Ashley Gorley Inducted Into TICUA Hall Of Fame

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Ashley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss

Award-winning songwriter Ashley Gorley has been honored as a Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) 2024 Hall of Fame inductee. The TICUA Hall of Fame recognizes alumni from its 34 member institutions, highlighting their contributions to the state, nation and world.

“As we welcome this new class of honorees, it’s inspiring to see the diverse ways TICUA institution alumni are shaping the world,” says TICUA President Dr. Cameron Conn. “Each inductee’s story underscores the profound impact private higher education can have, not only on personal success, but also on shaping communities and industries.”

Since graduating from Belmont University with a B.B.A. in music business in 1999, Gorley has become a legend in the music industry. His songwriting career spans more than two decades, resulting in a record-breaking 75+ No. 1 radio singles and over 400 songs recorded by artists across multiple genres.

His numerous accolades include NSAI’s Songwriter of the Decade for 2010–2019, 24 CMA Triple Play Awards, ACM Songwriter of the Year, Variety’s 2023 Songwriter of the Year (all-genre), among many others. His Grammy-nominated hit “Last Night” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 16 weeks in 2023, while Wallen’s collaboration with Post Malone, “I Had Some Help,” reigned for six weeks in 2024.

Gorley has also shaped new talent through his publishing and artist development company, Tape Room Music. The company has produced more than 50 No. 1 songs, including the 2018 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, “Body Like a Back Road” and 2021 ASCAP, BMI and SESAC Country Song of the Year, “One of Them Girls.”

His allegiance to the music industry is a direct pathway to his advocacy for songwriters’ rights. He has promoted legislation such as the Music Modernization Act, meeting with senators and the Library of Congress to advocate for fair compensation and intellectual property protection in the digital age.

At Belmont, Gorley continues to teach the next generation of music industry professionals, regularly returning to campus to mentor students and lead seminars.

He is among 22 other inductees in the 2024 TICUA Hall of Fame class, representing a plethora of professions and demonstrating the impact of Tennessee’s private institutions on forming global leaders.

Madison Hahnen
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