The ASCAP headquarters in Nashville were abuzz on Tuesday, August 30th, as hit songwriters Deric Ruttan and Craig Wiseman and country music heavyweight Blake Shelton celebrated the latter’s 22nd Number One single “Came Here To Forget,” the lead off single from Shelton’s tenth studio album, If I’m Honest.
Honored by ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Big Loud Shirt’s Matt Turner, Round Hill Music’s Penny Gattis, THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, the room was abundant with praise from speakers and guests, included Shelton’s friend/labelmate Raelynn and American Idol finalist Tristan McIntosh. Jovial in nature, Ruttan was praised for his third number one smash (and second with Shelton for “Mine Would Be You”), while Wiseman exuberantly smiled at the celebration of his 26th #1 and the acknowledgement of over 300 cuts and over 100 singles.
Those are some big numbers to through around in the music industry, particularly for a songwriter. And considering that Wiseman alone has charted some of the most memorable and prolific country songs in the past 30 years one has to wonder if he and writers like Ruttan ‘cracked a code.’ “The one thing they figured out is the harder you work, the luckier you get. And that is the bottom line,” praises Gaston during his deliverance. Gaston also made sure to drive home the real reason that Nashville celebrates its songwriters and artists: “Speaking for Deric, he fully understands that every single one of these (number ones) is just a blessing, that songs really touched peoples lives. I mean, as we’re standing here, there is some guy leaving work, driving to Goodlettsville, listening to the BIG 98, and he’s had a horrible day. He’s going through some hard stuff but he’s listening to “Came Here To Forget” and it’s really touched his life. It’s really getting him through a hard time.”
Adding to the esteem of the day, Shelton’s 17th consecutive number one single wasn’t the only celebration – Wiseman was presented a plague for Shelton’s “Gonna,” his 25th number one song. Shelton himself was then presented with a surprise plaque from Warner Music Nashville’s Chairman/CEO John Esposito and CMO Peter Strickland on If I’m Honest‘s recently announced GOLD status.
Congratulations to Ruttan, Wiseman and Shelton on their success, and undoubtedly there will be more celebrations in the near future for all three.