Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed country superstar Kane Brown to a worldwide deal. Brown has also launched his own publishing imprint, Verse 2 Music, a joint venture with SMP headed by industry vet Kent Earls.

With the establishment of Verse 2 Music, Brown and Earls aim to discover emerging country hitmakers and develop their songwriting careers.

“I’m excited to further my relationships at Sony with Rusty Gaston and Jon Platt and work alongside Kent Earls again at Verse 2 Music," Brown commented.

SMP Nashville CEO Gaston added, “Kane Brown is redefining boundaries with his dynamic artistry, all-around business acumen and passion as a craftsman songwriter. We couldn’t be happier to welcome him to SMP and are equally excited to partner with Kane and Kent Earls on the launch of Verse 2 Music.”

Said Earls, “I'm beyond excited to start my next chapter with Kane, Jon, Rusty and the entire SMP family. I'm fortunate to have started working with Kane from the beginning of his career.”

Earlier this month, Brown founded his own label imprint at Sony Music Nashville, 1021 Entertainment.

Pictured: Top row (l-r) Kent Earls, Rusty Gaston; Bottom row, l-r: Kane Brown, SMP Chairman & CEO Jon Platt.

Photo by Meagan Little