Brent Rupard Inks Deal With Creative Nation And EMPIRE
The songwriter and former Everette member secures a new publishing partnership.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Country
Country music artist Brent Rupard has officially signed a new publishing deal with Creative Nation and EMPIRE. This agreement marks the latest chapter in a career that began for the artist in Nashville over a decade ago.
Why it matters
The signing underscores the ongoing collaboration between prominent music publishing houses and established Nashville talent. It signals a strategic alignment for Rupard as he continues to build on his background as a songwriter and performer.
Rupard is a veteran of the stage, having performed at the Grand Ole Opry over 12 times during his tenure with the duo Everette. This track record of live performance follows his 2011 industry debut and receipt of the ASCAP Leon Brettler Award.
The players
Brent Rupard
He is a country music songwriter and former member of the duo Everette who first arrived in Nashville in 2011.
Creative Nation
It is a Nashville-based music publishing and management company that represents various country artists.
EMPIRE
It is a global music distribution and publishing company known for its work across multiple musical genres.
Everette
This musical duo was signed to Broken Bow Records and established a consistent presence at the Grand Ole Opry.
The details
Rupard, who moved to Nashville in 2011 to advance his career, previously signed with Sea Gayle Music and recorded with Broken Bow Records as part of the duo Everette. The new partnership brings together Creative Nation and EMPIRE to support his ongoing creative endeavors in the music industry.
Timeline
Brent Rupard moved to Nashville and signed with Sea Gayle Music in 2011.
Brent Rupard officially signed with Creative Nation and EMPIRE on October 21, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This deal reflects the broader Nashville trend of veteran songwriters aligning with multifaceted publishing houses like Creative Nation and EMPIRE to maximize reach. It highlights how the industry continues to prioritize artists with established performance histories and award-winning credentials.
Listeners can anticipate new music and songwriting credits emerging from this collaboration in the near future. This partnership aims to streamline the development and distribution of the tracks Rupard produces under the new deal.
The takeaway
This deal positions Rupard for continued growth by leveraging the infrastructure of two major music industry entities. Aspiring songwriters often look to such partnerships as a key mechanism for transitioning from independent work to major-label support systems.
Further reading
For more on the latest artist moves in the local music scene, visit Country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MusicRow.
