Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby, JoJamie Hahr, Kerri Edwards, Chayce Beckham, Ross Copperman, Ken Tucker, Leslie Roberts, Ron Cox and Jon Loba. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Industry members gathered together on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 28) to celebrate Chayce Beckham’s first No. 1 hit, “23.”

The BMI lobby was abuzz with friends, family, band members and more eager to celebrate the American Idol winner’s achievement. To make the occasion even more special, the crowd gathered around only two seats atop the BMI stage. Joined by the track’s producer, Ross Copperman, Beckham took his seat as the song’s sole writer.

The celebration was hosted by BMI’s Leslie Roberts, who kicked off the event by thanking the attendees for their hard work and showcasing Beckham’s impressive feat saying, “I have worked at BMI for 16 years and never hosted a No. 1 party with a single writer. I am so excited to be able to do that today!”

She continued, “Chayce has become the only artist to ever win [American Idol] by using his own songs. Fast forward to 2024, and ’23’ has amassed over 391 million streams and counting. This song has had an incredible life and it’s still going.”

Stepping onto the stage next was BMG’s Chris Oglesby to tout the artist’s uncanny ability to connect with fans. “Anyone going from working heavy machinery to what he just did is an unbelievable thing,” he said of Beckham’s former occupation. “During Season 19, he connected with viewers because he was one of them. He shared his story unapologetically and he let us in. It was all heart, it was all honesty and it was then that America fell in love with him.”

KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards was next in line to speak about Beckham. “This guy has a heart like no other. He got thrown into this town in a whirlwind, and he got a fast lesson on how we do things. Even though it was overwhelming to walk into these meetings not knowing a soul in the room, he still did it every time because he trusted the process and the team. I want to stand up here, with my team, and declare that you are our mission. We are going to keep working hard to make good music.”

Other speakers included Wheelhouse Records’ Ken Tucker, Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly and Studio Bank’s Ron Cox. Cox shared that Studio Bank had made a special donation to the American Cancer Society in honor of the artist.

Lastly, it was time for Copperman and Beckham to speak. “This guy is a brother from another time in my life, and I love him so very much. Thank you guys for letting me be a part of this song,” Copperman said.

“I can’t thank you guys enough. This changed my life. I am trying really hard to say this without breaking down into tears, but when I moved to town I had nothing but a contract and a little money that I had already spent,” Beckham shared with a laugh. “I was just a blue collar worker from a blue collar family. All of you guys in this room, because of all that you have done, have changed my life. Thank you so much.”

Music lovers have been rolling their windows down and blasting Russell Dickerson tunes, such as the triple-Platinum “Yours,” double-Platinum “Blue Tacoma” and Platinum singles “Every Little Thing,” “Love You Like I Used To” and “She Likes It (feat. Jake Scott),” for nearly a decade now.

After launching his career with four consecutive hit songs on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and earning multiple RIAA certifications, he has continued to mark milestones like notching his fifth No. 1 single with “God Gave Me A Girl” in 2023 and receiving 12 BMI Millionaire Certificates following the drop of “Good Day To Have A Great Day” in June.

As the days of summer began to dwindle, Dickerson found himself thinking about the feelings and festivities associated with fall while curating his new project, Bones The EP, which led him to reflect on the relationships and heartfelt moments that have made him who he is. Now, as he preps for its release tomorrow (Aug. 30), the Triple Tigers recording artist feels the collection’s five tracks, all of which he co-wrote, summarize that introspection and welcome not only a different season of weather, but a different sonic season of his artistry.

The title track, which was the most-added single at country radio upon its release last month, is what initially caused the leaves of Dickerson’s craft to change color. He recalls the word “Bones” really turning his wheels and throwing it out as title while writing with Chase McGill, Chris LaCorte and Parker Welling. The four focused on the different expressions and ways in which the word is used in everyday life and built the lyrics around those phrases, resulting in a sweet, sentimental number that exemplifies classic country storytelling with lines like “once the gold on my finger is wrapped around nothing but bones.” Dickerson says it excites him in the same way “Yours” and other hits have.

“There’s nothing in it that sticks out to me as distracting or wrong. When I listen to it I’m just so proud of what we created,” he tells MusicRow. “I’m willing to bet my career and put my neck on the line for this song.”

The success Dickerson has achieved thus far speaks to his dedication to and belief in his work. Staying true to himself and trusting his gut has allowed him to authentically connect with audiences across the nation, and that wasn’t going to change with “Bones.”

“There were some people who were unsure about it so I had to fight for it to be a single,” says Dickerson. “I’m always a team player and want everyone’s advice, but I just knew this was the single.”

That confidence in the tune deemed it the project name and ushered in the reflection that formed the rest of the EP and “the starting line of new era of Russell Dickerson,” according to the hitmaker.

With fall around the corner, the EP finds him reminiscing on significant memories and moments that took place during the season throughout the years, and looking for pieces that embody the cozy feeling of a bonfire and similar warm energy. “Those Nights These Days,” a track about missing close friends which Dickerson co-penned with Seth Ennis and Jordan Reynolds, immediately stuck out along with “Cold Beer Conversation,” a tune inspired by chats with his grandfather that he, Casey Brown, Ryan Hurd and Brad Tursi brewed.

The other two, “Miss You So (Letters To You)” and “What A Life,” also travel back in time to elicit those appreciative and thoughtful vibes—something he plans to bring to his various “Good Day To Have A Great Tour” stops.

“With [Bones The EP], I want people to see another facet of me,” shares Dickerson. “We have the ‘RD Party’ and other things [that centers around having a good time], but this is a little more emo and introspective.”