DAVID LEE MURPHY AND KENNY CHESNEY WIN MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR FOR "EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT"

Murphy’s 1st Nom & Win; Chesney’s 3rd Musical Event Award

 When Kenny Chesney decided to make what became No Zip Code with David Lee Murphy, he believed in the singularity of Murphy's voice as an artist and as a writer. When Murphy asked Chesney to sing on “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” a song about finding grace in the eye of the storm, he was honored to sing with his good friend.

“Sometimes you hear songs, and they just feel good,” says Chesney. “And occasionally one of the ones that feels so good says something that people are needing to hear. That’s how I felt about ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright’ the moment I heard it. Being able to be part of David Lee’s song was just awesome.”

And this morning – on “Good Morning America” – Murphy’s first No. 1 this decade was named the Country Music Association’s Musical Event of the Year. One of two pre-telecast awards, it started the CMA day off on a good note.

“David Lee is so singular, I’d hear his demos and think, ‘People need to hear this voice, and his perspective,’” Chesney says. “I couldn’t be happier to see him win his first CMA Award. We’ve sung this song all over America this year, and I’ve seen the way stadiums full of people respond. Every night when he’d walk out, they’d cheer – and when the chorus came along, it was something they wanted to sing with us.”

“The crowd sings along from the very first line with their hands in the air,” Murphy says. “What’s been heartwarming for me are the personal stories from people whose lives have been affected by this song. That’s what it’s all about.”

For Murphy, Musical Event of the Year was his first CMA nomination. It is now also his first CMA Award.

“My heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible,” Murphy responds, “especially my great friend Kenny Chesney. Love you, brother!”

DAVID LEE MURPHY IS "ALRIGHT" AT 50 STATIONS - #1 MOST ADDED TRACK FEATURES GOOD PAL KENNY CHESNEY

It’s been a long time since David Lee Murphy went to country radio, but that doesn’t seem to be slowing down the man Kenny Chesney calls “the Original Hillbilly Rock Star.” With “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” arriving at country radio, the man known for the No. 1s “Party Crowd” and “Dust on the Bottle” scores the week’s No. 1 Most Added Song.

“It’s crazy, but it’s awesome,” says Murphy. “We all believed in this song. Heck, Kenny came in and sang on it with me – because it felt so good. When we listened to the playback, we thought we had something. Hearing we had 50 stations, it lets you know people do hear what you hear.”

“When David Lee sent me the song,” Chesney offers with a laugh, “it was such a great groove, it hooked me immediately. But what it says – and how it said it – is one of those sentiments for the times. We can all benefit from slowing down and trying to break the momentum, trust the universe and let go of what’s got a hold of us.”

Evidently, country radio shares the sentiment. Fifty radio stations across America took the lead, adding “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” to their playlists – and making the gently churning song that features both Murphy and Chesney the most added record in the nation this week.

“It feels good,” the songwriter from Southern Illinois says. “To know my music is hitting that kind of place in people’s hearts… That’s the reason I write these songs: to make people feel something about their life. So the response is everything I could hope for, and I am so grateful to the Reviver Records team for believing, and to country radio for letting this music be heard. That’s how the dots get connected.”

Working a groove that shuffles, a pre-chorus that ambles and just enough reggae lift in the chorus, “Alright” suggests the solace of seeking balance to get through what life hands you. With crushing news cycles, an ever-quickening tech universe and increasing workloads, “Alright” is a classic exhale from the man who’s penned hits for Chesney, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Thompson Square, Gary Allen and many others.

“You watch the news, it’s rough,” Murphy says. “You can get caught in that, or step back and trust life. Sometimes, a deep breath changes everything.”

Capturing the rush of being alive, the hardcore work ethic of country fans and a desire that quickens the pulse, Murphy’s No Zip Code, co-produced by Chesney, Buddy Cannon (Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Merle Haggard) and Murphy, is coming soon. And this duet is the first taste, marking a big return to country radio. With 50 stations so far, “Everything Is Gonna Be Alright” is alright, indeed.

FOR PAUL THORN, "EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT"

Paul Thorn is one of the best artists that many people may not have heard of. You won't find him soaking up the media spotlight, you won't see him walking the red carpet at the overabundance of music awards shows and you won't see any over the top headlining arena shows because that's not who Paul Thorn is as an artist and it's not what he's about. Keeping his head low, you're more apt to find him in a dark corner of Broadway in Nashville or a Memphis dive, performing to those who swig back shots at the bar with his signature style, keeping his music simple and meaningful, deep and soul wrenching. His blend of guitar slinging, gritty mix of country and bluesy vocals and blatant musical honesty makes Paul a true stand out in today's music world. You won't see or hear another artist like him and that's the way he likes it. He makes his mark as a stand-alone artist, and as someone who is tired of "conveyer belt" artists, that's something I truly appreciate about Paul.

For Paul, his new single says it all, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright."

Follow Paul on Twitter at @PimpsPreachers and check out his website at www.paulthorn.com.