Double the hits, double the fun! Blake Shelton toasted two No. 1s yesterday (Feb. 19) during an event co-hosted by BMI and ASCAP at his management home, Starstruck. Two of Nashville’s current songwriting dream teams penned the smashes “Boys ‘Round Here” and “Mine Would Be You.” Craig Wiseman, Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins are the re-re-re-re-red-necks responsible for “Boys…”. Connie Harrington, Jessi Alexander and Deric Ruttan penned “Mine,” and knew that Shelton would be the perfect artist to deliver their line about make-up sex.
It wasn’t an understatement when BMI head Jody Williams proclaimed that the music of BMI affiliates Davidson and Akins have “defined this era of Country music.” This marked both writers’ 17th chart-toppers. “It is so cool Blake makes time to come to Nashville to honor the songwriters who write these hits,” continued Williams.
ASCAP’s Michael Martin saluted Wiseman, who was celebrating his 21st trip to No. 1. “Craig is the hardest working man in this town,” he said.
The party’s No. 1 tally was led by producer Scott Hendricks, who was toasting his 56th. “Scott Hendricks makes THE BEST records,” Williams cheered. “He wins!”
Wiseman complimented Hendricks for balancing his meticulousness in the studio with a little fun and embracing the track’s redneck intro and the Pistol Annies’ vocals.
Almost every one who approached the mic complimented Shelton’s singing abilities. “His ‘Voice’ is a game changer,” cracked Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran.

Williams returned to the podium when it was time to celebrate the success of “Mine Would Be You,” calling it “another little masterpiece” from writers Alexander and Harrington, who previously earned major accolades for penning “I Drive Your Truck” with Jimmy Yeary.
Alexander, a Disney songwriter, recently celebrated her hot streak—it’s her fourth trip to No. 1—with a congratulatory free trip to Disney World. The mother of three thanked her support team, including husband Jon Randall Stewart who was in attendance, for making it possible for her to be a working mom. She thanked pal Shelton for keeping traditional country alive.
Harrington said they knew “Mine Would Be You” was a special song, so they put extra care in to every line. She is partners in This Music with Rusty Gaston and Tim Nichols. Gaston enthusiastically saluted Harrington’s work ethic and kindness, and Ruttan’s attention to detail, which makes his songs sparkle. “There was only one pitch, and that was to Blake,” Gaston explained before giving a shout out to the Warner Music Nashville radio promo staff led by Kevin Herring.
“It’s a song for the ages,” proclaimed Disney Music Publishing’s Patrick Clifford.
“Only Blake can deliver a song with this much emotion,” added Ruttan, noting Shelton’s ability to record songs as different as “Boys” and “Mine.” Ruttan, who has had notable success in Canada, recalled writing with Shelton many years ago: “Back when I had no hits and he had a mullet.”
“We were building a building around Blake,” summed WMN’s John Esposito. These hits mark Shelton’s ninth and tenth consecutive No. 1s—now that’s a solid foundation.

Dave Hopper has been appointed Vice President, Business Development & Creative, for Words & Music, it was announced today by Kim McCollum-Mele, President and Owner of Words & Music.
In this role, Hopper will lead in developing new business and strategic partnerships through client acquisitions, marketing and branding opportunities. While continuing to focus on the Nashville market, Hopper will also provide concentrated efforts on expanding Words & Music’s footprint in other music markets.
“The addition of Dave to our team marks an important step forward for Words & Music,” commented McCollum-Mele. “This new position will be essential to our continuing growth and development and will allow us to offer a wider spectrum of services to our songwriters. We’re very excited to have Dave join us.”
Added Hopper, “I feel honored to be joining Kim and her team. I cannot wait to help build upon the work they have already done to solidify Words & Music as an industry leader.”
Hopper has spent the last three years operating Violet Hill, which offers exclusive management to songwriters, producers and engineers from various musical genres in Nashville and Los Angeles.   Hopper will continue to represent those clients alongside his new responsibilities with Words & Music. Previously, Hopper was an integral part of the management and publishing team at Maximum Artist Management and MAXX Music Publishing, working with a roster of Gold and Platinum-selling artists and songwriters including Brian Littrell (Backstreet Boys), Natalie Grant, Catt Gravitt, Phillip LaRue and Bernie Herms.
Words & Music is a full service copyright administration company dedicated to protecting the intellectual property of songwriters and music publishers and is currently ranked No. 7 on Billboard’s all genre “Top 10 Publishers Airplay Chart.” Over the past 12 years, the company has built an impressive roster of clients including Sea Gayle Music (Brad Paisley, Frank Rogers, Chris DuBois, Brandy Clark), Big Yellow Dog (Josh Kear, Shawn Camp, Al Anderson), Dierks Bentley, Dixie Chicks, Paul Overstreet, Jeff Cohen, Katrina Elam and Luis Resto, among many others. In addition to administration, Words & Music also co-publishes songwriter Bonnie Baker (Rascal Flatts, Reba, Sara Evans), who is currently enjoying success as a co-writer of Hunter Hayes’ latest single, “Invisible,” which he debuted on the 2014 Grammy Awards live telecast.

Operation Song partnered with the Center for American Military Musical Opportunities to allow soldiers to collaborate with songwriters, in order to tell their stories. Last week, 10 Nashville songwriters sat down with eight soldiers from Fort Campbell at ASCAP‘s Nashville office to do one-on-one co-writes. Songwriter Bob Regan started Operation Song over a year ago, to bring vets and active duty military together with songwriters to help them tell their stories and turn them into songs.

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Songwriter/artist Chloe Kohanski has signed with BMI, under the direction of Jody Williams.
Jeanie McQuinn, President of Great Big River Music, has been co-writing with the newcomer after she was discovered performing with Cumberland Blue, a blues band of kids age 12-19 who won the Youth Division in the international Blues Competition this year. Kohanski continues to perform with the band.

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The CMA Songwriters Series made its triumphant return to Joe’s Pub in New York City Tuesday night (Feb. 11) for the first of a two-night stint at the venue where the Series began in 2005. Celebrating the 10th season was songwriter and host Bob DiPiero performing alongside Kix Brooks, Tim Nichols, and Jon Nite.