain x Sony has agreed an exclusive go-forward deal with Gorley, enabling the acquisition of rights in music he composes over the next few years.

MBW understands that Sony x Domain’s acquisition of Gorley’s catalog was agreed at price in the region of $40 million, though no involved parties are commenting on that figure.

Interestingly, SMP teaming with Domain Capital to acquire Gorley’s catalog follows Sony’s partnership with another source of outside capital – Todd Boehly’s Eldridge Industries – to acquire the Bruce Springsteen songwriting catalog in Q4 last year.

As of September 2021, Atlanta based Domain Capital Group managed approximately $6.5 billion in total assets through its two registered subsidiaries, Domain Capital Advisors, LLC and Domain Timber Advisors, LLC.

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

Announcing the new deal, 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 crew for their belief in me.

“I am especially excited to join forces with longtime friends Jon Platt, Rusty Gaston, Cam Caldwell, and the rest of the Sony staff. I can’t wait to get started on this next chapter!”

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

Ashley Gorley

Gorley has written a record 59 No. 1 singles on 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’s Dangerous: The Double Album, including the hit Sand In My Boots.

Other recent hits penned/co-penned by Gorley include You Should Probably Leave by Chris Stapleton, and What’s 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 songwriters in the world.

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

“To partner alongside such a passionate and well-respected group of professionals is an honor.”

“To partner alongside such a passionate and well-respected group of professionals is an honor.”

Pete Chiappetta, Domain Capital

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

“He’s a true music connoisseur in every sense of the word. His diverse influences combined with his genuine heart have led his songs to define the soundtrack of country music.

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

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

Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing

Gorley has been honored as ASCAP Songwriter of The Year eight times. He is a five-time Billboard Top Country Songwriter, five-time NSAI Songwriter of The Year, and 2021 iHeart Radio All-Genre Songwriter of The Year, landing the nomination again in 2022. He has multiple GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM nominations.

An advocate for the songwriting community, he has worked to promote songwriters’ rights and bills such as the Music Modernization Act (MMA).

Gorley also champions a roster of talented writers at his publishing company Tape Room Music, whose writers have celebrated 35 No. 1 hits including Body Like A Back Road by Sam Hunt and One Of Them Girls by Lee Brice.

Ashley Gorley was represented in the transaction by Derek Crownover, John Rolfe and Megan Pekar from Loeb & Loeb, LLP.Music Business Worldwide