The only songwriter in any genre with 50 Airplay No. 1s
by Preshias Harris
Hitmaker and songwriting powerhouse Ashley Gorley set a new record August 3 as he notches his 50th No.1 song at Country radio with LOCASH’S Mediabase chart topper, “One Big Country Song.”
Gorley isn’t just the first songwriter in the Country format to achieve this feat, but it stamps him as the only songwriter of any genre to earn 50 No.1s in the history of the Mediabase and Billboard Airplay charts.
Gorley wrote “One Big Country Song” with fellow hitmakers Jesse Frasure and Hardy. The song follows Gorley’s 49th No. 1, “Hard to Forget,” recorded by Sam Hunt. Gorley’s first No. 1 was “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” for Carrie Underwood. in 2006. Scroll down for a full list of all 50 of Gorley’s chart-toppers.
Thank you, Ashley Gorley, for my delight at being able to watch you write your way into global music history. It makes me extremely proud of my Kentucky connection, along with our shared love of Kentucky Wildcats basketball. Now let’s get Ashley nominated for the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame! This would be a wonderful boost for our Kentucky Music legacy. Danville, Kentucky, native Ashley needs to be alongside the Everly Brothers, The Judds, Dwight Yoakum, The Kentucky Headhunters, Exile, Steve Wariner and the rest of our history of Kentucky Music inductees. – Preshias Harris
#kymusichalloffame #hitsongwriter #50number1s #ascapsongwriteroftheyear
“I love what I do,” shares Gorley. “I love writing songs – the challenge, the process, and the way that each day brings something different. 50 No.1s is an achievement I’m proud of and grateful for, but I’m even more grateful for the friendships these 50 No. 1s have granted me; friendships with the artists that have given these songs life and success, my co-writers who motivate me to dig deeper each day, and mentors and early believers who continue to cheer me on. I stay inspired by my Tape Room family who I try to provide with those same beliefs, friendships, and mentorships. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, especially the radio teams who work tirelessly for these songs to be heard.”
The “ace songwriter” (Billboard) known for hits recorded by Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett “cemented his place among country music’s greats” (American Songwriter) many times over with accolades underscoring him as the most decorated songwriter of his generation; including being named four-time Billboard Country Songwriter of the Year, three-time NSAI Songwriter of the Year, eight-time ACM Songwriter of the Year nominee, and securing three CMA Awards and two Grammy nominations.
Hailed by People Magazine as “Nashville’s king of No. 1s,” Gorley has been shattering records set by his peers for years. He’s the reigning ASCAP Songwriter of the Year – a title he’s earned a record seven times, and he has earned 15 CMA Triple Play trophies (an award honoring songwriters who pen three No.1 songs in a 12-month period) including consecutive years of ‘Triple-Triples’ for nine No.1 songs in both 2018 and 2019.
“In a year where everyone was reminded of the greatness of Michael Jordan, I’m glad we have a moment to appreciate the songwriting community’s own Michael Jordan, Ashley Gorley,” said frequent collaborator and friend Josh Osborne. “50 No. 1s is unbelievable. Ashley has the same drive and creativity that he had when I met him as a college student at Belmont. I don’t want to say too many nice things right now because I need to save something for when he has 60 No.1s. I’ll just say I’m very glad I get to work with him and call him a friend.”
“Congratulations on 50 No.1s – it’s hard to even wrap your head around that. What an accomplishment,” shared country superstar Luke Bryan via video message to Gorley when the news broke. “So glad to be a part of some of those with you, and so glad to have written some of them with you. Congrats buddy!”
Gorley was raised in rural Kentucky before moving to Nashville to attend Belmont University where he graduated with a music business degree in 1999. Over the next decade, the “songwriting machine” (The Tennessean) found great success as a staff songwriter while never letting go of what brought him here in the first place: the business of music publishing. In 2011, Gorley launched Tape Room Music – a company whose name pays homage to his internships in the tape rooms of various publishing companies, where he learned to respect the process of a song from creation to recording.
Gorley and his lean staff of two (GM Blain Rhodes, VP Kelly Bolton) guide their roster of 11 writers in a personalized and hands-on approach, resulting in 21 Number Ones at Country radio and major cuts by Pop artists like Justin Timberlake, Meek Mill and Charlie Puth. His goal in creating Tape Room Music was to provide a mentor-led structure for his writers and artists. To attest to that approach, the girl group Avenue Beat even nicknamed their writing, publishing and label partner, “coach.”
“Ashley Gorley drives me insane,” joked fellow writer and long-time friend Jesse Frasure. “Mainly because of how difficult it is to be such good friends with a songwriter that is so prolific and hard working on a regular basis. For Ashley, writing a great song is just the start of the hard work. On top of that, the passion for his family and faith equally matches his career. I’m very grateful to have him in my life as a collaborator, but his friendship in this business is truly priceless to me. Congratulations on 50 number ones Ashley. You are one of the greatest American songwriters of any genre.”
Gorley celebrates this No.1 with publisher Round Hill Music, founded by Joshua Gruss.
Ashley Gorley’s No. 1 songs, in chronological order:
- “Don’t Forget To Remember Me” — Carrie Underwood
- “All-American Girl” — Carrie Underwood
- “You’re Gonna Miss This” — Trace Adkins
- “Start A Band” — Brad Paisley
- “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” — Darius Rucker
- “Then” — Brad Paisley
- “American Saturday Night” — Brad Paisley
- “Good Girl” — Carrie Underwood
- “Crash My Party” — Luke Bryan
- “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” — Randy Houser
- “Don’t Ya” — Brett Eldredge
- “Hey Girl” — Billy Currington
- “That’s My Kinda Of Night’ — Luke Bryan
- “Play It Again” — Luke Bryan
- “Rewind” — Rascal Flatts
- “Yeah” — Joe Nichols
- “I See You” — Luke Bryan
- “Just Gettin’ Started” — Jason Aldean
- “Don’t It” — Billy Currington
- “Tonight Looks Good On You” — Jason Aldean
- “Kick The Dust Up” — Luke Bryan
- “Young & Crazy” — Frankie Ballard
- “Nothin’ Like You” — Dan + Shay
- “Heartbeat” — Carrie Underwood
- “You Should Be Here” — Cole Swindell
- “T-Shirt” — Thomas Rhett
- “American Country Love Song” — Jake Owen
- “Middle of a Memory” — Cole Swindell
- “Dirty Laundry” — Carrie Underwood
- “A Guy With a Girl” — Blake Shelton
- “Dirt On My Boots” — Jon Pardi
- “Today” — Brad Paisley
- “Black” — Dierks Bentley
- “Do I Make You Wanna” — Billy Currington
- “Unforgettable” — Thomas Rhett
- “Fix a Drink” — Chris Janson
- “Marry Me” — Thomas Rhett
- “Life Changes” — Thomas Rhett\
- “What Makes You Country” — Luke Bryan
- “Eyes On You” — Chase Rice
- “Love Ain’t” — Eli Young Band
- “Rumor” — Lee Brice
- “Living” — Dierks Bentley
- “I Don’t Know About You” — Chris Lane
- “Good Vibes” — Chris Janson
- “Remember You Young” — Thomas Rhett
- “Ridin’ Roads” — Dustin Lynch
- “Catch” — Brett Young
- “Hard To Forget” — Sam Hunt
- “One Big Country Song” — LOCASH
With thanks to OH Creative PR, Nashville
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com