Christian Hayes, a singer-songwriter from Rome, Ga., has signed with Capitol Records. Hayes is one of Capitol's first signings since the company realigned in February Tom March as president/CEO of Capitol Music Group and Lillia Parsa and Arjun Pulijal as co-presidents.
“We are thrilled to welcome Christian to the Capitol Records family. As a singer, songwriter and performer, he displays remarkable depth,” March said in a statement. “Christian is gifted at channeling raw, genuine emotion into music that resonates with listeners and transcends genres.”
“It all still feels surreal – music has always been a part of my life and to be able to sign with such a long-time powerhouse of a label like Capitol is more than I could have ever dreamed of. The team on Capitol Hill has a point to prove, and so do I,” Hayes said.
Hayes' debut EP, Last I love youwill be released on September 20th. The EP's title track, abbreviated “LILY,” has been streamed more than 1.2 million times on Spotify, with more than 2 million total global streams, according to the company.
Hayes began writing poems and songs when he was seven years old after his grandfather, a former poet laureate for the state of Georgia, gave him a journal. Then he picked up a guitar at eight. He was active in leading worship music at his church before enlisting in the US Navy and later at the University of Alabama starting in 2018. He then moved to Nashville and has written over 900 songs.
Inspired by the music of the Eagles, James Taylor and The Chicks, the singer-songwriter self-released “Leaving,” which reached Apple Music playlists as well as Spotify's New Music Friday Country playlist.
Hayes has already signed deals with WME for bookings and Universal Music Publishing Group for publishing. “After hearing 'LILY,' we were huge fans of Christian's songwriting,” he said Cindy Foremansenior vice president of A&R at UMPG Nashville; “Christian's approach to songwriting is unique, but just right for an era where genres are coming together.”
Hayes is managed by Wild Rose Projects Helena Capps.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/christian-hayes-signs-capitol-records/