“There is No One More Deserving”: Morgan Wallen Pays Tribute to Ashley Gorley After He's Named in Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2025

Morgan Wallen has offered a heartwarming homage to his friend and frequent co-writer, Ashley Gorley, after it was revealed that Gorley is in the Songwriters Hall Of Fame Class Of 2025.

The prolific songsmith heard the news, which broke live on CBS today (January 22nd, 2025), as he was unsuspectingly going about his usual morning routine, with the famously modest Gorley expressing his gratitude at being included in this year's group of inductees.

After growing up in Danville, Kentucky and cutting his teeth at Nashville's renowned Belmont University, Ashley Gorley has established himself as one of Music City's most revered songwriters, penning a plethora of iconic hits across the past two decades.

These include a host of Morgan Wallen's smashes, including ‘Last Night’ - which broke records when it spent 16 weeks atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 - ‘Sand in My Boots’, ‘Thinkin’ Bout Me’, ‘You Proof’, ‘Everything I Love’, ‘Cowgirls’ and more.

Today, Morgan Wallen has paid tribute to Ashley Gorley with an endearing celebratory message, “Ashley, your talent and work ethic are unmatched. I’m glad you’re being celebrated for your craft and there is no one more deserving of this honor”.

The Sneedville megastar has stressed how Gorley has never lost his drive or rested on his laurels, despite possessing an unrivalled catalogue, “After as many hits as you’ve had, you don’t have to show up like you do for me and other artists and writers, and yet, your passion and love of songwriting inspires us every day. Congratulations on being named to the Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2025!”

In light of the Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction announcement, Ashley Gorley emphasised his surprise at the prestigious accolade, “I’m honestly shocked. I started out in the tape room listening to some of the greatest songwriters turn in demos. Being welcomed into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and this legendary group of music makers is a dream come true. I’ve always looked up to this organization, and I’m proud to join representing Nashville and the country music community”.

Gorley expanded, “I’ve attended this event as a fan and it always leaves me inspired, so this moment is truly surreal for me and my family. I’m incredibly grateful for the Hall of Fame and all the songwriting heroes who shaped music as we know it today, and I’m looking forward to celebrating everyone in June”. The Songwriters Hall Of Fame Class of 2025 Induction takes place on June 12th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, with The Doobie Brothers, George Clinton, Mike Love from the Beach Boys, Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins also being recognised.

In addition to a slew of Wallen chart-toppers, Gorley has written a dizzying array of beloved country anthems, including Lee Brice's ‘One Of Them Girls’, Luke Bryan's ‘Play It Again‘, Carrie Underwood's ‘Don't Forget to Remember Me’, Cole Swindell's ‘She Had Me at Heads Carolina’, Chris Stapleton's ‘You Should Probably Leave’, HARDY's ‘TRUCK BED’, Sam Hunt's ‘Hard to Forget’ and many more.

Next month, Ashley Gorley will contend for the coveted 2025 Best Country Song Grammy, with Gorley receiving nominations for Post Malone and Morgan Wallen's ubiquitous earworm, ‘I Had Some Help’, and Jelly Roll's introspective ballad, ‘I Am Not Okay’.

For more on Ashley Gorley, see below: