Bobby Karl Works The Room: ‘World’s Largest No. 1 Party’ Also Honors Political Allies

Pictured (L-R): Bart Herbison (NSAI Executive Director), Butch Spyridon (CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation (NCVC)), Erika Wollam Nichols (Bluebird Cafe COO and GM)
Chapter 668
Each year, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) tosses a bash to honor all of the tunesmiths who enjoyed a No. 1 success during the previous year.
The event saluting the 2022 chart-topping songwriters took place Tuesday (April 25) at Fat Bottom Brewery. It was a gorgeous spring day, so the venue fully opened its garage doors onto its spacious deck, which came equipped with picnic tables and umbrellas.
The NSAI’s Bart Herbison welcomed us. “Thanks, everybody, for being with us today,” he said. “We’re here to honor songwriters…all the songwriters who had No. 1 songs in 2022,” regardless of genre.
To kick things off, Bart introduced a new honor, the NSAI Advocacy Award. He presented it to former Tennessee congressman Jim Cooper. He reminded the attendees that Cooper has always been supportive of legislation that aided songwriters financially. “I just don’t know of a better individual,” Bart said. “He also plays the banjo.”

Pictured (L-R): Former Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper, Lyndsie McClure (NSAI Director of Development)
“I love songwriters,” said Cooper. “I love songs. I love ‘it all begins with a song.’ I love protecting you in Congress. I couldn’t be prouder of you. I wish I could still represent you, but they gerrymandered me out of existence.
“There are enemies of music everywhere,” he cautioned the crowd. “They might love your songs, but they want to steal your royalties… The State of Tennessee is out to destroy our beautiful city of Nashville. We can’t let that happen… I hope you vote. I hope you run for office.”
Bart re-took the mic to remind the dozens of songwriters at the event that the NSAI’s lobbying efforts have dramatically increased their income from streaming services.
Then Bluebrird Cafe COO Erika William Nichols asked for a moment of silence to honor the memory of hit country songwriter Keith Gattis, who died on Sunday. Erika then presented the NSAI’s Champions Award to Butch Spyridon, the retiring CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation.
“Without you, the hospitality industry had no future,” said Butch to the songwriters. “You have the heart and soul of Nashville. As long as there is one songwriter in this town, we’re not losing our soul. It has been an honor, a pleasure and the dream of a lifetime,” to support the songwriting community.
Working the room were Dale Bobo, Susan Stewart, John Ozier, John Rich, Anthony L. Smith, Dave Pakula, eight-time honoree Ashley Gorley, Mike Sirls, Vickie McGehee, Chris DuBois, Kristi Manna, Tory Martin, Tim Nichols, the Tennessee Entertainment Commission’s Gisela Moore, Josh Jenkins, Ben Glover, Jennifer Turnbo, Jenn Schott, five-time honoree Jeff Pardo, Seth Moseley, Luke Laird, delightful showboat Levon Gray, Matthew Wilson and Matthew West.
Beloved longtime Christian-music exec Jimmy Wheeler came bearing news of his new gig. He is now the Director of Business Development for the Music Office of the State of Tennessee. At which I predict he will excel.
The event’s evening cocktail-reception fare included pretzel bites with beer cheese, Italian meatballs, Southwest egg rolls (better than that sounds), chocolate cake squares, pastries and other sweet petit-fours confections.
Songs recognized for reaching No. 1 between January 2022 – December 2022:
“5 Foot 9”
Written by: Tyler Hubbard, Jaren Johnston and Chase McGill
Recorded by: Tyler Hubbard
“7500 OBO”
Written by: Matt McGinn, Jenn Schott and Nathan Spicer
Recorded by: Tim McGraw
“AA”
Written by: Walker Hayes, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally
Recorded by: Walker Hayes
“abcdefu”
Written by: Sara Davis, GAYLE and Dave Pittenger
Recorded by: GAYLE
“As It Was”
Written by: Thomas Hull, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles
Recorded by: Harry Styles
“At The End Of A Bar”
Written by: Chris DeStefano, Mitchell Tenpenny and Chris Young
Recorded by: Chris Young with Mitchell Tenpenny
“Beers On Me”
Written by: Dierks Bentley, Daniel Breland, Ross Copperman, Luke Dick, Ashley Gorley, Nicolle Galyon, Michael Hardy, Ben Johnson and Niko Moon
Recorded by: Dierks Bentley, Breland & HARDY
“Best Thing Since Backroads”
Written by: Ben Johnson, Jordan Minton, Hunter Phelps and Geoff Warburton
Recorded by: Jake Owen
“Buy Dirt”
Written by: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins
Recorded by: Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan
“Carolin’”
Written by: Francesca Battistelli, Mia Fieldes and Seth Mosley
Recorded by: Francesca Battistelli
“Come What May”
Written by: Darren Mulligan and Jeff Pardo
Recorded by: We Are Messengers
“Country On”
Written by: David Frasier, Styles Haury, Mark Nesler and Mitch Oglesby
Recorded by: Luke Bryan
“Damn Strait”
Written by: Jim Collins and Trent Tomlinson
Recorded by: Scotty McCreery
“Don’t Think Jesus”
Written by: Jessi Alexander, Mark Holman and Chase McGill
Recorded by: Morgan Wallen
“Fancy Like”
Written by: Cameron Bartolini, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins and Shane Stevens
Recorded by: Walker Hayes
“Growing Old With You”
Written by: Charles Kelley, Jordan Minton and Jordan Reynolds
Recorded by: Restless Road
“In Jesus Name (God Of Possible)”
Written by: Ethan Hulse, Katy Nichole, Jeff Pardo and David Andrew Spencer
Recorded by: Katy Nichole
“God Is In This Story”
Written by: Ethan Hulse, Katy Nichole and Jeff Pardo
Recorded by: Katy Nichole + Big Daddy Weave
“Half Of Me”
Written by: Rhett Akins, Will Bundy, Thomas Rhett and Josh Thompson
Recorded by: Thomas Rhett feat. Riley Green
“Half Of My Hometown”
Written by: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally and Jimmy Robbins
Recorded by: Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney
“How Far”
Written by: Tasha Layton, A.J. Pruis, Keith Everette Smith and Matthew West
Recorded by: Tasha Layton
“I Still Believe In Christmas”
Written by: Jeff Pardo, Matthew West and Anne Wilson
Recorded by: Anne Wilson
“In The House”
Written by: David Crowder, Ben Glover and Jeff Sojka
Recorded by: Crowder
“Last Night Lonely”
Written by: Jimi Bell, Joe Fox and Dylan Marlowe
Recorded by: Jon Pardi
“Leave You Alone”
Written by: Kane Brown, Jordan Minton and Jordan Schmidt
Recorded by: Kane Brown
“Me On Your Mind”
Written by: Jeff Pardo, Matthew West and Anne Wilson
Recorded by: Matthew West
“New Truck”
Written by: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Ben Johnson and Hunter Phelps
Recorded by: Dylan Scott
“One Day Tonight”
Written by: Trannie Anderson, Jared Griffin and Brett Sheroky
Recorded by: Noah Thompson
“One Mississippi”
Written by: Kane Brown, Jesse Frasure, Levon Gray and Ernest K. Smith
Recorded by: Kane Brown
“Progress”
Written by: Vicky McGehee, John Rich and Jeffrey Steele
Recorded by: John Rich
“Rock And A Hard Place”
Written by: Jacob Hackworth, Jet Harvey and Heath Warren
Recorded by: Bailey Zimmerman
“Rolex On A Redneck”
Written by: Brock Berryhill, Brantley Gilbert, Michael Hardy, Randy Montana and Taylor Phillips
Recorded by: Brantley Gilbert feat. Jason Aldean
“Sand In My Boots”
Written by: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy and Josh Osborne
Recorded by: Morgan Wallen
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina”
Written by: Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Tim Nichols, Thomas Rhett, Mark D. Sanders and Cole Swindell
Recorded by: Cole Swindell
“Slow Down Summer”
Written by: Rhett Akins, Sean Douglas, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and Thomas Rhett
Recorded by: Thomas Rhett
“Take My Name”
Written by: David Fanning, Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson and Matt Thomas
Recorded by: Parmalee
“The Kind Of Love We Make”
Written by: Luke Combs, Jamie Davis, Dan Isbell and Reid Isbell
Recorded by: Luke Combs
“The Story.”
Written by: Sara Brice, Jana Kramer and Emily Shackelton
Recorded by: Jana Kramer
“Thinking ‘Bout You”
Written by: Andy Albert, Dustin Lynch, Hunter Phelps and Will Weatherly
Recorded by: Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter
“Trouble With A Hearbreak”
Written by: Kurt Allison, Brett Beavers, Tully Kennedy and John Morgan
Recorded by: Jason Aldean
“Weary Traveler”
Written by: A.J. Pruis, Jordan St. Cyr and Matthew West
Recorded by: Jordan St. Cyr
“Whiskey And Rain”
Written by: Jesse Frasure and Josh Thompson
Recorded by: Michael Ray
“Y’all Life”
Written by: Pete Good, Walker Hayes and Josh Jenkins
Recorded by: Walker Hayes
“You Proof”
Written by: Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Ernest K. Smith and Morgan Wallen
Recorded by: Morgan Wallen
“You Should Probably Leave”
Written by: Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley and Chris Stapleton
Recorded by: Luke Combs