No. 1 Party: ASCAP, BMI Toast Canaan Smith’s ‘Love You Like That’

(L-R): Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Jim Beavers, Canaan Smith, Brett Beavers, Jimmy Robbins, BMI’s Bradley Collins, BMG’s Kos Weaver.

By now, we all know that Canaan Smith is “a fishin’ in the dark Nitty Gritty boy.” So last night (Sept. 15) ASCAP and BMI hosted a party at Cabana in Nashville to salute the hit with that catchy lyric—“Love You Like That.” Smith co-wrote the Gold-certified single with Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers.

It’s been a big week for the rising Mercury Nashville star, who also made his national television debut on NBC’s Today where he performed follow-up single “Hole In A Bottle,” and announced his first headlining tour which visits Nashville’s Exit/In on Nov. 12.

At Cabana, Mike Sistad did the honors for ASCAP and in keeping with tradition, presented Smith a guitar to commemorate his first chart-topper.

The singer-songwriter has been building a career for several years, scoring the Love And Theft hit “Runaway” and cuts by Jason Aldean and Cole Swindell.

“We’re here to celebrate past success and future triumph,” said UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan. He praised Smith’s “unbelievable positive attitude and work ethic.” He saluted the Mercury Nashville promo team saying, “I’ve never seen an effort like this before.” Indeed, it took “Love You Like That” 54 weeks to get to No. 1. Everyone who took the mic also thanked the UMG staff.

Smith recounted that years ago he poured through the liner notes of his favorite albums and kept noticing Brett Beaver’s name on some of his favorite songs, like Dierks Bentley’s 2005 hit “Settle For A Slowdown.” Fast forward a decade later and he is celebrating a No. 1 co-produced by Beavers and Jimmy Robbins. “This is such a special moment for me,” said Smith, who gave engraved decanters to his team members to mark the occasion.

BMG Nashville’s Kos Weaver was there in two different capacities: as a publisher on the song and as Smith’s manager. Weaver said, “I can’t think of anyone who helped Canaan grow more as an artist than Brett.” He also saluted Smith’s versatility and positive attitude.

Robbins was celebrating his first No. 1 as a producer, adding to his tally of five No. 1s as a songwriter. Weaver said, “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone heat up as fast as Jimmy.” The songwriter also has credits on the current singles by Tim McGraw and Chase Rice.

Brothers Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers have a track record of so many hits that BMI’s Bradley Collins proclaimed them the Mannings of Music Row, while their proud parents watched in the crowd. And Brett entertained by playing a video clip of them as kids in 1981.

Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg saluted Jim, “Thank you for caring as much today as the first time you walked on the stage.”

Big Deal Music’s Dale Bobo said he gets excited every time Brett sends in a new song, and that the work tapes are usually so good they don’t wait for a demo to start pitching the song. Since Brett loves skateboarding, Big Deal presented him a custom board from Nashville’s own Salemtown Board Co. Brett is also a co-writer on Smith’s “Hole In A Bottle” and the current Aldean single.

Also making presentations were Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox, CMA’s Brandi Simms, and Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton. The whole crowd celebrated with a shot of whiskey from our new Canaan Smith shot glasses, thanks to UMG.

(L-R): Mike Dungan, UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO; Royce Risser, UMG Nashville SVP Promotion; Canaan Smith; Damon Moberly, Mercury Nashville, VP Promotion