Pictured (L-R, back row): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, SESAC’s Lydia Schultz Cahill, Records Nashville’s Josh Easler and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen; (L-R, front row): Michael Tyler, George Birge, Jaron Boyer and Colt Ford. Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP
Industry members brought the party to Barstool Nashville to commemorate George Birge‘s first-ever No. 1 hit “Mind On You” on Thursday (Feb. 29). Birge co-wrote the Ash Bowers-produced tune alongside Michael Tyler, Colt Ford and Jaron Boyer.
Attendees were met with joyous energy as they entered the colorfully lit venue. As the honorees made their way up to the stage, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad got the celebration started by welcoming everyone, thanking the partners involved and acknowledging the presence of radio friends visiting for Country Radio Seminar (CRS). He also took a moment to acknowledge the uniqueness of Nashville’s No. 1 parties and the magnitude of scoring a country radio No. 1. Sistad finished by congratulating Birge and expressing ASCAP’s pride in being a part of his team.
BMI’s MaryAnn Keen was up next and shifted the focus to Ford, who notched his third chart-topper with “Mind On You.” Keen recalled his past work, and the memories she associates with it, before congratulating the writers. SESAC’s Lydia Schultz Cahill then took the mic to talk about Boyer and Tyler. She made note of the multiple cuts the two have had with well-known artists, and reminisced on the first conversation she had with Boyer regarding Birge and the single. After praising the creatives, Cahill thanked Gibson, who gifted the creators custom guitars.
Pictured (L-R): Colt Ford, George Birge, Reid Mounts and Michael Tyler during “Mind On You” No. 1 party. Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP
Sistad reclaimed the floor to introduce Peermusic’s Michael Knox. Knox detailed his history with Boyer, Tyler and Ford, and brought everyone’s attention to the impressive feat that “Mind On You” achieved, as it was both Birge and Records Nashville’s first single. “This is amazing stuff, and it’s awesome to soak this in,” he stated. “I want y’all to remember this, because this kind of where I was with [Jason] Aldean—starting out with a new artist while building a new team and a new home.” Knox ended by applauding the writers and voicing his admiration for Birge’s passion, and Average Joes Entertainment’s Mike Wadsworth stepped up to speak. He first extended his congratulations, and moved on to describe the significant level on which songs communicate. Wadsworth then zeroed in on the specific communication level of “Mind On You” and the hard work of everyone who gave it life.
Next up was Records Nashville’s Josh Easler, who expressed his gratitude for all of the attendees, those who helped host and plan the event, as well as the radio personel who stepped away from CRS to celebrate the milestone moment. After saluting the writers, Easler shared some facts about Records Nashville and its development with the crowd. He went on to thank Records Co-Founder & Partner Barry Weiss, who was present along with a few of their New York team members. He made note of Weiss’ belief in the song, and continued his thanks by acknowledging the work of both Records’ New York and Music City staff while recognizing individual contributors such as Executive Vice President Joe Fisher in addition to each team involved. Easler stated his appreciation for Birge’s wife Kara and all of the sacrifices his family has made and gave specific examples of the strong relationships Birge has built, before presenting the artist with a plaque.
Tyler was the first of the songsmiths to take the floor and addressed each of his co-writers. He thanked Boyer for conceptualizing “Mind On You” and reflected on the moment he first shared the idea. Tyler made his longtime admiration of Ford’s work known and dove into all of the efforts made by Birge to get the song to where it is today. “I’ve had some No. 1s by now, but this is by far my favorite and the most special,” he said. “The sky is the limit, and I can’t wait to keep it going.”
Emotional sincerity flooded Ford’s voice as he detailed his friendship with Birge and recounted meeting Tyler and Boyer. He recounted writing the smash single, and thanked everyone who had done right by the track along with his Average Joes Entertainment team and those who put in the hard work and made sacrifices behind the scenes. “I’m lucky to be able to do this with one of my best friends and two other guys who have become great friends,” finished Ford.
Boyer started by thanking God for allowing them to write country music for a living. He shared that he felt the song “was a hit when [they] walked out of the room that day” and recognized the work that Birge and the Records Nashville team put into it. “I love George, and I’m so proud of him,” stated Boyer. “He’s going to have plenty more No. 1s.”
Last, but not least, the artist himself shared his overwhelming gratitude for all of the support he and his first hit have received and gave thanks to those on the “Mind On You” remix as well as his teams, family and country radio. “It’s just been so special to see this song take off and do what it’s done,” said Birge. “This is something I’ve dreamed about my entire life,” he continued. “I fell in love with country radio at five years old in my dad’s truck. I wanted to learn how to tell stories like [the ones on the radio], and started writing songs as soon as I was old enough to play guitar.
“To move to this town not knowing anybody while chasing a dream and have three guys, who were all already No. 1 songwriters, bet on me when I didn’t have a record deal or a publishing deal and say ‘Hey, I want to write with you because I believe in you is awesome,” Birge concluded with tear-brimmed eyes. “Don’t quit, because it’s worth it.”
He and his collaborators then treated everyone to a special “Mind On You” performance, and welcomed fellow artists Erin Kinsey and Matt Stell to the stage to close out the party with a surprise set.
