Houser Celebrates Chart-Topper “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight”

Pictured (Back row, L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, producer Derek George, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan; (Middle row, L-R): Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Broken Bow Records Jon Loba; (Front row, L-R): co-writer Ashley Gorley, Randy Houser, and co-writers Dallas Davidson and Kelley Lovelace. Photo credit: Steve Lowry

Stoney Creek Records artist Randy Houser celebrated the chart-topping success of “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center on Tuesday evening (Oct. 22). The Adventure Science Center is featured in the Wes Edwards-directed music video for “Moonlight.” ASCAP and BMI were on hand to celebrate the song, which was co-written by Dallas Davidson, Kelley Lovelace and Ashley Gorley.“Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” is Davidson’s 17th No.1, Lovelace’s 16th and marks Gorley’s 10th; although Gorley has since had singles by Brett Eldredge, Billy Currington and Luke Bryan hit the top of the charts for a total of 13 to date.

Though sound problems were persistent throughout the event, a considerable industry crowd gathered to praise the writers and performer of the song. Those in attendance included Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Exec. VP Jon Loba, the song’s producer Derek George, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Bill Mayne, BMI’s Bradley Collins, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, BBR’s Lynette Garbonola, and a throng of supporters. Ron Cox with Avenue Bank also announced two donations the bank will be making to charities on behalf of the songwriters.

Loba recalled the excellent early crowd response “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” drew even before it had been released. He relayed the story of an early performance that featured Houser and several other artists, “Randy got the only standing ovation of the night, performing an unknown song,” said Loba. “I thought, ‘If I had the chance to work a Randy Houser record, it would be this song.'” In 2012, he got his chance when Houser began looking for a new deal. “I took him to [Broken Bow Records’] Benny [Brown] and I could see the look in Benny’s eyes when he heard him sing the song. It’s the kind of song that we want to say, ‘This is what our music group represents.'” said Loba.