Photo via SmackSongs Instagram//Taken by Rachel Deeb

What is better than a concert on a Monday night? Nothing. Although this concert was unlike any other for multiple reasons. One, it was at the Listening Room Cafe which is known for its intimate setting and finding new upcoming singers and songwriters. SMACKSongs took over the night for a round called SMACK and Friend’s making it the ultimate writers round. SMACKSongs is a Nashville-based music publishing company founded in 2012. They are proudly home to some of the industry’s top songwriters, producers, and artists, including Shane McAnally himself, as founder and CEO. The show featured McAnally, Josh Osborne, Teddy Robb, Aaron Eshuis, Matt McGinn, Ryan Beaver, Josh Jenkins, Kylie Morgan, Renee Blair and many more!

McAnally and Osborne got the night started by singing some of their hit songs including “Drinking Problem” and “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”. Bringing out their first set of writers, including Renee Blair and Teddy Robb, each singer performed a new single or one that has previously been cut. Teddy Robb previewed a new song called “Tell Me How” that has not yet been released but never the less got the crowd on their feet applauding. Renee Blair also took the same approach singing a new song called “Me Tonight”.

In between each set of writers, McAnally and Osborne shared stories of their journey without forgetting to add some jokes along the way. Talking about how they once played a song for Kenny Chesney on his plane that was already taken but he loved it so much they had to steal it back from no other than Little Big Town. “American Kids” then became Chesney’s #1 single off his album The Big Revival. Other artists that played included Brandon Radcliff singing his song “Rules of Breaking Up” and Josh Jenkins sang “21” which was cut by Jimmie Allen on his latest album Mercury Lane and “Thinking About You”.

Each time McAnally introduced a singer you could tell in his voice how proud of each one of them he was. He even said himself that the only people he could be more proud of are his kids, showing genuine gratitude and emotion as the night progressed. Throughout the night he talked about how important it was to “find your tribe” and the people that are willing to hustle with you in order to chase your dreams. Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne have created not only a powerhouse of songwriters, producers, and artists but a community that displays the true meaning of family within the country music business.  Head to our Instagram and check out exclusive videos from the night.

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