George Birge Celebrates Second No. 1 Hit ‘Cowboy Songs’
Pictured (L-R, back row): RECORDS Nashville EVP of Promotion and Commercial Strategy Josh Easler, SESAC SVP, Head of Nashville Creative Shannan Hatch, SMACKSONGS SVP of Creative Sam Sarno, ASCAP Manager of Membership Nashville Emilia James, Young Guns Publishing SVP Creative Laura Alexander, Rich MGMT’s Brendan Rich. (L-R, seated): songwriter Matt McGinn (SESAC), songwriter Lalo Guzman (SESAC), George Birge (ASCAP) and songwriter Michael Tyler (SESAC). Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP
George Birge brought industry friends and colleagues out to Live Oak on Demonbreun earlier this week to celebrate his second No. 1 hit at country radio, “Cowboy Songs.” The sunny afternoon soiree was hosted by ASCAP, along with SESAC.
The tune, co-written by Birge with Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn and Michael Tyler, and co-produced by Guzman and McGinn, marks Birge’s second chart-topper in a year, following his breakout hit “Mind On You.”
George Birge celebrates his latest No. 1 single, “Cowboy Songs.” Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP
ASCAP’s Emilia James emceed the event, welcoming team members of the writers to speak, including SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, SMACKSongs’ Sam Sarno, Young Guns Publishing’s Laura Alexander and RECORDS Nashville’s Josh Easler.
Each presenter highlighted the talent of the songwriting team and Birge’s relentless commitment to his craft.
Sarno celebrated Guzman, as “Cowboy Songs” marks his first No. 1. “Lalo, you have some of the best instincts I’ve ever seen—not just musically, but with people,” she said. “You are a key to the culture of SMACK, you make the environment a place people want to be.”
Alexander spoke about Tyler’s talent and heart for his family. “Michael, we’re so proud of where you’ve been and where you’re headed.”
Easler highlighted the RECORDS Nashville team, Birge’s manager Brendan Rich and team, and Birge himself.
“The game has changed for us a lot over the last couple of years, but what hasn’t changed is how hard George is working for this,” Easler said. “This guy does it the right way. He works his ass off, he plays the shows, he calls his family, and he goes to bed to get up and do it again the next day.”
When it came time for the writers to speak, Tyler kicked it off by thanking God, his family, and his team. He spoke about his gratitude for Jason Turner, who introduced him to Young Guns and CTM Outlander.
“Y’all have 100% revived my motivation and desire to write songs, and gave my creativity a brand-new chance in this town,” Tyler said. “It has changed my life.”
George Birge with his wife Kara, and sons George James and Luke. Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP
McGinn acknowledged his time away from Nashville following his 2023 arrest and mental health struggles, thanking his co-writers for inviting him to celebrate the No. 1.
Guzman spoke about the grind of working towards a hit as a songwriter and thanked those who stood by him.
“I want to thank my friends who have been a part of this journey,” he said. “It’s so important to have good friends who, even when you’re not doing good or you’re broke, are there to keep you going. Without good friends, I wouldn’t be here.”
When Birge took the mic, he recognized the many people who’ve played a role in his career.
“This is what wildest dreams are made of,” he said. “There are so many people in this room that I wouldn’t be here without.
“I’m a little bit deranged because all I can think about is what’s next—how big can we make this and how far can we go,” he summed. “I’m surrounded by lunatics that think the exact way that I do, and we’ve built a family that doesn’t take no for an answer. We go out there and win and do things that people tell us we can’t. Damn, it feels good to be sitting here with another No. 1.”
