No. 1 Party: Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over”

(l-r): ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally and Sam Hunt. Photo: Ed Rode

Music City’s party-going set convened at CMA headquarters Tuesday (8/21) to toast the creative team behind Kenny Chesney’s recent No. 1 “Come Over”—his 22nd career chart topper. Writers Sam Hunt and Josh Osborne both earned their first No. 1 with this hit, and collaborator Shane McAnally earned his third in 18 months, extending a run that includes Jake Owen’s “Alone With You” and Chesney’s “Somewhere With You.”

“If you can’t find Shane McAnally these days, you probably haven’t spent much time at any No. 1 parties,” echoed ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, who hosted the proceedings.

Black River’s Celia Froehlig extolled the talents of Osborne. In addition to the Chesney hit, the Kentucky native also has a piece of the current Chris Young single “Neon” and the expected next Love and Theft single.

Chesney’s manager Clint Higham, who is also Sam Hunt’s manager and publisher, has a long history with McAnally dating back to his days as a Curb artist in the ‘90s. Other presentations were made by McAnally’s publisher Robin Palmer, CRS President Bill Mayne, and CMA’s Brandi Simms and additional awards were presented to producer Buddy Cannon and Sony Music’s Gary Overton and Norbert Nix.

Hunt, who is currently recording his debut album with Joey Moi, credited Tom T. Hall with inspiring him to write the songs he loves. He also thanked his parents, who were present. “I told y’all, ‘I got this!’” he joked. Hunt’s co-writers both predicted major success for him as a recording artist.

Osborne managed to be charming even as he was getting choked up over his accomplishment. “If you’re in the music business, please find the right person,” he advised, before thanking his wife and some of the others he found.

And despite his many recent successes, McAnally was still grateful that he gets to do this for a living. Gesturing to his friend Clint Higham, he said, “It certainly didn’t end up where we thought, but it’s better than I imagined.”

Chesney was unable to attend but sent congratulations via Higham.