Photo ID (L to R): Melody Place’s Sanborn McGraw, Braden Hull, Melody Place’s Tony Gottlieb and Leigh Shockey)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April , 2025) – Melody Place is proud to announce the signing of rising country music singer-songwriter Braden Hull, marking a major milestone in the promising career of the 22-year-old artist hailing from Lexington, North Carolina.
Since launching his music journey in 2023, Hull has quickly gained momentum and attention across the Southeast with his captivating stage presence, authentic songwriting, and relatable storytelling. Now, with his first official record deal under his belt, he joins the growing roster of talent at Melody Place and has made the move to Nashville to continue building on his early success.
Braden’s rapid rise includes opening slots for a growing list of major talent—such as Craig Morgan, Little Texas, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason, Rockie Lynne, The Dryes, and more—and most recently, selling out his first headline show thanks to his undeniable stage presence and growing fan base.
Additionally, Braden will be taking the stage next week as part of the Melody Place Artists Round at Live In The Vinyard Goes Country in Napa, CA.
With a style inspired by artists like Cody Johnson, Hardy, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs, Hull blends ultra-smooth vocals with a boots-on-the-ground writing style that’s as relatable as it is refreshing. His first independent release, “Falling Out of Love,” earned over one million views on TikTok and generated strong local radio airplay—marking him as one to watch.
Braden’s first release under Melody Place, “Coulda Been Love,” is set to drop on May 16 — a highly anticipated debut that showcases his signature blend of soulful storytelling and authentic Country grit.
With more exciting announcements on the horizon, Braden Hull is only just getting started. Stay connected and follow him on all major social media platforms for the latest updates, tour dates, and new releases.
About Melody Place
Melody Place is a boutique Nashville-based record label and music publishing company founded by Leigh Shockey in 2018. Leigh’s journey in the music industry began while on the board of Memphis In May International Festival. Through that she worked closely with David Gest, working in the studio and producing shows with some of Motown’s brightest stars such as The Stylistics, Dennis Edwards, The Temptations, Peabo Bryson, and Lamont Dozier.
The operational direction of Melody Place is led by President and General Manager Sanborn McGraw, who joined the label after a distinguished career in artist management and music publishing. Sanborn has worked with iconic artists including Michael Feinstein and Liza Minnelli and, with his strategic vision, is focusing on artist development and expanding the label’s international presence.
Joining Leigh and Sanborn in the leadership team is Chief Operating Officer Tony Gottlieb, a seasoned veteran of the entertainment industry with decades of experience in artist management, music publishing, and intellectual property rights advocacy. Tony co-founded Morningstar Management and Recording Studio in Nashville with Kyle Lehning. Where he managed and launched the careers of “England” Dan Seals, Randy Travis, Kathy Baillie, and many others over the years. He is also a recognized expert in copyright reform and intellectual property, often serving as a consultant and expert witness in litigation matters.
With an incredibly talented and always evolving artist roster—including Sara Evans, Katharine McPhee, Jackie Evancho, the estate of Dan Seals, Jeff Larson and more—Melody Place is quickly becoming a major player in the music industry. The label continues to build on its strong foundation by fostering fresh talent while nurturing the careers of established stars. Together, Leigh, Sanborn, and Tony bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Melody Place, offering a personalized, artist-first approach to the music industry. With a commitment to discovering new talent and fostering long-term careers, Melody Place is shaping the future of music with integrity and passion. melodyplace.com
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