Tucker Wetmore Fills BMI Lobby For First No. 1 Party
Pictured (L-R, back row): Concord’s Brad Kennard, Combustion’s Keithan Melton, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, EMI Nashville/UMG Nashville’s Damon Moberly, SESAC’s Lydia Cahill, Back Blocks Music’s Rakiyah Marshall and Hang Your Hat’s Emily Baldridge; (L-R, front row): Studio Bank’s Ron Cox, Thomas Archer (BMI), Tucker Wetmore (BMI) and Chris LaCorte (SESAC/Producer). Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
The BMI lobby on Music Row was packed wall to wall on Tuesday afternoon (March 25) as industry friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate Tucker Wetmore‘s first No. 1, “Wind Up Missin’ You.”
Wetmore co-wrote his Platinum-certified debut single with Thomas Archer and Chris LaCorte, who also produced the track. The celebration was particularly notable because all publishers involved were independents.
BMI’s Leslie Roberts and Tucker Wetmore (BMI) pose after he is gifted with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar in celebration of his first No. 1 as a BMI songwriter. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
Hosted by BMI and SESAC and emceed by BMI’s Leslie Roberts, the event commemorated Wetmore’s first, Archer’s fifth and LaCorte’s third No. 1 hit.
Roberts welcomed several industry leaders to share remarks about the song and its creators, including SESAC’s Lydia Cahill, Back Blocks Music’s Rakiyah Marshall, Hang Your Hat’s Emily Baldridge, Concord’s Brad Kennard, Combustion’s Keithan Melton and EMI Nashville/UMG Nashville’s Damon Moberly. Each speaker highlighted the co-writers’ talent and work ethic.
“Chris, [your work with Tucker] really sets the bar and quality standard for the future of country radio, and I’m so happy to be part of that,” Baldridge said.
Melton shared that “Wind Up Missin’ You” was written during a period when Archer was between publishing deals.
“During that time, without a publisher, Thomas booked his own write, showed up, and made it happen,” he said, commending Archer’s drive and initiative. “There’s going to be a lot more of these.”
Marshall spoke about the song’s impressive success, noting that it has amassed 330 million global streams and was certified Platinum in just eight months.
“What a year. Almost exactly 12 months ago, on March 29, 2024, this song was released. None of us could have predicted what was coming next,” Marshall said. “It became a No. 1 country song on the U.S. charts in just 30 weeks for a debut artist on his debut single.”
Moberly echoed the milestones Marshall shared and took a moment to recognize the song’s promotion team.
In honor of his first No. 1 as a BMI songwriter, Wetmore was presented with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar. Sponsored by Studio Bank, Ron Cox also made a special donation presentation on behalf of the songwriters in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. SESAC presented a custom guitar to affiliate LaCorte as well.
Archer was the first of the co-writers to speak, expressing gratitude to his family, publishing team, label, management, Wetmore, LaCorte, and many others.
“This stage isn’t big enough to hold all the people responsible for this,” he said. “It’s no surprise that Tucker’s career was going to happen—whether it was this song, ‘3,2,1,’ or any of the songs you’ve cut. I’m blessed that this was the one you went with, but this would have happened regardless.”
LaCorte thanked God, his family, and the team behind “Wind Up Missin’ You,” directing special praise toward Wetmore.
“Even more than you are an amazing artist and performer, you’re an amazing person,” LaCorte said. “You have a heart for people, which is not always a given in this town. The sky is the limit with you—it’s an honor to work with you.”
When Wetmore took the stage, he shared a story about setting goals with his mother before leaving his home in Washington to pursue music in Nashville.
“Some of the goals we wrote down were touring, signing a publishing deal, and having a No. 1 song on country radio,” he recalled. “I got to ring that bell on January 6 with two of the best people I’ve ever met in my life.”
He then spoke about the deeper connections he’s found in Nashville.
“Another goal of mine was finding a family, because I was leaving mine,” he said. “I look around this room, and you guys are it—you’re my family. Thank you for everything.”
