Presented by Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Terry McBride
“Whatever I’ve managed to accomplish in the music business, I owe to Tony Brown. He opened so many doors and put me on a path to opportunities that would change my life, and I am forever grateful.” — Terry McBride, lead singer for the ACM and CMA nominated 90’s country band McBride & The Ride
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country music’s hitmaker, Tony Brown, is the recipient of the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the 41st Annual Tennessee Songwriters Association International (TSAI), marking a historic moment in the industry. The prestigious award was presented to Tony on March 23 at the Sam Ash Music Store by BMI award-winning songwriter Terry McBride, a recent inductee into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame. With over 100 cuts by renowned artists like Reba McEntire, George Strait, and Garth Brooks, Terry McBride has also had 13 singles and 30 cuts by the award-winning duo Brooks & Dunn.
Tony Brown’s career spans over four decades, profoundly influencing the songwriting community as a legendary record producer. Renowned for his ability to recognize talent and hit songs, Tony’s contributions have resulted in numerous chart-topping hits, with over 100 number-one singles and over 100 million album sales. Throughout Tony’s career, he took risks, such as the decision to cut songs like Reba McEntire’s iconic hit “Fancy” despite initial skepticism from the record label, showcasing the importance of believing in the artistic vision of the artist.
Tony has collaborated with and produced songs for a diverse array of songwriters, including Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, Marty Stuart, and Rodney Crowell. He is also credited with two songwriting credits: “Play, Ruby, Play,” performed by Mickey Gilley, and “When You Get to the Heart,” by Barbara Mandrell and The Oak Ridge Boys.
Tony shares, “I want to express my gratitude to the Tennessee Songwriters Association for this honor of the Lifetime Achievement Award. This is a moment I never imagined, as I am known as a record producer, and I am deeply humbled to be recognized by the community for my contributions that have helped shape the careers of countless songwriters.”
TSAI is a non-profit organization operated by its own elected volunteer directors. They are committed to the education and development of the songwriting community while recognizing its members. They provide resources, workshops, and support services to songwriters aiming to build creativity and growth within the industry. Paul Castoe, President of TSAI, says, “The Tennessee Songwriters Association is proud to honor Tony Brown with our TSAI Lifetime Achievement Award this year! With an outstanding career as a musician, producer, and label executive, he’s given the world a tremendous amount of great music. As songwriters, we’d be little more than demo-makers without people like Tony turning them into amazing and timeless records. Thank you, Tony, for years of enjoyment!”
Additionally, Alabama singer-songwriter Dee White, paid tribute to Tony Brown during the event, performing original songs. Dee, known for his timeless country style influenced by southern classics, made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2019, and has since collaborated with Tony Brown, teaming up with him for his second LP.
As a key figure in the Nashville music scene, Tony has worked with some of the biggest names in country music, shaping the sound of numerous iconic albums. Producing chart-topping hits for artists like George Strait, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, and Trisha Yearwood, winning seven Academy of Country Music Awards (including Producer of the Year), multiple CMA awards, and having numerous Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum album credits. Throughout the decades, Tony Brown’s influence on the industry has continued to push boundaries and establish talent for stardom.
To learn more about Tony Brown, please visit TonyBrownEnterprises.com.
To schedule an interview with Tony Brown or for more information, contact
Dead Horse Branding at the following:
Danielle Reiss
Dead Horse Branding
Phone: (949) 421-9787
###
About Tony Brown
Tony Brown’s reputation as an unshakeable pillar of country music spans forty years. As an acclaimed record producer, the co-founder of Universal South Records, and the former President of MCA Records Nashville—a title he held for nearly a decade—Tony has worked with some of the biggest names in music. Having produced numerous hits by artists like George Strait, Reba McEntire, and Vince Gill, Tony is still one of the most sought-after and revered producers around.
Often credited with founding the Americana country movement, Tony was never afraid to push the envelope. He has proven the power of blending genres, helping establish the legendary careers of Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, and Nancy Griffith, among others, in the Americana format. Tony has earned several awards and recognitions for his achievements, including a Grammy Award, 7 Academy of Country Music Awards, including Producer of the Year, multiple CMA awards, 1 Dove Award for Best Instrumentalist, and many Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum album credits.
Over the course of his monumental career, Tony has yielded over 100 #1 singles and record levels of sales exceeding the $100 million mark, while simultaneously building a pantheon of stars unparalleled in music history.
Tony also produced most of the tracks on Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee, one of the highest-grossing albums of 2012, which features Lionel’s duets with Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Tim McGraw, Jimmy Buffet, Little Big Town, Kenny Rogers, and Willie Nelson. In 2014, Tony appeared in Dave Grohl’s television docuseries, Sonic Highways. Tony is currently the head of Tony Brown Enterprises.
In 2018, Tony released his first published coffee table book, Elvis Strait to Jesus, under the Hachette Group. In 2021, Tony was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. His career began as a musician, playing piano with The Oak Ridge Boys, Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, and Rodney Crowell. This year, Tony was a part of the Kenny Rogers 10-Song Collection, Life Is Like A Song, for his production on the Kenny and Dolly Parton duet “Tell Me That You Love Me.”
Tennessee Songwriters Association International (TSAI) Mission Statement
The Tennessee Songwriters Association International (TSAI) is a non-profit organization operated by its own elected volunteer directors who are committed to the education and development of the songwriting community and the advancement, enjoyment, and recognition of its members.
