Nashville-based country music songwriter Ashley Gorley spoke about his 2025 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony took place on Thursday, June 12th at the Marriott Marquis in New York City’s Times Square.
Representing the country music community
On representing the country music community, Gorley remarked, “I love representing the country and Nashville community. Everybody needs to find out about it; the secret is out.”
“A lot of people have been coming there. I love it! I couldn’t be prouder, especially with all the influence that Nashville has. I’m glad to play a small part in it,” he noted.
From a commercial standpoint, Ashley Gorley is the most commercially successful songwriter of all time.
A native of Kentucky, Gorley has written an unprecedented 80 No. 1 radio singles and nearly 500 releases with artists including Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Bon Jovi, and Weezer.
Career-defining moments
Regarding his career-defining moments, he disclosed, “Probably the 11 years I was in town before I was a hit! I don’t think it’s easy.”
“It pushes me to get my songs right, so the work ethic kind of helped for me, especially knowing how hard it was in the beginning,” he added.
Advice for young and aspiring songwriters
For young and emerging country songwriters, he stated, “Patience is part of it. Don’t try to copy anyone else.”
“Bring all your influences in; don’t deny your influences,” he said. “If nobody is ready for it right now, they might be in two or three years from now, so write for the future. Don’t write for what is out right now.”
Success
On his definition of the word success, he revealed, “Success, to me, means being able to make my kids’ ballgames by 3:30 p.m. if I want to.”
“Being able to be my own driver. Success is being happy doing something that you love, and getting paid for it is a bonus. That’s success for me,” he noted.
Favorite Martina McBride song
When asked about what his favorite Martina McBride song is, Gorley revealed such contemporary radio staples as “Independence Day,” “This One’s for the Girls,” “Happy Girl,” and “Broken Wing.” “Martina McBride is amazing,” he exclaimed.
Fun fact: Ashley Gorley wrote the Blake Shelton and Martina McBride duet “I’m Sorry” from his “Red River Blue” album.
