Jordan Davis Celebrates Recent Chart-Topper ‘What My World Spins Around’

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Pictured (L-R, back row): BMI’s Mary Ann Keen and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad; (L-R, front row): UMG Nashville’s Mike Harris, Paul DiGiovanni, UMG Nashville’s Cindy Mabe, Jordan Davis, Ryan Hurd, Matt Dragstrem and UMG Nashville’s David Friedman. Photo: Larry McCormack

Industry members filled a swanky space at the Four Seasons hotel earlier this week to celebrate Jordan Davis‘ No. 1 hit, “What My World Spins Around.”

Davis co-wrote the track with Matt Dragstrem and Ryan Hurd. It was produced by Paul DiGiovanni and appears on Davis’ recently released Bluebird Days album—which was also celebrated, as it has already been certified Gold.

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad served as emcee for the party. He bragged on affiliates Davis, Dragstrem and DiGiovanni by giving everyone their impressive stats.

“Jordan has had a big year,” he said of the artist who just received his first ACM Male Artist of the Year nod. “This is his fifth No. 1 song.”

BMI’s Mary Ann Keen was on hand to congratulate Hurd. “I’m really happy to be here to support and celebrate you,” she said.

Pictured (L-R): Jordan Davis, Cindy Mabe and Paul DiGiovanni. Photo: Larry McCormack

Anthem Entertainment’s Noah Dewey was the first of the publishers to speak. He recognized the MCA Nashville promotion staff, Davis’ management Zach Sutton and Callie Bartz, producer DiGiovanni and Davis’ co-writer before turning to Davis.

“Jordan, we’ve been [celebrating you] quite a bit lately. I’m running out of nice things to say about you,” Dewey quipped. “What an amazing last year this has been for you. You’ve crushed it. We’re super happy for you at Anthem and look forward to doing this again soon.”

Big Loud’s Kimberly Gleason was up next. “On behalf of Big Loud, we want to say a big congratulations to Matt, Ryan, Jordan and Paul on this great record,” she said.

Round Hill’s Lindsay Will congratulated also gave kudos to the writers. “Congratulations to all the writers on stage, as well as Cindy [Mabe] and her team at Universal for taking this song to No. 1.”

Big Machine’s Mike Molinar warned the crowd that even though the speeches had been short and sweet up until this point, he wasn’t going to be.

“We all know what a fabulous artist and songwriter that Jordan is. Looking at the trajectory he’s on from ‘Buy Dirt’ to this single to ‘Next Thing You Know,’ it’s not surprising he’s nominated for ACM Male Artist of the Year,” Molinar said. “I don’t publish the guy, but he makes us all so proud that he can be a face of country music.”

Molinar followed his kind words about Davis by talking about BMM writers Hurd and Dragstrem.

“I’m living the dream because I get to work with people like Hurd and Drag,” he said. “These guys are fantastic. The music is fresh and always on point, but they are also just great partners. They’re enthusiastic and the kind of people that you want to show up to work to fight for every day.”

UMG’s Nashville David Friedman was on hand to speak about Davis. He highlighted the members of the Jordan Davis village before turning his thanks to Davis himself. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. We promise to give back to you tenfold,” he said. “Thank you for keeping this job fun and proving that nice guys finish at the top.”

Pictured (L-R): Paul DiGiovanni; MusicRow’s LB Cantrell; Jordan Davis, Ryan Hurd and Matt Dragstrem with their MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins; MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Larry McCormack

Producer DiGiovanni told the story of how the “What My World Spins Around” track came together. “The best song finds a way, raises its hand and shows itself,” he shared. He also pointed out that his brand new daughter was present for her first No. 1 party.

Hurd also recognized his family in the crowd, thanking them for their support. He spoke about his and Davis’ careers being closely tethered, sharing that they got their record deals around the same time and have written a lot over the years.

“I’m the first person that Jordan ever co-wrote with in Nashville, so this is such a special full-circle moment for me,” Hurd said. “I’m really proud of you for busting through the ceiling and having all of this success.”

Dragstrem echoed the thanks to the whole team. “No. 1s don’t come all the time. This is not lost on me. Everyone in this room had something to do with the song, so thank you.”

When Davis spoke, he individually thanked his team members. “The saying ‘it takes a village’ gets lost when you say it a lot, but it truly takes an army of people to get to where these songs get heard,” he said. “I hope you know that it’s never lost on me how instrumental y’all are in my career.

“I couldn’t have dreamed of my music career going any better than it has and I couldn’t dream of doing it with better people,” Davis shared.

LB Cantrell
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