Back Row, L to R: Warner Chappell’s Alison Junker, SonyATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Scott Hendricks, Universal’s Kent Earls, Warner Music’s John Esposito, and BMI’s David Preston. Front Row: BMI Songwriter Brett Warren, BMI songwriter Brad Warren, Blake Shelton, BMI songwriter Aimee Mayo, ASCAP songwriter Chris Lindsey
The Nashville music industry gathered at Blake Shelton‘s Ole Red venue on Tuesday (Sept. 18) to celebrate Shelton’s 24th and 25th No. 1 songs, “Every Time I Hear That Song” and “I’ll Name the Dogs.”
The first song celebrated was “Every Time I Hear That Song,” written by BMI writers Brad Warren, Brett Warren, and Aimee Mayo and ASCAP songwriter Chris Lindsey. Mayo noted it was her first No. 1 song in 17 years.
“I’ll Name the Dogs,” was penned by ASCAP writers Matt Dragstrem and Ben Hayslip with BMI writer Josh Thompson. “Every Time I Hear That Song,” was penned by Chris Lindsey and wife Aimee Mayo, along with brothers Brad and Brett Warren.
Among those celebrating were Warner Music Nashville CEO/president John Esposito, BMI’s David Preston and Leslie Roberts, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, CMA’s Brandi Simms, alongside publishers Ben Vaughn and Alison Junker (Warner/Chappell), Josh Van Valkenburg (Sony/ATV), Kent Earls (UMPG), Mike Molinar (Big Machine), Seth England (Big Loud), Mark Brown (Round Hill), Craig Wiseman (Big Loud), Rusty Gaston (THiS Music), and MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson.
Meanwhile producer Scott Hendricks was celebrating his 70th and 71st No. 1 songs.
BMI songwriter Josh Thompson, ASCAP songwriter Matt Dragstrem, Blake Shelton, ASCAP songwriter Ben Hayslip, and Scott Hendricks
Shelton, who earned the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year honor in 2012, and has been named Male Vocalist of the Year five times, and holds six winning seasons as a coach on The Voice, thanked the songwriters for their work.
“I’m a huge country music nerd and all four of these know how I’m fascinated by writers and artists. I tried [writing songs] every now and then…and I love real songwriters,” he said. “So thank you for a great song and for God’s sakes, write me another one whenever you get a chance.”
Of the retro-sounding “I’ll Name The Dogs,” he ventured, “Country music is changing rapidly and I guess that has to be ok. It is ok. But for me, when I heard this song and [Shelton’s girlfriend] Gwen [Stefani] and I listened to yall’s demo a thousand times. It sounded like something Shenandoah would have cut. We might be on borrowed time here to get something this country on radio one more time and have it accepted. It went over pretty good, I guess. Thank you guys for taking a little bit of a step back in time. It sounded like late ‘80s and early ‘90s which is when I started wanting to be a country music singer. Thank you Scott for making a great record and taking my ideas…that’s just a joke. Thank you everyone at Warner for working your asses off.”
BMI Songwriter Brett Warren, BMI songwriter Brad Warren, Blake Shelton, BMI songwriter Aimee Mayo, ASCAP songwriter Chris Lindsey
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
