Tyler Hubbard & Crew Celebrate Two No. 1 Hits

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Pictured: MusicRow’s LB Cantrell, David Garcia, Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, Geoff Warburton, MusicRow’s John Nix Arledge; Photo Credit Larry McCormack for BMI

BMI brought Tyler Hubbard and his team together on Thursday afternoon (Nov. 6) to celebrate two chart-toppers, “Back Then Right Now” and “Park,” the latter marking Hubbard’s fourth No. 1 as a solo artist.

Excited chatter and the smell of fresh pizza filled Moto Moda, a new Nashville pizza joint and motorcycle club, as industry members, friends and family gathered among motorcycles and face paint stations to celebrate the chart-toppers. BMI’s MaryAnn Keen took the mic to welcome the crowd and invite “Park” songwriters Hubbard, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Canaan Smith, and producer Jordan Schmidt to the stage.

ASCAP’s Evyn Johnston kicked off the round of speeches, with Rhythm House’s Vanna Moua, Warner Chappell’s Spencer Nohe, HAYLO Music’s Josh Saxe, and Sony Music Publishing’s Kenley Flynn following suit to praise the song and its creators.

(Back Row L-R): Rhythm House’s Vanna Moua, Warner Chappell’s Spencer Nohe, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, ASCAP’s Evyn Johnston, Sony Music Publishing’s Kenley Flynn, MCA’s Damon Moberly, HAYLO Music’s Josh Saxe; Front Row L-R: Jesse Frasure (BMI), Canaan Smith (ASCAP), Tyler Hubbard (BMI/Producer), Jordan Schmidt (Producer), Ashley Gorley (ASCAP); Photo Credit Larry McCormack for BMI

Frasure was the first of the songwriters to speak, reminiscing about writing the track at a beach writers’ retreat and reflecting on how he continues to learn from Gorley, saying, “He and I have 12 hits together now. It is kind of like being friends with Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan—no matter what you do it is triple the success.”

Smith thanked everyone for sticking with the song and giving it a shot, joking, “Jesse and I were texting after it had been out for a while and I was like ‘I think this thing is dead in the water’ and then, all of a sudden, it took on a whole new life and here we are.”

Gorley was up next, catching a playful “boo” from Schmidt and laughing as he stepped to the mic, joking, “When I produced this… No, but seriously, I am most thankful to God for all of this, my family and these friendships. I am proud to be a part of this, and thank you again to everyone for coming out.”

Saving Hubbard and Schmidt’s speeches for last, Keen invited “Back Then Right Now” songwriters Geoff Warburton and David Garcia to the stage, lamenting that Jessie Jo Dillon could not make it.

ASCAP’s Johnston again took the mic first, followed by Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle, Spirit Music Nashville’s Kennedy Murphy, MCA’s Damon Moberly, and Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, who made a donation on behalf of the writers.

“In honor of your two number ones, we will be making a donation to For Others, and their mission is to raise awareness and empower best-in-class organizations to end the child welfare crisis in America,” Barnhart said.

(Back Row L-R): Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, ASCAP’s Evyn Johnston, Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle, Spirit Music’s Kennedy Murphy, MCA’s Damon Moberly; Front Row L-R: David Garcia (ASCAP), Tyler Hubbard (BMI/Producer), Jordan Schmidt (Producer), Geoff Warburton (BMI); Photo Credit Larry McCormack for BMI

Garcia was the first to speak, praising his fellow songwriters before singling out Hubbard, “Tyler, everyone has said everything about you and it is all great, but the one thing that has been amazing to me over the years is that you always take a chance on people. Seven years ago you invited me over—I had no business being there—but we wrote a song and the rest is history. Thank you.”

Warburton spoke briefly, thanking everyone and saying, “This is a wonderful opportunity and I am just grateful to be in this room. Thank you Tyler, and to everyone here tonight.”

Schmidt followed suit, giving a quick word and teasing, “Geoff stole my speech, so I am going to be even quicker!” He continued, thanking the writers for the song and Hubbard for taking a chance on him.

Finally, Hubbard stepped up to close the night out. “I just want to say I love this town. Thank you for everything you have done for me and allowing me to be a part of the songwriting community and the community as a whole. Y’all have taken a chance on me as well and I am so grateful for that. Thank you for everyone that helped make this happen.”

John Nix Arledge
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