Ashley Gorley
Every week, MusicRow Magazine releases its Top Songwriter Chart. Using algorithms based on song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams, the chart ranks the week’s top 60 songwriters.
Using proprietary software, the points earned by each song are evenly split among each song’s co-writers, echoing how the publishing business works in Nashville with respect to revenues and ownership, while reflecting the overall success of active songs for each songwriter.
With this format, at any moment in time, the current MusicRow Songwriter Chart lists the most active and successful songwriters in Music City.
As we settle into 2023 and look back at the past year, Ashley Gorley earned the most points on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart throughout 2022 for a second consecutive year, putting him at the top of our year-end list.
Ernest. Photo: Delaney Royer
Gorley saw 18 songs enter the top country charts throughout the year, including iconic hits such as “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (Cole Swindell), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley feat. Hardy & Breland), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett) and “You Proof” (Morgan Wallen). Other notable tracks that helped propel Gorley to the top spot included “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), “What He Didn’t Do” (Carly Pearce) and more.
In an impressive feat, the decorated wordsmith didn’t leave the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart at all throughout 2022. Gorley also had an eventful year fit with a wave of awards and honors, including ASCAP Pop Awards, the 2022 ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year and the NSAI Songwriter of the Decade honor.
At the No. 2 spot is Big Loud singer-songwriter Ernest Keith Smith, who was included every reporting week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart in 2022.
Among Smith’s cuts that found their way onto the chart were “You Proof,” “Wasted On You” and “One Thing At A Time,” recorded by Morgan Wallen; “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown); “Son Of A Sinner” (Jelly Roll); “Fill Them Boots” (Chris Lane) and his own “Flower Shops” featuring Morgan Wallen.
Zach Bryan comes in at No. 3 on MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters of 2022 list.
The Oklahoma native took the country world by storm this year with the release of his 34-track project, American Heartbreak, in May of 2022. Bryan saw an astounding 17 songs enter the chart in 2022, all of which he serves as the sole writer on. Because of that, he receives all of the points earned from airplay, digital download track sales and streams on the Songwriter Chart.
Zach Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media
Among the tracks that found their way onto the chart this year were “From Austin,” “Highway Boys,” “Quittin’ Time,” “Summertime Blues,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” “Sun To Me,” “The Greatest Day Of My Life” and more. However, the song that undeniably paved the way for his songwriting success this year was the now Platinum-certified “Something In The Orange,” which first showed up on the charts on May 8.
Taking the fourth spot on the year-end list is Morgan Wallen.
The singer-songwriter benefited from seven charting songs this year, including his own “Wasted On You,” “Thought You Should Know,” the multi-week No. 1 “You Proof” and the late additions of “One Thing At A Time” and “Tennessee Fan” on the last chart of the year. He was also a co-writer on Corey Kent’s breakout track “Wild As Her” and Keith Urban’s current single “Brown Eyes Baby.”
Shane McAnally rounds out the top five songwriters of 2022 with eight co-writing credits. Among the songs that propelled the songwriter-producer into the top five were “Half Of My Hometown” (Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney), “23” and “Water Under The Bridge” (Sam Hunt), “No Hard Feelings” (Old Dominion), “Everyone She Knows” (Kenny Chesney), “AA” (Walker Hayes), “Worth A Shot” (Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley) and “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” (Carly Pearce feat. Ashley McBryde).
Miranda Lambert. Photo: Robert Ascroft
As the annual list continues to be male dominated, 15 female songwriters can be found in the top 100 this year—which is made up of 126 songwriters due to tied scores. This marks a decrease from last year’s 20 female songwriters within the top 100 and 2020’s 19.
Miranda Lambert serves as the highest ranking female songwriter on this year’s list at No. 20. She co-wrote her own “If I Was A Cowboy,” “Actin’ Up” and “Strange,” as well as “Thought You Should Know” by Morgan Wallen and her duet with Luke Combs, “Outrunnin’ Your Memory.”
MusicRow‘s Top Songwriters of 2022:
1. Ashley Gorley
2. Ernest Keith Smith
3. Zachary Lane Bryan
4. Morgan Wallen
5. Shane McAnally
6. Ben Johnson
7. Michael Hardy
8. Jesse Frasure
9. Chase McGill
10. Luke Combs
11. Josh Thompson
12. Hunter Phelps
13. Ross Copperman
14. Matt Rogers
15. Luke Dick
16. Ryan Vojtesak
17. Eric Church
18. John Fogerty
19. Rhett Akins
20. Miranda Lambert
21. Ben Stennis
22. Matt McGinn
23. Thomas Rhett
24. Josh Osborne
25. Mitchell Tenpenny
26.Ryan Hurd
27. Jordan Schmidt
28. Trent Tomlinson, Jim Collins
29. Jackson Dean
30. Jon Nite
31. Walker Hayes
32. Cole Swindell
33. Bailey Zimmerman
34. John Morgan, Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison
35. Jimmy Robbins
36. Jordan Davis
37. Russell Dickerson
38. Austin Shawn, Gavin Lucas
39. Taylor Phillips
40. Kevin Kadish, Tony Ferrari
41. Josh Kear
42. Jason DeFord
43. David Ray Stevens
44. Parker McCollum
45. Gabby Barrett
46. Tyler Hubbard
47. David Fanning
48. Carly Pearce
49. Jessi Alexander
50. Mark Holman
51. Jaren Johnston
52. Nicolle Galyon
53. Kane Brown
54. Luke Laird
55. David Garcia
56. Matt Alderman
57. Jake Scott, Josh Kerr
58. Martin Johnson
59. Joe Fox, Dylan Marlowe, Jimi Bell
60. Josh Jenkins
61. Elle King
62. Thomas Archer
63. Matt Thomas
64. Hillary Lindsey
65. Ben Burgess
66. Nate Smith
67. Russell Sutton, Lindsay Rimes
68. Dan Isbell
69. Jimmie Allen
70. Jordan Minton
71. Drew Parker
72. Reid Isbell, Jamie Davis
73. Nathan Spicer, Jennifer Schott
74. Maren Morris
75. Robert Williford
76. Brad Tursi
77. Monty Criswell
78. Matt Dragstrem
79. Kelsea Ballerini
80. Julia Michaels
81. Will Bundy
82. Brett Beavers
83. Chris Young, Chris DeStefano
84. Sam Hunt, Chris LaCorte
85. Ingrid Andress, JP Saxe, Jonny Price, Lucky Daye, Rykeyz
86. Brett Tyler
87. David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby
88. Ashley McBryde
89. Paul DiGiovanni
90. Geoff Warburton
91. Kelly Archer
92. Tim Nichols, Mark D. Sanders
93. Mark Nesler, Styles Haury
94. Taylor Swift
95. Heath Warren, Jacob Hackworth, Jet Harvey
96. Justin Moore, Jeremy Stover
97. Andy Albert
98. Cameron Bedell, Rian Ball, Tate Howell
99. Jonathan Singleton
100. Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti
Songwriter Taylor Pie Stars In New Documentary Tracing The History Of The Pozo Seco Singers
/by Lorie HollabaughSinger-songwriter Taylor Pie (aka Susan Taylor) stars in Nobody Famous, a new documentary tracing the quick rise and ensuing success of the folk pop trio Pozo Seco Singers during the socially and politically volatile 1960s.
The film was named Best Documentary in the 2021 New Jersey Film Festival and Best Music Documentary in the Seattle Film Festival in 2022. The documentary will air on Middle Tennessee State University’s True Blue TV on Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. CT.
The Pozo Seco Singers. Pictured (L-R): Don Williams, Susan Taylor (Taylor Pie) and Ron Shaw
Pie, along with Don Williams and Lofton Kline, formed The Pozo Seco Singers in Corpus Christi, Texas. The band was a close harmony folk trio known for their recording of Michael Merchant’s “Time,” a 1966 hit on Columbia Records.
The Singers had some modest hits, breaking the top 40 twice, and had some “near” moments as well, including being offered the song “Angel of The Morning.” However, Pie rejected it because she didn’t agree with the sentiments of the lyrics. It later became a big hit for Merrilee Rush.
After the trio disbanded, Pie helped launch Williams’ acclaimed solo country career before embracing her own path.
She is a 2015 inductee into the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame, and has recorded solo albums and had cuts by John Conlee, The Forrester Sisters, Mickey Gilley, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, Williams, and more.
Pie is currently CEO and head of A&R for PuffBunny Records, a Texas/Tennessee-based indie folk legacy label where her music is now archived.
UMPG Nashville Signs Allison Veltz-Cruz
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Roxy King (UMPG Nashville), Allison Veltz-Cruz, Shannan Hatch (SESAC) and Troy Tomlinson (UMPG Nashville), Photo: Courtesy of Universal Music Publishing Nashville
Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed hit songwriter Allison Veltz-Cruz to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.
Veltz-Cruz, a talented writer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, co-wrote the No. 1 songs “Prayed For You” by Matt Stell and “Somebody Like That” by Tenille Arts. Other artists who have recorded her songs include Carly Pearce, Maddie & Tae, Michael Ray, High Valley, Drake White, Chris Bandi, The Reklaws, SACHA, and more.
“Allison brings a special energy into every room she enters. That energy, coupled with her songwriting ability and her undeniable work ethic, make her an unstoppable force. We are thrilled to welcome her to the UMPG family,” shares UMPG Nashville Director of A&R, Roxy King.
Veltz-Cruz adds, “UMPG is the dream team. I feel so blessed and beyond teed up. Let’s go!”
Travis Tritt & Wynonna Added To ‘Still Playin’ Possum’ Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughTravis Tritt and Wynonna have been added to the all-star lineup for the upcoming “Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones” concert event April 25 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
In honor of the country legend, Wynonna and Jamey Johnson will collaborate during the special evening on one of Jones’ and Tammy Wynette’s hits. Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Johnson, Justin Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt, Michael Ray, Sam Moore, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence are also slated to perform during the tribute evening.
“I cannot believe the love that everyone has shown me since making this announcement,” says Nancy Jones. “I have been reading comments on Facebook and the fans truly loved George. People are coming from Scotland, Canada, and all over the United States to hear these great artists and friends singing George’s songs as we honor him 10 years after his passing. So THANK YOU to the fans for showing up and showing Nashville and the world that George’s music will continue to live on.”
The event officially sold out within two weeks of its original announcement, but along with the concert event, there will be a VIP dinner the night before the event at the Von Braun Center Ballroom. Tickets include a sit-down meal, as well as a photo opp with Nancy.
Luke Combs Reveals New Album On Tap For March 24
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
Luke Combs surprised fans on his socials Wednesday (Jan. 4) with news of a brand new album on the way this spring.
Slated for March 24, Combs revealed the project will feature 18 new songs. It will follow 2022’s Growin’ Up, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart last summer. The record featured twelve tracks including Combs’ current single, “Going, Going, Gone,” which is currently rising up the charts.
Combs has enjoyed a record-setting series of years since his meteoric rise on the country scene. His previous release, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, debuted atop the all-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. It also reached No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s Top 200 Albums chart, Top 100 Songs chart and Artists 500 chart—the first country artist ever to lead all three charts in the same week and first to top the Artists 500.
He also made history as the first artist ever to have their first two studio albums spend 25 weeks or more at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, breaking Taylor Swift’s previously held record at 24 weeks.
Combs is nominated for three awards at next month’s Grammys, including Best Country Song, Best Country Album, and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Top Songwriter Chart: MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters Of 2022
/by Lydia FarthingAshley Gorley
Every week, MusicRow Magazine releases its Top Songwriter Chart. Using algorithms based on song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams, the chart ranks the week’s top 60 songwriters.
Using proprietary software, the points earned by each song are evenly split among each song’s co-writers, echoing how the publishing business works in Nashville with respect to revenues and ownership, while reflecting the overall success of active songs for each songwriter.
With this format, at any moment in time, the current MusicRow Songwriter Chart lists the most active and successful songwriters in Music City.
As we settle into 2023 and look back at the past year, Ashley Gorley earned the most points on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart throughout 2022 for a second consecutive year, putting him at the top of our year-end list.
Ernest. Photo: Delaney Royer
Gorley saw 18 songs enter the top country charts throughout the year, including iconic hits such as “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (Cole Swindell), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley feat. Hardy & Breland), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett) and “You Proof” (Morgan Wallen). Other notable tracks that helped propel Gorley to the top spot included “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), “What He Didn’t Do” (Carly Pearce) and more.
In an impressive feat, the decorated wordsmith didn’t leave the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart at all throughout 2022. Gorley also had an eventful year fit with a wave of awards and honors, including ASCAP Pop Awards, the 2022 ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year and the NSAI Songwriter of the Decade honor.
At the No. 2 spot is Big Loud singer-songwriter Ernest Keith Smith, who was included every reporting week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart in 2022.
Among Smith’s cuts that found their way onto the chart were “You Proof,” “Wasted On You” and “One Thing At A Time,” recorded by Morgan Wallen; “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown); “Son Of A Sinner” (Jelly Roll); “Fill Them Boots” (Chris Lane) and his own “Flower Shops” featuring Morgan Wallen.
Zach Bryan comes in at No. 3 on MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters of 2022 list.
The Oklahoma native took the country world by storm this year with the release of his 34-track project, American Heartbreak, in May of 2022. Bryan saw an astounding 17 songs enter the chart in 2022, all of which he serves as the sole writer on. Because of that, he receives all of the points earned from airplay, digital download track sales and streams on the Songwriter Chart.
Zach Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media
Among the tracks that found their way onto the chart this year were “From Austin,” “Highway Boys,” “Quittin’ Time,” “Summertime Blues,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” “Sun To Me,” “The Greatest Day Of My Life” and more. However, the song that undeniably paved the way for his songwriting success this year was the now Platinum-certified “Something In The Orange,” which first showed up on the charts on May 8.
Taking the fourth spot on the year-end list is Morgan Wallen.
The singer-songwriter benefited from seven charting songs this year, including his own “Wasted On You,” “Thought You Should Know,” the multi-week No. 1 “You Proof” and the late additions of “One Thing At A Time” and “Tennessee Fan” on the last chart of the year. He was also a co-writer on Corey Kent’s breakout track “Wild As Her” and Keith Urban’s current single “Brown Eyes Baby.”
Shane McAnally rounds out the top five songwriters of 2022 with eight co-writing credits. Among the songs that propelled the songwriter-producer into the top five were “Half Of My Hometown” (Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney), “23” and “Water Under The Bridge” (Sam Hunt), “No Hard Feelings” (Old Dominion), “Everyone She Knows” (Kenny Chesney), “AA” (Walker Hayes), “Worth A Shot” (Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley) and “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” (Carly Pearce feat. Ashley McBryde).
Miranda Lambert. Photo: Robert Ascroft
As the annual list continues to be male dominated, 15 female songwriters can be found in the top 100 this year—which is made up of 126 songwriters due to tied scores. This marks a decrease from last year’s 20 female songwriters within the top 100 and 2020’s 19.
Miranda Lambert serves as the highest ranking female songwriter on this year’s list at No. 20. She co-wrote her own “If I Was A Cowboy,” “Actin’ Up” and “Strange,” as well as “Thought You Should Know” by Morgan Wallen and her duet with Luke Combs, “Outrunnin’ Your Memory.”
MusicRow‘s Top Songwriters of 2022:
1. Ashley Gorley
2. Ernest Keith Smith
3. Zachary Lane Bryan
4. Morgan Wallen
5. Shane McAnally
6. Ben Johnson
7. Michael Hardy
8. Jesse Frasure
9. Chase McGill
10. Luke Combs
11. Josh Thompson
12. Hunter Phelps
13. Ross Copperman
14. Matt Rogers
15. Luke Dick
16. Ryan Vojtesak
17. Eric Church
18. John Fogerty
19. Rhett Akins
20. Miranda Lambert
21. Ben Stennis
22. Matt McGinn
23. Thomas Rhett
24. Josh Osborne
25. Mitchell Tenpenny
26.Ryan Hurd
27. Jordan Schmidt
28. Trent Tomlinson, Jim Collins
29. Jackson Dean
30. Jon Nite
31. Walker Hayes
32. Cole Swindell
33. Bailey Zimmerman
34. John Morgan, Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison
35. Jimmy Robbins
36. Jordan Davis
37. Russell Dickerson
38. Austin Shawn, Gavin Lucas
39. Taylor Phillips
40. Kevin Kadish, Tony Ferrari
41. Josh Kear
42. Jason DeFord
43. David Ray Stevens
44. Parker McCollum
45. Gabby Barrett
46. Tyler Hubbard
47. David Fanning
48. Carly Pearce
49. Jessi Alexander
50. Mark Holman
51. Jaren Johnston
52. Nicolle Galyon
53. Kane Brown
54. Luke Laird
55. David Garcia
56. Matt Alderman
57. Jake Scott, Josh Kerr
58. Martin Johnson
59. Joe Fox, Dylan Marlowe, Jimi Bell
60. Josh Jenkins
61. Elle King
62. Thomas Archer
63. Matt Thomas
64. Hillary Lindsey
65. Ben Burgess
66. Nate Smith
67. Russell Sutton, Lindsay Rimes
68. Dan Isbell
69. Jimmie Allen
70. Jordan Minton
71. Drew Parker
72. Reid Isbell, Jamie Davis
73. Nathan Spicer, Jennifer Schott
74. Maren Morris
75. Robert Williford
76. Brad Tursi
77. Monty Criswell
78. Matt Dragstrem
79. Kelsea Ballerini
80. Julia Michaels
81. Will Bundy
82. Brett Beavers
83. Chris Young, Chris DeStefano
84. Sam Hunt, Chris LaCorte
85. Ingrid Andress, JP Saxe, Jonny Price, Lucky Daye, Rykeyz
86. Brett Tyler
87. David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby
88. Ashley McBryde
89. Paul DiGiovanni
90. Geoff Warburton
91. Kelly Archer
92. Tim Nichols, Mark D. Sanders
93. Mark Nesler, Styles Haury
94. Taylor Swift
95. Heath Warren, Jacob Hackworth, Jet Harvey
96. Justin Moore, Jeremy Stover
97. Andy Albert
98. Cameron Bedell, Rian Ball, Tate Howell
99. Jonathan Singleton
100. Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti
Bailey Zimmerman, Gayle, Nate Smith, More Represent Nashville In RIAA’s Class Of 2022
/by Lorie HollabaughThe RIAA has unveiled its Class Of 2022, consisting of 39 artists who are on the rise and whose first certifications were earned in 2022.
Forty-one singles from the Class of 2022 earned coveted Gold and Platinum awards, which include Bailey Zimmerman‘s Platinum singles “Fall In Love” and “Rock and A Hard Place.” With the two tracks, the rising singer-songwriter notched two of only seven Platinum certifications given to first-time certified artists in 2022.
Other impressive first-time honors across the country landscape include the Gold certifications of Avery Anna‘s “Narcissist,” Corey Kent‘s “Wild As Her,” Nate Smith‘s “Whiskey On You,” Chase Matthew‘s “County Line,” and Warren Zeider‘s Ride The Lightning – 717 Tapes.
Outside of country, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Gayle scored the highest certification for a first-time certified artist this year with the 3x Platinum single “abcdefu” on Atlantic Records.
“Whenever a Gold, Platinum or Diamond certification is earned, it represents massive engagement from an artist’s fans, and a remarkable achievement by the artist, their creative teams, and their record label,” says RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne. “When it is your very first RIAA award, it’s even more special. We are so encouraged by the success of this #RIAAClassOf 2022 and are honored to help celebrate their immense talents.”
Since its inception in 1958, the Gold and Platinum program has celebrated artists whose songs and albums have produced significant U.S. consumption milestones. For a full look at the first-time honorees and members of the RIAA Class of 2022, click here.
Zach Bryan Drops Surprise Live Album, ‘All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster’
/by Lydia FarthingRed hot singer-songwriter Zach Bryan recently surprised fans with the release of All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live from Red Rocks).
Recorded at the last show on his “American Heartbreak Tour” at the iconic Colorado amphitheater on Nov. 3, 2022, the 24-track project includes performances of some of Bryan’s biggest hits and fan-favorites, including “Heading South,” “Open the Gate,” “Highway Boys,” “From Austin,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and his blockbuster, Platinum-certified smash “Something In The Orange.”
All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster follows the success of his 34-track, Warner Records debut album, American Heartbreak. The now Gold-certified record topped the Billboard County Album chart and debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart.
Bryan took to socials to announce the project, as well as to address recent scandals surrounding ticketing companies like Ticketmaster, and share news about his touring plans for 2023.
“Seems there is a massive issue with fair ticket prices to live shows lately. I have met kids at my shows who have paid upwards of four hundred bucks to be there and I’m done with it,” the Oklahoma native wrote. “I’ve decided to play a limited number of headline shows next year to which I’ve done all I can to make prices as cheap as possible and to prove to people tickets don’t have to cost $450 to see a good and honest show.”
He adds, “A tour announcement is coming soon and I’m sorry it has taken so long. Just did everything I possibly could to make tickets more affordable.”
Fans interested in seeing Bryan can sign up for information on tour dates, registration and more, as well as to receive merch-drops and unreleased music.
Nash To Naples Benefit Event Back For Second Year
/by LB CantrellNashville hitmakers will travel to Naples, Florida this weekend for the second annual Nash to Naples benefit concert.
On Saturday (Jan. 7) at 6 p.m. attendees will hear songs and stories from Andy Albert, Paul Sikes, Emily Falvey, Emily Landis, Johnny McGuire, and Brock Berryhill as well as country duo Neon Union, comprised of Andrew Millsaps and Leo Brooks, at Cambier Park.
Nash To Naples is a free show, but donations raise money for the Hacienda of Hope, a foundation providing support and shelter for children in Ecuador.
The event will include food and drinks from local vendors. Guests are asked to bring their own seating.
For more information, visit nashtonaples.com.
Looking For A New Job? Check Out MusicRow’s Job Board
/by LB CantrellWith another year upon us, new job opportunities are opening up.
MusicRow wants to encourage its readers who are either looking for a music industry job or have an open position to fill to check out its Job Listings Board, located in the top menu bar on the MusicRow website.
Those who have full-time, part-time or temporary job opportunities can submit a form to list a job on the Job Listings Board. All job listings are free-to-list and will be posted for 60 days. Listings are accepted and published at the discretion of MusicRow.
Charles Kelley Recounts Addiction Journey In Powerful New Ballad, ‘As Far As You Could’
/by Lorie HollabaughCharles Kelley. Photo: Hodges Usry
Following his decision to begin addiction treatment for alcohol, Charles Kelley, one third of Lady A, has released, “As Far As You Could,” a personal new song and goodbye letter to alcohol.
Co-written and produced alongside bandmate Dave Haywood and Jimmy Robbins, the ballad captures the inner conflict many experience as Kelley recalls the steps along his path. The single relies solely on piano played by Haywood.
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 10 percent of Americans will struggle with addiction at some point in their lives, with ripple effects that touch almost everyone else. Through sharing his story, Kelley hopes it will help spread support and understanding for others.
“For me, the biggest word I’ve been holding on to is gratitude, not pride,” Kelley says “I’m grateful. I finally see the light and am connecting with what life is all about. Some days are hard, but the good so outweighs those bad moments. There’s some beauty in all this and I’ve had time to reflect, time to get healthy, time to write. I’ve probably written 50 songs this fall, and I feel like all of it was leading to this one song.”
Lady A is scheduled to return to the stage for the U.K.’s C2C Festival in March.