“This is one of those songs that anyone could cut and have success,” said Joe Nichols at the No. 1 celebration of his Red Bow Records single “Yeah.” “Thanks to the guys for believing in me to release it.”
The songwriters, Ashley Gorley and Bryan Simpson, did believe in Nichols, but he was without a record label at the time. Nichols used his own money to record the song with producers Mickey Jack Cones and Tony Brown.
September 16 the crew gathered at the CMA offices to celebrate the No. 1 success of the title. ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan hosted the event together with BMI’s Perry Howard. ASCAP’s EVP of Membership, John Titta, traveled from New York specifically to honor Gorley.
“Joe is unarguably one of the best voices in Nashville,” said Gorley. “We know his end result is going to sound great.”
This is the business of relationships, which were highlighted big time. Gorley and Simpson noted of their close friendship. “[Ashley and I have] lived a lot of life outside the writer room,” said Simpson.
“[Bryan was] maybe the second or third co-write of mine, ever,” recalled Gorley. “He has slept in my living room, and my kids know him as an uncle. He’s one of my best friends in the world so it’s super special to share this with him.”
Similarly Cones acknowledged his gratitude to veteran co-producer Brown, saying, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Tony. So Thank You Tony!”
The No. 1 was special because it marked the first No. 1 for Simpson, who had previously had two top 5 songs (“Better Than I Used To Be,” “I’ll Just Hold On”). Simpson was presented with a No. 1 Epiphone guitar, marking the occasion. Sea Gayle’s VP of Creative, Mike Owens accepted on behalf of what was tallied as the publisher’s 37th No. 1.
Chris Farren of Combustion Music and Ryan Beuschel of Warner/Chappell offered remarks on behalf of Gorley. “[We have been] partners with Ashley for 14 years, he’s the best songwriter I’ve known,” acknowledged Farren, also offering a shout-out to Chris Van Belkom, who became engaged the night before.
New to his role, Beuschel noted of his initial meeting with Gorley. “Ashley wants a team around him that wants to do life together,” he said.
Red Bow’s crew also gathered. Acknowledgements were handed out left and right for the BBR staff from VP Promo Renee Leymon, including Benny Brown, Jon Loba, Shelley Hargis, and JoJamie Hahr. “We spent three weeks at No. 1,” said Leymon. “Making sure Joe is at the proper place in the format can’t happen without a team.”
Gold certification credits, matching Nichols’ previous single “Sunny and 75,” were celebrated by the promotion veteran, again with plaques for the house, including Alan Beckler of Red Distribution.

Broken Bow Records artist Jackie Lee showed support for labelmate Dustin Lynch by purchasing Lynch’s new album Where It’s At while on his radio tour. Lee’s debut single for Broken Bow, “She Does,” will impact Country radio on Monday, Sept. 15.

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The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) is now accepting applications for its Class of 2015. Qualified applicants who have worked in the music industry for at least one full year full-time can download the applications. All applications are due Oct. 1. Applicants are encouraged to attend open SOLID events in September and October, to speak with current members and learn more about the organization. The application is available here.
Upcoming SOLID events include the SOLID New Member Party (Sept. 23 at Cabana), an Educational Panel at the Entrepreneur Center (Sept. 25), and the Meet the 2015 SOLID Board (Oct. 14 at Bar Louie in the Gulch).

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101 Ranch Records has signed The Boxmasters to the label’s roster. The Americana/Los Angeles rock band previously released three albums with Vanguard Records. Billy Bob Thornton is the band’s lead singer, drummer, and songwriter.
They will release a new single on 101 Ranch Records later this year, and are set to release a double album and tour in 2015.