josely.labarrere@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

 

Ashley Gorley, a Kentucky native, Alumni of Danville Schools, and the most commercially successful songwriter of all time, will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as part of its 2025 class. The star-studded induction ceremony is scheduled for June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

Gorley’s prolific career includes an unprecedented 80 No. 1 radio singles and nearly 500 releases with top artists across genres, such as Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Bon Jovi, and Weezer.

Most recently, Gorley co-wrote 10 tracks on Post Malone’s debut country album, including the global hit “I Had Some Help” featuring Wallen. The song topped multiple charts, including the Billboard Global 200, Hot 100, US Radio Songs, and Country Airplay charts. His latest chart-topper, “I Am Not Okay” with Jelly Roll, marks his ninth No. 1 hit of 2024. The song’s honest depiction of mental health struggles has sparked meaningful conversations and advocacy within the music community.

In 2023, Gorley’s influence was equally remarkable. He spent multiple weeks as Billboard’s No. 1 Hot 100 Songwriter, driven by the success of Wallen’s GRAMMY-nominated hit “Last Night,” which held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-setting 16 weeks. That same year, Gorley earned the ACM Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” with Cole Swindell, as well as ASCAP Country Song of the Year for Wallen’s “You Proof.” He was also named Variety’s 2023 Songwriter of the Year (all-genre) and previously honored as NSAI’s Songwriter of the Decade for 2010-2019.

Gorley, who graduated magna cum laude from Belmont University in 1999, remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of songwriters through seminars, mentoring, and teaching. He’s also a vocal advocate for songwriters’ rights, having met with the Library of Congress and U.S. Senators to support the Music Modernization Act.

In 2011, Gorley founded Tape Room Music, a publishing and artist development company whose writers have celebrated 50 No. 1 hits, including “Body Like A Back Road,” “One Of Them Girls,” and “World On Fire.”

The Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 2025 class also includes George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers’ Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, and Patrick Simmons, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Mike Love, and Tony Macaulay.

“The foundation of the music industry exists because songwriters compose great songs,” said SHOF Chairman Nile Rodgers. “These songwriters have enriched the lives of billions of listeners the world over. It’s our honor to honor them.”

Key songs from Gorley’s catalog include:

• “I Had Some Help”
• “Last Night”
• “You Should Probably Leave”
• “Play It Again”
• “You’re Gonna Miss This”

 

Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame honors musical pioneers while fostering the growth of future talent. Songwriters become eligible for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of their work.