No. 1 Party: George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright”

Pictured L-R: ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, UMG's Brian Wright, Sea Gayle Music's Liz O'Sullivan, Al Anderson, Chris Stapleton, UMG's Royce Risser, Tony Brown and ASCAP's Mike Sistad.

Producer Tony Brown took a seat at the grand piano in ASCAP’s lobby and played the iconic theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey to call to order the crowd at the No. 1 party for “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright.” It was the first of two events celebrating George Strait’s 59th No. 1, and although the King was not in attendance, he is one of the few artists deserving of such an introduction.

“Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” songwriters Al Anderson and Chris Stapleton were present to accept honors at the celebration on Monday (4/30).

ASCAP writer Stapleton received praise from Sea Gayle’s Liz O’Sullivan, CMA’s Brandi Simms, and CRB’s Bill Cody. Brown, along with UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser and Brian Wright, were additionally recognized.

Anderson, who writes for Big Yellow Dog, said “I’m proud to have a George Strait cut, it’s like a holy grail.” Echoing that feeling, Stapleton added, “It’s a humbling thing to just to have any song cut by somebody, but to be picked up by George and for it to go No. 1 is amazing.”

Afterward BMI writer Anderson was honored at an intimate rooftop reception at the organization’s offices. Shortly after the festivities, Anderson and his band the World Famous Headliners headed out of town for the Key West Songwriters Festival.