January 24, 2005

“I Hate Everything” Named #1 Hit

Gary Harrison and Keith Stegall were honored with a party at BMI Nashville celebrating the rise of their "I Hate Everything" to the top of the charts [1/18]. The song, produced by Tony Brown, is featured as a single from George Strait's new two-CD MCA Records compilation 50 Number Ones - which now boasts 51 #1s.

Keith Stegall, Gary Harrison, BMI's Harry Warner, Erv Woolsey

Also honored were publishers Midnight Express Music, November One Songs, Ratpack Music and Zomba Songs Inc. Harrison's list of writing credits includes the BMI Award-winning "Everybody Knows" (Trisha Yearwood), "Wild Angels" (Martina McBride), and "Strawberry Wine" (Deana Carter). Stegall, also a recipient of multiple BMI awards, contributed his writing skills to "Don't Rock the Jukebox" (Alan Jackson), "If I Could Make a Living" (Clay Walker) and "I Do (Cherish You)" (Mark Wills). Stegall initially performed "I Hate Everything" for Strait's manager, Erv Woolsey, who immediately reserved the song for the artist.

Randy Boudreaux, BMI's Perry Howard

Kim Williams, BMI's David Preston

Gary Harrison, BMI's Thomas Cain, Alan Kates, Steve Ford, Keith Stegall

MCA's Scott Borchetta, Erv Woolsey, Zomba Songs Inc.'s Ron Stuve, Gary Harrison, Alan Kates, Keith Stegall, BMI's Harry Warner

photos by Alan Mayor

BMI represents more than 600,000 songwriters, composers, and publishers with more than 7.5 million works.