No. 1 Party: Jake Owen's "Alone With You"

(L-R): Razor & Tie Publishing’s Lisa Johnson, RCA Records’ Keith Gale, producer Rodney Clawson, co-writer JT Harding, Jake Owen, co-writer Catt Gravitt, Songs MP3’s Kelly King, co-writer Shane McAnally, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Little Blue Egg Publishing’s Robin Palmer, BMI’s Clay Bradley, and Kobalt Music Publishing’s Whitney Daane. Photo: Steve Lowry

RCA’s Jake Owen and songwriters, JT Harding, Catt Gravitt and Shane McAnally celebrated their recent No. 1 chart-topper, “Alone With You,” with a packed and sweaty crowd of Music Row friends and executives at Nashville’s Cabana on Tuesday (6/19).

Produced by Joey Moi and Rodney Clawson, the song marks Owen’s second trip to the top of the chart and Gravitt’s first country No. 1. McAnally and Harding previously had success together in 2011 with Kenny Chesney’s No. 1 hit “Somewhere With You.”

Plaques and awards were handed out in spades honoring the creative team. Presenters included BMI’s Clay Bradley, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan and SESAC’s Shannan Hatch. Bradley was quick to point out “Jake has redefined his career with this record,” and the audience was in full agreement.

RCA Records’ Keith Gale joined the presenters and acknowledged, “This album should be called ‘Greatest Hits.'” The accolades continued with Razor & Tie Publishing’s Lisa Johnson, Songs MP3’s Kelly King, Little Blue Egg Publishing’s Robin Palmer, Kobalt Music Publishing’s Whitney Daane, Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox, CMA’s Brandi Simms and CRB’s Keith Kaufman.

Jake Owen took the stage and admitted, “It took awhile to get here and a lot of people to help me get here.” He gave a special thanks to Renee Bell for sending him the song two and a half years ago. He also thanked his new beautiful bride, Lacey who was among the attendees. Looking at the writers, he added, “You allow me to have a pretty awesome life.

The No. 1 celebration quickly began to resemble a night at Zanies as JT Harding gave a heartfelt thanks to his mom in the audience for never complaining about his loud music or coming to breakfast on a regular basis with KISS makeup on. Describing the writing session, Harding recalled that Gravitt “wanted to feel it” before agreeing the song was finished and made a graphic gesture that shocked he and McAnally into looking like “two cub scouts looking at a Playboy for the first time.” Giving much credit to Owen, Harding added, “He has to work ten times as hard with this song because its a booty call song, and no one as good looking as him has ever been someone’s booty call.”

Gravitt confessed, “I’m just lucky that I don’t have a pee bag and a wheelchair attached to my body ’cause it’s taken me so long get here. I am more grateful to Jake Owen than he knows.” After the laughter had settled, she then looked out over the audience; getting choked up admitting it has “taken a village for me.” Starting with her parents, she thanked the many people who had been influential in her career.

Taking his turn, McAnally also got emotional thanking his family who were in attendance. “I’m grateful to many people in this room,” he added. Addressing Owen, he said, “These are life changing events for us,” thanking him for taking a bold position and a risk in doing a song like this.” Calling his fellow co-writers “a wall of optimism,” McAnally thanked them bringing joy to his life.

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Sherod Robertson

Sherod Robertson is President and Owner of MusicRow Enterprises. He oversees all operations and develops strategic initiatives for MusicRow magazine, RowFax, and MusicRow's CountryBreakout chart. Robertson previously served as Director of Finance of Arista Records after beginning his career as Vice President of Finance and CFO at Reunion Records.

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