Universal Music Publishing Group’s Christian Music Publishing Division, Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Acquires Emack Music, the Christian Music Publishing Arm of Gotee Records

LOS ANGELES, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and Dale Mathews, President, Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, today announced that UMPG has acquired the publishing assets of Emack Music, the publishing arm of Christian label Gotee Records.

The Emack Music catalog includes Relient K, Luna Halo, Grits, Jennifer Knapp, Ayeisha, House of Heroes, B. Reith, and more. The companies will jointly publish future works from the label’s new signings.

Regarding the acquisition, Dale Mathews said, “I have a high regard for the value of this catalog and its artists and songwriters. But getting to work together with Joey Elwood and Toby Mac to help find and develop future talent made this opportunity even more appealing to me.”

Joey Elwood said, “Toby and I felt that our future was better served in a partnership with the resources that Dale and his team provide for our staff and artist writers. We're proud and excited to join the Universal Music Publishing Group/BBMP team and look forward to the future of developing artists, writers and producers with them.”

UMPG is a leader in the contemporary Christian/gospel sector through its ownership of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing. Brentwood-Benson is also active in the important Praise & Worship market through its GreatWorshipSongs.com imprint.

With over 70,000 copyrights, Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing owns the world's largest Christian music publishing catalogue as well as the second largest evangelically-styled choral music catalog. Its songs have been recorded by virtually every major singer in the Christian music industry as well as by such renowned artists as Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Amy Grant, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Alicia Keys, Clay Aiken and Trace Adkins.

UMPG's assets in the contemporary Christian/gospel market also include the Lorenz Creative Services catalogues, Reunion Music (whose catalogue includes the Eric Clapton hit "Change The World"), the Sparrow catalogues (containing numerous legendary gospel classics) and RBI Entertainment.

The company's leading artists in the genre include Kirk Franklin, Jars of Clay, Fred Hammond, Joy Williams, Bebo Norman and Day of Fire. Brentwood-Benson also publishes songs recorded by Third Day, Michael W. Smith and Twila Paris.

About Universal Music Publishing Group

With 47 offices in 41 countries worldwide, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the industry's largest global music publishing operation and is part of Universal Music Group. UMPG represents music in every genre from many of the world’s hottest songwriters and catalogs including U2, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, Coldplay, Nelly, Ciara, Dave Grohl, Prince, Diana Krall, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Britney Spears, Godsmack, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, No Doubt, 3 Doors Down, Beastie Boys, Anastacia, Robbie Williams, 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