Pictured: (L-R): (Back Row) Parallel’s Tim Hunze, Magic Mustang’s Juli Newton-Griffith, BMI’s David Preston, Warner Music Group’s John Esposito, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, producer Scott Hendricks. (Front Row) BMI songwriter Michael White, BMI affiliate Michael Ray and SESAC songwriter Justin Wilson. (photo by Steve Lowry)

Family, friends and music industry executives gathered at Nashville’s South venue Monday afternoon (Sept. 21) to celebrate the No. 1 hit, “Kiss You In The Morning,” written by BMI writer Michael White with SESAC writer Justin Wilson and performed by BMI affiliate and Warner Music Nashville artist Michael Ray. The song was produced by Scott Hendricks. Magic Mustang Music’s Juli-Newton Griffith and Parallel Music Publishing’s Tim Hunze were on hand to honor the songwriters, as were BMI’s David Preston and SESAC’s Shannan Hatch.

The tune was the first chart-topper for Michael Ray, who released the track off his debut self-titled album, and the second for White.

Preston offered White an Epiphone guitar to commemorate the No. 1 hit. “I hope you write a million more songs on it,” said Preston.

Among those offering accolades were CRB’s Holly Lane, Country Aircheck‘s Chuck Aly, and more. Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox announced a donation in honor of the songwriters to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Warner Music Nashville president John Esposito touted Ray’s work ethic, noting that Ray kept plugging away at his career, even when his beloved grandfather died while Ray was on a radio tour. “When he played the Grand Ole Opry, he played his grandfather’s guitar and did that promo tour in honor of his grandfather,” said Esposito. “This is the start of many number ones.”

It was an emotional celebration for Wilson, who was celebrating his first No. 1 song. He spoke of his early career attempts to become a recording artist himself, and gave credit to his family for believing in him when he decided to turn his attentions to songwriting. “To watch me get and lose a [recording] deal in six months, and then to see me fall in love with songwriting, they kept believing in me,” said Wilson.

Both songwriters used the platform to advocate for fair pay for songwriters. “We are not all hanging out with superstars,” said White. “My dad raised us and sent us to college on a writer’s royalties. We have to get a handle on the new technology. We are not asking to be rich and famous, we just want it to be fair.”

Michael Ray

Thomas Rhett shared the DJ Booth with one of Tangled Up’s producers Jesse Frasure. Photo: Katie Kauss

Downtown Nashville was the place to party last night (Sept. 21) as the music industry celebrated the upcoming release of The Valory Music Co. artist Thomas Rhett’s sophomore album, Tangled Up. The project comes out Friday, Sept. 25.

More than 200 label staff, publishers, songwriters, producers, and more celebrated at swanky private club Citizen. Tangled Up co-producer Jesse Frasure spun tracks from the album, such as “Vacation,” “Learned From The Radio,” and current single “Die A Happy Man,” alongside tracks from The Weeknd, Blackstreet, Chris Stapleton, and more. Among the revelers were BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Rhett’s wife Lauren Akins, and Rhett’s BMLG labelmates Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery.

“It’s so exciting to have a moment like this to share it with all of you, when you literally can see an artist going to the next level,” BMLG founder/CEO Scott Borchetta shared with guests. “That’s what’s happening right here, right now, in real time. Thomas Rhett is getting ready…you watch what’s going to happen in the next 18 months, because then we’re going to be talking about the headlining tour. But we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves.”

Pictured (L-R): The Valory Music Co. SVP Promoition George Briner, Big Machine Label Group SVP A&R Allison Jones, Thomas Rhett and Big Machine Label Group’s President/CEO Scott Borchetta. Photo: Katie Kauss

Partygoers sipped on cocktails inspired by the album’s tracks, including Tangled Up, and Crash & Burn, each made with Crown Royal.

“We wanted to swing for the fences,” Rhett said of the record’s new sound. “As we’ve gone, my jeans have gotten tighter and my jeans have gotten skinnier,” he quipped. “My dad’s sittin’ here going, ‘Gosh I remember when you were in cowboy boots singing to Brooks & Dunn in the living room.’

“Thank you to those who have embraced this new sound and this new direction,” Rhett continued. “I think the best part is this album is fully 100 percent Thomas Rhett. There is nothing fake about this record. I have to give thanks to Scott and [BMLG’s] Allison [Jones] for saying, ‘We don’t want you to just turn in hits. We want you to turn in songs that move you, songs you believe in.’ We’re getting into that time where we might piss some people off with the songs we’re putting out, but hopefully the majority love us. Thank you to all my friends, the songwriters, Jesse [Frasure] and Dann [Huff] for going all out on this record, it’s pretty crazy. Cheers to you and thank you for being here and being part of this album release party.”

Pictured (L-R): Wife Lauren Akins and Thomas Rhett. Photo: Katie Kauss.

Borchetta and Rhett launched the party with Rhett’s soul-infused current single, “Die A Happy Man.”

“My wife asked me the other day if the song was written for her or just inspired by her, and the answer is both,” Rhett said of the single. “She’s always wanted me to write a song like ‘Just To See You Smile’ by Tim McGraw, even though this song doesn’t sound anything like that. It’s super personal to our relationship.”

Tangled Up releases Friday, Sept. 25.

George Strait is headed to Las Vegas in 2016, he announced today (Sept. 22) during a live press conference. Strait will launch a series of concerts at the new, 19,000-seat Las Vegas Arena, beginning April 22, 2016. Kacey Musgraves will open the shows in Las Vegas.

Strait will play four concerts, on April 22-23, 2016, and on Sept. 9-10, 2016. Tickets for the shows go on sale Oct. 2, 2015.

UMG Nashville president Cindy Mabe announced that Strait will release a new album, Cold Beer Conversation. The project will release Friday, Sept. 25 exclusively with Apple Music and Walmart. The album’s title track will release to country radio tomorrow (Sept. 23).

The project will include songs penned by Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark, Buddy Cannon, Ben Hayslip, Bubba Strait, Dean Dillion, and more. Full track listing below.

Strait has released 40 albums, sold nearly 70 million albums, and had more than 60 No. 1 hits. He played to over 1 million fans during The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, which marked the end of his touring career.

The entertainer’s awards count includes 23 CMA Awards, 17 ACM Awards, 1 Grammy Award, 5 American Music Awards, and an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He is also a National Medal of the Arts recipient and an ASCAP Founders Award recipient, among other honors.

Track listing for Cold Beer Conversation:
1. “It Was Love” (Keith Gattis)
2. “Cold Beer Conversation” (Al Anderson, Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary)
3. “Let It Go” (George Strait, Bubba Strait and Keith Gattis)
4. “Goin’ Goin’ Gone” (Wyatt Earp and Keith Gattis)
5. “Something Going Down” (Jamey Johnson and Tom Shapiro)
6. “Take Me To Texas” (Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally)
7. “It Takes All Kinds” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Bob Regan and Wil Nance)
8. “Stop And Drink” (Dale Dodson and Troy Jones)
9. “Everything I See” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Dean Dillon and Keith Gattis)
10. “Rock Paper Scissors” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell and Bubba Strait)
11. “Wish You Well” (Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde and Brice Long)
12. “Cheaper Than A Shrink” (Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson)
13. “Even When I Can’t Feel It” (Dean Dillon, Ben Hayslip and Lee Miller)