BMI’s lobby was standing-room only on Tuesday afternoon (March 17) as industry members gathered to celebrate Ella Langley and her chart-toppers “Weren’t For The Wind” and the record-breaking “Choosin’ Texas.”

BMI’s Clay Bradley kicked off by highlighting Langley. “We have been brought here by a maverick, a trendsetter, someone who broke the mold by refusing to go without permission,” said Bradley. “Her success is proof that when you take action and write your own story, the world starts to listen.”

The first half of the afternoon focused on “Weren’t For The Wind,” co-written by Langley, Joybeth Taylor and Johnny Clawson. BMI’s Leslie Roberts welcomed the writers, sharing her history with the writers that dates back to before they signed their first publishing deals.

SMACK’s Sam Sarno and Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart also stepped to the mic to offer congratulations. Barnhart announced that in honor of the No. 1, Studio Bank made a donation to The Positive Rescue Division, a charity focused on dog rescue and rehabilitation.

Clawson, who was named MusicRow’s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year last year, spoke about writing the song during a 2023 bus ride through Wyoming and thanking God, his family and his teams for their support. “Ella and Joybeth are individually just two of the best songwriters that this town’s got. And their magic is only magnified when they’re together.”

The celebration then moved to “Choosin’ Texas.” Co-written by Langley, Taylor, Luke Dick, and Miranda Lambert, the track recently notched its third week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and fifth week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.

Billboard’s Russ Penuell took the mic to speak about the song’s historic run on the charts, explaining that Langley is the second woman in the history of the chart to achieve such a feat with a country song, tying Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston stepped on stage to tout the songwriters, calling Lambert a mentor for the next generation and describing Langley as “an electrifying ‘Roman candle’ of an artist” Other industry leaders who spoke included Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora, Verse 2 Music’s Kent Earls, Triple Tigers’ Kevin Herring, and Columbia Records’ Joe Gallo.

Dick was the first co-writer to speak, sharing a story of seeing a man in a “Choosin’ Texas” hat at a dumpling shop in San Francisco, shocking him with the song’s massive reach. Taylor spoke next, directing her thanks to Langley, “Thank you Ella for believing in these songs, believing in me, and being my best friend.”

Next, Lambert expressed her admiration for Langley saying, “She is truly one of a kind. There is no one else like her.”

Langley closed the afternoon by expressing her gratitude for the team that took a chance on her when no one else would. As she celebrated her historic run, she briefly brought up “You Look Like You Love Me” co-writer Aaron Raitiere to join the writers on stage, finishing the celebration with the track “that started all of it.”

Clint Higham, John Esposito and Kris Lamb have launched HEY NOW Records, signing Kenny Chesney as the flagship artist.

Lamb will serve as Co-Founder and President of the organization. A veteran music executive, his career spans radio, music publishing and label leadership, including time at The Walt Disney Company’s Lyric Street records and more than a decade in executive leadership at Big Machine Label Group. Over the course of his career, he has contributed to more than 80 No. 1 hits and numerous RIAA Gold, Platinum and Diamond certifications, along with Grammy, Country Music Association, American Music and Academy of Country Music Awards.

“Having the chance to create something from the ground up means the options are wide open,” says Lamb, who helms day-to-day operations for the new label. “In a world where structure blocks creativity, HEY NOW is a place where whatever we can conceive, we can realize. This is more than a dream; this is a gateway to creating an entirely new form and reality of Artist Development.”

“We have always believed in finding the best people for what an artist needs,” adds Co-Founder Higham, President of Morris Higham Management and CMA Manager of the Year. “That philosophy has seen us super-serve our clients to create more meaningful opportunities and connections. In today’s flooded marketplace, Espo, Kris Lamb and I looked at this moment and saw an opportunity to super-serve a handful of talented developing and established artists by using that same perspective. By being laser-focused on the music, artists and right next moves, we can accelerate the artist development process through targeted and specific execution.”

“HEY NOW Records was born out of conversations Clint, Kenny and I had about the increasing lack of focus that artists are getting as rosters increase while staffs shrink,” shares Esposito, 15-year veteran Chairman/CEO of Warner Music Nashville. “When Kris joined our conversations, I knew we would be lucky to have him at the helm of our operation. I’m thrilled to be in the role of co-founder, advisor, mentor and cheerleader for Kris as he leads the HEY NOW Records operation!”

Chesney, a recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, became the first solo headliner at Sphere in Las Vegas last year. He has notched 105 million RIAA-certified units in the U.S. alone and holds Billboard‘s record for the most Country Airplay No. 1s with 33 chart-topping songs. His book, Heart Life Music, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction and Combined Ebook and Hardcover Nonfiction lists, where it spent seven consecutive weeks.

“When Clint, Espo and Kris came to me with the idea of creating our own team, I was curious,” says Chesney. “A label like this can be all-in, lets-make-stuff-happen – and I have always been about making things happen. Creating and exploring what’s possible inspires me, and this is a moment where we can realize ideas in a matter of hours.”

Lamb can be reached here.

Randy Montana has claimed the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Pushing the songwriter to No. 1 this week is Riley Green’s “Change My Mind,” Jackson Dean’s “Make A Liar,” Luke Combs’ “Sleepless In A Hotel Room,” and Justin Moore and Dierks Bentley’s “Time’s Ticking.” This also marks Montana’s first time at No. 1 in chart history.

Blake Pendergrass moves up to No. 2 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Ain’t A Bad Life,” “Brunette,” “Don’t We,” “I Got Better,” and “Wish You Well.” Chase McGill climbs to No. 3 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Brunette,” “I Got Better,” “McArthur,” “the hell you are,” and “Water At A Wedding.”

Ty Myers (No. 4) and Megan Moroney (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.