Bee Smith signs transatlantic publishing deal with Nashville’s Thornton Cline Music

UK singer-songwriter Bee Smith has signed her first exclusive transatlantic publishing deal with BMI publisher Thornton Cline Music, following a breakout run for her duet “Summer Before the Fall.” The deal comes as Smith adds Josie Awards nominations and prepares a Christmas duet release with Chris Chitsey.

Why it matters: - Bee Smith’s first exclusive transatlantic publishing deal gives the UK singer-songwriter a Nashville publishing home with reach in both markets. - The signing follows a chart breakthrough and adds momentum ahead of new releases and award season. - Smith’s catalog is now tied to Thornton Cline Music, a division of Clinetel Music and Clinetel Records Nashville.

What happened: - Bee Smith signed with BMI publisher Thornton Cline Music, based in Nashville. - The deal is described as Bee Smith’s first exclusive transatlantic publishing agreement. - The signing was announced on September 1, 2026.

The details: - Bee Smith reached No. 1 on the World Indie Music Charts and No. 2 on the Euro Indie Music Charts this summer with Chris Chitsey. - Their duet, “Summer Before the Fall,” was released on Clinetel Records Nashville/Orchard Sony. - Bee Smith and Thornton Cline wrote the song. - Bee Smith is currently No. 26 on both the New Weekly Country Charts and CDX charts. - The song has more than 156,000 YouTube views. - Bee Smith has nearly 10,000 monthly followers. - Thornton Cline, CEO of Clinetel Music, called Bee Smith a brilliant lyricist and songwriter. - Bee Smith and Chris Chitsey have been nominated for Vocal Event of the Year and Song of the Year for the Josie Awards. - The Josie Awards will be held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on September 20. - Bee Smith has six Josie Award nominations. - Bee Smith had three Josie Award nominations last year, including Vocalist of the Year. - Bee Smith was named Songwriter of the Year in 2025 by the International Singer Songwriters Association. - Bee Smith said she is honored to join the Clinetel Music family and expects to create more work with the label.

Between the lines: - The deal pairs a rising indie-country artist with a Nashville publisher after measurable chart gains and audience growth. - The Josie Awards attention and the new publishing agreement suggest Bee Smith is building traction beyond a single breakout song. - Thornton Cline Music appears to be leveraging Bee Smith’s momentum as her profile expands across indie, country and transatlantic audiences.

What’s next: - Bee Smith is due in the studio to record a Christmas single with Chris Chitsey. - The duet is scheduled for worldwide radio release in November. - Bee Smith and Chris Chitsey will appear at the Josie Awards on September 20 if the nominations advance to the event stage.

The bottom line: - Bee Smith’s Nashville publishing deal follows a charting breakthrough, award recognition and growing audience reach, setting up a busier run into year-end.