No. 1 Party: Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly”

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(L-R): Capitol Records’ Tom Becci and Steve Hodges, ASCAP’s Marc Driskill, producer Dann Huff, co-writer Jaren Johnston, Keith Urban, co-writers Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, and BMI’s Jody Williams.

On Wednesday (4/11), the day after being invited to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Capitol Records’ Keith Urban joined songwriters Preston Brust, Chris Lucas, and Jaren Johnston at Chappy’s to celebrate their No. 1 hit “You Gonna Fly.” BMI and ASCAP co-hosted the event, which honored Urban’s 14th time to hit the top spot. Urban co-produced the hit with Dann Huff.

Following presentations by BMI’s Jody Williams and ASCAP’s Marc Driskill, other industry executives on hand to bestow honors were Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Capitol Records’ Steve Hodges, CMA’s Brandi Simms and CRB’s Bill Mayne. Avenue Bank’s Cooper Samuels also presented a financial contribution in the name of the honorees to St. Jude.

Huff gave high praise to Urban saying, “To work with a guy like this, it makes me and everybody who works with him better.”

Brust and Lucas, also known as the duo LoCash Cowboys, and Johnston, the lead singer in The Cadillac Black, each shared their intriguing recollection of receiving calls of gratitude from Urban for the song.

To the writers, Urban said, “It’s so cool this song has so many firsts; first cut for you guys, your first No. 1, first one on hold for the record. I want to thank you for trusting me with your song. Thank you for letting me cut your song.” He also thanked his wife Nicole who was in the crowd, saying “Baby girl, thank you so much for coming down.”

The party ended with a special treat for the attendees, a performance of “You Gonna Fly” by Urban, the writers and his band.

Sherod Robertson
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