UMPG Honors Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Mel Tillis


Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville, dedicated the “Mel Tillis Writer’s Room” at UMPG’s Nashville offices on Monday, October 29th, following Mel’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. UMPG’s staff, songwriters, along with some of Mel’s friends and family gathered to celebrate.

Pat Higdon, EVP and General Manager, UMPG Nashville, said of the dedication, “Not only has Mel made a significant contribution to our industry as a performer, but he has also shaped the careers of many artists with his songs. His hits include such classics as “Ruby Don’t take Your Love To Town,” “Detroit City,” and “Mental Revenge.” They have been recorded by artists as diverse as Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings, Allison Kraus, and Robert Plant -- they are ripe for covers in today’s market.”

Higdon presented Tillis with an inscribed vase and gave him a tour of the room which features a vintage guitar on the hearth. Above the mantle are Mel show posters. A framed copy of Mel’s handwritten lyrics to “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town” is on one side of the window. The wall on the other side of the window is decorated with a portrait of Mel. “Your first thought is your best,” reads Mel’s advice to writers who’ll work in the room. A plaque on the door identifies it as Mel’s room. The walls are covered in BMI awards for songs that Mel either wrote, co-wrote or sang.

“It’s heavy,” Mel remarked on his commemorative vase. “That must mean it’s real. I come from the Webb Pierce School of Drinking, so this is the right size.”

UMPG songwriters Rivers Rutherford, Matraca Berg and David Lee; BMI’s Jody Williams, Shelby Kennedy, Thomas Cain, and Harry Warner; and CMA’s Hank Adam Locklin attended the room dedication. Mel kept the young UMPG songwriters in stitches with his quips and he seemed genuinely moved and delighted at the sight of his room. "Thanks to everyone at Universal Music Publishing Group,” said Mel Tillis. “I was thrilled with the reception I received from Pat Higdon, Scott Gunter, and the entire staff during the Mel Tillis Room Dedication. What an honor it is to know that it will always be there and will hopefully inspire other songwriters and artists.” Remarking on the UMPG team, Tillis added, "I am also forever grateful for their efforts in promoting my songs and I can’t thank everyone enough. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group commented, “It is fitting that this is the first time that Universal Music Publishing Group has ever dedicated a room, in any of our offices, to an artist - we are honored to have Mel Tillis in the Universal Music Publishing Group family of artists and songwriters.”

UMPG Nashville is fortunate to have a catalogue of classic songs penned by some of the industry’s greatest songwriting legends. As the publisher and guardian of these timeless treasures, UMPG Nashville recently established a new Catalogue Exploitation division headed by publishing veteran Scott Gunter.

Following the room dedication, UMPG and BMI organized a Mel Tillis performance at the Stage in downtown Nashville as an opportunity for some of country’s next big stars to pay homage to a true songwriting legend and country music statesman. Artists that came out to perform with Mel include Jamey Johnson, Jason Michael Carroll, Ira Dean, Radney Foster, Sarah Johns, Blaine Larson, Jimmy Stewart, Heidi Newfield, Kenyon Lockry, Sonny Tillis, and Pam Tillis. The highlight of the evening was a surprise performance by country superstar Toby Keith. Together Toby and Mel performed not only many of Mel’s classic hits, but also hits from the legendary western swing artist Bob Wills. Mel’s band the Statesiders played with Mel and all the other artists.

		AUDIO CLIPS
		TITLE (label)	ARTIST
		Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town	Kenny Rogers