News Archive
What do the songs in the list below have in common? “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (traditional) “Achy Breaky Heart” (recorded by Billy Ray Cyrus, written by Don Von Tress) Sting’s “If I Ever Lose My Faith” (written by Sting) Carrie Underwood’s “
Are Your Songs Too “Rangy” for Today’s Singers?
At the beginning of my career, I had a song go on hold for a female country music star whose singles regularly went to #1. The head of her record label said my song was a “must-cut” situation, and I was faced with a daunting decision: should I buy a…
BMI and ASCAP Honor Dustin Lynch’s Fifth Consecutive No. 1 “Small Town Boy”
Yesterday afternoon, friends, family and Music Row VIPs gathered at vintage arcade bar HQ Beercade to celebrate 2017’s longest-running song of the year, “Small Town Boy,” with songwriters Rhett Akins, Kyle Fishman, Ben Hayslip and Broken Bow artist Dustin Lynch. The four-week chart-topper had 2017’s largest single-week audience and marks…
BMI Celebrates Luke Bryan and Songwriters of his Latest Seven #1 Hits
BMI songwriter and artist Luke Bryan and the songwriters of his latest chart-toppers gathered in Nashville at the Country Music Hall of Fame to celebrate an astounding seven #1 songs: “Play It Again,” written by BMI songwriter Dallas Davidson with Ashley Gorley; “Roller Coaster,” by BMI songwriter Cole Swindell with…
BMI Celebrates Country Star Dustin Lynch and The Writers of ‘Mind Reader’
Friends, family and music industry executives gathered yesterday at South to celebrate BMI artist Dustin Lynch and the writers of his #1 hit “Mind Reader.” Penned by BMI songwriter Rhett Akins and writer Ben Hayslip, with production by Mickey Jack Cones, the track is the third single from his second…
BMI Songwriters Participate in Peach Pickers Fundraiser
Many BMI songwriters played their part in the Georgia Peach Pickers showcase, held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville May 10. The songwriting trio known as the Peach Pickers features Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins, and the guest appearances by Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, Luke Bryan, Maggie Rose…
Jake Owen Rocks BMI’s Block Off
Broadcast Music, Inc. hosted its biggest #1 party ever last night celebrating country star Jake Owen’s hit “Anywhere With You,” written by BMI songwriter Jimmy Yeary along with Ben Hayslip and David Lee Murphy. The free Summer Block Party was held in BMI Nashville’s back lot, with a gathering of…
Jake Owen Summer Block Party to Rock BMI Nashville
Broadcast Music, Inc. and country star Jake Owen plan to cap off summer in style – instead of opting for a traditional party for Jake’s smash hit and fourth consecutive #1 song, “Anywhere With You,” the celebration will take place in the form of a gigantic, free block party on…
Rhett Akins, Making Music Row Hits for the Boys and Girls Down Home
Rhett Akins, a friendly and talkative Georgia native and a co-writer of Blake Shelton’s sunny hit, “Honey Bee,” connects with country fans on the simplest of levels. “They’re all just young, country redneck boys and girls in their big jacked-up trucks and rebel flags wavin’,” Akins says. “They just want…