Award Winning Songwriter Ashley Gorley Makes History as First-Ever Songwriter to Earn 50 No. 1s

LOCASH’s “One Big Country Song” marks Gorley’s 50^th No. 1 at Country Radio;
solidifies him as only songwriter of any genre with 50 No. 1 hits

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Hitmaker and songwriting powerhouse Ashley Gorley is setting a new record today as he notches his 50^th No.1 song at Country radio with LOCASH’s Mediabase chart topper, “One Big Country Song.” Gorley isn’t just the first songwriter in the Country format to achieve this feat, but it stamps him as the only songwriter of any genre to earn 50 No. 1s in the history of the Mediabase and Billboard Airplay charts.

“I love what I do,” shares Gorley. “I love writing songs – the challenge, the process, and the way that each day brings something different. 50 No.1s is an achievement I’m proud of and grateful for, but I’m even more grateful for the friendships these 50 No. 1s have granted me; friendships with the artists that have given these songs life and success, my co-writers who motivate me to dig deeper each day, and mentors and early believers who continue to cheer me on. I stay inspired by my Tape Room family who I try to provide with those same beliefs, friendships, and mentorships. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, especially the radio teams who work tirelessly for these songs to be heard.”

Gorley celebrates his 50^th No.1 single with publisher Round Hill Music, founded by Joshua Gruss. Mark Brown, SVP/GM of Round Hill Music Publishing says, “It is truly a privilege and an honor to work with a songwriter of Ashley’s talent. His drive, his work ethic, and his positive attitude all contribute to his success. But, the pure talent level puts Ashley in a rare ultra-elite group. I don’t know of any other songwriter, in any genre, who has achieved the remarkable achievement of 50 No. 1s. Furthermore, judging from his continuing activity and young age, I expect there are many more hits yet to come. Congratulations Ashley on your incredible accomplishment.”

The “ace songwriter” (Billboard) known for hits recorded by Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett “cemented his place among country music’s greats” (American Songwriter) many times over with accolades underscoring him as the most decorated songwriter of his generation; including being named four-time Billboard Country Songwriter of the Year, three-time NSAI Songwriter of the Year, eight-time ACM Songwriter of the Year nominee, and securing three CMA Awards and two Grammy nominations.

Hailed by People Magazine as “Nashville’s king of No. 1s,” Gorley has been shattering records set by his peers for years. He’s the reigning ASCAP Songwriter of the Year – a title he’s earned a record seven times, and has earned 15 CMA Triple Play trophies (an award honoring songwriters who pen three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period) including consecutive years of ‘Triple-Triples’ for nine No. 1 songs in both 2018 and 2019.

Gorley was raised in rural Kentucky before moving to Nashville to attend Belmont University where he graduated with a music business degree in 1999. Over the next decade, the “songwriting machine” (The Tennessean) found great success as a staff songwriter while never letting go of what brought him here in the first place: the business of music publishing. In 2011, Gorley launched Tape Room Music – a company whose name pays homage to his internships in the tape rooms of various publishing companies, where he learned to respect the process of a song from creation to recording.

“Congratulations on 50 No. 1s – it’s hard to even wrap your head around that. What an accomplishment,” said Luke Bryan via video message to Gorley when the news broke. “So glad to be a part of some of those No. 1’s with you, and so glad to have written some of them with you. Congrats buddy!”

Joining Luke Bryan in the video message, Round Hill writer Dallas Davidson added, “Knowing Ashley, I bet that we’ll be sitting here making another video once he reaches 75. Ashley has more No. 1s than anyone in the history of the world, and that is an amazing feat. From the bottom of my heart, congratulations. You deserve it!”

“In a year where everyone was reminded of the greatness of Michael Jordan, I’m glad we have a moment to appreciate the songwriting community’s own Michael Jordan, Ashley Gorley,” says frequent collaborator and friend Josh Osborne. “50 No. 1s is unbelievable.  Ashley has the same drive and creativity that he had when I met him as a college student at Belmont.  I don’t want to say too many nice things right now because I need to save something for when he has 60 No. 1s.  I’ll just say I’m very glad I get to work with him and call him a friend.”

“Ashley Gorley drives me insane,” jokes fellow writer and longtime friend Jesse Frasure. “Mainly because of how difficult it is to be such good friends with a songwriter that is so prolific and hard working on a regular basis. For Ashley, writing a great song is just the start of the hard work. On top of that, the passion for his family and faith equally matches his career. I’m very grateful to have him in my life as a collaborator, but his friendship in this business is truly priceless to me. Congratulations on 50 No. 1s Ashley. You are one of the greatest American songwriters of any genre.”

Ashley Gorley’s No.1s hits (listed chronologically):
*for a full list of chart peak dates, click here