Caption: Songwriter Dave Barnes and the Capitol Christian Music Publishing team.
Pictured (L-R): Kent Draughn, Ellie McKay, Emily Belue, Dave Barnes, Katie Barolak, Terryl Padilla, Austin Jones, Isabel Newell and David Gutekunst

 

Nashville, TN... Oct. 30, 2025 - Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) today announces the signing of one of Nashville's most respected and celebrated singer/songwriters Dave Barnes to an exclusive deal with its CCMG publishing division. As a fan-favorite artist and songwriter, Barnes boasts a career spanning more than 20 years with platinum-selling singles and popular solo albums. He has also penned hits for artists like Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett and Dan + Shay, with success across multiple genres including country, Christian, pop and more.

 

“I’m thrilled to be writing with Capitol!" Barnes declares. He explains, "Katie and the team have been such a joy to get to know, and I really admire the way they approach publishing. They cast a wide net with the kinds of songs they pitch and encourage me to write. Knowing that Capitol is beginning to push into the country market, as well as other genres, is especially exciting to me as I love writing so many different types of music. It couldn’t be a better time to step into this new season with a team that’s already shown so much support and enthusiasm."

 

The GRAMMY-nominated songwriter has remarkable accolades with over 100 of his songs recorded by other artists such as Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, NEEDTOBREATHE, Billy Currington, and countless more. To date, Barnes has landed two No.1 songs at country radio with "God Gave Me You" (Blake Shelton) and “Craving You” (Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris), plus a No. 2 song with “You” (Dan + Shay) and a No.13 hit with “Like a Lady” (Lady A). He also had a No.1 chart-topper at Christian radio with Bethany Dillon’s "All I Need" in 2004. His past collaborations include artists Lindsey Stirling, Ingrid Michaelson and Ben Rector.

Katie Barolak, Capitol CMG Publishing Senior Director of Creative, shares, "I am incredibly excited to partner with Dave! I’ve been a fan of his lyrical and melodic sensibilities for years, and to be able to walk alongside him in this next chapter is a dream come true. He’s a musical force to be reckoned with, carries a remarkable work ethic, and is one of the best people in the business. It’s an honor to welcome him to the Capitol CMG Publishing family!"

 

About Dave Barnes
Although born in South Carolina, singer/songwriter Dave Barnes spent most of his childhood in Mississippi, where he formed an early attachment to hip-hop, but was also exposed to classic soul, blues, and R&B by his parents. He later enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University and began writing songs for other artists. Barnes also played solo shows on campus, and by the time he graduated with a degree in recording industry management, he'd decided to move to Nashville and pursue his own music career.

 

Barnes' soulful pop songs have won him the support of artists like John Mayer, while the spiritual tone of his lyrics earned support from the Christian music scene. He remained independent for two albums -- 2004's Brother, Bring the Sun and 2006's Chasing Mississippi, both produced by Ed Cash -- before moving to Razor & Tie for 2008's Me and You and the World and 2010's What We Want, What We Get. The latter album became a surprise Christian hit, debuting in the Top Five on the Christian charts thanks in part to the single "God Gave Me You." A year later, Blake Shelton recorded "God Gave Me You" on his Red River Blue album and his version topped the country chart, earning Barnes a GRAMMY nomination in the process.

Following the 2011 holiday set Very Merry Christmas, Barnes returned with Stories to Tell in 2012, working with producer John Fields in Los Angeles. The singer's second holiday outing, A December to Remember, was released in late 2013, followed a few months later by Golden Days, both of which arrived via Barnes' new label, 50 Year Plan. For his next studio release, 2016's Carry on, San Vicente, Barnes channeled a sunny, '70s-inspired Southern California vibe. A similar laid-back pop approach continued on 2018's Who Knew It Would Be So Hard to Be Myself. He’s since released 2020’s Dreaming In Electric Blue, 2021’s Notes from Paris, and 2022’s Remembering: Greatest Hits Acoustic. Dave's new album, Featherbrained Wealth Motel (his tribute to the Beatles) is overflowing with feel-good vibes and throw-back melodies.

About Capitol Christian Music Group:
Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) is the world's leading Christian Music company and market leader in recorded music and music publishing. CCMG operates several divisions, including CCMG Label Group, Sparrow Records, Motown Gospel, Tamla Records, ForeFront Records, sixstepsrecords, Jesus Culture, Commercial Partnerships and CCMG Publishing. CCMG is home to artists Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, TobyMac, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tauren Wells, Anne Wilson, Jeremy Camp, We the Kingdom, Tye Tribbett, Crowder, Josiah Queen and many others. Capitol CMG Publishing, in addition to publishing most of the CCMG labels' premier artist/writers, represents many of the leading writers in Christian/Gospel including Ben Glover, Ed Cash, Tommee Profitt, Kirk Franklin, Jeff Pardo and many more. Key Distribution and Publishing Administration partners include Primary Wave/The Gaither Music Group, Centricity Music, Maranatha Music, The Belonging Co, and Getty Music. Led by Brad O’Donnell and a strong executive team of long-time Christian and Gospel music veterans, CCMG is characterized by a passionate commitment to their artists, songwriters, customers, business partners, and one another, as well as a strong spirit of community service.

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