Sony Music Publishing has signed a global publishing deal with By Design, a Nashville-based music company focused on faith-driven content.
The agreement gives Sony Music Publishing worldwide administration rights for By Design‘s catalog and roster. The partnership will also explore joint-venture signings aimed at developing new songwriters in the faith and Christian music space.
By Design was launched in 2025 by Josh Bailey, Josh Thompson, Rod Riley and Jeremy Holley. The company recently brought on Josh Pauley as Vice President of Publishing & A&R to oversee songwriter development.
By Design operates as part of a three-entity structure. The main label signs and develops artists. A second entity, Archetype Music, functions as a music rights holding company that acquires Christian music catalogs. A third component, Blueprint, operates as a nonprofit focused on what the company describes as discipling and equipping faith-based creators.
“Our passion for songwriters and great songs drives everything we do at SMP, and it’s clear that By Design shares the same spirit.”
Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing Nashville
The label’s current roster includes country artist FrankieBallard, pop-folk performer ZoeLevert, singer-songwriter AlexJude, and the sister duo barlow. Additional signings are planned but have not been announced.
Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, said: “Our passion for songwriters and great songs drives everything we do at SMP, and it’s clear that By Design shares the same spirit. We are thrilled to partner with their team and champion the incredible roster and catalog they’re building.”
Josh Bailey, Co-Founder of By Design, said: “We’ve always said that By Design is more than a label — it’s a creative ecosystem. Partnering with Sony Music Publishing allows us to expand that ecosystem, giving our creatives best-in-class support on a global scale. It’s about equipping creatives to tell meaningful stories and providing the infrastructure to bring those stories to life.”
“We’ve always said that By Design is more than a label — it’s a creative ecosystem. Partnering with Sony Music Publishing allows us to expand that ecosystem.”
Josh Bailey, By Design
Josh Thompson, Co-Founder of By Design, added: “This partnership reflects what we’ve believed from the beginning — that great art thrives in great alignment. Rusty and the SMP team understand the balance between creative excellence and creator care, and together we’re building a foundation that empowers writers to dream boldly and impact culture through their original design.”
The deal marks another expansion of Sony Music Publishing’s Nashville operations. Last month, the division signed a global administration agreement with Sea Gayle Music and Domain Capital Group. Sea Gayle Music was founded in 1999 by songwriter Chris DuBois, artist/songwriter Brad Paisley and songwriter/producer Frank Rogers. Domain Capital Group acquired Sea Gayle’s catalog in 2020 and formed a joint venture with the publisher.
“Rusty and the SMP team understand the balance between creative excellence and creator care, and together we’re building a foundation that empowers writers to dream boldly.”
Josh Thompson, By Design
The deal with By Design comes as the consumption of contemporary Christian music has grown. NPR reported in June that contemporary Christian music is now breaking into mainstream popularity, with the genre experiencing a 60% jump in Spotify streams over a five-year period last year.
Luminatesaid in its 2024 mid-year report that contemporary Christian music saw the fourth fastest growth versus other genres in 2024, trailing behind country music.
