New Lyrics Publishing
Founders’ Story
New Lyrics Publishing was born from a remarkable coincidence rooted deep in the hills of eastern Kentucky.
Ron Coleman and K O Roberts both grew up in Pike County, Kentucky—raised less than twenty miles apart—yet they had never met, nor had they even heard of one another. Though their paths ran parallel through the same Appalachian landscape, they were unaware that their shared heritage and passion for music would one day unite them in a common purpose.
The connection between Coleman and Roberts began unexpectedly. Roberts received a call from his attorney explaining that he had been contacted by a friend of Ron Coleman. Coleman was seeking legal advice about protecting his growing song catalog and navigating the complexities of music publishing. Upon hearing Coleman’s story—particularly the depth of his catalog and his Appalachian roots—Roberts was immediately intrigued.
When Coleman and Roberts finally connected, the first subject they discussed was not contracts or copyrights, but their shared love for eastern Kentucky. They spoke of the mountains, the culture, the people, and the musical heritage that shaped them both. What began as a business conversation quickly became something deeper—a realization that their separate journeys had been leading to this moment.
Despite growing up only a short drive apart, they had traveled very different paths. Yet those paths now seemed destined to intersect. Coleman brought with him a prolific creative output—more than 2,000 songs shaped by decades of poetic craftsmanship. Roberts brought structure, experience, and an understanding of the industry—along with over two decades of relationships and administrative expertise.
Together, they began outlining the framework of a partnership. Coleman would contribute his expansive song catalog and continue creating new material. Roberts would serve as administrator and publishing strategist, overseeing copyright protection, licensing opportunities, song pitching, and industry outreach. The partnership was built on complementary strengths: one rooted in artistic creation, the other in professional stewardship and advocacy.
More than a business arrangement, their collaboration represented something symbolic—a bridge between raw Appalachian storytelling and the broader music marketplace. They shared a vision of building a publishing company that not only managed songs, but honored the region that inspired them. They wanted to demonstrate that world-class creativity can emerge from eastern Kentucky and that with the right structure and advocacy, it can reach audiences far beyond the mountains.
New Lyrics Publishing was formed on that foundation: heritage, creativity, professionalism, and purpose. It stands as a testament to the idea that destiny sometimes operates quietly in the background—bringing together two individuals who grew up within miles of one another, yet only discovered their connection decades later.
In the end, their meeting was more than coincidence. It was alignment—of geography, passion, experience, and vision. From two separate lives shaped by the same hills of Pike County emerged a unified mission: to protect, promote, and publish songs that carry the spirit of eastern Kentucky to the world.