Zach Bryan to sell publishing rights for $350 million
Singer-songwriter Zach Bryan is reportedly in the process of selling his back catalogue for $350 million to a new entity. He has also renewed with Warner Records in a separate deal.
Bryan’s contact with Warner Records was due to expire after his next album. The star, who recently headlined Stagecoach, had previously used social media to tell fans in January that he only had “one final major label album” in his contract, hinting at him becoming an independent artist.
Now, Variety is reporting that Bryan reached a new two-album deal with Warner Records on May 4th and stated they faced strong competition for his signature from Universal.
In a separate, more substantial business agreement, the same publication also claims that Bryan’s publishing rights are being purchased by a new company called the Merrit Group. Cameron Strang is in charge of the business venture after previously serving as CEO at both Warner Bros Records and Warner Chappell Music publishing.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed an astronomical rise since his third album and commercial breakthrough, American Heartbreak, was released in 2022. Bryan’s rise in stature has grown substantially since then, following the release of the eponymous Zach Bryan in 2023 and last year’s The Great American Bar Scene.
At the end of last year, Bryan concluded his Quittin’ Time tour, signalling the end of his dedication to the road. However, the Oklahoman will be playing a select number of special dates, like his recent set at Stagecoach, this summer.
In June, Bryan will play three shows at Dublin’s Phoenix Park, two headline dates at BST Hyde Park in London before returning to America for a series of stadium dates, including three concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey where he’ll be supported by Kings of Leon.
Nevertheless, despite Bryan’s huge audience, $350 million is an eye-watering sum and among the highest any artist has received for selling their publishing rights. In comparison, Neil Young sold 50 per cent of his publishing rights for a deal believed to be worth $150 million, and David Bowie’s estate sold his publishing rights for $250 million.
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