Ashley Gorley Inducted into 2024 TICUA Hall of Fame

Chart-topping alumnus recognized among distinguished Tennessee leaders

Belmont University alumnus and renowned songwriter Ashley Gorley has been named to the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association's 2024 Hall of Fame class. Now in its fifth year, the TICUA Hall of Fame recognizes distinguished alumni from its 34 member institutions, highlighting their contributions to the state, nation and world.

"As we welcome this new class of honorees, it's inspiring to see the diverse ways TICUA institution alumni are shaping the world," said TICUA President Dr. Cameron Conn. "Each inductee's story underscores the profound impact private higher education can have, not only on personal success, but also on shaping communities and industries."

Gorley, who graduated from Belmont with a B.B.A. in Music Business in 1999, has become a true powerhouse in the music industry. His journey from a small-town Kentucky native to a songwriting icon spans more than two decades, resulting in a record-breaking 75+ #1 radio singles and over 400 songs recorded by artists across multiple genres.

Named Nashville Songwriter Association International's Songwriter of the Decade for 2010-2019, Gorley has earned an astounding 24 CMA Triple Play Awards, recognizing songwriters with three #1 hits within a year. His recent accolades include being named ACM Songwriter of the Year and Variety's Songwriter of the Year (all-genre) in 2023. His Grammy-nominated hit "Last Night," performed by Morgan Wallen, topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-setting 16 weeks in 2023.

Beyond his personal success, Gorley has demonstrated a commitment to nurturing new talent through his publishing and artist development company, Tape Room Music, founded in 2011. The company has produced more than 45 #1 songs, including the 2018 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, "Body Like a Back Road" and 2021 ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC Country Song, "One of Them Girls."

Gorley's dedication to the music industry extends to his advocacy for songwriters' rights. He has actively promoted crucial legislation such as the Music Modernization Act, meeting with senators and the Library of Congress to champion fair compensation and intellectual property protection in the digital age.

At Belmont, Gorley continues to shape the next generation of music industry professionals, regularly returning to campus to mentor students and lead seminars.

He joins 22 other distinguished inductees in the 2024 TICUA Hall of Fame class, representing a variety of professions and showcasing the lasting impact of Tennessee's private institutions on shaping global leaders, including: 

• Jerry Adams | University of the South

• Yvonne Griggs Allen | Lane College

• Sister Christine Born | Aquinas College

• Gust Hubert Cachiaras | Johnson University

• Clarence Christian | LeMoyne-Owen College

• Debby Fleming | Baptist Health Sciences University

• John Hope Franklin | Fisk University

• Ashley Gorley | Belmont University

• Jeremy Harrell | Trevecca Nazarene University

• Ben Hooper | Carson-Newman University

• Myles Horton | Cumberland University

• Jeffrey Kuhlman | Southern Adventist University

• Marilyn Laszlo | Bryan College

• Robert Mahley | Maryville College

• Martha Morrow | Southern College of Optometry

• Warren Payne | King University

• Claude Pressnell | Vanderbilt University

• David Sampson | Lipscomb University

• Carla Sanderson | Union University

• Milton Sewell | Freed-Hardeman University

• Claire Tucker | Tennessee Wesleyan University

• Stanley R. Welty Jr. | Tusculum University

• Russell Wigginton | Rhodes College