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Universal Music Publishing Group Signs Exclusive Worldwide Publishing Deal With 2X GRAMMY(R) Award-Winner Keith Urban

Posted on: Tuesday, 21 July 2009, 06:13 CDT

LOS ANGELES, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group, and Pat Higdon, President, UMPG Nashville, today announced the signing of a worldwide publishing agreement with Keith Urban. UMPG will publish Urban's catalogue throughout the world, including his recently-released fifth studio album, Defying Gravity, which topped both the Billboard Top 200 and Country Album charts upon its release this past March.

"We are honored that Keith chose UMPG as his global home for music publishing," said David Renzer. "Keith is a huge star whose songwriting prowess and artistic success are only going to continue and we're looking forward to working closely with Keith and his entire team in building on that success."

"Keith is a phenomenal artist and songwriter and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him," said Pat Higdon. We intend to work tirelessly to find new opportunities for his music. We are truly honored that Keith and his team have placed their trust in the UMPG and we will not let them down."

The first single from Defying Gravity, "Sweet Thing," recently hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart. It marked Urban's third consecutive #1 and his 11(th) overall. His first #1 came in 2000, "But For The Grace Of God," and for nearly every year since, Urban has celebrated a #1. Of those that have not hit #1, ten have made it into the Top 5. He has released five original studio recordings, the last three of which have charted at #1. Urban has received two GRAMMY awards for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and five Country Music Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, and the prestigious Horizon Award. He is the only artist to ever have won both the Horizon Award (for best new artist) and the CMA's top honor, Entertainer of the Year. He has also won four Academy of Country Music Awards.

UMPG Nashville continually delivers material that becomes hits for country music's most elite artists including Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Adkins, Lee Ann Womack, Van Zant, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and many more, while artists of all genres find hit songs or collaborators from UMPG Nashville's versatile staff, including Celine Dion, Jon Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Paulina Rubio, Ricky Martin, John Mayer, Marco Borsato, Jerry Garcia, and The Corrs.

About Universal Music Publishing Group

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the industry's leading global music publishing operation and is part of Universal Music Group. UMPG represents music in every genre from many of the world's top songwriters and catalogs including U2, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, Coldplay, Nelly, Juan Gabriel, Ciara, Dave Grohl, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Britney Spears, Beastie Boys, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Paul Simon, Henry Mancini, Christina Aguilera and Linkin Park, among many others. UMPG is also a global leader in the areas of Production Music, Christian and Classical Music. For more information, visit: www.umusicpub.com.

SOURCE Universal Music Publishing Group

Source: PR Newswire

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