Photo Caption (L-R): Producer Dann Huff, “Die A Happy Man” Songwriter Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man” Songwriter Joe London, Producer/”Crash And Burn” Songwriter Jesse Frasure. Photo: Erika Goldring

The Valory Music Co. artist Thomas Rhett and his fellow songwriters had plenty to celebrate Monday (Feb. 22) as music industry members gathered to honor Rhett’s two latest No. 1 singles (bringing his total as an artist to five consecutive No. 1 songs) with a BMI-hosted shindig at Nashville’s BarTaco, a favorite dining spot for Rhett and his wife Lauren.

“Die A Happy Man” spent six weeks atop the country songs rankings, the first song since 2008 to manage that feat. BMI’s Leslie Roberts noted that the song went from being written to topping the country chart within one year. The song followed Rhett’s previous No. 1 “Crash and Burn,” penned by Jesse Frasure and Chris Stapleton.

Though Rhett was celebrating his third No. 1 song as a songwriter (“Die A Happy Man”), the party was a first for many of his fellow songwriters.

Though songwriter, producer, and Major Bob Music VP of A&R Frasure penned his first No. 1 song with Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze,” his attendance at the party for “Crash and Burn” marked his first time being honored as a songwriter during a No. 1 party. BMI gave Frasure a BMI guitar to commemorate his first No. 1 song.

The multi-talented Frasure has written for FGL, Meghan Trainor, and Kenny Chesney, produced for TobyMac, and also serves as VP of A&R for Major Bob Music and remains an in-demand DJ for artists like Nicki Minaj and Cee Lo Green.

Jesse Frasure thanked his co-writer Stapleton, who could not attend. “Me and Chris are the ultimate odd couple. I’m so proud of him. It’s been wild to watch this ride, and I’m honored to call him a friend and a co-writer. I don’t ever quite feel justified to be in the same room with him. We have this motto that says, ‘Sad Songs For Dance Floors,’ that’s what we write.”

The party was also a first for Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” co-writers Joe London and Sean Douglas, who are based in Los Angeles and had never attended a Nashville-style No. 1 party.

London, a producer and songwriter, has had hits including Pitbull’s “Pitbull” and “Day Drinking,” as well as Fifth Harmony’s “BO$$” and Jason Derulo’s “Wiggle.” Meanwhile, Douglas has penned “Heart Attack” for Demi Lovato, and Derulo’s “Wiggle” and “Talk Dirty.” Douglas is also the son of actor Michael Keaton.

“This is one of the most special songs I’ve been a part of,” said Rhett. “I feel like I found myself on this record process, and in my life right now, just in rooms of people that don’t make any sense and should never have a chance of working.” The writers each thanked their wives for inspiring the R&B-influenced song.

(L-R): Back Row – Producer Dann Huff, EMI Blackwood’s Troy Tomlinson, BMI’s Jody Williams, Warner Chappell’s Marc Wilson, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner
Front Row – Big Deal Music’s Pete Robinson, “Die A Happy Man” songwriter Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man” songwriter Joe London, Big Deal Music’s Casey Robinson, Producer/”Crash And Burn” songwriter Jesse Frasure

Meanwhile, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson welcomed Rhett’s wife Lauren to the stage and thanked her for providing Rhett’s inspiration for “Die A Happy Man.” He also presented Lauren with a gift from Tiffany & Co.

Among those celebrating Rhett’s two chart-toppers were Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn and Marc Wilson, CMA’s Brandi Simms, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Ashley Silver and Charlie Cook, producer Dann Huff, Big Deal Music’s Pete Robinson, and Valory Music Company’s George Briner.

Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox announced the bank would make two donations on behalf of the writers of both songs to 147 Million Orphans, a charity supported by Thomas Rhett and Lauren.

Thomas Rhett is aiming to add to his chart-topper total with his latest single, “T-Shirt,” a song he has been eager to include on an album for several years.

“I really wanted to cut it on the first album. So this song has been with me for a long time. It was one of my wife’s favorite songs that I put on hold that I didn’t write. It’s just fun and if there was ever a time to put out a song that I always wanted to put out, why not do it after that one? I think it’s a great song to lead into the summertime, and we love playing it live. We’ve been playing it live for like three years, so for it to finally get the recognition that I’ve wanted it to for a long time, this was our shot so we went for it,” he said.

Though Rhett says his team is likely to follow “T-Shirt” with another single from Tangled Up, he is already thinking ahead to the next album.

“[Tangled Up] came out in September, and by the time ‘Die A Happy Man’ had gone Number One, the album had been out for like three months. As an artist I think you feel like you have to turn things around so fast,” he said. “You really do have time to be creative. If you don’t take that time to be creative, then you are going to put something out that’s not worth anybody’s time, in my opinion, at least for myself. I’ve already been out on the road writing a ton and I’m not even writing for me, I’m just writing songs to figure out what direction my brain wants to go, what kind of songs I want to write, where I’m at in my life right now, what kind of content I want to write, so it’s just really fun to get back in and be creative again and start that process again.”

Marla Cannon-Goodman

Carnival Music has signed Marla Cannon-Goodman to its roster of talented songwriters.

While still working as a nurse in the 1990s, she penned “The Fool,” which Lee Ann Womack recorded in 1997. The song topped the country charts, becoming the first No. 1 single for both writer and performer. Cannon-Goodman followed the hit with additional chart-toppers including “Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo” (Tracy Byrd), and “Cleaning This Gun” (Rodney Atkins), as well as songs that have been recorded by Eddy Arnold, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Billy Currington, Sammy Kershaw, Blake Shelton, George Strait, and more.

She recently penned several songs with newcomer Tucker Beathard, including his current single “Rock On,” while Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson recorded the Cannon-Goodman composition “Unfair Weather Friend” for their acclaimed Django and Jimmie duets album.

“‘The Fool’ was the first Marla song I heard,” Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell said. “It helped her launch her career, and it helped me land a wife. I went from the fool to the hero. I’ve admired Marla’s songwriting from across town for quite some time. It’s only natural that she’s now part of our family. She’s getting ready for a great run.”

“Signing a deal with Carnival has been a long time coming for me,” Cannon-Goodman said. “I love those guys. I’m looking forward to the ride.”