AN ARTIST-FIRST NASHVILLE MUSIC COMPANY
BUILD WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOUR MUSIC.
Music publishing and artist development for independent Country, Americana, and Folk singer-songwriters.
BEYOND THE SONG.
Publishing is often where our relationship with an artist begins. But at Century Music Group, we look beyond the song to the artist behind it.
We approach publishing as the foundation for a broader artist development relationship—working closely with singer-songwriters to develop their music, strengthen their creative direction, and create opportunities for their careers to grow.
As the relationship develops, our work can grow with it—from creating new music for artist releases and publishing opportunities to release strategy, industry introductions, and exploring other opportunities that make sense for both the artist and CMG.
The goal isn't a single song or a single project. It's a relationship that can grow with the artist and the music over time.
BUILT AROUND THE ARTIST.
No two artists—and no two careers—follow the same path.
At Century Music Group, artist development is collaborative and individual. We work with each artist to understand their music, creative direction, and long-term goals, then build the relationship around what makes sense for where they are and where they want to go.
That can mean developing songs, creating new music, pursuing publishing opportunities, planning releases, making industry introductions, or helping navigate the decisions that shape a career.
As the artist grows, the relationship can grow with them.
THE MUSIC IN MOTION.
A look inside the studio as CMG artists and Nashville musicians bring the songs to life.
FROM THE ARTISTS.
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“Century Music Group took the time to understand me as an artist and where I wanted to go. I’ve always felt like there was a real relationship behind the music—not just another project.”
Michael R. — Denver, CO
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“What started as a publishing relationship became much more. CMG has helped me develop my music, think about my direction as an artist, and make better decisions about what comes next.”
Sarah L. — Toronto, ON
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“With CMG, the relationship doesn’t end when the music is finished. From developing songs and making records to talking through releases and next steps, I feel like I have a team I can continue building with.”
Jake M. — Austin, TX
BUILT ON EXPERIENCE.
For more than 35 years, Art Ward has worked with artists, songwriters, musicians, and industry professionals in Nashville and beyond.
As founder of Century Music Group, Art brings that experience to every artist relationship—combining a producer's understanding of the music with a long-term approach to publishing and artist development.
His philosophy is simple: look beyond the song to the artist behind it, build the right team around them, and create relationships that can grow as the artist and their career develop.
“THE SONG MAY START THE RELATIONSHIP. WHAT WE BUILD WITH THE ARTIST IS THE BIGGER OPPORTUNITY.”
— Art Ward
Frequently Asked Questions
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Century Music Group works with independent singer-songwriters primarily in Country, Americana, Folk, and related roots-oriented music. We look for distinctive artists with strong songs, a clear point of view, and the desire to build something over time.
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Publishing is often the starting point for our relationship with an artist. It gives us an opportunity to work together around the songs while exploring the artist's broader creative direction, development, and long-term potential.
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It means looking beyond an individual song or project to the artist as a whole. Depending on the artist, that can include songwriting, creative direction, recording, releases, career strategy, industry introductions, and identifying opportunities that make sense as the relationship develops.
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No. We're interested in hearing where you are now. Strong demos, work tapes, or released music can all help us understand your songs, voice, and direction as an artist.
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Yes. Recording is an important part of developing music for artist releases and potential publishing opportunities. When appropriate, CMG works with Nashville musicians, studios, and engineers to create recordings that serve both the songs and the artist.
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Every artist and relationship is different. As the music and career develop, we may explore publishing opportunities, releases, pitching songs, industry introductions, and other opportunities where there is a meaningful fit. Nothing is guaranteed, and we focus on opportunities that make sense for both the artist and CMG.
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Yes. Artists don't need to live in Nashville to work with CMG, although much of our creative network and recording activity is based here.
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Tell us about yourself, your music, and where you hope to go as an artist. We review submissions personally, and if we believe there may be a fit, we'll reach out to start a conversation.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR MUSIC.
Century Music Group partners with a select number of independent singer-songwriters each year.
If you're creating Country, Americana, Folk, or related roots-oriented music and believe CMG could be the right home for what you're building, we'd like to hear from you.
Tell us about yourself, your music, and where you hope to go as an artist. Include a link to music that best represents where you are today.
We review every submission personally. If we believe there may be a fit, we'll reach out to start a conversation.
You'll receive a confirmation email after submitting your project.
If you don't see it within a few minutes, please check your spam or junk folder.