November 5, 2002

Troy Verges

“Blessed” •  “Who I Am” • “With Me” 
“I Would’ve Loved You Anyway”

When he was learning the craft of songwriting, Troy Verges instinctively knew how important it was to listen. While still in college at Belmont University’s School of Music Business, Verges secured an internship at Patrick Joseph Music, one of Music Row’s strongest publishers. His favorite job was working in the tape library listening to every song that came in, including hits from Matraca Berg, Tim Mensy, Kim Carnes, and Gary Harrison.

The Louisiana transplant eventually secured a publishing deal, with Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville, even before he’d graduated from college, but landed only a handful of cuts in his first three years. However, after Verges placed “Love Is A Sweet Thing” on Faith Hill’s multi-platinum Breathe album, he found himself as in demand as any writer in Nashville.

As proof of his popularity, Verges collects in 2002 not only his first BMI Country Awards, but the accompanying title of BMI Country Songwriter of the Year.  The four songs earning him the prize are his first #1, “Who I Am,” recorded by Jessica Andrews;  “With Me,” by Lonestar; “I Would’ve Loved You Anyway,” by Trish Yearwood; and his second #1, “Blessed,” by Martina McBride.

He was also named Songwriter of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International at their 2002 Songwriter Achievement Awards.

Other artists who have recorded Verges’s work include Andy Griggs, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Tim McGraw, Mindy McCready, Sons of the Desert and Pam Tillis.  His songs are also set for new projects by McGraw, Jessica Andrews, Sara Evans, The Wilkinsons, Holly Lamar, Neal McCoy, Brett James, and Kellie Coffey.