Country star Kenny Chesney sold the majority of his music catalog to Hipgnosis Song Management for an undisclosed amount.
Kenny’s Success in Country Music
Kenny sold 80% of his catalog to Hipgnosis, according to a press release from the company. Hipgnosis now owns that stake in songs dating all to way back to his 1994 debut album In My Wildest Dreams to 2017’s Live In No Shoes Nation, his last release before signing with Warner Music Nashville. The deal totals 22 albums, plus rights to future greatest hits, live albums, and acoustic releases.
Kenny has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, with 34 No. 1s on Country Songs charts; including 20 multiple week chart-toppers on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. “Kenny Chesney is one of the truly great American artists. He has been bringing joy to music fans all over the world for almost 30 years;” says Hipgnosis founder Merck Mercuriadis. “His incredible success tells you everything you need to know. Add in his unparalleled success as a touring artist and the juggernaut that is No Shoes Radio. You realize Kenny is genuinely a phenomenon. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to welcome Kenny and Clint [manager] to the Hipgnosis Songs family. We are delighted to launch our new Blackstone-backed fund with this landmark acquisition.”
An Agreement Beneficial For Everyone
“To know that this music has a home that views the work as a collective body; something that builds on itself and captures the heart of No Shoes Nation, was important to me,” Kenny adds. “How these songs live going forward is critical. I believe Merck has the best interests of not just the recordings but the people who love them as his driving interest. For the people who love these songs and albums; this is a scenario that allows the music to grow and reflect who those of us living inside these songs truly are.”
This is the first acquisition made by Hipgnosis Song Management since its recently announced partnership with Blackstone to acquire music rights and manage catalogs.
