Music publishing exec Cook returning to songwriting, producing

Don Cook, Sony/ATV/Tree/Acuff-Rose Music Publishing senior vice president and chief creative officer, has relinquished his corporate duties and returned to the life of a songwriter and producer.

Originally signed as a songwriter with Acuff-Rose, Cook would later make the move to Tree Publishing and in his first year there produce eleven cuts including “Tonight,” a top five hit for Barbara Mandrell, and “Lady Lay Down” for John Conlee, Cook’s first number 1.