Ten-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley is donating royalties from her Billboard Country Airplay #1 hit “I Am Not Okay,” written by Gorley with co-writers Taylor Phillips and Casey Brown and recorded by Jelly Roll, to to help. mental health support initiatives for those in the songwriting community;
Gorley, who is also known for writing No. 1 hits such as the Morgan Wallen/Post Malone 16-week chart-topper “I Had Some Help” and other hits recorded by Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini and others. commemorating the success of 'I Am Not Okay' by supporting The Onsite Foundation's launch of a program aimed at helping the creative community. The Creative Support Network will provide free mentoring, training, resources and mental wellness support created specifically to help members of the songwriting community.
“A song about struggling to get out of bed in the morning is No. 1 and that really speaks to where we are in the world,” Gorley said in a statement. “It was important for us to take this moment to say 'you're not alone' and support a creative network with programming that's tailored to songwriters at any stage of their journey.”
Songwriter-focused intensives are a key part of the program, including two-day mentoring sessions, individual or group coaching and therapy designed for creatives. The program also includes mentoring, social impact initiatives, and online curriculum and chat resources free to the creative community, thanks to Gorley giving 80 grants for 80 people, in addition to the program's infrastructure support.
“This song in particular, along with the Jelly Roll era, creates a movement and timely conversation about the need to equip creatives with the necessary tools to optimize their personal and professional pursuits,” said Onsite's Miles Adcox. “I have been at the intersection of Music and Mental Wellness for most of my career and have experienced first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing today's creatives. Music is medicine and the comfort, relief, support and overall impact it provides to humanity worldwide is immeasurable. Our storytellers are a national treasure that we must pour into and protect at all costs. We are grateful to Ashley, Jelly Roll and the Tape Room writers for starting this conversation in the songwriting community and for lending their expertise and resources.”
Jelly Roll's hit “I Am Not Okay” offers an honest portrayal of the struggles faced by many with mental health issues. The song is from her recent Billboard 200 album Jelly Roll Beautifully broken.
Gorley's recent honors include ACM Songwriter and Song of the Year for Cole Swindell's hit “She Had Me at Heads Carolina” and ASCAP Country Song of the Year for Wallen's “You Proof.” Gorley was also honored as NSAI's Songwriter of the Decade for 2010-2019.
In 2011, Gorley, a graduate of Belmont University, also launched his own publishing company, Tape Room Music, with a roster that includes “I Am Not Okay” co-writers Brown and Phillips.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/ashley-gorley-donates-royalties-i-am-not-okay-songwriters-wellness-program/
