Nate Smith. Photo: Nicki Fletcher
Music industry members gathered at Cross-Eyed Critters at The Graduate Hotel on Monday (March 4) to celebrate two chart-toppers from breakout country star Nate Smith.
Smith was there with co-writers Lindsay Rimes and Russell Sutton to celebrate the singer’s first ever No. 1 hit, “Whiskey On You.” Smith and Rimes were also joined by Ashley Gorley and Taylor Phillips to celebrate “World On Fire,” Smith’s second No. 1 that held its position for an impressive 10 consecutive weeks.
Pictured (L-R): Ashley Gorley, Lindsay Rimes, Nate Smith, Taylor Phillips. Photo: Larry McCormack
First, it was time to celebrate “Whiskey On You.” ASCAP Vice President of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad started off the toast. “Nate I know there was a lot of challenges to get to this place, leaving Nashville and going back to California. We are glad you came back to Nashville. It’s a big deal to have a No. 1 but it’s an even bigger deal to have your first No. 1,” Sistad said.
He then handed it over to BMI Executive Director, Creative, Nashville, Shannon Sanders, who spoke about BMI affiliates Rimes and Sutton. “Lindsey is a highly skilled writer and producer. He has many top 10 hits under his belt. But today, this guy’s effort is celebrating his second No. 1 as a songwriter,” Sanders said. “Russell, in 2022 scored his first No. 1 with Elvie Shane’s ‘My Boy,’ In 2023, he won his first BMI award, and now in 2024, he’s scored his second No. 1. Russell, the forecast for your future is bright.”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston and Droptine President Jim Catino also all offered their congratulations for the writers. This was Catino’s first No. 1 song as a publisher.
The mic was then turned over to the writers. Sutton started off by giving a background of how the song came to be, sharing that Smith showed up to a writing retreat at Catino’s lake house having just been broken up with. “The beautiful thing about retreats us that [we have a lot of time]. That song took us eight or nine hours to write. If we were in town, we would have left it after four or five hours—maybe we would have come back to it, maybe not. But we were stuck in a house together, where we had to finish it.
“That day we stumbled upon something special,” Sutton continued. “[Nate] deserves everything that is happening for him right now. It is the absolute definition of good karma.”
Rimes then took to the mic to show his gratitude. “To have found a great singer, a great artist, a great writer, a great friend and someone I can connect with creatively is amazing. It’s more than any writer or producer could ask for.” He said, “This song was amazing, I’m super proud of it. The first one is always special.”
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s LB Cantrell, Lindsay Rimes, Nate Smith, Russell Sutton, MusicRow’s Madison Hahnen
When Smith spoke, he talked a lot about the people who have supported his journey to country music stardom. “It’s so good to see everybody in here. I see all my friends, my family and the people that have believed in me since day one during my first writes in town,” he shared. “Thank you to Sony Publishing, Core Entertainment, my record label and everybody who has been involved in this song. Thank you from the bottom of my heart—it has changed my life and I love singing it every night.”
Next it was time to celebrate the dynamic, 10-week No. 1, “World On Fire.” Sistad and Sanders came back up to offer their congratulations.
Warner Chappell A&R Manager Benji Amaefule then came up to toast the writers. “Ashley, you’re the Michael Jordan of songwriting. Taylor is the new Kobe Bryant. Lindsey and Nate, y’all have created a world with your songs,” he said. “You’re inspiring a whole new generation of writers of fans.”
Gaston, Tape Room President Blain Rhodes and Sony Music Nashville EVP of Promotion and Artist Development Steve Hodges also gave their congratulations.
Phillips was the first writer to speak about “World On Fire.” He complimented each writer, sharing that Gorley had been an important mentor and friend in his career, before turning to Smith. “I met you a few years ago and I remember it like yesterday,” Phillips said. “I believed in you then, I believe in you now… You are one of the best, most talented people in this world—I’ll speak that behind closed doors and I’ll speak it to your face. I love you, I’m proud of you you deserve the absolute world.”
Gorley shared his experience co-writing the hit when he spoke. “I was the guest—they all knew each other before I jumped in. It was a great first day first experience,” he said. “Nate is the nicest guy in the world. He’s very thankful and amazing. It’s so fun to be a part of [the success of] someone that talented. He doesn’t take it for granted.”
Rimes and Smith once again shared their thanks to the village behind the historic success of “World On Fire” before toasting to the crowd of collaborators and friends.
Industry Ink: Ricochet, BMI, CMA, Song Suffragettes, Taylor Sanders
/by Madison HahnenRicochet Inducted Into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Ricochet. Photo: Mandy Lynn Corbell
Legendary ’90s country band Ricochet was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Restless Heart and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame members Dave Innis and Greg Jennings inducted the group. Also inducted were Bryan White, Verlon Thompson, Jerry Huffer, Timothy Long, Shelby Eicher and David Webb.
“Growing up in Oklahoma, one could only dream of such recognition. We are honored even to be considered, much less be amongst so many Oklahoma icons in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Thank you to our fans, ENCORE Music Group, for new opportunities, and, of course, the Hall of Fame, for bestowing such an honor,” says Heath Wright of Ricochet.
BMI Celebrates Five Years Of Austin Office
Pictured (L-R): Bri Bagwell, Owen Temple, Courtney Payton, Walt Wilkins, BMI’s Kristen Townsend, BMI’s Mitch Ballard, Mike McClure and Tina Wilkins. Photo: Elic Goicoechea
BMI celebrated five years of their Austin office with their monthly BMI Saxon Songwriter Showcase at the Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas. The lineup included Walt Wilkins, Owen Temple, Tina Wilkins, Bri Bagwell, Courtney Patton and Mike McClure.
The five year anniversary celebration will continue later this month at BMI’s annual Howdy Texas event at SXSW, honoring Texas sounds while featuring performances from nine diverse Texas-based artists on March 12 at Still Austin Whiskey Co.
CMA x Discovery Education Launches Latest Video Topic Series
The newest installment of videos includes producer Derek Wells, engineer Rachael Moore and musician Hubert Payne. Each video takes viewers behind the scenes of their careers.
Song Suffragettes Expands 10th Anniversary Show Lineup
All female singer-songwriter collective Song Suffragettes has added to their already star-studded tenth anniversary show lineup. Maddie & Tae, Hannah Ellis, Stevie Woodward, Laura Veltz, Trannie Anderson and a female only version of The Isaacs have been added to the lineup. They will join previously-announced performers Tenille Arts, Chapel Hart, Liz Rose and Matraca Berg.
The event will also honor country superstar Wynonna Judd. Judd will participate in an on-stage Q&A and perform some of her biggest hits. She will also receive Song Suffragettes’ 2024 Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award. The event will be held on March 27 at Belmont University’s Fisher Center. Tickets are available here.
22Visionz Signs Distribution Deal With Sony Orchard
Taylor Sanders with her team.
Record label 22Visionz has teamed up with Brown Lee Entertainment to secure a distribution deal with Sony Orchard. Through this collaboration, 22Visionz’s recording artist Taylor Sanders will release her new single “Tennessee Love” via Sony/Orchard on April 5.
Sanders has already garnered airplay from country radio stations across the U.S., and has earned acclaim from The Tennessean, All Country News, Countrypolitan and more. Her latest music video had over 200,000 views during the release week.
Morgan Wallen Announces One-Night-Only Show At London’s Hyde Park
/by Lorie HollabaughMorgan Wallen has announced that he will perform at London’s historic Hyde Park for a one-night-only show on July 4.
“Last fall was my first time in the U.K. and man, I loved it,” remarks Wallen. “I saw so much while I was there, and the people were incredible. To play where legendary artists like Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones have played is a huge honor for me and my band, and we can’t wait to be back.”
Tickets go on sale this coming Wednesday (March 13). Supporting talent for the show will be announced at a later date. For more information, click here.
The news comes on the heels of Wallen’s Abbey Road Sessions, which he recorded in London in Studio Two at the famous Abbey Road Studios in December 2023. The digital series includes five live recordings from his album One Thing At A Time, new track “Lies Lies Lies” and a never-before-recorded cover of British rock band Nothing But Thieves‘ “Graveyard Whistling.”
Sheryl Crow To Host Album Release Show At Franklin Theatre
/by Lorie HollabaughSheryl Crow. Photo: Dove Shore
Sheryl Crow will celebrate the release of her 11th full-length studio album, Evolution, with a special show at The Franklin Theatre on March 23.
The concert will be filmed and broadcast to a national audience on PBS later in the year, marking the first in a series of special events at the Franklin Theatre. Tickets are available now via The Franklin Theatre’s website franklintheatre.com.
Crow’s new album Evolution features nine new songs produced by Mike Elizondo and John Shanks and will be released via The Valory Music Co. on March 29. The album’s title track, featuring guitarist Tom Morello, is out now. Another new single “Digging In The Dirt,” a classic Peter Gabriel song with backing vocals by Gabriel himself, is also out today (March 8).
“Peter’s song is the one that started me on this whole process of making my new album. It was the first song I brought to [album producer] Mike Elizondo,” states Crow. “The idea of self-examination to understand our wounds and flaws and how they affect our daily lives really resonated with me, because that process can lead to self-healing. But it can be messy, and it feels like digging in the dirt.
“Peter’s lyrics express that so beautifully, with this ridiculous groove driving underneath,” she continues. “When he agreed to sing on my cover of ‘Digging In The Dirt,’ it just blew me away, and ironically, it ended up being the last song we finished for the album. It’s such an honor to have him perform on this song which really means so much to me, and there is nobody in the world who sings like Peter Gabriel.”
Morgan Wallen & Eric Church Top MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Man Made A Bar’
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen reaches the top spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “Man Made A Bar” featuring Eric Church. The tune appears on Wallen’s One Thing At A Time album and was written by Rocky Block, Jordan Dozzi, Larry Fleet and Brett Tyler.
Both Wallen and Church are hard at work preparing their own bars on Nashville’s lower Broadway. Wallen’s six-story establishment, named after another on of his tunes, “This Bar,” will open later this year. Church is set to open his new restaurant and live music venue, Chief’s, any time now.
The two artists and friends also recently relaunched the iconic outdoor lifestyle brand Field & Stream, as their latest collaboration.
“Man Made A Bar” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 8 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
CMA Announces 14th Triple Play Awards Recipients
/by John Nix ArledgeThis year’s honorees include seven songwriters: first-time recipients Jelly Roll and Jordan Schmidt, Charlie Handsome, Chase McGill, Hunter Phelps, Thomas Rhett and three-time honoree Ashley Gorley. Additionally, UMPG Nashville Chairman & CEO Troy Tomlinson will be honored with the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, which is given to an individual who has had a profound impact on the country music genre by consistently championing songwriters and their careers.
“Since I was about six years old, songs have painted pictures that helped me both escape and embrace my life,” Tomlinson explains. “To have spent the past four decades supporting and advocating for the world’s greatest songwriters has been nothing less than an honor and a privilege. Being honored by CMA at this point in my life is extraordinarily rewarding and humbling.”
For over 40 years, Tomlinson has nurtured and promoted industry legends such as Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Casey Beathard, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Dean Dillon, Tom Douglas, Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Hank Williams and more. He currently sits on the CMA Board of Directors and continues to serve organizations including Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Board of Officers & Trustees and Belmont University.
The ceremony will be hosted by composer and CMA Board member Jim Beavers on Monday, April 15 in Nashville.
The 14th CMA Triple Play Awards Honorees:
Jelly Roll
“Son Of A Sinner,” recorded by Jelly Roll
“Need A Favor,” recorded by Jelly Roll
“Save Me,” recorded by Jelly Roll featuring Lainey Wilson
Ashley Gorley
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” recorded by Cole Swindell
“You Proof,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Last Night,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“What He Didn’t Do,” recorded by Carly Pearce
“Gold,” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“Girl In Mine,” recorded by Parmalee
“Thinkin’ Bout Me,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“God Gave Me A Girl,” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“World on Fire,” recorded by Nate Smith
Charlie Handsome
“Wasted On You,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“You Proof,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Last Night,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Chase McGill
“With A Woman You Love,” recorded by Justin Moore
“5 Foot 9,” recorded by Tyler Hubbard
“Next Thing You Know,” recorded by Jordan Davis
Hunter Phelps
“Best Thing Since Backroads,” recorded by Jake Owen
“New Truck,” recorded by Dylan Scott
“wait in the truck,” recorded by Hardy featuring Lainey Wilson
Jordan Schmidt
“wait in the truck,” recorded by Hardy featuring Lainey Wilson
“Bury Me in Georgia,” recorded by Kane Brown
“Watermelon Moonshine,” recorded by Lainey Wilson
Thomas Rhett
“Half Of Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett featuring Riley Green
“Angels (Don’t Always Have Wings),” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Stars Like Confetti,” recorded by Dustin Lynch
Go West Creative Elevates Eileen Valois To President & CEO
/by Liza AndersonEileen Valois
Nashville-based agency Go West Creative has elevated Eileen Valois to President & CEO.
Go West Creative specializes in brand marketing, content creation, experiential and event production. The agency has worked to help facilitate video production, broadcasts and live performances in studios for acts such as The Foxies, Jeverson, Mike Parker, Meghan Linsey, Maggie Miles, Kix Brooks, Rodney Atkins, Big & Rich, Charles Esten, Joe Bonamassa and Mindi Abair. On the event production front, Go West Creative has curated multiple on-the-road experiences for talent including Flo Rida, AJR, John Legend, Bebe Rexha, Big & Rich, Ezra Ray Hart and more. Recently, the company collaborated with Warner Music Nashville artist Gabby Barrett for the launch of her latest album, Chapter & Verse.
Valois has been with Go West Creative for three years and most recently served as President & COO.
Throughout her 30-year career thus far, she has designed and produced award-winning projects for corporate events, professional sports and entertainment experiences and political events. Valois has also negotiated multi-million-dollar deals with established hotel brands and event venues in North America, led task force initiatives to address organizational change and turnarounds as well as the development of new growth markets and consulted on new technology development and start-up tech launches. Additionally, the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) was included in the Forbes Business Council in 2022, and was invited to serve on the Rolling Stone Culture Council last year.
“Three years ago, I began a transformative journey with Go West, assuming the role of COO. Throughout this time, I’ve been inspired by the extraordinary talent within our team and the lasting connections we’ve forged with our clients. Being named President & CEO in 2024 is an honor and a privilege,” says Valois. “My commitment to our vision remains steadfast—to build upon our remarkable 38-year legacy of creative and production excellence while fostering a culture that empowers every individual within our team to thrive and succeed.”
Second Annual ‘Groceries With Dignity & Comedy Without’ Benefit Set For April
/by Lorie HollabaughBrad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley will present the second annual “Groceries With Dignity & Comedy Without,” alongside Nationwide, on April 21 at Zanies in Nashville.
Featuring Paisley, John Crist, Dusty Slay and friends, the evening will benefit The Store, the free-referral based grocery store that aims to empower low-income individuals and families in the Nashville area. Founded by the famous couple, the nonprofit operates with the mission of allowing people to shop for their basic needs in a way that protects dignity and fosters hope, regularly serving over 400 households per week.
Last year’s inaugural event raised $100,000 dollars, and starred comedians Kevin Nealon and Nate Bargatze, actress Bonnie Hunt and The Groundlings.
Tickets are available now. For more information, click here.
Ole 60 Inks With UTA
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: UTA’s Alec Vidmar, Elisa Vazzana, Justin Hill, Matthew Morgan, Buster Phillips, Ole 60’s Aden Wood, Ryan Laslie, Jacob Ty Young, Colby Clark, Whale Tale Management’s Davis Danziger, Ty Little and lawyer Matt Cottingham. Photo: Courtesy of UTA
Country band Ole 60 has signed with UTA for worldwide representation in all areas.
Group members Aden Wood, Ryan Laslie, Jacob Ty Young, Colby Clark, Dustin “Catfish” Fuqua and Jarrett Davis all hail from Kentucky. Last week, their EP Three Twenty Four was the No. 1 country album on Apple Music and on the iTunes charts, and track “Smoke & A Light” was recently No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 for the United States.
Additionally, Ole 60 will serve as direct support for Dylan Gossett on select dates of his “No Better Time Tour,” and support Charles Wesley Godwin on several of his upcoming shows. They will also continue to be represented by Whale Tale Management’s Davis Danziger, Wales Toney and Ty Little as well as lawyer Matt Cottingham.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson Delivers A ‘Masterful Country Performance’
/by Robert K OermannCody Johnson. Photo: Chris Douglas
“Sophisticates” might make fun of it, but I love country music’s unabashed sentimentality.
And I have two absolute gems of that sort in today’s stack of sounds. Cody Johnson wins the Disc of the Day prize for his tale of an old farmer who won’t sell his land to a developer because the property holds so much emotional weight for him. Taking home the DISCovery Award is Jay Allen. He is reminding us to lead with love at all times, because time is precious. I stand with both sentiments.
One of the coolest things about last week’s Country Radio Seminar is that it debuted a bounty of new sounds from our stars. Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks & Ronnie Dunn, Carly Pearce and Darius Rucker all came calling. So did dozens of others. What a banquet of music it was.
BO BICE / “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man”
Writer: Bob Seger; Producers: Randall Deaton, Gary Nichols & Jimmy Nutt; Label: Lonesome Day
– The American Idol alumnus gives this 1969 Bob Seger classic a bluegrass-y spin. The picking is hot, and Bice’s southern-rock vocal is raw and edgy. But as a major Seger fan, I’ll take the original, thanks.
CHRIS STAPLETON / “Mountains Of My Mind”
Writer: Chris Stapleton; Producers: Chris Stapleton/Dave Cobb/Morgane Stapleton; Label: Mercury Nashville
– It’s just that marvelous voice, singing to his own acoustic-guitar accompaniment. The moody folk ballad unspools a lyric of loneliness and existential angst. Captivating listening.
HUESTON / “Living Fast”
Writers: Brandon Sammons/Cory Hueston; Producer: BSAMZ; Label: Silver Wings/UMG
– This pop banger showcases a charismatic vocalist with a hypnotic, mystic vibe. While electronics throb around him, he wanders in a landscape of wasted youth.
CARLY PEARCE / “Hummingbird”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Nicolle Galyon/Shane McAnally/Jordan Reynolds; Producers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Carly Pearce; Label: Big Machine Records
– Swirling and dreamy. Is she a great artist? Yes. Is this well written? Yes. Is this a hooky playlist item? Maybe not. It sounds more like a lovely album track.
JAY ALLEN / “No Present Like The Time”
Writers: Jay Allen/Micah Wilshire/Nate Kenyon; Producer: Micah Wilshire; Label: ONErpm
– Cherish your loved ones while you have them here and near. The lyric is a beautiful sentiment; the rippling production is eloquent; his vocal is a thing of warmth and comfort. A brilliant record in all respects. Allen was a 2022 contestant on The Voice.
DARIUS RUCKER / “Never Been Over”
Writers: Darius Rucker/John Osborne/Lee Thomas Miller; Producers: Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– This extremely well written song is an ode to enduring romance and lifelong commitment. Rucker’s voice is a warm glass of brandy.
GEORGIA WEBSTER / “Delusional”
Writers: Georgia Webster/Austin Goodloe/Joybeth Taylor/Lydia Vaughan; Producer: King Henry; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Her processed, double-tracked vocal and the machine percussion mark this as pop music. Artificial intelligence must have had a hand in this.
GARTH BROOKS & RONNIE DUNN / “Rodeo Man”
Writers: Ronnie Dunn/Phil O’Donnell; Producers: Ronnie Dunn/Garth Brooks; Label: Harbor/Big Machine
– A hit-bound, rocking romp. It will come as no surprise to reveal that Dunn is the better country singer.
TENILLE TOWNES / “As You Are”
Writers: David Pramik/Tenille Townes/Mags Duval; Producer: Ryan Hadlock; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The Canadian country awards champ delivers a languid ballad with strummy guitar backing that builds into a fierce shout of passion and then descends into a broken whisper.
DRAYTON FARLEY / “Norfolk Blues”
Writer: Drayton Farley; Producer: Sadler Vadenk; Label: Hargrove Records
– This Alabama singer-songwriter has the goods. His rolling rumbler gives a country-rock edge to the age-old working-man blues. I’m in. Welcome to the dance, pal.
CODY JOHNSON / “Dirt Cheap”
Writer: Josh Phillips; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
– A masterful country performance on every level. The tug-at-your-heartsrings lyric is powerful enough, but Johnson’s delivery kicks it into another realm. A superstar at work.
KEITH URBAN / “Messed Up As Me”
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon/Shane McAnally/Michael Lotten/Rodney Clawson; Producers: Keith Urban/Dann Huff; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A welcome change of pace. Urban turns up his contemplative side. It does not rock out relentlessly, but draws just as much potency from its back beats. A winner.
Nate Smith & Crew Celebrate Two Dynamic No. 1 Hits
/by Madison HahnenNate Smith. Photo: Nicki Fletcher
Music industry members gathered at Cross-Eyed Critters at The Graduate Hotel on Monday (March 4) to celebrate two chart-toppers from breakout country star Nate Smith.
Smith was there with co-writers Lindsay Rimes and Russell Sutton to celebrate the singer’s first ever No. 1 hit, “Whiskey On You.” Smith and Rimes were also joined by Ashley Gorley and Taylor Phillips to celebrate “World On Fire,” Smith’s second No. 1 that held its position for an impressive 10 consecutive weeks.
Pictured (L-R): Ashley Gorley, Lindsay Rimes, Nate Smith, Taylor Phillips. Photo: Larry McCormack
First, it was time to celebrate “Whiskey On You.” ASCAP Vice President of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad started off the toast. “Nate I know there was a lot of challenges to get to this place, leaving Nashville and going back to California. We are glad you came back to Nashville. It’s a big deal to have a No. 1 but it’s an even bigger deal to have your first No. 1,” Sistad said.
He then handed it over to BMI Executive Director, Creative, Nashville, Shannon Sanders, who spoke about BMI affiliates Rimes and Sutton. “Lindsey is a highly skilled writer and producer. He has many top 10 hits under his belt. But today, this guy’s effort is celebrating his second No. 1 as a songwriter,” Sanders said. “Russell, in 2022 scored his first No. 1 with Elvie Shane’s ‘My Boy,’ In 2023, he won his first BMI award, and now in 2024, he’s scored his second No. 1. Russell, the forecast for your future is bright.”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston and Droptine President Jim Catino also all offered their congratulations for the writers. This was Catino’s first No. 1 song as a publisher.
The mic was then turned over to the writers. Sutton started off by giving a background of how the song came to be, sharing that Smith showed up to a writing retreat at Catino’s lake house having just been broken up with. “The beautiful thing about retreats us that [we have a lot of time]. That song took us eight or nine hours to write. If we were in town, we would have left it after four or five hours—maybe we would have come back to it, maybe not. But we were stuck in a house together, where we had to finish it.
“That day we stumbled upon something special,” Sutton continued. “[Nate] deserves everything that is happening for him right now. It is the absolute definition of good karma.”
Rimes then took to the mic to show his gratitude. “To have found a great singer, a great artist, a great writer, a great friend and someone I can connect with creatively is amazing. It’s more than any writer or producer could ask for.” He said, “This song was amazing, I’m super proud of it. The first one is always special.”
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s LB Cantrell, Lindsay Rimes, Nate Smith, Russell Sutton, MusicRow’s Madison Hahnen
When Smith spoke, he talked a lot about the people who have supported his journey to country music stardom. “It’s so good to see everybody in here. I see all my friends, my family and the people that have believed in me since day one during my first writes in town,” he shared. “Thank you to Sony Publishing, Core Entertainment, my record label and everybody who has been involved in this song. Thank you from the bottom of my heart—it has changed my life and I love singing it every night.”
Next it was time to celebrate the dynamic, 10-week No. 1, “World On Fire.” Sistad and Sanders came back up to offer their congratulations.
Warner Chappell A&R Manager Benji Amaefule then came up to toast the writers. “Ashley, you’re the Michael Jordan of songwriting. Taylor is the new Kobe Bryant. Lindsey and Nate, y’all have created a world with your songs,” he said. “You’re inspiring a whole new generation of writers of fans.”
Gaston, Tape Room President Blain Rhodes and Sony Music Nashville EVP of Promotion and Artist Development Steve Hodges also gave their congratulations.
Phillips was the first writer to speak about “World On Fire.” He complimented each writer, sharing that Gorley had been an important mentor and friend in his career, before turning to Smith. “I met you a few years ago and I remember it like yesterday,” Phillips said. “I believed in you then, I believe in you now… You are one of the best, most talented people in this world—I’ll speak that behind closed doors and I’ll speak it to your face. I love you, I’m proud of you you deserve the absolute world.”
Gorley shared his experience co-writing the hit when he spoke. “I was the guest—they all knew each other before I jumped in. It was a great first day first experience,” he said. “Nate is the nicest guy in the world. He’s very thankful and amazing. It’s so fun to be a part of [the success of] someone that talented. He doesn’t take it for granted.”
Rimes and Smith once again shared their thanks to the village behind the historic success of “World On Fire” before toasting to the crowd of collaborators and friends.