Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville has inked rising country star Filmore to a worldwide publishing deal. The inking arrives ahead of Filmore’s debut album, State I’m In. Set for release on 9/25, the 18-song project was produced by Zach Abend and chronicles a chapter of Filmore’s life.

“Filmore is the definition of a true hustler – his drive, passion and love for music continues to inspire me daily,” said Dane Schmidt, Director of Creative at Sony/ATV Nashville. Filmore added, “Telling my story through songwriting has helped build my career, and for Sony/ATV to put their support and belief in me is such an incredible honor.”

With over 146m+ career on-demand streams, the Missouri native is best known for his singles “Love That About You,” “My Place,” “Blue Skies” and “Other Girl” in addition to his breakout single, “Slower.” Most recently appearing on NBC’s TODAY show and The Bobby Bones Show, the singer/songwriter has also performed alongside the likes of Lauren Alaina, Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay and more.

Seen above before a vigorous game of musical chairs are (l-r) Back Row— SATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Victory Entertainment’s Katie Kerkhover and Chris Perkins, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, SATV’s Anna Weisband, Mya Hansen and Tom Luteran; Front Row— SATV’s Rusty Gaston, Filmore and Dane Schmidt.

The Berklee Popular Music Institute has partnered with Primary Wave for a unique remote semester project. Held via Zoom, BPMI students used technologies to produce, record and create videos of hits from Primary Wave’s artist catalog, marking the first major partnership between a college music business program and a major pubco.

The project kicks off with a new recording and video for WAR’s Grammy-nominated track, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” Collaborating with the group’s original co-songwriter and keyboard player, students re-imagined the song with updated lyrics and rap to highlight social justice issues of today.

"The premise was that Primary Wave would open our entire song catalog up to the students to encourage other covers of our copyrights and discuss the songwriting aspects with the actual songwriters and artists themselves,” said Robert Dippold, Partner/President of Digital Strategy for Primary Wave.

Jeff Dorenfelf, Founder of the BPMI and a Professor in Berklee’s Music Business/Management Department, added “I am proud of the work our students have produced in collaboration with Primary Wave's roster of artists, producers, and songwriters, all coordinated during a virtual summer semester.  

With all recordings and videos produced by BPMI students, the class will continue to release from Primary Wave Music’s songwriters including Paul Rogers, Bob Marley, Donny Hathaway and more.

For more info on BPMI, click here. In the meantime, check out the BPMI rendition of “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” below.

In the latest string of recent acquisitions from Primary Wave, the pubco acquired a major stake in the music-publishing catalog of the late Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Allee Willis.

As part of the deal, Primary Wave acquired some of Willis’ biggest hits like Earth, Wind & Fire’s "September" and "Boogie Wonderland,” as well as The Pointer Sisters’ "Neutron Dance,” Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield’s "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" and The Rembrandts’ "I'll Be There For You,” which served as the theme song for the long-running sitcom Friends.

The Grammy, Emmy, Tony and Webby award-winning and nominated songwriter’s interest in the songs she penned for the Broadway production, The Color Purple, will also be included.

Additionally, Primary Wave will serve as the exclusive partner of Willis’ name, likeness and life story rights, as well as of her personal art and collections. The pubco has already confirmed they will partner with her estate on a documentary about Willis’ life.

Tina Fasbender, Allee's business manager and founder of Fasbender Financial, said, "In looking for a home that would understand, respect and creatively grow the visibility of Allee's astounding, multidisciplinary body of work, there was really only one choice."

Lawrence Mestel, CEO/Founder of Primary Wave, added “Her catalog is iconic, her songs are ageless. I am so thrilled to welcome her to the family and to be working with her trustees on some very exciting projects incorporating both her songs and her incredible life story."