Chris Stapleton Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

/by

Chris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke

Chris Stapleton moves into the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter chart this week.

Stapleton’s new singles, “Think I’m In Love With You” and “White Horse,” move him from No. 16 to his current position at No. 9. Both have been released ahead of his upcoming Higher album, due out on Nov. 10.

The top five spots on this week’s chart hold steady with Zach Bryan at No. 1, Ashley Gorley at No. 2, Tracy Chapman at No. 3, Jordan Schmidt at No. 4 and Ryan Vojtesak at No. 5.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Bailey Zimmerman Earns 3rd Consecutive Chart-Topper

/by

Bailey Zimmerman. Photo: Spidey Smith

Bailey Zimmerman has landed his third consecutive No. 1 at country radio this week with his single “Religiously.”

The achievement makes Zimmerman the fastest artist to have his first three singles peak atop the Country Aircheck chart since Sam Hunt in 2015, and the fourth fastest since 2000. “Religiously” follows his double Platinum, six-week No. 1 “Rock and a Hard Place,” and his double Platinum-debut, “Fall In Love.”

Boasting more than 287 million streams, “Religiously” is the title track from the 23-year-old’s full-length debut, Religiously. The Album. The project arrived in May as the biggest streaming debut album of the year across all genres, as well as the biggest streaming country debut of all time. It landed Top 3 on the Top Country Albums chart and No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

The young star has already surpassed 3 billion global streams to date. He is supporting Morgan Wallen on his tour, continuing in Canada through the end of the month before returning stateside for dates into November. He is also selling out the North America dates on his upcoming headlining “Religiously. The Tour.,” which kicks off February 2024.

Tim McGraw Adds New Dates For 2024’s ‘Standing Room Only Tour’

/by

Tim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein

Tim McGraw has added 11 new dates to his upcoming 2024 “Standing Room Only Tour,” which will feature Carly Pearce on all dates as special guest.

Cities added to the trek next year include Austin, Sacramento, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and more. Tickets for the new shows will be on sale starting Friday, Sept. 29.

The shows will include his biggest hits, and songs from his recently released 17th studio album Standing Room Only, which was released Aug. 25 via Big Machine Records. The album’s title track is currently top 10 at country radio and climbing the charts, and marks his 92nd career chart entry.

Tomorrow night, the Nashville Songwriters Association International will honor McGraw with the President’s Keystone Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the industry for the betterment of all songwriters.

Throughout his career, McGraw has amassed 69 top 10 hits and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks at No. 1 with all titles, totaling 73 weeks. He holds the record for second-most No. 1 albums in the U.S. just behind George Strait.

Noah Kahan’s ‘We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour’ Set For March

/by

Noah Kahan will hit the road in 2024 on his “We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour” throughout Canada and the U.S.

The 32-date leg will kick off March 26 in Vancouver with stops across North America in Toronto, Montreal, Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Los Angeles, New York and more before wrapping on July 19 with a celebratory New England stadium performance at Boston’s Fenway Park with special guests Mt. Joy. A limited number of tickets will be available during general sales starting this Friday (Sept. 29). Last month, Kahan announced 2024 dates in Europe and the U.K., which will see him performing in Dublin, London, Paris and more. For more information, click here.

The Vermont singer-songwriter recently enlisted Lizzy McAlpine for a newly-recorded version of his moving fan favorite, “Call Your Mom,” written about giving unconditional support to a loved one during life’s darkest moments. He is also featured on the cover of Pollstar’s September issue and was named on the 2023 TIME 100 Next list.

Kahan’s collaboration with Post Malone on a new version of his latest single “Dial Drunk” is featured on his new album, Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), an extension of 2022’s Stick Season. Stick Season was just recently certified Gold, and its breakout title track was certified Platinum. The album debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s 200 chart, No. 1 on the Top Americana/Folk Albums chart, No. 1 on the Billboard Top Alternative Albums chart, No. 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart and more. Kahan became the fifth artist in history with 18 songs on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Charts in one week, alongside David Bowie and Taylor Swift. 

“We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour” 2024 Dates:
* Non-Live Nation Date
^ With Mt. Joy
Tuesday, March 26 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Thursday, March 28 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Friday, March 29 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Saturday, March 30 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre
Tuesday, April 2 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
Saturday, April 6 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Sunday, April 7 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens
Tuesday, April 9 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
Wednesday, April 10 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre
Saturday, April 13 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Wednesday, May 22 – Asheville, NC – ExploreAsheville.com Arena
Saturday, May 25 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Tuesday, May 28 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Wednesday, May 29 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
Tuesday, June 4 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Wednesday, June 5 – Kansas City, MO – Azura Amphitheatre *
Friday, June 7 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Tuesday, June 11 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Wednesday, June 13 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Friday, June 14 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Tuesday, June 18 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Friday, June 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
Tuesday, June 25 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre *
Saturday, June 29 – George, WA – The Gorge
Monday, July 1 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Wednesday, July 3 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
Friday, July 5 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre *
Saturday, July 6 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre *
Tuesday, July 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Saturday, July 13 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Tuesday, July 16 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Friday, July 19 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park ^

All-Around Nashville Music Man Mike Henderson Passes

/by

Pictured: Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson accept the Song of the Year award for “Starting Over” at The 55th Annual CMA Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Songwriter/performer Mike Henderson died suddenly on Friday, Sept. 22 at age 70.

He is perhaps best known as the co-writer of the Chris Stapleton hit “Broken Halos,” which became Stapleton’s first No. 1 success and won the Grammy Award as Country Song of the Year in 2017. It also won a CMA Song of the Year Award, as did 2021’s “Starting Over.”

Mike Henderson was a founder of the much-awarded progressive bluegrass band The SteelDrivers. For nearly 40 years, he has held down a weekly Monday-night residency at The Bluebird Cafe with his blues bands.

Mike Henderson. Photo: Jim McGuire

A native of Independence, Missouri, Henderson mastered guitar, fiddle, mandolin, Dobro and harmonica while playing in folk, bluegrass, rock and blues bands in high school and college at the University of Missouri. The most prominent of these was a blues combo called The Bell Aires. He and his family moved to Nashville in 1985. His aim was to become a utility player in some star’s road band.

In Nashville, he joined the blues-rocking group The Roosters, which evolved into The Kingsnakes. Henderson’s co-written “Powerful Stuff” was recorded by The Fabulous Thunderbirds and became a standout on the soundtrack of the Tom Cruise movie Cocktail in 1988. The Snakes were signed to Curb Records the following year.

As a songwriter, Henderson was signed to EMI on Music Row. His songs were recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Gary Allan, Patty Loveless, the [Dixie] Chicks, Travis Tritt, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Marty Stuart and others.

Mike Henderson & The Bluebloods

He also worked steadily as a session musician, appearing on albums by Emmylou Harris, Kelly Willis, Lucinda Williams, Sting, Waylon Jennings, John Hiatt, Albert King, Tim McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., Faith Hill, Guy Clark, Bob Seger, Blake Shelton, Delbert McClinton and Martina McBride, as well as Loveless and the Chicks.

RCA Records signed him as a solo artist in 1993, and he issued the album Country Music Made Me Do It on the label. His “Hillbilly Jitters” RCA single charted briefly in 1994.

He formed the Dead Reckoning collective with Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch, Harry Stinson and Tammy Rogers. Henderson released three albums on Dead Reckoning, Edge of Night (1996), First Blood (1997) and Thicker Than Water (1999). The last two were with The Bluebloods, a new incarnation of his blues-rock ensembles.

Mark Knopfler hired him for his touring band in 2001. The rock star praised Henderson’s guitar work and was particularly taken with his blues harmonica stylings.

Henderson and Rogers co-founded The SteelDrivers in 2006. The group issued its debut album in 2008 and was named New Artist of the Year by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) in 2009. The group’s 2010 album Reckless was nominated for a Grammy. Henderson and Stapleton met in The SteelDrivers and became songwriting collaborators. Their SteelDrivers song “If It Hadn’t Been for Love” was recorded by pop superstar Adele.

Mike Henderson left the band in late 2010, and Stapleton departed in 2011 to launch his highly successful solo career. The two men remained songwriting collaborators. In addition to “Broken Halos” and “Starting Over,” Stapleton has popularized their collaborations “Midnight Train to Memphis,” “Second One to Know” and “Death Row,” among others.

Henderson also continued to record, issuing the 2015 album If You Think It’s Hot in Here. He became a record producer, as well. In addition to recordings by The Bluebloods, Henderson guided a series of rootsy albums for John Oates in recent years. He worked with Dale Watson on the latter’s current album, Starvation Box.

Last year, Mike Henderson had a special thrill when he performed with Stapleton at Wrigley Field. He was a lifelong fan of The Chicago Cubs, so he described the experience as “a dream come true.”

He also continued to perform regularly at The Bluebird. His final performance was last Monday there. Longtime songwriting collaborator Wally Wilson spoke to him Friday morning by phone. That afternoon, Henderson died in his sleep at home. Wilson believed the cause to be a pulmonary embolism.

Mike Henderson is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Janet, and by his daughters Lauren and Shannon Henderson. Visitation will be in the sanctuary of Woodmont Christian Church on Wednesday (Sept. 27), 10 a.m. to noon with a memorial service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to MusiCares.

Riley Clemmons Shares Stories Of Faith & Joy On New Album ‘Church Pew’

/by

Riley Clemmons has released her third studio album, Church Pew, via Capitol Christian Music Group.

From the introspective opening piano chords of “Church Pew” to the heartbreaking loss and grief reflected in “This Side of Heaven,” Clemmons opens her heart on the new songs. A new video for “Jesus Cries” from the album is out now.

This past spring, she debuted the first single from the project, “Loved By You,” which has since surpassed 4.4 million streams worldwide. The follow-up single, “Miracle,” has garnered more than two million streams and has been used in videos across social media celebrating everything from new babies and weddings to overcoming battles with disease and addiction.

“Creating this album allowed me to rediscover what truly inspires me and resonates with me as a songwriter and a 23 year-old woman who loves Jesus,” shares Clemmons. “I’m overjoyed and excited to finally share this collection of songs and stories. My hope is that listeners will be able to find their own stories of faith, joy, and healing intertwined within these lyrics and melodies.”

Clemmons’ 2018 self-titled album debut resulted in a New Artist Of the Year nomination and a performance spot at the 50th GMA Dove Awards. Her sophomore Godsend in 2021 cemented her place as an artist to watch, and included the lead single, “Fighting for Me,” which has 160 million worldwide streams. In 2021, Clemmons was nominated for Female Artist of the Year at the ninth annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, making her the youngest nominee in the show’s history, and Billboard named her one of the top Christian Artists for the year ending 2022.

Later this month, she will join Zach Williams on his “A Hundred Highways Tour” followed by the “I Don’t Want Christmas To End Tour” through the end of the year.

Creative Nation Signs Songwriter/Producer Ben West

/by

Pictured (L-R, back row): Luke Laird, Emily Furman, Alex Tamashunas; (L-R, front row): Abby Holcomb, T.D. Ruth (Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP), Ben West, Beth Laird, Kelsey Granda. Photo: Spencer Combs

Creative Nation has signed songwriter/producer Ben West to an exclusive worldwide publishing and producer management deal.

A Detroit-area native, West began his career working on Los Angeles-based sync projects for major networks like ABC, Disney and others before scoring a 2x Platinum, Top 10 Billboard hit with P!nk’s “Try” in 2012. Written alongside beloved songwriter/producer Busbee, “Try” pointed West towards Nashville.

West has co-written songs such as Lori McKenna’s “The Tunnel,” Brett Eldredge’s “Songs About You,” Parker McCollum’s “Heart Like Mine,” Blake Shelton’s “Neon Time,” Carly Pearce’s “Show Me Around” and Kelly Clarkson’s “I Dare You.” His most recent production credits include the entirety of emerging country artist Stephen Wilson Jr.’s Søn of Dad album, as well as Patrick Droney’s Subtitles for Feelings, and tracks by Pearce, Hailey Whitters, Ashley Monroe, Monsta X and more.

“I was a fan of Ben’s writing and production long before we met. He puts artists and their visions before all else, germinating song ideas into cohesive, living, breathing works of art. As cliche as it is, I mean it when I say we are lucky to work with Ben,” says Creative Director of Publishing, Alex Tamashunas.

“Creative Nation has been a fan of Ben West as a songwriter and producer for a long time but we never had the chance to meet. Lori McKenna loves writing with him and encouraged me to reach out. Once we connected, I instantly knew he would fit our culture because he is an exceptional talent and human and our whole team wanted to work with him. We are so excited about building his momentum together,” shares Co-Founder and CEO, Beth Laird.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of what Beth and Luke have built at Creative Nation. Getting to know their exceptional team has been an absolute delight, and their ability to accommodate arrangements like mine is truly unique. I am deeply appreciative of their faith in me, as well as their vision and support for both the writing and production aspects of my work. I couldn’t be more excited to join this talented roster!” West says.

Mason Ramsey ‘Falls Into Place’ This October

/by

Photo: Courtesy of Atlantic Records

Mason Ramsey will release his new Falls Into Place EP via Atlantic Records on Oct. 20.

The five-song EP marks the 16-year-old’s first new studio collection since 2019, and includes the heartfelt hometown ballad “Reasons To Come Home,” the up-tempo romantic “She Got It Outta Me” and optimistic honky-tonk rocker “Next Right Thing.”

“I took some time to settle back in at home in Golconda the past few years where I was able to do some big life things like get my first job, go to prom and work on remodeling my truck. I also was able to spend time playing the guitar, focus on my songwriting and figure out what I really wanted to say with my music,” shares Ramsey. “My fans have never forgotten about me, and this EP is for them. The support I’ve felt since the beginning has changed my life, and I’m so excited to connect with everyone back out on the road with these new songs. It really feels like things are beginning to fall into place just how they should be. Buckle up everybody, there’s so much more to come!”

Since catapulting onto the scene as the youngest major label country artist signed in the genre in nearly two decades at 11, Ramsey has already delivered two EPs, earned a Gold single, headlined two tours, supported a Las Vegas residency and surpassed 300 million global streams since 2018.

His album release show is set for Oct. 20 at Mercury Lounge in New York. Ramsey will also make his return to the Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 28. Additionally, the young artist is accepting submissions for “The Next Right Thing is Homecoming with Mason Ramsey” contest. Fans can enter here through this Friday (Sept. 29) for a chance to have him be your homecoming date and perform at your school.

Falls Into Place EP Track Listing:
1. “Next Right Thing” (Mason Ramsey, Kendall Goodman, Brandon Day)
2. “Falls Into Place” (Mason Ramsey, Lauren McLamb, Jenna Paulette)
3. “All I Wanna Be” (Mason Ramsey, Taylor Phillips, Ben Stennis)
4. “She Got It Outta Me” (Tofer Brown, Griffen Palmer, Liz Rose, Geoff Warburton)
5. “Reasons To Come Home” (Mason Ramsey, Jeff Middleton, Rob Pennington)

Ringo Starr Honored At Musicians Hall Of Fame

/by

Pictured: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band, with Linda Chambers, CEO, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum

The Musicians Hall of Fame staged a music-filled welcome reception for visiting Ringo Starr on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 24) and announced the drummer as its latest honoree.

The legendary performer was given the inaugural Joe Chambers Musicians Legacy Award, named for the co-founder of the Musicians Hall of Fame. Brenda Lee recalled that when she played The Star Club in Hamburg, Germany in 1962, The Beatles were her opening act.

“Everyone used to ask, ‘Who’s your favorite Beatle?’ Well, I loved ‘em all,” she said. “But, to me, Ringo was just adorable.

“I love doing all I can to support my fellow members of the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame. But Ringo has got me beat. He’s in the Hall of Fame twice, once for being in The Beatles and once for his own records. And I love both of those Ringo Starrs.

“I love his singing on records — everything from ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ to ‘Act Naturally,’ from ‘You’re Sixteen’ to ‘The No-No Song.’ I love him in the movies and on TV, like in The Magic Christian, Shining Time Station, Son of Dracula…..

“What?” she blurted, jumping off script. “Really!?” she comedically added, looking over her glasses at Starr, seated in the front row. “Well, Harry Nilsson was Dracula,” he drawled. “I’d pay big money for a tape of that,” she quipped. “When you find one, get one for me,” he replied.

Returning to her prepared remarks, Lee continued, “I love him as a songwriter — and not many people know him as this — for ‘Photograph,’ ‘It Don’t Come Easy,’ ‘Oh My My’ and ‘Back Off Boogaloo.’

“But let me tell you something, the heartbeat of every rock & roll song you’ve ever heard is in the rhythm….And Ringo Starr is one of the greatest heartbeats I’ve ever heard…..So maybe I love Ringo most of all for his work as a musician.

“Help me welcome him as the first solo drummer to be inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame….We tried to get them to make your medallion into a ring. But they wouldn’t do it. So you’ll just have to wear it around your neck.”

A top-tier Nashville backing band took the stage. Wendy Moten led them in blasting the rumbling power of “Photograph,” embellished by a sizzling sax solo from Sam Levine. Next, Felix Cavaliere sang a good-humored “Act Naturally.” Steve Lukather performed “Matchbox” with Moten joining in.

Peter Frampton made the award presentation. He first met Ringo Starr when they both played on an Apple Records album by Doris Troy produced by George Harrison. “His playing was, and is, incredibly unique — left-handed, playing a right-handed kit,” Frampton explained. “[Ringo] is one of the greatest of all time….and a gentle man.”

“Wow, what a lovely tribute,” responded Starr, holding the plaque that Frampton gave him. “For all of this, I am really touched and honored.” He recalled recording his Beaucoups of Blues LP in Nashville in 1970. He said he was amazed by the quality and efficiency of the Nashville session musicians, who created the recording with him in just two days.

“I love this museum,” Starr continued. “I send you all peace and love. Thank you for coming. See you at the Ryman,” where Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band performed that night.

The finale was “With a Little Help From My Friends,” performed by Rodney Crowell with The Fisk Jubilee Singers. Like the other performances, it received a standing ovation.

Among those in attendance were such musicians as Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Dave Pomeroy & Regina McCrary, Gary Burr & Georgia Middleman, Jim Horn, Charlie McCoy (who played on Beaucoups of Blues), Harry Stinson, Wally Wilson, T Bone Burnett, David Briggs and Bergen White. An elite group of music-biz folks mingled — Doug Howard & Linda Edell, John Huie, Roger & Erika Wollam Nichols, Wayne Halper, Rose Drake (whose late husband Pete Drake produced Ringo’s Nashville LP), Tony Conway, Pat McCoy, Richard Courtney (who is such a Beatles fan that he’s written a book about them), Dan Rogers, Katherine Richardson, Don Cusic, Russell Zieker (the soundtrack supervisor of the Nashville TV series who has moved here), Mark Miller, Marcus K. Dowling, Jackie Marushka, Kay Smith and Freddie O’Connell, who will be sworn in as Nashville’s new mayor today (Sept. 25).

“I want to thank everyone for being here,” said Musicians Hall of Fame CEO Linda Chambers. “And a special thanks for your support, especially during this past year.” The museum’s 2006 co-founder, her husband Joe Chambers, passed away exactly a year ago this week. Hence the title of the award given yesterday to Sir Richard Starkey, a.k.a. Ringo Starr.

Parker McCollum Celebrates Three No. 1 Hits

/by

Pictured (L-R, back row): Warner Chappell Music’s Ben Vaughn, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, Spirit Music’s AJ Burton, MCA Nashville’s David Friedman, BMI’s Mason Hunter, Warner Chappell Music’s Jessi Stevenson; (L-R, front row): Randy Montana, Jon Randall, Parker McCollum, Monty Criswell, Rhett Akins. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

Last week, music industry members gathered at Nashville’s Star Rover Sound to celebrate Parker McCollum‘s first-ever No. 1 party. Hosted by BMI, the evening recognized the MCA Nashville star’s three recent consecutive chart-toppers, “Pretty Heart,” “To Be Loved By You” and “Handle On You.”

With McCollum as a co-writer on each hit, Randy Montana was highlighted for the success behind the singer’s double-Platinum No. 1 debut single “Pretty Heart,” followed by Rhett Akins for his follow-up Platinum-certified No 1. single, “To Be Loved By You.” Monty Criswell was recognized for his contributions on the Platinum-certified chart topper, “Handle On You.”

In addition to celebrating the hits, MCA Nashville also surprised McCollum with certification plaques that encompassed all his recent accolades, including additional Gold certifications for “Young Man’s Blues” and Gold Chain Cowboy.

BMI’s Mason Hunter served as the emcee and brought all the writers and McCollum’s producer Jon Randall to the stage to be admired. All of the men on stage were BMI affiliates.

Pictured (L-R): Red Light Management’s Nick Rhodes, UMG Nashville’s Mike Harris, Chelsea Blythe, Cindy Mabe and Lori Christian, producer Jon Randall, Parker McCollum, Red Light Management’s Enzo DeVincenzo, UMG Nashville’s Rob Femia. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

Those on hand to say a few words at the party included Warner Chappell’s Jessi Stevenson, Spirit/Fluid’s AJ Burton and MCA Nashville’s David Friedman, as well as Mitch Ballard from the BMI office in Austin, Texas. Sponsored by Studio Bank, the evening included a donation presentation made by Kari Barnart on behalf of McCollum and the songwriters in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

When it came time for the songwriters to speak, Criswell kicked it off. He spoke about his journey with cancer over the past year.

“I spent the summer in chemo at the Ingram Cancer Center. It’s at the top of my list of things I never want to do again,” he said. “[‘Handle On You’] went No. 1 the week I started chemo, so they’re kind of intertwined together.”

He spoke about his battle, sharing that his care team would often ask about where “Handle On You” was on the charts. “At the end of four months, they scanned me again,” Criswell added. “It came back clear.”

Criswell shared that after an upcoming surgery, his doctors expect the cancer won’t return. He addressed the team behind the hit by saying, “Y’all [help us] keep food on the table and keep the lights on. If you worry if you’ve made a difference, this summer you paid deductibles and copays at Vanderbilt’s Ingram Cancer Center.”

Randall was next to speak about the songs.

“As a songwriter, I’m still amazed that we show up, have a couple cups of coffee and have nothing on this blank page. By the end of the day, there’s something there that didn’t exist yesterday,” Randall said. “Everybody in here is a part of it… It takes a village.”

Akins spoke about meeting McCollum, “Getting together in a room with a complete stranger is like going to therapy. You get in there and lay it out on the table,” he said. “Parker, thank you for giving me that day and sharing a piece of you life with me [for ‘To Be Loved By You’].”

When Montana spoke, he recognized the herculean effort it takes to get a No. 1, something he learned early in life as the son of another hit songwriter, Billy Montana.

“I grew up the son of a songwriter, so I’ve lived this life before I was the one doing it. I know hit songs are hard to come by,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful to be here today.”

McCollum thanked everyone in his support system, from his family, band and crew, publisher, label, management team, co-writers and more.

“Somehow—without really knowing what I was doing at any point in time and just faking it until I made it—I’ve got the best label (UMG and MCA), the best publishing company (Warner Chappell), the best management (Enzo DeVincenzo, Nick Rhodes and Red Light) and the best business managers,” he said. “I’ve got the best promotion team and the best agent. I don’t really understand how I fell into those hands.

“[I write with] the best songwriters and the best producer in country music, Jon Randall,” McCollum added. “I get way too much credit. Everybody else does all the hard work and I get to go out there and get all the glory. I enjoy absolutely every second of working with all of you.”