Top Songwriter Chart: MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters Of 2021
Ashley Gorley
Each week, MusicRow releases its Top Songwriter Chart, ranking the top 60 songwriters using algorithms based on song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales, and streams.
Using proprietary software, the points earned by each song are evenly split among each of the song’s co-writers, echoing how the publishing business works in Nashville with respect to publishing revenues and ownership—while reflecting the overall success of active songs for each songwriter.
Because of this, at any moment in time, the current MusicRow Songwriter Chart lists the most active and successful songwriters in Music City.
As we look back on 2021, Ashley Gorley earned the most points on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart throughout the year, placing him at the top of our list.
Jesse Frasure
Gorley saw success this year with songs such as “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay) “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton) and many more. He consistently stayed in the upper echelons of the Top Songwriter Chart throughout 2021.
Gorley was also a co-writer on Lee Brice’s “One Of Them Girls,” which made history by winning the Country Song Of The Year honor at the BMI, SESAC, and ASCAP Awards.
Jesse Frasure is at No. 2 on MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list.
His arsenal of hits from 2021 include “Almost Maybes” (Jordan Davis), “Whiskey And Rain” (Michael Ray), “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett), “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton), “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown), and more.
Frasure was named Songwriter of the Year at the 69th Annual BMI Country Awards. It was his second time winning the award.
Josh Osborne comes in at No. 3 on MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list.
Josh Osborne
In 2021, Osborne had success with “Beers And Sunshine” (Darius Rucker), “Next Girl” (Carly Pearce), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “I Was On A Boat That Day” (Old Dominion), and more. He was also this year’s ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year for the first time.
In the No. 4 spot on the year-end list is Corey Crowder.
The songwriter-producer made waves this year with “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” (Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line), “Famous Friends” (Chris Young and Kane Brown), “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton), and more.
Michael Hardy rounds out the top five on the MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list. In addition to his successful artist career, Hardy cranked out multiple hits for other artists this year.
In 2021, Hardy saw success with “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), and “Come Back As A Country Boy” (Blake Shelton), as well as his own “Give Heaven Some Hell,” and collaboration with Dierks Bentley and Breland, “Beers On Me.”
Though the annual list continues to be male dominated, there are 20 female songwriters in the top 100 this year—which is made up of 123 songwriters because of tied scores. This is a continued increase from last year’s 19 female songwriters within the top 100, and 2019’s 13.
Taylor Swift is the highest ranking female songwriter on this year’s list at No. 9.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters.
Anthem Entertainment, Chris Janson Sign The Davisson Brothers & Shane Profitt
Pictured (L-R): Noah Dewey (Sr. Dir. Creative, Anthem Publishing Nashville), Donnie Davisson, Chris Janson, Chris Davisson, Tim Wipperman (Pres, Anthem Publishing, Nashville), Courtney Crist (Sr. Dir. Creative Anthem Publishing, Nashville), Erv Woolsey (Pres, Erv Woolsey Co. Manager), Allen Mitchell (Erv Woolsey Co. Manager)
Anthem Entertainment’s publishing division and Chris Janson‘s Old Tom Music Publishing are partnering together on a new artist development and co-publishing venture. The Davisson Brothers (Chris and Donnie Davisson) are the first official signing under the new venture, along with Shane Profitt, a songwriter discovered by Janson.
Hailing from Clarksburg, West Virginia, The Davisson Brothers were named one of Rolling Stone‘s Top 10 Country/Americana bands to watch, and debuted on the Grand Old Opry in 2019. They also host their own two-day country festival, Wild and Wonderful Country Fest, that averages over 15,000 daily attendees. Their current album is being produced by Brent Cobb and David “Ferg” Ferguson (Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson).
Shane Profitt
Profitt is a budding singer-songwriter who is slated to hit the road with Janson on his upcoming “Halfway to Crazy” Tour.
“I’m so proud to be signing Chris Davisson and Donnie Davisson to a publishing deal with Anthem, and my company, Old Tom Music Publishing,” says Janson. “These guys work harder than anyone I know. I’ve believed in the Brothers for many years, and they believed in me, way back before I ever even had a hit song. I love these guys. I encourage every single one of my songwriter friends, to write with them. They’re hungry to WIN. And win, they will.
“Shane is the real deal, and a fantastic songwriter,” Janson continues. “He has a natural knack for writing hits. He’s a great singer too, and he’s going to be joining me on the road this year on the ‘Halfway to Crazy Tour.’ I’m really proud to be working with him.”
“We are thrilled to be expanding our successful relationship with Chris Janson,” adds Anthem Entertainment CEO, Helen Murphy. “Chris is a creative genius, and he has a unique ability to write and produce songs that express the raw emotion and vulnerability of life and family. We look forward to supporting Chris and his new talent signings and continuing to create music that resonates with everyone.”
Reviver Publishing Brings On Reversion Music For Catalog Representation
Reviver Publishing has employed the services of Reversion Music, LLC to represent the Reviver Publishing catalog. Working directly with Reviver’s President & CEO, David Ross, and Clay Myers of Nashville Music Consultants, Reversion Music’s Matt Lindsey and Jeff Gordon will work collectively to secure syncs placements and pitch music to various artists and commercial opportunities.
Lindsey, partner and co-owner of Reversion Music, brings a wealth of experience in songwriter, artist and catalog development. He is also the founder of MLM, an independent Nashville-based song plugging company. Lindsey previously held executive positions at Big Yellow Dog Music, Forerunner Music, Little Shop of Morgan Songs, and The Mel Tillis Companies.
Gordon, also a partner and co-owner of Reversion Music, previously served as GM of Carlin Nashville. He began his career at MCA Records as an A&R representative for the Nashville division.
“The Reviver Publishing catalog has grown exponentially over the past 2+ years,” says Ross. “Having Matt and Jeff be a part of our creative team will help us with our continued growth.”
Reversion Music is the exclusive music licensor for the Glad Music Company, which boasts titles by Willie Nelson, George Jones, The Big Bopper, Lightning Hopkins and many others. It also represents Hall of Fame songwriters Allen Reynolds and Roger Cook.
Reviver Publishing’s roster currently includes Aaron Goodvin, Ian Flanigan, David Adam Byrnes, Reid Brody, and catalogs of Alex Kline, LoCash, Black Jack Billy, David Devaul, as well as representation for Reviver artists Brooke Moriber and Brian Callihan.
Prescription Songs Inks Publishing Deal With JT Daly
JT Daly
Prescription Songs has inked a deal with Nashville-based producer and songwriter JT Daly. He will be represented by Katie Fagan, Prescription Songs Head of A&R, Nashville, alongside Rachel Wein and Chris Martignago.
Daly has garnered Grammy nominations for Best Rock Song and Best Engineered Album for producing/co-writing K. Flay‘s “Blood in the Cut” and more on her breakout album Everywhere is Somewhere. In winter 2021, JT produced and co-wrote Benson Boone’s debut single “Ghost Town,” which has already accumulated over 100 million streams.
He has also collaborated with PVRIS on her newest track “Snakes” for the top Netflix series Arcane. Other previous releases include collaborations with Grandson, Bren Joy and Quinn XCII. Upcoming releases include work with Why Don’t We, The Regrettes, and Fleurie.
Fagan comments: “JT is an extremely innovative songwriter, producer and artist. We feel incredibly honored and lucky to have such a talent as a part of our roster, especially here in Nashville. There’s a reason that artists continually want him to be a part of their journeys. I can’t wait to see what we will be able to accomplish together.”
“It is with an abundance of joy that I have found a team this hands-on and talented. After a few conversations with Katie Fagan I felt more at home than I ever have before,” shares Daly. “She puts in the time needed to know her writers. Something I will never take for granted.”
Prescription Songs is an independent publisher representing top songwriters and producers across all genres of music. Its current and past roster includes Grammy award-winners and nominees, multiple recipients of ASCAP and BMI Songwriter of the Year Awards, a winner of the 2020 VMA Push New Artist Award, iHeartRadio Producer of the Year, and more.