His third No. 1: “One That Got Away”
By Preshias Harris
It was party time backstage at the Grand Ole Opry as Warner Music Nashville recording artist Michael Ray celebrated his Number One song, “One That Got Way.” The party, co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI, honored the song’s writers Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen Jesse Frasure and Josh Osborne. “One That Got Away” is Michael’s third No. 1.
Osborne and Frasure joined in the celebration, but Ramsey and Rosen (both members of Old Dominion) were unavailable as they were on tour.
“Treated me like a brother”
My BFF and fellow Kentuckian, Shannon McCombs, was at the event, reporting on behalf of her weekly syndicated CDX Country News feature. Shannon asked Michael about the artists he looks up to, like Mark Wills and Travis Tritt and what its like to have them as outspoken fans of his.
“Mark Wills, Travis, Joe Diffie, Tracy Lawrence, Dailey and Vincent… I could go on and on about the artists that have treated me like a brother from day one,” replied Michael. “These are the guys that are the reason I started playing guitar. I was learning their songs when they would come on the radio, with my acoustic guitar. I would listen to them with my dad and now I’m able to introduce them to my dad. It’s like this beautiful circle.”
About the writers…
Josh Osborne is a multi-platinum Grammy winning songwriter who has notched 18 No. 1s on the Country charts and is the reigning Music Row Top Country Songwriter of the Year. Originally from Kentucky, Osborne moved to Nashville to hone his craft, earning his first No.1 with Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over” in 2012. In 2015, Osborne joined frequent collaborator Shane McAnally’s company, SMACKSongs, as a partner and songwriter.
Jesse Frasure is a Nashville-based hit songwriter, music publisher, producer and DJ. He is also General Manager of Rhythm House, a co-venture of Roc Nation Nashville and Warner Chappell Music. Frasure has written 12 number one songs, produced an additional 8 number one songs, and has seen multi-platinum success producing for the likes of Thomas Rhett, Billy Currington, Lauren Alaina among others.
Matthew Ramsey, in addition to being a hit songwriter, is the lead vocalist with Old Dominion. Ramsey has had hit songs for artists that include The Band Perry, Craig Morgan, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, and – of course – Old Dominion.
Trevor Rosen is also a member of Old Dominion with whom he plays guitar and keyboards. Rosen signed with SMACKtown Music and Wrensong/Reynsong Publishing in 2013. Rosen has writing credits on many No. 1 songs for artist such as Dierks Bentley, The Band Perry and Blake Shelton, often co-writing with Ramsey. Rosen wrote the longest charting #1 song in Country Aircheck history, William Michael Morgan’s I Met A Girl.
Michael Ray’s next single
Also attending the backstage celebration at the Opry was Michael Ray’s fiancé and future wife, Carly Pearce, who shot to fame with her debut single “Every Little Thing” (Big Machine).
“One That Got Away” was produced by Scott Hendricks and is the second single from Michael’s second album Amos released in 2018. His next single, “Her World or Mine,” penned by Brett Beavers, Jamie Paulin and Travis Denning, also from Amos, was released earlier this year.
More about Michael Ray at his website and on Facebook here.
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com