Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Blake Shelton's 22nd #1



Pictured (l-r): Songwriter Deric Ruttan, Blake Shelton, songwriter Craig Wiseman
BLAKE SHELTON, SONGWRITERS DERIC RUTTAN AND CRAIG WISEMAN CELEBRATE "CAME HERE TO FORGET" AT #1 PARTY AT ASCAP
NASHVILLE, TENN., AUGUST 31, 2016: Hit songwriters Deric Ruttan and Craig Wiseman were honored at a party held at the ASCAP offices on Music Row to celebrate the success of Warner Music Nashville recording artist Blake Shelton's 22nd (and 17th consecutive) #1 song, "Came Here to Forget," produced by Scott Hendricks. The song marked the third #1 for Ruttan, whose previous chart-toppers include Shelton's 2013 hit "Mine Would Be You." Wiseman celebrated his 26th #1 with "Came Here to Forget," and was also congratulated for his 25th #1 song, "Gonna," the fourth and final single from Shelton's ninth studio album, Bringing Back the Sunshine.


Publishers on hand to honor the team behind the tune included Big Loud Shirt's Matt Turner, Round Hill Music's Penny Gattis, THiS Music's Rusty Gaston, and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing's Ben Vaughn. ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Michael Martin greeted the packed crowd in the PRO's lobby before presenting ASCAP's Beth Brinker, who hosted the festivities. 

"Came Here to Forget" was released in March as the lead single from Shelton's tenth studio album, If I'm Honest, which was recently certified Gold, a milestone that was celebrated at the party with a plaque presented by Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito and CMO Peter Strickland. Shelton's friend, collaborator and Warner Music Nashville labelmate RaeLynn also attended the gathering to congratulate Shelton and the songwriters.

All photos by Ed Rode for ASCAP.