Nashville, TN • EST. 1999
NASHVILLE MUSIC PUBLISHING & Artist DEVELOPMENT
We help singer-songwriters develop professional releases, grow audience traction, and build stronger long-term opportunities through Nashville-based production, publishing, and strategic artist development.
Music + Momentum. Built in Nashville.
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Artist Development
We help artists shape stronger songs, recordings, releases, live positioning, and long-term creative direction.
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Marketing Strategy
We build release and audience-growth strategies designed to increase visibility, fan engagement, and career momentum.
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Music Publishing
We represent select catalogs for publishing opportunities while helping artists build valuable long-term song assets.
We combine Nashville production, song development, release strategy, and publishing into one focused process designed to help artists build stronger catalogs, audience traction, and long-term opportunities.
INSIDE THE NASHVILLE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Real sessions with professional Nashville musicians, studios, and singer-songwriters developing music for artist releases, audience growth, and publishing opportunities.
FEATURED WORK
Recent releases and recordings developed with artists through our Nashville-based production, publishing, and artist development process.
Produced by Art Ward for Century Music Group.
Recorded and mixed by Justin Cortelyou at Soultrain Sound, Sound Stage, Sound Kitchen, and Ronnie’s Place in Nashville, Tennessee.
What Artists Say
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“Working with Century Music Group gave me direction and clarity I didn’t have before — it completely changed how I approach my music.”
— Lauren M., Nashville, TN
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“The biggest difference was how the songs were positioned for release — it finally felt like there was a real plan.”
— Tyler S., Denver, CO
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“It wasn’t just recording — it felt like I was finally building something real at a professional level.”
— Jake R., Austin, TX
PRODUCED IN NASHVILLE
Our team includes Nashville musicians and engineers behind major label releases by artists like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, and Chris Stapleton.
You’re working with the same level of players, studios, and production behind today’s commercial records — applied to building professional releases, stronger catalogs, and long-term artist development.
SONG DEVELOPMENT & PUBLISHING
We work with performing singer-songwriters to develop original songs, professional releases, and stronger long-term artist careers.
The goal isn’t just to make music — it’s to build songs, catalogs, and releases that create real momentum and opportunity.
We stay involved from development through release strategy, helping artists build audience traction and stronger positioning for future growth.
frequently asked questions
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Century Music Group is a Nashville-based music publishing and artist development company working with performing singer-songwriters across Country, Americana, Folk, and roots-oriented music.
We help artists develop original songs, professional releases, and long-term career momentum through Nashville production, release strategy, publishing, and artist development.
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CMG works with performing singer-songwriters who are serious about building original music careers.
We work best with artists focused on professional releases, audience growth, catalog development, and long-term opportunities.
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Projects are developed through professional Nashville production sessions built around the artist’s songs, goals, and release plans.
The process may include song development, recording, release strategy, publishing, and artist development.
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Yes. We help artists develop release strategies designed to support audience growth, stronger positioning, and long-term career momentum.
Our goal is to help artists build more than recordings — we help build professional music careers.
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We primarily work with performing singer-songwriters across Country, Americana, Folk, and roots-oriented music.
Artists should be performing their own lead vocals and developing original music for release.
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Yes. Artists retain 100% ownership of their sound recordings (masters).
Some projects may also involve publishing or co-publishing relationships tied to songs developed through CMG.
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CMG primarily develops new, unreleased material through our Nashville production and artist development process.
Previously released music may still be shared as an example of an artist’s style and direction.
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Projects are typically developed on a per-song basis and may expand into singles, EPs, or larger artist development phases over time.
Each project is customized around the artist’s music, goals, and release strategy.
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Our work often continues beyond production through release planning, publishing, catalog development, and broader artist development support.
The goal is to help artists build long-term momentum and stronger career opportunities around their music.
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Project costs vary depending on the number of songs, musicians, studios, and overall development needs.
Most projects are discussed individually after reviewing an artist’s music, goals, and timeline.
Work with producer Art Ward
With over 30 years in the music industry across recording, artist development, publishing, radio, and label-side roles, Art Ward is the founder and President of Century Music Group, a Nashville-based music publishing and artist development company established in 1999.
Art works with performing singer-songwriters to develop original songs, professional releases, and long-term artist careers through Nashville production, release strategy, publishing, and artist development.
Collaborating with top Nashville musicians, engineers, and studios, Art oversees the creative direction, development process, and strategic positioning behind each project.
“My goal is simple — to help serious artists build music careers around strong songs, professional releases, and long-term momentum.”
— Art Ward
submit Your Music
Submit 1–3 original songs featuring your lead vocal as examples of your style and artistic direction.
We work with performing singer-songwriters across Country, Americana, Folk, and roots-oriented music who are serious about building original music careers.
Projects are developed through Nashville production, release strategy, publishing, and artist development designed to help artists create professional releases, stronger catalogs, and long-term momentum.
Most projects begin on a per-song basis and are developed through a shared production investment model, with many artists expanding into larger release and artist development phases over time.
If there’s a strong fit, we move forward by developing new music for artist releases, audience growth, and publishing opportunities.
Artists retain 100% ownership of their sound recordings (masters).
We’ll follow up if there’s a strong fit.
You’ll receive a confirmation email after submitting.