Ryan Tedder & Runner Music

Runner Music — the label venture led by OneRepublic frontman and hit-songwriter Ryan Tedder — partnered with Sony Music Nashville to bring David J into the major-label system. The arrangement gives David J access to Runner's pop-craft sensibility while keeping his country-pop identity anchored in Nashville.

Ryan Tedder publicly described David J as 'a true unicorn talent' on the announcement of the deal, and the partnership has shaped how the singles roll out: country-pop production with cross-format-ready hooks, then radio and playlist support inside the Sony Music Nashville system.