Congratulations to Brett Tyler who co-wrote and produced two songs, “Space” and “Sugar”, on Maren Morris’ debut album Hero which was just certified RIAA Gold!
Luke Combs' new single, "When It Rains It Pours", co-written by Jordan Walker, was the most added song at Country radio this week! The song is currently climbing the charts. Congratulations Jordan! Check it out on our On The Radio Spotify playlist!
"Body Like A Back Road", which Zach Crowell produced and co-wrote with Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne has spent 18 weeks as the #1 Hot County Song! "Body Like A Back Road" is now tied for the third-longest run at the top of the Hot Country Songs chart and is in the Top 25 on both the Hot AC and Top 40 charts. Congratulations Zach! Listen to "Body Like A Back Road" on our On The Radio Spotify playlist here.
Catch Matthew West this fall as he sets out on The All In Tour! Matthew will bring along Jordan Feliz and Combustion's Leanna Crawford as opening acts. The All In Tour begins in September and will visit more than 30 cities throughout the US. Tickets go on sale June 13, 2017. For a full list of tour dates and information visit matthewwest.com
Chris Janson released The Fix A Drink EP today, June 9, 2017. The EP features two songs co-written by Ashley Gorley; the lead single, "Fix A Drink" (Gorley / Janson / DuBois) & "Name On It" (Gorley / Janson / DuBois / Copperman). Available on Spotify here!
Luke Combs announced "When It Rains It Pours", co-written with Combustion's Jordan Walker as his new single! Jordan co-wrote the song with Combs and Ray Fulcher. Check it out on Spotify!
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Monday June 5th
1 PM - Walker McGuire / Music City Gives Back
6 PM - Walker McGuire / Fang Fair / Losers
10 PM - Lukr / 8 Off 8th / Mercy Lounge
Wednesday June 7th
6 PM - Combustion Music Presents: Walker McGuire / Jameson Rodgers / Everette / Basement East
Saturday June 10th
1:10 PM - Walker McGuire / CMA Fest
Check out Jordan Walker's song "When It Rains It Pours", on Luke Combs' debut album out today! Co-written with Combs and Fay Fulcher. You can listen on Spotify here!
This week Ashley Gorley celebrates his 33rd #1 with Dierks Bentley's "Black"; co-written with Dierks Bentley and Ross Copperman. Gorley is a 4-Time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year (2009, 2014, 2015, 2016), 2017 ACM Songwriter Of The Year Nominee, 2-time Billboard #1 Country Songwriter of the Year (2013 & 2016) and 9-Time CMA Triple Play Award Winner, among many other honors. Congratulations Ashley! Listen to Black on Spotify.
Combustion Music presents Walker McGuire, Jameson Rodgers and Everette next Wednesday, June 7th at 6PM at the Basement East!
“Setting the World On Fire” recorded by Kenny Chesney and Pink won the Top Country Collaboration award at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday. Matt Jenkins co-wrote the #1 hit with Josh Osborne and Ross Copperman. Listen on Spotify here!
AJ Pruis and Matthew West co-wrote “I’m Still Here” and “Good News” featured on Mandisa’s new album “Out of the Dark”. Check it out on Spotify!
Our team, pictured here with writer Ashley Gorley, had a great time this past April at Topgolf in Las Vegas during the 52nd ACM Awards!
Combustion Celebrates 8 Writers on the Billboard & Mediabase Charts in 4 Genres!
Sam Hunt "Body Like A Back Road" (Country/AC/Top 40) – Zach Crowell / Sam Hunt / Shane McAnally / Josh Osborne
Matthew West "Broken Things" (Christian/Gospel) – Matthew West / AJ Pruis / Jason Houser
Dierks Bentley "Black" – Ashley Gorley / Ross Copperman / Dierks Bentley
Walker McGuire "Til Tomorrow" – Jordan Walker / Johnny McGuire / Brian Carper / Troy Matthews
Easton Corbin "A Girl Like You" – Ashley Gorley / Rhett Akins / Jesse Frasure
Chris Janson "Fix A Drink" – Ashley Gorley / Chris Janson / Chris DuBois
Bon Jovi "Roller Coaster" (AC) – Ashley Gorley / Chris Destefano / Jon Bon Jovi
Billy Currington "Do I Make You Wanna" - Ashley Gorley / Zach Crowell / Matt Jenkins / Jerry Flowers
Trace Adkins "Watered Down" - Matt Jenkins / Shane McAnally / Trevor Rosen
Matthew West’s new single, “Broken Things”, co-written with Combustion Music’s AJ Pruis and Jason Houser was released on May 12, 2017. “Broken Things” is currently at #28 on the Christian Airplay Chart and was labeled the Hot Shot Debut! Listen on Spotify here!
Zach Crowell secured another #1 on the Country charts with “Body Like A Back Road” recorded by Sam Hunt. Zach co-wrote the song with Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne and produced the single. “Body Like A Back Road” was #1 for 3 weeks on the Country Airplay Chart and is currently climbing on both the Hot A/C and Top 40 Charts. Check it out on our Spotify playlist!
Walker McGuire’s debut single “Til Tomorrow”, written by Jordan Walker, Johnny McGuire, Brian Carper and Troy Matthews, is currently climbing the charts and has garnered over 18 million streams on Spotify. Listen here!
Ashley Gorley co-wrote Chris Janson’s new single “Fix A Drink” with Janson and Chris DuBois. “Fix A Drink” will officially be released to radio on May 22, 2017. Listen on Spotify here!
Matt Jenkins is set to perform at the ACM: Party For A Cause Songwriter Showcase on Friday, March 31. This incredible event presented by Combustion Music, Creative Nation, SMACKSongs and AIMP starts at 9PM at The Pearl in the Palms Casino Resort. To find more information about Party For A Cause or to purchase tickets, click here!
Ashley Gorley is set to perform at the ACM: Party For A Cause Songwriter Showcase on Friday, March 31. This incredible event presented by Combustion Music, Creative Nation, SMACKSongs and AIMP starts at 9PM at The Pearl in the Palms Casino Resort. To find more information about Party For A Cause or to purchase tickets, click here!
Ashley Gorley scores his 31st #1 song with "Dirt On My Boots" recorded by Jon Pardi. Co-written with Rhett Akins and Jesse Frasure, "Dirt On My Boots" was the second single off of Jon's sophomore album California Sunrise. Check out the song and album here!
Ashley Gorley has been nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards! Be sure to tune in to CBS for full coverage of the awards hosted at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 2, 2017.
The Country Music Association hosted it's Eighth Annual Songwriters Luncheon on Wednesday, February 15th, to present twenty of Nashville's top songwriters with CMA Triple Play Awards. Combustion writers Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell, and Matt Jenkins were amongst this prestigious group of songwriters to have written three #1 songs within a 12-month period. This is Matt's first Triple Play Award, Zach Crowell's second, and Ashley Gorley's eighth! Check out the full article here, as well as the list of Combustion songs to reach #1 with their respective writers below!
Ashley Gorley: “Heartbeat,” “You Should Be Here,” “T-Shirt”
Zach Crowell: “Heartbeat,” “Church Bells,” “Middle Of A Memory”
Matt Jenkins: “Confession,” “Setting The World On Fire,” “Song For Another Time”
Combustion writers Johnny McGuire and Jordan Walker are featured in the February edition of Rolling Stone's "10 New Country Artists You Need to Know". "The two are poised for a mainstream breakthrough in 2017, with a still-under-development album produced by hitmaker Mickey Jack Cones and a newly announced deal with Wheelhouse Records," says RS. To read the full article, click here!
Ashley Gorley earned his 29th and 30th #1 songs this week with Carrie Underwood’s “Dirty Laundry” and Blake Shelton’s “A Guy With A Girl”….an almost unfathomable achievement. Gorley signed his publishing deal with Combustion Music in 2001, and has since penned all 30 of his #1’s with Chris Farren, Chris Van Belkom and Kenley Flynn as his partner and publisher. His words and music have had immeasurable impact on the country music format, and with six songs charting at this very moment, Gorley shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. Combustion Music is so very proud to have played a part in all of these successes, and look forward to many more hits together.
Combustion Music is also celebrating its 60th #1 song as a company this week! Since opening its doors in 2001, Combustion Music has remained true to its original mission of creating a dynamic environment for great artists and songwriters to grow and flourish, surrounded by a top notch creative team dedicated to hands on attention to all things music and beyond. Over the past sixteen years, backed by an impeccable team of songwriters and creatives, Combustion has made it all the way to 60 #1’s. With such wonderful milestones at the start of the year, 2017 is gearing up to be another busy and fruitful year for all.
Huge congratulations goes out to Ashley Gorley for earning Billboard's #1 Hot Country Songwriter of 2016 and to Matthew West for earning Billboard's #1 Hot Christian Songwriter of 2016! Full list of Combustion Music Billboard Year-End Chart Success is listed below!
Hot Country Songwriters
#1 Ashley Gorley
Zach Crowell
Matt Jenkins
Hot Christian Songwriters
#1 Matthew West
Hot Country Songs Publishers
#7
Hot Christian Songs Publishers
#31
Hot 100 Radio Songs
Setting The World On Fire - Kenny Chesney ft. Pink
T-Shirt - Thomas Rhett
Digital Songs
Break Up In A Small Town - Sam Hunt
Setting The World On Fire - Kenny Chesney ft. Pink
You Should Be Here - Cole Swindell
Hot Country Songs - Country Airplay Songs - Digital Country Songs - Streaming Country Songs
You Should Be Here - Cole Swindell
Break Up In A Small Town - Sam Hunt
Church Bells - Carrie Underwood
T-Shirt - Thomas Rhett
Setting The World On Fire - Kenny Chesney ft. Pink
American Country Love Song - Jake Owen
Middle Of A Memory - Cole Sindell
Make You Miss Me - Sam Hunt
Heartbeat - Carrie Underwood
A Litle More Summertime - Jason Aldean
That Don’t Sound Like You - Lee Brice
Song For Antoher Time - Old Dominion
Little Bit Of You - Chase Bryant
Gonna Know We Were Here - Jason Aldean
Running For You - Kip Moore
Dirty Laundry - Carrie Underwood
Nothin Like You - Dan + Shay
Confession - Florida Georgia Line
House Party - Sam Hunt
Play It Again - Luke Bryan
Top Christian Artists
Matthew West
Top Christian Albums
Grace Wins - Matthew West
Hot Christian Songs - Christian Airplay Songs - Christian Digital Songs - Christian Streaming Songs
Tell Your Heart To Beat Again - Danny Gokey
Just Be Held - Casting Crowns
Grace Wins - Matthew West
One Step Away - Casting Crowns
Mended - Matthew West
Combustion Music hosted its 3rd annual Hope Town Music Festival this past weekend on the beautiful island of Elbow Cay in the Bahamas. Over $75,000 was raised from the four writer- rounds, making this year the best to date!
Combustion Music President Chris Farren was able to bring some of Music City’s finest writers to his home-away-from-home. Ashley Gorley, Brett James, Chris Destefano, Matt Jenkins, Jameson Rodgers, Jordan Walker, Johnny McGuire, Mickey Jack Cones, Chip Esten, John Nite, Kendall Marvell, Andy Albert, and Marc Beeson all contributed their time and songwriting efforts to this valiant cause. Every Child Counts, Friends of the Environment, and Hope Town Fire & Rescue were the three organizations that received all money raised from the festival.
The idea of hosting such an event came to Chris Farren 14 years ago when he decided that it would be fun to intertwine his work and play by introducing his Nashville songwriting community to his friends from the islands, and raising money for some very worthy local charities “All of my friends donated their time and talents, and together with the local community and some incredible Nashville sponsors, we raised a bunch of money that will all stay on the island and really make a difference… not to mention the fact that we all had a blast,” said Farren.
“We at SunTrust Music Row have been involved with the Hopetown Music Festival since its inception in 2013. We are so glad to be a part of such a great cause, that gives back to such a special place like Hopetown,” Said Suntrust First Vice President Dusty Miller.
The series of four writer rounds started the night of Friday, Dec. 2 at the Hope Town Harbor Lodge. An expansive audience sprawled out from the venue onto the beach as they danced and sang along to hit after hit. Saturday featured an equally enthusiastic set at the Harbour’s Edge. A daytime performance at the Abaco Inn Sunday complete with a Junkanoo parade performed by children of the Every Child Counts organization, prepared the audience for the final round of the festival at the Hope Town Inn and Marina later that night.
Four-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and Combustion Music writer Ashley Gorley continued, "the locals and I know each other by name at this point. The islands are beyond beautiful and the people couldn't be more kind and appreciative. I'm more than happy to help Combustion and Chris Farren raise money for that community, and I've got it on my calendar to come back every year"
None of this would be possible without the incredible sponsors, partners, and donors that participated for the three worthy organizations that will benefit from the donations; ASCAP, The Academy of Country Music, Suntrust Bank, Hackney Financial, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell, IBC Airways, Sword Rowe & Company, Abaco Inn, Albury’s Ferry Service, Abaco Buzz, Hope Town Inn and Marina, Hope Town Harbor Lodge, Harbour’s Edge, Commonwealth Brewery Limited, Lighthouse Marina, Rock Around The Clock, Island Cart Rentals, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
As the Combustion Music Hope Town Music Festival continues to prove its success, Chris Farren is already working to lock in dates for next year’s festival. Be on the lookout for more details of this great event!
Combustion writers Matthew West and Matt Jenkins scored seperate #1's this past week. Casting Crowns’ first single off of their 7th Studio album and #1 Hit “One Step Away”, was penned by Combustion’s own Matthew West! Matt Jenkin's song Setting The World On Fire peaked the Billboard Country Chart after 13 short weeks! Cowritten with Josh Osborne and Ross Copperman and performed by Kenny Chesney and Pink, Setting The World On Fire is Matt's second #1.
Combustion Music had a huge night at the 2016 ASCAP Awards! 12 plaques were awarded to five different writers throughout the night, graciously accepted by the Combustion Music staff as well as our Atlas Music Publishing partners, Richard Stumpf and Jennifer Blakeman. Ashley Gorley’s “Nothin’ Like You”, co-written with Chris Destefano and Dan + Shay, was honored as one of ASCAP’s top five songs, and beautifully performed in costumes dressed as each other! Below you will find a full list of all songs recognized during the ceremony in no particular order, along with cowriters and artist. Check out the “Who Needs A Radio” playlist on the Combustion Music’s Spotify to hear all of the tunes we have spinning today! “DON’T IT”
WRITERS: ASHLEY GORLEY, JAREN JOHNSTON
ARTIST: BILLY CURRINGTON “TONIGHT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU”
WRITER: ASHLEY GORLEY
ARTIST: JASON ALDEAN “YOUNG & CRAZY”
WRITER: ASHLEY GORLEY
ARTIST: FRANKIE BALLARD “KICK THE DUST UP”
WRITERS: CHRIS DESTEFANO, ASHLEY GORLEY
ARTIST: LUKE BRYAN “HELL OF A NIGHT”
WRITERS: ZACH CROWELL, ADAM SANDERS,
ARTIST: DUSTIN LYNCH “HOUSE PARTY”
WRITERS: ZACH CROWELL, JERRY FLOWERS, SAM HUNT
ARTIST: SAM HUNT “NOTHIN’ LIKE YOU”
WRITERS: CHRIS DESTEFANO, ASHLEY GORLEY, DANIEL SMYERS
ARTIST: DAN + SHAY “GONNA KNOW WE WERE HERE”
WRITER: BRETT JAMES
ARTIST: JASON ALDEAN “BREAK UP IN A SMALL TOWN”
WRITERS: ZACH CROWELL, SAM HUNT
ARTIST: SAM HUNT “LITTLE BIT OF YOU”
WRITERS: DEREK GEORGE, ASHLEY GORLEY
ARTIST: CHASE BRYANT “THAT DON’T SOUND LIKE YOU”
WRITER: ASHLEY GORLEY
ARTIST: LEE BRICE “FEELIN’ IT”
WRITERS: FRANK ROGERS, MATTHEW WEST
ARTIST: SCOTTY MCCREERY The night did not end with the closing statements of the award show, as Combustion Music held it’s annual after party at Adele’s! Carrying on into the wee-hours of the morning, friends and family came out to celebrate the achievements of not only the Combustion
Matt Jenkins reaches the top of the Billboard Country Airplay and MediaBase Overall Country charts this week with his song Setting The World On Fire! Recorded by Kenny Chesney and Pink, this #1 hit was written with Ross Copperman and Josh Osborne.
According to the Billboard Airplay Charts, both Country and Christian AC published on 10/18, Combustion Music has FIVE songs in the top ten slots, with all still climbing! Below are the charted songs and their respective Combusiton writers. We hope to see some #1's from these in the near future! #3 - Setting The World On Fire - Matt Jenkins
#4 - Middle Of A Memory - Zach Crowell and Ashley Gorley
#7 - A Little More Summertime - Jerry Flowers
#10 - Song For Another Time - Matt Jenkins #6 - One Step Away - Matthew West Huge congrats to all writers involved in this rare feat!
Luke Foley had two songs featured on KTWN’s First Impression’s Saturday, October 9th. Scarecrow, the newest single from Lukr, and Wrong, a track penned by Foley and performed by NAWAS played back - to - back on GO 96.3.
The Nashville songwriting community gathered Sunday night at the Music City Center to honor a select few who excelled above the rest in the calendar year. Of the 150 songs that made the ballot, Zach Crowell’s “Break Up In A Small Town” was one of 10 “Songs I Wish I’d Written” voted by NSAI Professional Members. Crowell's song entered the top 20 on Billboard Airplay in Alternative, Christian, Country, Pop and Rock from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.
Through mathematical that involves number of songs in the top 20 on Billboard Airplay from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, chart position of each song, amount of time each song spent in the top 20, and writer percentage, Ashley Gorley was awarded NSAI's 2016 Songwriter of the Year.
At the 2016 ASCAP Christian Songwriter Awards, Combustion Music writer Matthew West was honored with the Songwriter-Artist award for a third year, having earned the honor in 2013 and 2015. He also took home three ASCAP most-performed song awards for his own chart-topping singles, “Grace Wins” and “Day One,” as well as “Just Be Held,” recorded by Casting Crowns.
On Monday September 19th, the Nashville Songwriters Association International recognized Zach Crowell, Matt Jenkins, and Ashley Gorley for writing one or more of the following Combustion #1 songs!
“Church Bells”
#1 on Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase
“Confession”
#1 on Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase
“T-Shirt”
#1 on Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase
“You Should Be Here”
#1 on Billboard Country Airplay, Billboard Hot Country Songs and Mediabase
Walker McGuire, comprised of Combustion Music writers Jordan Walker and Johnny McGuire, have officially signed to the Wheelhouse Records imprint on Broken Bow Records! The duo's upcoming project will be produced by fellow Combustion Music writer Mickey Jack Cones. For the full article from Music Row, follow the link below! Could not be more excited for these three deserving writers and can't wait for the music to come!
http://www.musicrow.com/2016/09/bbr-music-group-signs-walker-mcguire-to-wheelhouse-records/
Mickey Jack Cones has been named the 2016 Record Producer Of The Year by the Canadian Country Music Association. Alongside producers Brett Kissel and Bart McKay, Mickey Jack has been awarded this title for his work on Brett Kissel's album Pick Me Up. The award show will be airing Sunday, September 11th at 6:45pm. Congrats Mickey Jack on this huge accomplishment!
28 #1 songs for Ashley Gorley after this week with Jake Owen's "American Country Love Song." Huge congrats to Ashley on his unbelievable achievement!
Congratulations to long time Combustion Music songwriter/producer Zach Crowell for earning his 5th #1 as a producer with Sam Hunt's "Make You Miss Me." The song is the fifth single off Hunt's debut album, Montevallo that is 2x Platinum and follows the smash "Break Up In A Small Town" that peaked at #2 on the airplay charts.
Combustion writer Jerry Flowers co-wrote Jason Aldean’s new single “A Little More Summertime” off of his forthcoming album “They Don’t Know.” Be sure to check out this tune here:( https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/they-dont-know/id1132368365 ) and be on the lookout for Jason’s new music in September!
Ashley Gorley reaches the top of the charts for the 27th time with Thomas Rhett’s single “T-Shirt”. Luke Laird and Shane McAnally are the co-writers on the song. Huge congrats to all three on this massive hit!
Matt Jenkins charts his 2nd #1 song with “Confession” recorded by Florida Georgia Line. The last song off of their sophomore album was co-written with Rodney Clawson and Ross Coppeman. Download the track here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/anything-goes/id916250301
Recently, at Nashville's most famous venue, The Ryman Auditorium, Suntrust Bank hosted it's annual Songwriter Dinner. The event features a cocktail hour, dinner, and live performances from Nashville's top songwriters on the Ryman stage. Combustion Music was thrilled to once again be a part of the evening, having Chris Farren, Matt Jenkins and Jameson Rodgers all perform for the guests. The evening also serves as the kickoff to Combustion Music's annual Hopetown Music Festival, which will take place in Hopetown, Bahamas Dec 1 - 4, 2016. The three day festival brings Nashville's top songwriters and artists to the small island to play a series of in the round style shows at different venues across the island. Supported entirely by donations, Combustion has raised nearly $100,000 in the past two years and every penny of it stays on the island to support local organizations. Performers for this years' festival are to be announced, but follow Combustion Music on Twitter or check our website frequently for updates.
You Should Be Here #1 – Cole Swindell’s single “You Should Be Here” marks a major achievement for Combustion songwriter Ashley Gorley, as he charts his 25th #1 song. Huge congrats to Ashley and we look forward to many more in the future!
Zach Crowell has his 5th #1 song with Carrie Underwood’s second single from Storyteller. The song was co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Brett James. Be sure to download the track here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/storyteller/id1038916173
Combustion writer Brett Tyler landed two songs on Maren Morris’ debut #1 record Hero, released June 3. Tyler co-wrote “Sugar” and “Space” with Morris and Laura Veltz, and is also credited with producing “Space”. Check out Brett’s songs, and the rest of the album.
Singer/Songwriter Jameson Rodgers released his self-titled EP on June 3rd just ahead of his show in Virginia Beach at the Patriotic Festival, sharing the stage with Walker Hayes, Canaan Smith and Sam Hunt in front of a crowd of 40,000! “Midnight Daydream”, the third track on the EP, is currently featured on the A-List: Country playlist on Apple Music, and is also available on all digital music platforms, so get your ears on it wherever you like!
"Tell Your Heart To Beat Again" peaked the Billboard Christian Airplay Chart last week, making it the third consecutive single penned by West to go number one. With "Grace Wins" and "Just Be Held" already reaching #1, Matthew sure is off to an amazing start to 2016!
Sunday night, June 5, Combustion Music artist and writer Matthew West hosted KLOVE's annual Fan Awards, for his second year. Along with co-host Elizabeth Hasslebeck, West had the sold-out crowd at Grand Ole Opry House loving every minute of the show. In addition to his hosting duties West performed his latest #1 hit, "Grace Wins," as well took home the fan award for Best Lyric for the song! Congrats Matthew!