Sony Music Publishing Nashville Acquires Big Yellow Dog Music

Sony Music Publishing Nashville (SMP Nashville) has officially acquired independent publishing and artist development company Big Yellow Dog Music (BYD), taking ownership and administration of its extensive song catalog and assuming publishing representation for its roster of songwriters. The deal brings one of Nashville’s most respected independent publishers under the Sony umbrella, marking a major moment for Music Row and the broader music publishing landscape.

A Legacy Built Over 26 Years

Founded in 1998 by Kerry O’Neil and Carla Wallace, Big Yellow Dog has spent the past 26 years building a catalog that spans country, pop, and alternative genres. Songs from its catalog have been recorded by major artists including Meghan Trainor, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Leon Bridges, MUNA, The Black Keys, Aminé, and Leon Thomas.

The company’s catalog also includes tracks from Musgraves’ Grammy-winning album Golden Hour, and Big Yellow Dog songwriters have collectively earned 41 No. 1 songs, along with honors from industry organizations such as BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, and the ACM. Over time, BYD became known not only for commercial success, but for developing long-term creative relationships with songwriters across multiple genres.

Founders Reflect on a “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Journey

Commenting on the acquisition, co-founder Kerry O’Neil described Big Yellow Dog’s run as “a once-in-a-lifetime journey full of amazing songs, including some worldwide hits,” adding that it is now “time for a new chapter” with Sony continuing the company’s mission. He emphasized that both the writers and the catalog are “in sure hands” under SMP Nashville.

Carla Wallace echoed that sentiment, calling the company’s history “26 years of dancing, creating, and pure joy.” She praised her partnership with O’Neil and said she is confident that Big Yellow Dog’s legacy will continue to thrive with Rusty Gaston and the Sony team leading the next phase.

From Sony’s perspective, the deal strengthens its already significant presence on Music Row. SMP Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston described Big Yellow Dog as “a Music Row institution for more than a quarter century,” and praised O’Neil and Wallace as “two of the most respected publishers in this business.” He noted that the catalog includes some of the most performed songs of the past two decades, adding that it is an honor to represent such an influential body of work.

What the Deal Means for Nashville’s Publishing Scene

Ultimately, the acquisition reflects a broader trend of consolidation in music publishing, while also preserving the creative legacy of an influential independent company. With Sony now administering Big Yellow Dog’s catalog and representing its songwriter roster, the deal ensures that the company’s impact on hitmaking and artist development will continue—this time with the global reach and resources of a major publisher behind it.