No. 1 Party: Joe Nichols’ “Yeah”

Pictured (L-R): Producer Tony Brown, co-writer Ashley Gorley, Joe Nichols, co-writer Bryan Simpson, producer Mickey Jack Cones, (back row) BBR Music Group EVP Jon Loba and CEO Benny Brown, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ryan Beuschel, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan and EVP of Membership John Titta, Sea Gayle Music’s Mike Owens, Red Bow Records VP of Promotion Renee Leymon, BMI’s Perry Howard and Triple 8 Management’s George Couri. Photo: Ed Rode.

“This is one of those songs that anyone could cut and have success,” said Joe Nichols at the No. 1 celebration of his Red Bow Records single “Yeah.” “Thanks to the guys for believing in me to release it.”

The songwriters, Ashley Gorley and Bryan Simpson, did believe in Nichols, but he was without a record label at the time. Nichols used his own money to record the song with producers Mickey Jack Cones and Tony Brown.

September 16 the crew gathered at the CMA offices to celebrate the No. 1 success of the title. ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan hosted the event together with BMI’s Perry Howard. ASCAP’s EVP of Membership, John Titta, traveled from New York specifically to honor Gorley.

“Joe is unarguably one of the best voices in Nashville,” said Gorley. “We know his end result is going to sound great.”

This is the business of relationships, which were highlighted big time. Gorley and Simpson noted of their close friendship. “[Ashley and I have] lived a lot of life outside the writer room,” said Simpson.

“[Bryan was] maybe the second or third co-write of mine, ever,” recalled Gorley. “He has slept in my living room, and my kids know him as an uncle. He’s one of my best friends in the world so it’s super special to share this with him.”

Similarly Cones acknowledged his gratitude to veteran co-producer Brown, saying, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Tony. So Thank You Tony!”

The No. 1 was special because it marked the first No. 1 for Simpson, who had previously had two top 5 songs (“Better Than I Used To Be,” “I’ll Just Hold On”). Simpson was presented with a No. 1 Epiphone guitar, marking the occasion. Sea Gayle’s VP of Creative, Mike Owens accepted on behalf of what was tallied as the publisher’s 37th No. 1.

Chris Farren of Combustion Music and Ryan Beuschel of Warner/Chappell offered remarks on behalf of Gorley. “[We have been] partners with Ashley for 14 years, he’s the best songwriter I’ve known,” acknowledged Farren, also offering a shout-out to Chris Van Belkom, who became engaged the night before.

New to his role, Beuschel noted of his initial meeting with Gorley. “Ashley wants a team around him that wants to do life together,” he said.

Red Bow’s crew also gathered. Acknowledgements were handed out left and right for the BBR staff from VP Promo Renee Leymon, including Benny Brown, Jon Loba, Shelley Hargis, and JoJamie Hahr. “We spent three weeks at No. 1,” said Leymon. “Making sure Joe is at the proper place in the format can’t happen without a team.”

Gold certification credits, matching Nichols’ previous single “Sunny and 75,” were celebrated by the promotion veteran, again with plaques for the house, including Alan Beckler of Red Distribution.