Rick Shelton Named VP Of Daywind Music Publishing As Company Expands

Hendersonville, TN  - With 40 #1 songs, 2 BMI Christian Publisher of the Year nods and 10 GMA Dove Awards, including 2011 Song of the Year winner, “Sometimes I Cry,” Daywind Music Publishing has established a strong foothold in Christian music publishing.  In recognition of his leadership towards this end, Rick Shelton has been named Vice President.

Since joining Daywind in 2004, Shelton has signed hit songwriters and forged a strategic partnership with Lifeway Worship enabling Daywind to start a choral print division.  The most recent offering, “Love Won,” by Kenna Turner-West is up for a GMA Dove Award this year for Best Musical.

“Rick Shelton is a great leader.  He is completely focused on finding ways to create opportunities for Daywind’s songwriters.  We are so pleased to have him at the helm of our publishing division,” stated Ed Leonard, president of Daywind Music Group.

Shelton is overseeing Daywind’s expansion into other markets, recently hiring Stephen Duncan as Creative Director.   Duncan is the first graduate of the Belmont University songwriting program and has great relationships across all genres of Christian music.  His strong music background as a concert pianist will prove a plus as Daywind moves into praise and worship, adult contemporary and Christian hit radio formats through new writer signings and collaborations with the talented staff of songwriters at Daywind.    “Stephen Duncan was highly recommended for this role by Steve Rice at Centricity and Mike Murray at Integrity, two men I highly respect in this industry, and I am so excited to see what we will accomplish together,“ said Shelton.

Daywind’s family of songwriters includes Caleb Collins, Marty Funderburk, Ronny Hinson, Scott Inman, Kyla Rowland, John Darin Rowsey, Jeff Steele, Ben Storie, Kenna West, Dianne Wilkinson, Daryl Williams and Gina Vera.