Blake Shelton Celebrates Gold Album, No. 1 Song At ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Deric Ruttan, Blake Shelton, songwriter Craig Wiseman. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

“It’s good to be in the Blake Shelton business,” said Matt Turner, Creative Director of Big Loud Shirt, as industry members gathered to honor Shelton’s  No. 1 song, “Came Here To Forget.”

ASCAP’s Nashville office hosted the celebration, led by ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and Michael Martin, on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 30).

“Came Here To Forget” marks Shelton’s 22nd No. 1 song and 17th consecutive chart-topper. Deric Ruttan and three-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year honoree Craig Wiseman co-wrote “Came Here to Forget,” the lead single from Shelton’s If I’m Honest album.

The song marks Ruttan’s third No. 1 and Wiseman’s 26th.

Shelton was surprised with more heavy metal when presented with a plaque commemorating the gold certification of his If I’m Honest project.

“I’m always looking for a song I can relate to,” said Shelton told Ruttan and Wiseman of “Came Here To Forget.” “I have to be careful about shit I say because it ends up everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more perfect song at the perfect time in my life. Thank you guys for nailing it way better than I ever could. I’m like a puppet up here, if it wasn’t for you writers.”

Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Michael Martin, songwriter Deric Ruttan, Big Loud Shirt’s Matt Turner, Round Hill Songs’ Penny Gattis, Blake Shelton, THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, songwriter Craig Wiseman, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, Round Hill Music’s Penny Gattis, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Peter Strickland, and Scott Hendricks, Starstruck Management Group’s Narvel Blackstock and Brandon Blackstock, iHeartRadio’s Rod Phillips (on behalf of the Country Radio Broadcasters), and the Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms were on hand to honor the writers.

“As writers we are blessed to do what we do and I’m particularly blessed to write for a company like THiS Music,” said Ruttan. “THiS Music and Warner/Chappell is such a great home where we can feel creative and it’s a very nurturing environment.”

Gattis also surprised the songwriters by making a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank large enough to feed 2,000 people. Earlier this year, Shelton performed at Wiseman’s 12th annual Stars For Second Harvest charity event, held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. To date, the event has raised more than $1 million to aid Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Additionally, Wiseman and Shelton were congratulated for “Gonna,” which was the fourth single from Shelton’s previous album Bringing Back The Sunshine.

Pictured (L-R): Producer Scott Hendricks, Warner Music Nashville CMO Peter Strickland, Blake Shelton, Starstruck Management Group’s Narvel Blackstock, Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, Starstruck Management Group’s Brandon Blackstock. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

“When ‘Gonna’ went No. 1, it was my 16th No. 1 song in a row, and I got a text from Earl Thomas Conley and he said, ‘Man you tied me.’” Shelton recalled. “I tied his personal record for consecutive No. 1s. I didn’t hear from me on this one. He must be pissed off that I flew past him,” Shelton quipped, just before giving thanks to the Warner Bros. promotion staff.

The celebration couldn’t last long, as Shelton and many others in attendance made their way to the Ryman Auditorium to take part in the ACM Honors, where Shelton paid tribute to Glen Campbell as part of an all-star moment featuring Keith Urban, Toby Keith, and Dierks Bentley.

Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton and RaeLynn

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected]

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