What we offer
Independent Song-Plugging
With over 150 Top Ten records and a track record of Grammy, CMA, and ACM wins, Makin’ Music has earned its place as one of the most effective song-plugging teams in Nashville. We’ve placed hits for Mac McAnally, Rafe Van Hoy, Kostas, Robert Byrne, Karen Staley, and Sonny Throckmorton across major label projects, TV, and film. Our focus is matching great songs with the right opportunities – whether that’s chart-topping albums or sync placements.
With over 150 Top Ten records and a track record of Grammy, CMA, and ACM wins, Makin’ Music has earned its place as one of the most effective song-plugging teams in Nashville. We’ve placed hits for Mac McAnally, Rafe Van Hoy, Kostas, Robert Byrne, Karen Staley, and Sonny Throckmorton across major label projects, TV, and film. Our focus is matching great songs with the right opportunities – whether that’s chart-topping albums or sync placements.
Radio Promotion
Makin’ Music offers top-tier secondary radio promotion, with customized regional campaigns and radio tour coordination. We’ve earned consistent success on the Music Row charts and now also support national and European markets. Our team promotes across all genres, including both mainstream and college radio, with scalable strategies for artists at every stage.
Publicity and Social Media Marketing
Our division, Makin’ Music Media, provides image consulting and full-service publicity aligned with radio campaigns. We handle setup, strategy, and ongoing content across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more – allowing artists to focus on their music while we grow their online presence and fan engagement.
Our division, Makin’ Music Media, provides image consulting and full-service publicity aligned with radio campaigns. We handle setup, strategy, and ongoing content across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more – allowing artists to focus on their music while we grow their online presence and fan engagement.
Record Production
Headed by Chris Dodson – a songwriter/producer with credits including Kix Brooks, Merle Haggard, and Keith Whitley – our production team works with both our imprint, Foremost Records, and external labels. Recent projects include Julie Ingram (Longshot Records), a four-master album for Virginia Records, and singles for Sherri Sides and Brandon Giles. Co-producer Jeff Tweel brings additional credits with Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Ann Rimes, B.J. Thomas, Sam & Dave, The Grassroots, Sony, and Disney.
Artist Management
Makin’ Music has managed fourteen artists to major label deals and continues to scout talent for four major labels and two international entertainment companies. Our management team offers hands-on development, marketing, and strategic support tailored to each artist’s path.
Headed by Chris Dodson – a songwriter/producer with credits including Kix Brooks, Merle Haggard, and Keith Whitley – our production team works with both our imprint, Foremost Records, and external labels. Recent projects include Julie Ingram (Longshot Records), a four-master album for Virginia Records, and singles for Sherri Sides and Brandon Giles. Co-producer Jeff Tweel brings additional credits with Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Ann Rimes, B.J. Thomas, Sam & Dave, The Grassroots, Sony, and Disney.
Artist Management
Makin’ Music has managed fourteen artists to major label deals and continues to scout talent for four major labels and two international entertainment companies. Our management team offers hands-on development, marketing, and strategic support tailored to each artist’s path.
Recent highlights include signing JYPSI to Arista/SONY, leading national promotion for Longshot Records, and securing an EMI production and booking deal for Brandon Giles, produced by Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge. Led by Chris Dodson, our team has helped shape the careers of Tim McGraw, Lee Ann Rimes, Billy Ray Cyrus, Keith Whitley, and more.
Catalog Sales and Acquisitions
As a trusted catalog broker, Makin’ Music works with buyers holding over $300 million in purchasing power. We facilitate catalog acquisitions and sales for both emerging and legacy catalogs and are actively engaged in large-scale deals across Nashville’s publishing scene.
Music Publishing
Makin' Music has published many hit songs including: ("The Fear of Being Alone")Reba McIntire, (“Deep Down”)Pam Tillis, ("Like There Ain't No Yesterday")Blackhawk, (Whatever Comes First")Sons of the Desert, ("She Doesn't Need Me Anymore")Peter Cetera, ("Choices")George Jones, ("Give My Heart To You")Billy Ray Cyrus, ("You Still Do")T.G. Sheppard, ("Fighting With Fire")Davis Daniel, and ("Familiar Ground")Michael White, as well as songs recorded by John Michael Montgomery, Bryan White, Martina McBride, Ty Herndon, Trace Adkins, Ricky Skaggs, Sammy Kershaw, Ricky Van Shelton, Shenandoah, Keith Whitley, Kenny Chesney, Linda Davis, ForeRunner, Ronnie Milsap, Holly Dunn, the Forester Sisters and many more.
In addition, Dodson personally owns hit copyrights including: ("There's No Getting Over Me")Ronnie Milsap, ("Holdin' Her Lovin' You")Earl Thomas Conley/Clay Walker, ("Once In a Blue Moon"), ("Half Past Forever"), ("One Owner Heart") and ("In Over My Heart")TG Sheppard, ("The Angel in Your Arms This Morning")Hot/ Barbara Mandrell, ("Til You're Gone")Barbara Mandrell, ("She Sure Got Away With My Heart")John Anderson.