On a hot September day at East Nashville hangout, The Crying Wolf, music business executives, promoters, representatives, family, and friends gathered to celebrate two back to back number ones for one of the fastest growing country artists on the charts. Georgia native and former college football player Sam Hunt came to Nashville first as a writer for artists like Kenny Chesney and Billy Currington and subsequently signed to Universal as an artist himself in 2014. In the last year, he has had three number ones on the Top Country Charts, starting with “Leave the Light On” and continuing with “Take Your Time” and “House Party,” which was the reason for the September 24th celebration.
“Take Your Time” was co-written with Grammy Award winners Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally. Singer/songwriter/producer Jerry Flowers and songwriter/producer Zach Crowell teamed up for House Party. Crowell also produced both songs along with McAnally. Mike Sistad of ASCAP (the organization to which all 5 men belong), presented them all with accolades and in particular, Jerry Flowers received a special ASCAP guitar to commemorate his first number one.
However, Flowers is no stranger to the country music industry. One of the original members of the group The Ranch with Keith Urban, Flowers has been touring with Keith for the last 22 years and is an accomplished writer, singer, and producer. He has had cuts by Jason Derulo, Lady Antebellum, and Carrie Underwood. Co-writer Josh Osborne signed his first publishing deal with Warner not long after moving to Nashville in 1998. With eight #1s under his belt, his hits include “Come Over” and “Wild Child” for Chesney, “Sangria” and “My Eyes” for Shelton, and the platinum Musgraves hit “Merry Go Round” which he wrote with McAnally and which earned a Grammy for Best Country Song of the Year. He is currently climbing the charts with McGraw’s “Sittin on Top of the World”, and Urban’s “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.” And of course Shane McAnally has been recognized as one of country’s leading songwriters of the 2000s and 2010s, leading the way with 13 #1s. He won a Grammy and ACM for Musgraves’ Same Trailer, Different Park and also produced her latest album, Pageant Material. Since moving to Nashville at the age of 19, McAnally has racked up hit after hit including, “Somewhere With You”, “American Kids”, “Better Dig Two”, “Say You Do”, and “Wild Child”.
And then there is the man of the hour, Sam Hunt. And all he did was play a small show once upon a time, which any newcomer to town knows is just part of “paying your dues.” A&R Exec Stephanie Wright happened to see the show, took him to Universal, and the rest they say is history. He went from playing for tips in a jar in small, dark clubs (which most musicians know all too well) to touring sold out stadiums with the likes of Kenny Chesney. A shining moment for Hunt came not too long ago when he served as opening act for a Lady Antebellum show. The minute he stepped onto the stage, the house filled up immediately which is not your typical case for an opener. All of his number #1s have soared to the top of the charts within a 63 week period. That’s a little over year and almost unheard of. This November, we’ll find out if any CMA Awards are up for the taking as he is nominated for 3, including New Artist, Single, and Song of the Year for “Take Your Time”. Fingers crossed.
No matter the outcome of the CMAs, Sam Hunt is definitely sticking around for a long time to come. And what makes him all the more appealing is his humbleness and down to earth attitude. He thanked everyone involved with the making of this record and added how grateful he is for the numerous jobs that songs and records are able to provide for people. All of the guys recognized seem more like a band of brothers than a team of writers. They are looking to team up again for future success and no doubt they will. And let’s not forget to mention that Mr. Hunt’s shoe taste is impeccable.
The shoes may have been my favorite part of the whole day. Or maybe the hug he gave me. Or perhaps it was the Jeni’s Ice Cream truck out back under the sweltering sun. Either way, congratulations to Sam Hunt and all involved with the making of Hunt’s hit record, Montevallo. We are waiting to see if there is a 4th #1 in the works with his newest release. No doubt, whatever he touches, will continue to climb the charts and pave the way for lots more House Parties!