SVP/GM, Big Deal Music Nashville

What do you see as the primary opportunities and challenges of the immediate future? It’s always been about the talent. Finding and developing talent early continues to be our greatest source for new opportunity. Adapting to new technologies and innovation is clearly a challenge. How revenue is split is certainly a hot-button issue. I’m confident that as an industry, we will all come together and figure out fair and equitable solutions. The recent deal struck between Sony/ATV and Pandora is just one example of these types of conversations taking place.

What do you consider the most promising new revenue streams for publishing, especially from a Nashville perspective? We are starting to see more and more sync placements out of Nashville. This includes pop and rock as well as our country roster. Music supervisors from all over have been very active in the Nashville scene for some time now and are developing deep relationships with our writers.

Robinson and Team Big Deal celebrate inking Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi, shortly before pubco chief Kenny MacPherson flew in with enough Sangiovese to fill a kiddie pool. Seen are (l-r) Big Deal’s Dale Bobo, attorney Chip Petree, Tursi, Robinson and Big Deal’s Greg Gallo.

How do you see songwriting evolving in the current climate, both musically and thematically? I feel like we’re experiencing the most dynamic and diverse offering in the history of the genre. With incredible music from new artists like Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Margo Price and Maren Morris to Old Dominion, Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini (to name a few), there really is something for everyone. We are seeing so many new ideas and collaborations with writers from different backgrounds coming together and really pushing the envelope here.

So many writers in Nashville start out as artists playing in bands; it’s in their blood from the start. With our writer Brad Tursi, for example, performing has always been part of his life. After playing guitar in high school and college and as a sideman for acts such as Brett Eldredge, Brad’s now a member of Old Dominion. I think the decision was easy for him as he loves his bandmates and what they do. It’s a win-win for Tursi, as he frequently writes with his band and gets to perform those songs live as well. We were all very supportive of Brad joining OD. Inspiration is so important to a songwriter, and we knew those guys did just that for him.