UMPG Nashville has inked Matraca Berg to an exclusive, global publishing deal.

With a career spanning nearly four decades, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and BMI 2023 ICON Award recipient has accumulated 11 BMI Millionaire Awards.

Her credits include chart-toppers like Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine,” Trisha Yearwood’s Wrong Side of Memphis” and “XXX’s and OOO’s,” Patty Loveless’ “I’m That Kind of Girl” and Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila” f/Grace Potter.

“Cyndi Forman has known and worked with Matraca for more than 20 years. She and I were discussing songwriters that we both loved and respected, and it became obvious to both of us at the same moment that we needed to work with Matraca,” said UMPG Nashville Chairman/CEO Troy Tomlinson.

“I’ve been with the same publisher since my early 20s. Pat Higdon has always had my back. Finding another home after all these years was daunting,” added Berg. “It feels good and natural to be at Universal Music Publishing now. Troy and Cyndi have the same love of songs and deep respect for the music.”

Berg joins a roster that includes Chase McGill, Paul DiGiovanni, Troy Verges, Brad Tursi, Benjy Davis, Ray Fulcher, Jacob Davis, John Pierce, Caitlyn Smith, Brandy Clark and more.

Photo: Glen Rose