ArtistDirect News
David Spencer Extends Exclusive Deal With Essential Music Publishing
On July 6, 2026, songwriter‑producer David Spencer announced the renewal of his exclusive publishing agreement with Essential Music Publishing. The extension follows a busy year of high‑profile collaborations, from Carly Simon’s forthcoming single “Howl” to Jo Dee Messina’s album “Bridges” and Neoni’s new project on Virgin Music Group.
Spencer’s catalog already eclipses one billion streams worldwide and routinely charts on radio and streaming platforms. In 2023 he earned ASCAP Song of the Year for “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)”, a nine‑week No. 1 that set a record for the longest‑running debut single by a female artist in contemporary Christian music. He followed that triumph with Ben Fuller’s No. 1 hit “Who I Am” and has produced cuts for artists such as Seph Schlueter, Jamie McDonald, Sanctus Real, and Zach Williams. His own track “Jesus Loves” reached the top 5 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart.
The 2026 calendar is packed with releases that showcase Spencer’s versatility. Carly Simon, a 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, unveiled the lead single “Howl” from her album “Comes in Waves” on August 14; the track was written and produced by Spencer and marks Simon’s first album of original material in 18 years. On June 5, country star Jo Dee Messina launched “Bridges”, a project Spencer co‑wrote and produced. Meanwhile, the viral pop duo Neoni released a new album on Virgin Music Group, with Spencer as a key writer and producer; their Gold‑certified single “Darkside” has racked up hundreds of millions of streams.
Spencer’s reach extends beyond the studio. His compositions were featured in the Super Bowl broadcast and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a recent worldwide sync with Adobe showcased the track “Pocket Size” by Sansol the Artist, underscoring his appeal in both creative and commercial arenas.
Essential Music Publishing’s vice‑president, Jamie Rogers, remarked, “It’s no surprise that David has risen to be one of the most sought‑after writers and producers across CCM, country, and sync – his talent has always been undeniable. But beyond the accolades, David is simply someone you love being in this business with. We’re genuinely excited and deeply grateful to extend our partnership with him, and we couldn’t be more honored to run alongside him as he continues to create genre‑defining music.” The statement confirms the company’s confidence in Spencer’s ongoing contributions.
Spencer’s work exemplifies a writer who thrives across genre boundaries. By crafting radio‑friendly tracks for CCM acts and producing crossover hits for country and pop artists, he broadens the commercial reach of every project he touches. His involvement with Neoni is cited as a key factor in the duo’s rapid rise to viral status, with “Darkside” achieving Gold certification within weeks of release. Sync deals such as the Adobe placement illustrate how contemporary songwriters can monetize catalogues beyond traditional radio and album sales, a model that grows increasingly important as streaming dominates revenue streams.
In addition to chart success, Spencer is known for artist development. He mentors emerging acts on songwriting structure, vocal arrangement, and market positioning. With Neoni, he coached vocal delivery and lyrical themes that resonate with TikTok audiences, helping the duo accumulate millions of streams. The renewed partnership will provide him with resources to continue guiding new talent while sustaining his own output.
With the contract in place, Spencer is poised to deliver high‑impact songs for a diverse roster of artists and to expand his influence in the sync and streaming arenas. The move signals Essential Music Publishing’s commitment to supporting writers who navigate multiple markets and offers Spencer the infrastructure to maintain his prolific output and mentorship roles moving forward.
Spencer’s catalog already eclipses one billion streams worldwide and routinely charts on radio and streaming platforms. In 2023 he earned ASCAP Song of the Year for “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)”, a nine‑week No. 1 that set a record for the longest‑running debut single by a female artist in contemporary Christian music. He followed that triumph with Ben Fuller’s No. 1 hit “Who I Am” and has produced cuts for artists such as Seph Schlueter, Jamie McDonald, Sanctus Real, and Zach Williams. His own track “Jesus Loves” reached the top 5 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart.
The 2026 calendar is packed with releases that showcase Spencer’s versatility. Carly Simon, a 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, unveiled the lead single “Howl” from her album “Comes in Waves” on August 14; the track was written and produced by Spencer and marks Simon’s first album of original material in 18 years. On June 5, country star Jo Dee Messina launched “Bridges”, a project Spencer co‑wrote and produced. Meanwhile, the viral pop duo Neoni released a new album on Virgin Music Group, with Spencer as a key writer and producer; their Gold‑certified single “Darkside” has racked up hundreds of millions of streams.
Spencer’s reach extends beyond the studio. His compositions were featured in the Super Bowl broadcast and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a recent worldwide sync with Adobe showcased the track “Pocket Size” by Sansol the Artist, underscoring his appeal in both creative and commercial arenas.
Essential Music Publishing’s vice‑president, Jamie Rogers, remarked, “It’s no surprise that David has risen to be one of the most sought‑after writers and producers across CCM, country, and sync – his talent has always been undeniable. But beyond the accolades, David is simply someone you love being in this business with. We’re genuinely excited and deeply grateful to extend our partnership with him, and we couldn’t be more honored to run alongside him as he continues to create genre‑defining music.” The statement confirms the company’s confidence in Spencer’s ongoing contributions.
Spencer’s work exemplifies a writer who thrives across genre boundaries. By crafting radio‑friendly tracks for CCM acts and producing crossover hits for country and pop artists, he broadens the commercial reach of every project he touches. His involvement with Neoni is cited as a key factor in the duo’s rapid rise to viral status, with “Darkside” achieving Gold certification within weeks of release. Sync deals such as the Adobe placement illustrate how contemporary songwriters can monetize catalogues beyond traditional radio and album sales, a model that grows increasingly important as streaming dominates revenue streams.
In addition to chart success, Spencer is known for artist development. He mentors emerging acts on songwriting structure, vocal arrangement, and market positioning. With Neoni, he coached vocal delivery and lyrical themes that resonate with TikTok audiences, helping the duo accumulate millions of streams. The renewed partnership will provide him with resources to continue guiding new talent while sustaining his own output.
With the contract in place, Spencer is poised to deliver high‑impact songs for a diverse roster of artists and to expand his influence in the sync and streaming arenas. The move signals Essential Music Publishing’s commitment to supporting writers who navigate multiple markets and offers Spencer the infrastructure to maintain his prolific output and mentorship roles moving forward.