Warner/Chappell Music Nashville Artist John Rich Wins Second Straight ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year Award

Warner/Chappell Music Nashville Artist John Rich Wins Second Straight ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year Award

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner/Chappell Music Nashville artist John Rich was awarded the 2006 ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year at the 44th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, honoring his top-charting triple-threat work as an artist (as half of the multi-platinum country duo Big & Rich) and sought-after songwriter and producer. This marks the second straight time Rich has taken home the prestigious award.

Along with writing Big & Rich's own recent hits "Save A Horse, Ride a Cowboy" and "8th of November" (nominated for CMA Song of the Year Award), 32-year-old Texan John Rich was honored for his work this year with country artist Keith Anderson (Top 10 Country song "Pickin' Wildflowers"), platinum-selling honky-tonk artist Jason Aldean (#1 Country song "Why" and Top 10 Country song "Hicktown"), Grammy-winning multi-platinum country star Gretchen Wilson (Top 10 Country song "All Jacked Up"), and Grammy-winning multi-platinum pop/country superstar Faith Hill (#1 Country song "Mississippi Girl" and Top 5 Country song "Like We Never Loved at All" featuring Tim McGraw).

"John Rich is one of the most exciting, driven, and prolific creative talents I have worked with. He forces all those around him to push themselves harder to produce the best result possible," said Richard Blackstone, Chairman and CEO, Warner/Chappell Music.

In the past five years, John Rich has helped revolutionize contemporary country music, especially though his writing and production work with breakout star Gretchen Wilson, who in 2004 stormed to the top of the Country and Pop music charts with her four times platinum debut, Here For The Party, which reestablished country's "redneck" roots in modern form. Her John Rich-penned #1 hit "Redneck Woman" went on to win the ASCAP Country Music single of the year, establishing Wilson as a star and Rich as a go-to hit-maker. It wasn't long before international superstar Faith Hill called upon Rich to help her return to her country background as a "Mississippi Girl," with an earthy sound ... and a #1 hit.

John Rich signed to Warner/Chappell Music Nashville in 2001. To date John Rich has written for superstar artists including Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Faith Hill, Keith Anderson, Jason Aldean, Cowboy Troy, Shannon Brown, Martina McBride, Clay Walker, and Aaron Tippin, and is currently producing country music legend John Anderson.

About Warner/Chappell Music:

Warner/Chappell Music is Warner Music Group Corp.'s (NYSE:WMG) award-winning global music publishing company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as "Happy Birthday To You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," the songs of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, as well as the music of Dido, Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, T.I. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its songwriters and their music. The company's extensive catalog makes it a natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film and television production companies, and others looking to record or license some of the world's greatest music.

Source: Warner/Chappell Music

CONTACT: Chris Chambers of The Chamber Group, +1-646-792-2976,
Chris@thechambergroup.com; or Amanda Collins of Warner Music Group,
+1-212-275-2213, Amanda.Collins@wmg.com

-------
Profile: intent