Scotty McCreery’s romance inspired “This
Is It”
Number One party celebrates with
co-writers
By Preshias Harris
Scotty McCreery turned his own love story
into a No. 1 hit. “This Is It” became
Scotty’s second No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay charts, following 2017’s
smash hit, “Five More Minutes.”
He celebrated the success of “This Is It”
at a Number One party on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, with co-writers Aaron
Eshuis and Frank Rogers. The song was produced by Eshuis, Rogers and Derek
Wells. The party, co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI, was held at ASCAP’s Nashville
offices.
“If you’d told me a couple of years ago
that I’d be here, I’d have told you you’re crazy,” said Scotty as he began his
remarks at the party. “It’s been an incredible ride.”
“This Is It” has become a very personal
song for Scotty. He and long-time
girlfriend, Gabi Dugal, had known each other since kindergarten and dated for
about six years before Scotty proposed while on a hike to a romantic spot near
Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.
“I wrote it a couple of days before our
engagement,” Scotty revealed during the No. 1 party. He played the song to Gabi
just an hour after he proposed. He sang the song to her at their wedding and
says that he sees Gabi in his mind when her performs it on the road every
night. “It’s easy to write love songs about you, baby,” Scotty said to Gabi
during the presentation ceremony. “I appreciate you saying yes and marrying me,
otherwise this song probably wouldn’t have made it to radio!” He added, “This
is NOT It” is not a good title!”
Scotty thanked co-writers Eshuis and Rogers
for being by his side. “Frank, you’ve been a mentor to me for years now. I feel
you really ‘get’ me and what I want to say, and you help me say it. I appreciate you, brother.”
Turning to Eshuis, Scotty said, “It’s
incredible to be here for your first Number One [as a songwriter]. I think
you’re going to have many more, but always remember, I’ll always be your
first.”
Scotty reminisced about the “This Is It” writing
session. “I walked into the pool house that day at Frank’s place and I said,
‘Guys, I haven’t told anybody this yet, but I’m planning on popping the
question in a couple of weeks. I’m going to take her up into the mountains in
North Carolina [and propose].’ I described the place and had the story in my
head, but I needed some help telling it.”
Turning to Rogers and Eshuis beside him at ASCAP, Scotty said, “I
appreciate you diving in with me on such a personal song and helping me tell
our story.”
Accepting his first Number One award, an
emotional Eshuis turned to his wife, Jessica, and said, “Thank you for spoiling
me.”
Frank Rogers founded Sea Gayle Music
Publishing with Brad Paisley and Chris DuBois. Sea Gayle is credited with more
than 650 cuts and 36 number one copyrights. He is now producing and songwriting
with Fluid Music Revolution, a joint venture with Spirit Music Group.
“This Is It” and Scotty’s previous No. 1
“Five More Minutes” are both cuts from his 2018 album, Seasons Change (Triple
Tigers).
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