BRANTLEY GILBERT AND LINDSAY ELL RACE TO CELEBRATE NO. 1 SINGLE 

“WHAT HAPPENS IN A SMALL TOWN”

Back Row, L to R: Greg Beeckman (Revelry Music Group), AJ Burton (Revelry Music Group), Kevin Lane (Kobalt), George Briner (The Valory Music Co.), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Scott Borchetta (BMLG), Ryan Beuschel (Warner/Chappell) and Will Overton (Warner/Chappell). Front Row, L to R: Josh Dunne, Lindsay Ell, Brantley Gilbert, Brock Berryhill, Rhett Akins and Allison Jones (BMLG). | Photo Credit: Steve Lowry |

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell celebrated their recent No. 1, “What Happens In A Small Town,” written by Gilbert, Rhett Akins, Josh Dunne and Brock Berryhill, on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Music City Indoor Karting hosted by BMI. The single marks Gilbert’s fifth No. 1 as an artist and seventh No. 1 as a songwriter and Ell’s first U.S. No. 1. Brantley, reflecting on his journey without pre prepared notes, spoke at length about how special this particular No.1 is for him. Facing Lindsay Ell he shared, “When you look for a duet partner, you want somebody that is not only going to pull their weight but exceed expectations. You did that and more. I’m honored to share this stage and this song with you.” And of his co-writers, he turned, smiled and continued, “I’m so glad I have friends that write good songs.” “What Happens In A Small Town” is Akins’s 31st No. 1, Berryhill’s second No. 1 and Dunne’s first No. 1. Each following-up their hit with new songs at Country radio, Gilbert released his second single from Fire & Brimstone, "Fire't Up," just before the holidays and Lindsay Ell’s current single, “I Don’t Love You,” is also now at Country radio. About Brantley Gilbert With back-to-back platinum albums and a grassroots following millions strong, Brantley Gilbert has clearly struck a nerve. The Georgia native who started as the defiant life-of-the-party can still go ‘til sunrise, but he’s also emerged as something far greater: the leader of a massive tribe of hard-working, fun-loving believers for whom electric guitar-shredding, rapping, and twang can go hand-in-hand-in-hand. They call themselves the BG Nation, and when the BG Nation watches Gilbert on a stage, they don’t just see a star. They see themselves. Seven No. 1 hits punctuate his career: “Country Must be Country Wide,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” CMA Awards Song of the Year nominee “Dirt Road Anthem,” “My Kinda Party,” “Bottoms Up,” “One Hell of an Amen” and collaboration with Lindsay Ell “What Happens In A Small Town.” Gilbert’s landmark record Just As I Am clinched the 2014 American Music Award for Favorite Country Album. Earning praise from the New York Times, NPR, American Songwriter, and more, Gilbert has mined a rich vein of conflict between the party and the pew on all of his albums. Instead of toiling in limbo, unable to enjoy good times for fear of Judgment Day, Gilbert fully lives––rowdy friend, man of faith, devoted husband, smitten new father––just as he is. Fire & Brimstone, out now (10/4/19) via The Valory Music Co., is Gilbert’s most mature and complex exploration of his world to date. Gilbert embarks on his Fire’t Up Tour 2020 on January 23 in London, Canada with special guests Chase Rice, Dylan Scott and Brandon Lay. For additional information, visit BrantleyGilbert.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter at @BrantleyGilbert and on Facebook @BrantleyGilbertMusic. About Lindsay Ell Lauded as “one of the most exciting and talented young artists in country music” (Forbes), Lindsay Ell is a triple threat:  accomplished musician, unique vocalist and songwriter. The Calgary native learned to play guitar while traveling with her father to country-bluegrass camps as a young girl. Ell honed her craft as a musical stylist and songwriter after being discovered by BTO and The Guess Who’s Randy Bachman (“American Woman” / “Taking Care of Business”) who discovered her at the age of 13. The multi-instrumentalist was soon touring alongside the likes of Luke Bryan, Buddy Guy, and Keith Urban, as well as wowing audiences as Carrie Underwood’s guitar player live on the “50th Annual CMA Awards” and holding her own alongside icon Melissa Etheridge on Skyville Live. In the last year alone, the 2019 ACM New Female Artist of the Year nominee and CMT Awards nominee exhilarated audiences as part of Brad Paisley’s Weekend Warrior World Tour, Sugarland’s Still The Same Tour and Keith Urban’s Graffiti U World Tour. Ell’s first full-length album The Project debuted at No. 1 on the Country Album Sales Chart and was named Billboard’s “Best Country Album of 2017.” Her single “Criminal” was the Most Added song at Country radio upon impact and became her first-ever Top 20 hit in the U.S., in addition to becoming her first No. 1 single on the Canadian Country Radio Charts. “What Happens In a Small Town,” Lindsay’s duet with Brantley Gilbert, has claimed the top spot on Country radio, marking her first No. 1 in the US. For more information visit: www.LindsayEll.com. # # #