Music News (03/27/24)

Ashley Gorley Notches 75th No. 1 Song

Ashley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss

Country hitmaker Ashley Gorley has garnered his 75th No. 1 career hit with Hardy‘s “Truck Bed,” which he co-wrote with Hardy, Ben Johnson and Hunter Phelps.

Gorley’s record-breaking hit spree started in 2006 with Carrie Underwood’s “Don’t Forget to Remember Me.” Since then, Gorley has had over 400 songs released by artists such as Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Nate Smith, Thomas Rhett, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Cole Swindell, Bon Jovi, Weezer and more.

“This milestone is not only a testament to Ashley’s unstoppable work ethic, but his genius as a songwriter. The impact he has made and continues to make on country music cannot be overstated. We are thrilled to celebrate Ashley on his 75th number one and counting!” shares Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston, one of Gorley’s publishers alongside Domain Capital Group.

Gorley recently made history with the two longest-running No. 1 hits atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart with Morgan Wallen’s “You Proof” and Smith’s “World On Fire,” which are tied for ten weeks at No. 1 on the chart. He also notched the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit by a solo artist in 2023 with Wallen’s smash hit “Last Night,” which spent 16 weeks at the top spot.

Relative Music Group & Sony Music Publishing Partner To Sign Drew Parker

Pictured (L-R, back row): Relative Music Group’s Caroline Bouldin, Make Wake Artists’ Chris Kappy and Sony Music Publishing Nashville’s Rusty Gaston; (L-R, front row): Relative Music Group’s Dennis Matkosky, Drew Parker, Relative Music Group’s Michael Hardy and Jesse Matkosky. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Relative Music Group has partnered with Sony Music Publishing to sign country singer-songwriter Drew Parker to a global publishing deal.

“I’m so grateful to be a part of the Relative family that Dennis [Matkosky], Jesse [Matkosky] and Hardy have built,” shares Parker. “Getting to learn from and be encouraged by a guy like Dennis who has written some of the biggest songs of all time is an experience I never even dreamed of. I’ve also always wanted to be seen as not only a great artist but as a great songwriter, and no one does both of those better than Michael Hardy. I’m so excited for this journey.”

Parker is a Grammy and CMA Award nominee that has penned hits including Luke Combs‘ “Doin’ This” and “Forever After All” as well as Jake Owen‘s “Homemade.”

“Drew is such a talented writer,” says Hardy, Partner, Relative Music Group. “He’s truly one of those guys that has a voice with his pen. It doesn’t matter who sings it, you know a Drew Parker song when you hear it. I’m excited to hear what he has to say over the next few years and can’t wait to watch his great songwriting pay off”

Additionally, Parker will be hitting the road this summer on Combs’ “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour,” and is also scheduled to appear at Big As Texas Fest, CMA Fest, Country Jam and more.

Scoot Teasley Inks With Prescription Songs

Scoot Teasley

Singer-songwriter Scoot Teasley has signed a publishing deal with Prescription Songs.

Born and raised in Toccoa, Georgia, Teasley initially found his groove behind the drum kit and in the church pews, fostering a lifelong love of music. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers, he released his debut single, the emotionally charged “Let Me Move On” in 2022. Another single, “The Chop,” helped solidify his presence in the music scene as it became an anthem for the Braves baseball team.

Teasley’s new Country Back EP, produced by Chris Utley, includes tracks co-written with Dave Brainard, Garrett Jacobs, Ben Snelling, Jon Stark, Mason Thornley and more. The project’s leadoff single “This Truck Still Misses You” has proved to be a fan-favorite.

“Being from North Georgia as well, the moment I heard Scoot’s music I knew how authentic and real his storytelling is,” says Prescription Songs’ Hannah Montgomery Bay-Schuck. “His appreciation for country music mixed with his love for expanding genres immediately connected with me and the ethos at Prescription. We don’t put any of our artists/writers in a box creatively and Scoot is no exception coming in with the variety of influences you hear in his music. We are so excited for Scoot to be a part of the family!!”