BMI Toasts Carrie Underwood’s ‘So Small’

BMI’s Carrie Underwood may now add the moniker “hit songwriter” to her bejeweled resume. The pop culture phenomenon celebrated her first self-penned No. 1 hit, “So Small,” Tuesday, December 11 at BMI’s Music Row offices. Underwood co-wrote the uplifting tune with BMI songwriter Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey, and it marks her fifth consecutive residency atop the charts.

The co-writers of “So Small” huddle together for a photo. Pictured are (l to r): Luke Laird, Carrie Underwood and Hillary Lindsey.

During the presentation, BMI’s Jody Williams praised the dedication and skill of Underwood’s behind the scenes team, which includes Oglesby Writer Management’s Chris Oglesby, producer Mark Bright, Joe Galante and his staff, 19 Management’s Ann Edelblute and all of Edelblute’s 19 Management colleagues. Of course, Jody also praised Carrie directly: “So here’s to the girl from Oklahoma who quickly mastered every aspect of her career,” he said. “BMI could not be more proud of you, and I feel certain we’ll be doing this again real soon.”

BMI’s Shelby Kennedy (center) and Jody Williams (right) present Carrie Underwood (left) with her BMI signature Takamine guitar, in recognition of her first no. 1 hit as a songwriter.

Newly affiliated BMI songwriter Luke Laird is called to the stage. Pictured are (l to r): Luke Laird and Carrie Underwood, with BMI’s Shelby Kennedy and Jody Williams.

Luke Laird habitually cracks up the crowd and his co-writers. Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Jody Williams, Luke Laird, Carrie Underwood and Hillary Lindsey.

Carrie Underwood reflects on the feeling of adding “hit songwriter” to her list of accomplishments. Pictured are (l to r): BMI’s Jody Williams, Luke Laird, Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey, Oglesby Writer Management’s Chris Oglesby and producer Mark Bright.

Pictured are (l to r): Oglesby Writer Management’s Nate Lowery, BMI’s Shelby Kennedy, Hillary Lindsey, Luke Laird, Carrie Underwood, Oglesby Writer Management’s Chris Oglesby, Oglesby Writer Management’s LeAnn Phelan, 19 Entertainment’s Ann Edelblute and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Pictured are (l to r): Oglesby Writer Management’s Chris Oglesby, co-writers Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey, and Carrie Underwood, BMI’s Shelby Kennedy and Jody Williams, producer Mark Bright, RCA’s Joe Galante and CMA’s Tammy Genovese.

Photos by John Russell