SVP/GM, Big Deal Music Nashville

HIGHLIGHTS: Writer Brad Tursi of Old Dominion currently has a Top 15 song from their highly anticipated sophomore album, on which Tursi co-wrote nine songs. With 10 cuts this year, Jared Mullins has a Top 40 song with Jake Owen’s “Good Company.” New to Big Deal as a JV with BMG, busbee has two Top 10 songs (“The Fighter” by Keith Urban f/ Carrie Underwood; “You Look Good” by Lady Antebellum) and a Top 30 song (“Every Little Thing” by Carly Pearce). He also produced the new Lady Antebellum album and is currently working with Carly Pearce and Maren Morris.

HOW HAVE RECENT CHANGES IN NASHVILLE AFFECTED YOU, AND HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING?
Well, besides the higher cost of living, increases in real estate prices and the lack of available parking, the heart of Nashville remains the same—for the most part.

We obviously have record numbers of people moving here, including artists and songwriters. The influx of new genres mixed with traditional country has produced some incredible music.

As we all know, things are done a little differently here in Nashville, as opposed to L.A. and N.Y. Take splits, for example: Typically, in Nashville, if there are three people in the room when a song is written, it’s split three ways equally. That’s not typical in the pop world. Sometimes writers who are newer to writing in Nashville aren’t used to equal splits, but after some immersion in the community they tend to embrace this method.

Keeping rich traditions alive is part of what makes Nashville great. Keeping the balance between tradition and encouraging growth often times requires a new approach. We enjoy being good stewards of these traditions while at the same time looking ahead.