Downtown Music Publishing announced a deal wherein it'll acquire a portion of Major Bob Music's song catalogs. Under the terms of the agreement, Downtown will take on over 2k copyrights, including "I Like The Sound Of That" by Rascal Flatts, "Marry Me" by Thomas Rhett, "Dirt On My Boots" by Jon Pardi, "It Don't Hurt Like It Used To" by Billy Currington among many others. The pact, however, specifically excludes Garth Brooks' catalog.

"It's a tremendous honor and privilege to be trusted by Bob to become the caretakers of these extraordinary copyrights that have defined success here in Nashville," said Steve Markland, VP A&R of Downtown's Nashville operation. "We have a deep commitment to finding new opportunities for songs of this caliber. Also, in honor of this deal, I will now be referred to as 'Sergeant Steve.'"

Pictured just before realizing that a trip to "Downtown" Nashville will take 4-6 hours in traffic are (l-r) Downtown Director of Global Client Services Emily Stephenson, Markland, Linda Edell-Howard of Adams and Reese LLP, Downtown CEO Justin Kalifowitz, Major Bob Music Owner & President Bob Doyle, Downtown SVP Business Affairs Andrew Sparkler and Sam Powers of O'Neil Hagaman, PLLC.