January 24, 2006

News

‘Tequila’ Gives BMI Writers First Shot at #1

The grand lobby of the BMI Nashville office was busting at the seams during a heavy turnout of celebrants to honor the #1 single "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off." Co-written by BMI songwriters Gary Hannan and John Wiggins, who are both enjoying their first chart-topper, the tongue-in-cheek hit was recorded by Universal South's Joe Nichols.

Pictured at the party are BMI's Paul Corbin, artist Joe Nichols, BMI songwriter Gary Hannan, BMI's Perry Howard and BMI songwriter John Wiggins.

Wiggins, who with his sister Audrey recorded for Mercury Records in the 90s, has been affiliated with BMI for 15 years. "It's always good to see this many friends and relations," Wiggins told the crowd. He thanked the song's producer, Buddy Cannon, for his wizardry in the recording studio, noting, "Magic makes hits, guys."

Hannan told the partygoers they might have some difficulty understanding his South African accent. "I always made a promise to myself," he continued, "that if I ever got up onstage to accept an award like this, I'd thank the young man who always encouraged my songwriting." That man, he said, was the late Miller Harris, a Nashville music publisher who died in 1999. Hannan also paid tribute to his father, who was in the audience.

In keeping with the tequila theme, there was a lavish Mexican-themed buffet and plenty of margaritas.

In this story: Gary Hannan, John Wiggins

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BMI represents more than 400,000 songwriters, composers, and publishers with more than 6.5 million works.