>> From the Library of Congress in Washington DC. [ Applause ] >> Welcome country music lovers. I'm not Carrie Underwood. And if any of you were at the County Music Association concert last spring you'll also be glad to know that I'm not going to break into there stands the glass like Dr. Billington did. Only he can do that. But I did dress to welcome county music to the Coolidge Auditorium. And I'd like to give a special thanks to the County Music Association which is co-hosting tonight's songwriter series. It's a concert featuring some of the county's top composers and artists. In the past few years the Library of Congress and CMA have forged a productive and thoroughly enjoyable partnership. We like to call it storytellers and storykeepers referring to the creators and performers of county music on the one hand and to the library of congress whose mission is to collect and preserve this music on the other hand. Most people don't associate the Library of Congress with country music but in fact the library has by far the largest collection of country music anywhere if you count sheet music, sound recordings, television shows, films, whatever medium it comes in we have it here at the library. And remember that the Library of Congress is your library so that means that you have all of those things. We've required this music over the years in several ways, most of it through the copyright law and through copyright deposit. But also through donations, purchases and by actually proactively going out and recording it in the field. The fact that we have it through copyright deposit has some nice stories to it because when we have artist come, we can usually dig in the archives and find the first thing that they ever sent in through copyright as we did several years ago when Dolly Parton visited and was shocked to see the first copyright deposit that she sent in when she was 15 years old something like that. The library recognizes the preeminence of country music as the most internationally popular music genre today. And it takes seriously its responsibility to support it as we're doing tonight. And we also are shining a light on it and the talented people who bring it though life. So tonight I would like to have you please with me welcome Bob DiPiero, Brett James and Lori McKenna and I think it's really wonderful to have the songwriters here. They'll sit here and they'll tell you about what it was like to write these songs. Many of the country music people write their own songs but these are really topnotch songwriters. And it's great to have them on this stage and get a chance to hear the story from their view point. Also on sharing the stage with a movie Little Big Town which I'm proud to announce was nominated yesterday for a Grammy, best country performance by a duo or group for their single the Little White Church which I think they're gonna do tonight, so. So would you please join me in welcoming these wonderful country music performers and songwriters. [ Applause ] >> Well goodnight everybody, that's-- [Laughter] thanks for coming. It was fun. Welcome, welcome to Library of Congress and this is the CMA songwriter show. And we're glad you're here for a-- for this wonderful fabulous event. [Laughter] We are country music songwriters, artist and singers, that's what we do believe it or not we actually make a living in it. [Laughter] We're not kidding you. It's possible. Anything is possible. And I wanna introduce you to everybody. First, my name is-- I'm the lovely and very talented Bob DiPiero. I'm glad to be here. [ Applause ] >> And this four lovely young American's here, next to me are one of the shining stars in our country music family, amazing group. We got Jimi, we got Kimberly, we got Karen and we got Mr. Phillip Sweet on the end. >> Whoa! [ Applause ] [ Music ] >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Oh their good, their so good. [Laughter] And then the guy over there who is like he is on his own zip code. [Laughter] He actually has a-- done something that is pretty undoable this days. He actually has written a lot of hit songs but just in this year he has had six songs that he's written go to number 1. >> Whoa! [ Applause ] >> That's impressive people. [ Applause ] >> That's pretty much like climbing Mount Everest in flip flops and a Speedo, [laughter] which-- >> I'm gonna try to do that next year. >> I bet you would 'cause you can. >> No, it's a joke. >> You could do that man. >> And the Yin to the Yang and the sweet and sour, the sweet is not you Brett. >> I know. I'm looking at 'em. >> Sorry man. Is amazing singer, amazing songwriter, a great story of talent just bowling through everything. She's-- She's a Yankee but we like her anyway. [Laughter] Ms. Lori McKenna, please. [ Applause ] [ Music ] >> So here's what we do in songwriter shows. We play songs we've written. So don't ask me to play a Margarita Ville or Free Bird. >> Or Free Bird. >> You come down here I give you black eye I'm telling you that now. Just letting you know. But the songs we're gonna play, songs we write and we have written or co-written or any of the above. So If I'm singing it, I wrote it, these wonderful talented Little Big Towners wonderful writers, we know Brett's a big showoff and Lori. So [strums], here we go. [ Music ] [ Background Music ] >> Yeah that's good. Thank you already. [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> Just about a mile off-a one-oh-nine, there's a little church sittin' back in the pines. Oh, that little girl she was gonna be mine. I wouldn't be surprised if she was standin' there cryin'. Wo-ah, I didn't know this bored-out Ford could go so slow. Wo-ah, you got to put your foot down on the floor. Yeah, we've been rocking all night, don't you know. You gotta get me to the church on the Cumberland Road. Yeah. Billy's passed out in the back, but I think he's alive. Bobby's got his head hangin' over the side. Here we are only doin' ninety-five. What's matter with you, man? I thought you said you could drive. Wo-ah, I didn't know this bored-out Ford could go so slow. Wo-ah, you got to put your foot down on the floor. Yeah, we've been rocking all night, don't you know. You gotta get me to the church on the Cumberland Road. Yeah. [ Music ] [ Background Music ] >> We don't like to rehears. [Laughter] Because you know why? We're the best in our price range. [ Laughter ] [ Singing ] >> Sweeter than the dew on a honeysuckle vine. Warmer than noon on the Fourth of July. Sweetest little girl I ever have known and waitin' at the church on Cumberland Road. Wo-ah, I didn't know this bored-out Ford could go so slow. Wo-ah, you got to put your foot down on the floor. Yeah, we've been rocking all night, don't you know. You gotta get me to the church on the Cumberland Road. Get me to the church, Cumberland Road. Get me to the church, Cumberland Road, on Cumberland Road, Cumberland Road. Look out, here it comes. [ Music ] >> Yeah. >> Whoa! [ Applause ] >> Yo, give it for Hall of Fame songwriter Bob DiPiero, yo, Hall of Famer. >> Thank you. Oh my God. Whoa! >> Fantastic. [ Applause ] >> Ah, okay. >> I got to take my coat off. >> That's it for me. I know I could have a stroke in any moment. [ Laughter ] >> Terrible. >> I love that one. >> How about another big hand for Little Big Town to welcome them here. [ Applause ] >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We wrote this song part of it 5 years ago, 4 years ago? 5 years ago? >> 5 years ago I think. >> And we thought it should marinate for awhile and so we came back on this record and finish it and it's one of my favorite things Kimberly sings on the record called [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> The driveway winds up the hill through the wildflower fields where the kids like to play. There's a little creek by the willow tree. Oh yes, it's a beautiful place. We have the family photograph, the house, the life, the dream. You're love's the only thing missing here. Well, I guess you can't have everything. We don't talk anymore. You leave your ring in the drawer like it don't mean a thing. The silence crawls down the lonely halls that weep for what used to be. We have the family photograph, the house, the life, the dream. You're love's the only thing missing here. Well, I guess you can't have everything. Oh. We have the family photograph, the house, the life, the dream. You're love's the only thing missing here. Well, I guess you can't have everything. Oh, I guess you can't have everything. [ Music ] [ Applause ] >> Whoa! Yeah. Little Big Town y'all! >> Thank you. [ Applause ] [ Music ] [ Background Music ] >> Bunch of showoffs. >> Does anybody wanna come up and follow them? [Laughter] Any volunteers? I need someone to volunteer to follow Little Big Town all night. >> You are the man. >> Your the man Mr. Brett James ladies and gentlemen. >> I don't know how I got stuck in the seat y'all. [ Applause ] [ Background Music ] >> December 24th, two years ago I had a buddy calling. He said "Man, what are you doing the day after tomorrow?" And I-- that's the day after Christmas, I have kids, I said "Nothing man, what are you doing?" [Laughter] He said, "Why don't we go down to the islands and write some songs," that actually did sound better So a couple of days later I'm in the islands with a good friend of all ours and as people have pronged to do the first night we're there, we kinda made a-- kinda had a time. We kinda went out and, you know, what people do the first night in the hour. [Laughter] So the next morning I got up relatively early and about two hours late,r he stumbled out and I was sitting on his deck looking over and one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen strumming this guitar and he looked at me and the first thing out of his mouth was, "Man, we went out last night." [Laughter] I thought, well, maybe that's the song we had to write today. So I started playing this little groove. Bop, bop, ba, bop, ba, da, da, up. And he went, bop, bop, da, da, da, bop, bop, da-- can you all sing that with me, ba, da, da. Bop, bop, ba, da, da, da. So we got to spend the next couple of hours laughing and talking, laughing more than anything else, I wrote this little song. [ Singing ] >> We went out last night like we swore we wouldn't do. We drank too much beer last night, a lot more than we wanted to. There were girls from Argentina and Arkansas, Maine, Alabama and Panama, all mixed together and having a ball. Oh, we went out last night. One thing started leading to another. Out last night. Hittin' on everybody and their mother. There were two karaoke girls drunk on a dare singing "I Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher. Men, life was good everywhere, we went out last night. Bop, bop, here's your part. Bop, da, da, da, bop, bop, da, da, da, bop, bop, bop, da, da, da. Well you know I'm a music man. I grew up in east Tennessee. But last night I was everything when I got a few drinks in me. I was a doctor, a lawyer, and a senator's son, Brad Pitt's brother and a man on the run, anything I thought might get the job done. Oh, we went out last night. One thing started leading to another. Out last night. Hittin' on everybody and their mother. There were people doing body shots up on the bar. Jimmy in a fist fight out by the car. Everybody was some kind of star when we went out last night. Well the fact that I'm still breathing means that I must have survived and that I lived to go out with my friends again tonight. You all sing 'em. Oh, we went out last night. One thing started leading to another. Out last night. Everybody started loving on each other. They were dancing on the tables and howling at the moon. Pairing off together and pretty soon there was not a sole in sight when we went out last night. Bop, bop, bop, da, da, da, bop, bop, da, da, da, bop, bop, da, da, da, bop, bop, da, da, da. >> Yeah! [ Applause ] >> Thanks for the help y'all, thank you. >> How do you-- how do you get invited on that trip? >> I don't know. >> Yeah, so who was you-- Oprah? [Laughter] Is that Oprah? >> It was actually Oprah Winfrey and [inaudible] that song, yeah. So a lot of people don't know she is really good. >> How do you get invited at Kenny Chesney's-- >> I don't know but he hadn't asked me back. [Laughter] That's all I know about that. >> What a surprise. >> Maybe your wife called them. [ Laughter ] >> Yeah, maybe. >> She wrote that he left after the day of Christmas and that's what you came home with? [ Laughter ] [ Inaudible Remark ] >> And she said how is your trip, you play-- would you sit in the living room and play that song. >> Well, Lori he could've come back when a lot worse than that. >> I did exaggerate now I will say that I was in much earlier than my dear friend Kenny Chesney was, yeah. I was in bed by 9. >> Yeah right, a.m. >> A.m. >> I don't believe you. >> How about a hello from Ms. Lori McKenna, please. [ Applause ] >> Hi everybody. [ Background Music ] >> Is your wife a songwriter by any chance? >> She's not. >> If I was your wife your singing that song to me the day after Christmas, you abandoned me with all the kids. >> I think Lori's mad at me right now. >> I'm just in trouble that's what it is. [ Singing ] >> Next time he tries to leave, I'm gonna help him to the door. >> She wrote this for me. [Laughter] I'm sorry. [ Singing ] >> Won't be no sorrow for me, because there's no sorrow anymore. I tried like hell to make him happy, but, Lord, I'm no magician. I just don't know what happened to my sweet disposition. My daddy and my sister called me and say, "Little girl, you sound so tired." I want to tell them all the truth, but instead I just hide it. If ever I feel alone, it is alone by my own volition. I just don't know what happened to my sweet disposition. Sweet disposition; can't stay warm when the world is cold. Sweet, sweet, sweet disposition, yeah, yeah. When are you gonna save my soul? Well, I believe everyone is good, but I've been wrong a time or two. When a friend kicks you in the gut, there's not much that you can do. Oh, but that friend, she was never my friend; the only thing she feels is ambition. Still I'm left searching for my sweet disposition. Sweet disposition; can't stay warm when the world, you know the world gets cold. Now going, sweet, sweet, sweet disposition, yeah, yeah. When are you gonna save my, when are you gonna save my soul, my soul? My mother left me a wedding band and impossible shoes to fill, something I've always tried to do. But I know I never will. If you ask my children about me, I wish in their brief description. They'd say I love them with a true heart and a sweet disposition. 'Cause, Lord, I love them with a true heart and a sweet disposition. [ Applause ] >> Thank you very much. >> Lori McKeena. I like that. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Thank you all. [ Applause ] [ Inaudible Remark ] >> Yeah, whatever. Gosh, I don't know who I like best. [Laughter] I like them all, you know? [Background music] Man, that's the-- I don't put words anybody's mouth up here but we're really blessed to have this-- this career 'cause we're doing something that we love and we probably do it for free where we came from anyway. [ Inaudible Remarks ] [ Laughter ] >> I am not saying that I'm just saying, I'm just saying, I'm just saying, man. >> For many years. >> For many years we've done it for free. And now we've done it for free except in nice places like this. >> Absolutely. Amazing. >> It's great. This is fantastic. [ Applause ] >> This is a much better free. [ Applause ] >> So we come from all over, I mean I don't know if you can tell but I'm not from the south. But I always said I wasn't born in south but I got there as soon as I could. [ Laughter ] >> Oh, that's great. >> And I'm originally from Ohio, from Northeastern Ohio, this little town called Youngstown. But-- What's funny about that? Are you from Youngstown? Close? Kenton? Oh, there's a lot of Italians in Kenton, you know that, don't you? You know what Italian foreplays don't you? Hey, you're white? [Laughter] She's shaking her head, yes, I mean-- [laughter] [strums] she knows. But I learn-- oh God, I can't help it. I have hillbilly tourette syndrome and I just go of from time to time, so. And when you do stuff like that I learned from moving to the south, this one very important thing they didn't teach me up in Ohio is that this you can say anything about anybody as long as you fought [Laughter] It's the ultimate get out of jail free card, it really is. Oh my goodness she's gain 50 bounds bless her heart. [Laughter] Its-- [strums] I believe he's been married 5 times, bless his heart. It works all the time. It's one of the big things Brett. I learned it, your from Oklahoma you probably knew this. >> I did know that, I grew up busting people's hearts, Bob. [Laughter] I'm a blessed heart. [ Strums ] >> I know you are. >> Probably many thing, I'm gonna blessed your heart. >> I know you are, I know you are. So I learned a lot of stuff from living in Nashville and I just fell in love you know I went to Nashville and nobody sent for me I just went there to visit somebody and I love the city. I mean Elvis did not send for me. Bless his heart. >> Bless his heart. [ Laughter ] >> I'm telling you see, I'm just telling you. And so I just came there and just fell in love with it and then I fell in love with another part of the south and that's down on the golf coast in an area of Florida called the Panhandle. And some people call it the Emerald Coast. But those in the know call it the Redneck Riviera. >> That's right. >> It's tremendous. And I love it dearly and this next song came out of-- came out of a place [strum] I've-- I came upon while I was kinda just looking into the real Florida, you know, not Disney Land but the Real Florida. And the song came out of just a place in Florida, came form this one word but this whole song kinda-- that's sometimes one word is the DNA. You can just build a song out from it, you know. And kind of creates a word and let it stay out the way of it. So the name of this town is Apalachicola. >> They have the best oysters. >> Or-- Wait a minute, she's-- how do you say that? >> Oysters. >> Ah! >> That is not fake people, that's how she says it. [ Laughter ] >> I can't even see Bob behind that hair. >> Is that O-R-S-T-E-R-S? [Laughter] Who's that voice coming out of the blond hair? >> I literarily, I can't see Bob or Jimmy behind her hair. I keep leaning forward. >> I'm sorry [inaudible]. >> They do have the best oysters. >> Back to oysters. >> Yeah, they do. >> Bless your heart, Karen, thank you. [ Laughter ] >> So anyway there's this place called [strums] Apalachicola. Always wanted to put it in a song and I got to. So here it is. [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> Hank Williams sang it, Number 3 drove it, Chuck Berry twanged it, Will Faulkner wrote it, Aretha Franklin souled it, Dolly Parton graced it, Rosa Parks rode it, Scarlett O' chased it. Smooth as the hickory wind that blows from Memphis down to Apalachicola. It's, "Hi y'all! Did ya eat? Well?" Come on in child sure glad to know ya. Don't let this old gold cross and this Allman Brothers t-shirt throw ya where cicadas making noise with a southern voice. Well, Hank Aaron smacked it, Number 3 drove it, Pocahontas tracked it, Jack Daniels drunk it, Tom Petty rocked it, Dr. King paved it, Bear Bryant won it, Billy Graham saved it. Smooth as the hickory wind that blows from Memphis down to Apalachicola. It's, "Hi y'all! Did ya eat well?" Come on in I'm sure glad to know ya. Don't let this old gold cross. An' this Crimson Tide t-shirt throw ya where cicadas making noise with a southern voice. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Jesus is my friend, America is my home, sweet iced tea and Jerry Lee, Daytona Beach, that's what gets to me. I can feel it in my bones. Smooth as the hickory wind that blows from Memphis down to Apalachicola. It's, "Hi y'all! Did ya eat well?" Come on in child I'm sure glad to know ya. Don't let this old gold cross. An' this Charlie Daniels t-shirt throw ya. We're just boys making noise with a southern voice. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I got a southern voice, a southern voice. I've got a southern voice, southern voice. [ Applause ] >> Whoa! >> Number 1. >> Thank you. >> That went number one, didn't it? >> It did. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> It went number 1. >> Yeah. >> It went number 1. My first number one was in 1983. I was 6 years old. [ Laughter ] >> What-- what-- >> But-- >> What was that, money in the bank? >> No, it was American made. >> Oh, [singing] my baby's American made. Oh man. >> It pretty much paid for my therapy for the next [laughter] 5 years, really covered it. >> Wow. [ Background Music ] >> So-- And this is number 1 this February, this past February. >> How many number 1's have you had? [ Applause ] >> I've had 973 number-- >> That is impressive. >> Not really, not really. [Laughter] Just kidding. >> So you've been able to continue therapy? >> Pretty much. >> Alright. >> Pretty much. No, I ran out of-- >> Haven't done you much good Bob. [ Laughter ] [ Strums ] >> I figured a little crazy never hurt anybody. Hey there's a song, tell her right there, I like that. >> Ah, we're working tonight buddy. I'm telling you right now you and me, room 903, come on baby! [ Laughter ] >> More therapy here it comes, yeah! Brett James everybody. [ Applause ] >> Oh they're up next. >> Oh, what am I doing? You're killing me. We skip the whole damn band, they were singing with me. >> That's alright man, we can go to Brett. I wanna hear him sing again. >> Oh, bless my heart. >> Bless your heart. >> I'm just not right. It must have been one of those oysters. [ Laughter ] >> Oysters. >> Oysters. >> You got a bad oysters. >> Oysters. >> This song paid for my therapy, right here. >> Little Big Town. [ Applause ] >> Ready? >> We hope this is the right key. [ Laughter ] >> Well this song was born in the shower. >> Nice. [ Inaudible Remark ] >> You wanna tell that story? >> Yeah, yeah. >> Karen. >> Well sure, we didn't write it in the shower together. >> They're married by the way. >> That would have been a much better story. >> We're married but-- >> Don't ask me why I'm sitting between 'em. It hadn't been a good day. >> We haven't been speaking with-- >> I'm kidding. I'm so kidding. I don't know why. >> That's what keeps them married Kimberly, your sitting between 'em. >> That's right. >> That's' right. >> That's right. >> We've always done shows like this and-- >> Yeah this is just how we sit. >> Then when they got together everybody is like "why is Kimberly standing in between? Something's going on." >> There's something. >> Do you see the way he looks at her? >> Yeah. [ Laughter ] >> We read what y'all say. [ Laughter ] >> Bless his heart. >> I don't mind 'cause it's fun. Somebody said that Kimberly was having Philip's baby last year. But anyhow, that's not true. >> Bless their hearts. >> Bless their hearts. [ Laughter ] >> So yeah, we-- Kimberly and I were talking about, you know, good, old, blue grass colony answer songs and we're listening to Patty Loveless record and Mountain Soul. I don't know if you have that record but-- and we were like "y'all let's do something like that on this record." And so it hit me in the shower and take me down to the Little White Church, it's a ticked off bride laying down an ultimatum no more chicken and gravy, you know what I mean. >> That's right man, whatever that means to you. >> Whatever that means to you. So here we go. [ Laughter ] >> Alright, 1, 2, 3, 4. [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> You've been singing that same old song far too long, far too long. Say you'll buy me a shiny ring but your words don't mean a thing. Come on! No more calling me baby, no more loving like crazy 'til you take me down, take me down. You better take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church. Take me down, take me down, take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church, take me down. You can't ride this gravy train anymore, anyways. There's a price for keeping me, I might be cheap but I ain't free. No more calling me baby, no more loving like crazy 'til you take me down, take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church. Take me down, take me down, take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church. Charming devil, silver tongue, had your fun, now you're done. Mama warned me 'bout your games. She don't like you anyways. No more calling me baby, no more loving like crazy, no more chicken and gravy, ain't gonna have your baby 'til you take me down, take me down, you better take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church. Take me down, take me down, you better take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church. Take me down to the little white church. Take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church. Take me down, take me down, you better take me down, take me down. Take me down to the little white church, take me down, come on. Take me down, take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church. Take me down, take me down, you better take me down, take me down, take me down to the little white church. Take me down to the little white church. Take me down to the little white church. [ Applause ] >> Little Big Town. >> Ye-ha! [ Applause ] >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Nominated for a Grammy for that song y'all. >> Hooray! >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Grammy nominees, ladies and gentleman. >> Thank you. >> That's exciting. >> You all gonna vote now, vote! >> Yes. >> Vote often. [ Stums ] >> Once again I'm taking volunteers to follow Little Big Town, anyone. [ Laughter ] [ Background Music ] >> Y'all nominated and-- are you nominated for Grammy? >> No. >> No. >> Are you Lori? >> No. >> Why would you laugh? It's-- >> Way to make fun of us Karen. [ Simultaneous Talking ] >> We probably-- you probably all are. >> All of a sudden she needs like everybody's nominated. >> You all nominated? We are nominated. >> Are we are really nominated somewhere? It's just good to be nominated. >> We just wondered if y'all nominated 'cause we are. [ Laughter ] >> Well. >> That's not what I meant. >> See? >> Because you always are nominated. >> The pretty ones are the vicious ones. It's always been like that. >> How many Grammies do you have Bob? >> 52. >> See? >> Brett James ladies and gentlemen. [ Applause ] [ Background Music ] >> I had-- you know, you hear comments about your songs on occasion but literally last week someone came up to me and said, you know, I love that song. It got me through my divorce. [Laughter] I must have listened to it thousand times and I thought "Is that good?" I don't know if that's good. [ Laughter ] [ Singing ] >> Tell 'em all I'm on vacation, say I went to visit friends, that you ain't seen or heard from me in quite a while. When they ask you where I've been, tell 'em I'm out on the west coast where it don't ever rain, and that I'm probably doing fine. Just don't tell 'em I've gone crazy, that I'm still strung out over you. Tell 'em anything you want to, just don't tell 'em all the truth. But don't tell em all the truth. Tell em all I'm out in Vegas, blowin' every dollar I ever made. Tell 'em that I must be into something bad for me 'cause I sure lost a lot of weight. Tell 'em I'm out on the road with some old rock and roll band, living like a gypsy can. Just don't tell 'em I've gone crazy, that I'm still strung out over you. Tell 'em anything you want to, just don't tell 'em all the truth. The truth is that I'm asking you to lie and we both know that it ain't right. But if you ever loved me pleasem have some mercy on me. Yeah, yeah. Tell 'em anything you want to, just don't tell 'em all the truth. But don't tell 'em all the truth. I still need you, I still love you, 'cause baby that's the truth. Baby that's the truth. >> Thank you. [ Applause ] >> Brett James everybody. [ Laughter ] >> Good, good, good. >> Wow. [ Inaudible ] >>How about some Lori McKenna. >> Whoa! >> I love to hear me some of that. [ Applause ] [ Background Music ] >> So this is where I'm supposed to my number one song. I don't have one, what do I do now? [ Laughter ] >> We don't know. Blow us all away with one of your masterpieces Lori that you always do. >> I think I had a 38 one time. >> Huh? >> I think I had a 38 one time. [ Laughter ] [ Music ] [ Background Music ] >> Well this moment is cut at least so that's the beginning I guess, right? [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> You know when I'm coming home. You know when I'm coming to bed. You know when I tell you that I love you. I mean every word I said. You know I'm a bit too proud. You know that I know how to pray. You know I won't give this up unless I have to give it up. You know I won't walk away. But baby you're like a diesel truck, shifting gears and the pedals stuck, headed straight to the edge and showing no signs of slowing, I don't have the luxury of knowing. You know that I like to dance, but only when I'm dancing with you. You know I must be bad at lying 'cause I've only ever told you the truth. But just when I think you're a hurricane, you freeze right over and all that rain. Turns to ice and your whole world just starts snowing. Damn it must be easy being in love with someone so blind 'cause I'll tell you right now the only thing I really know is that you might change your mind, any day you could change your mind. You know when I'm coming home. You know when I'm coming to bed. But baby you're like a diesel truck, shifting gears and the pedals stuck, headed straight to the edge and showing no signs of slowing, and I don't have the luxury of knowing. And I don't have the luxury of knowing. [ Applause ] >> Thank you very much. >> That's stupid good y'all. >> Thank you guys. >> That is fierce. >> People Magazine called that the best song on the new Keith Urban album, you all go buy that record and listen to it. >> It is the best song. >> You have to buy it at Target. >> At Target only. >> You have to buy it at Target 'cause it's a bonus track. >> It is the bonus track. >> Oh and they still call it, they did, they call it the best song in the album, it's the bonus track. >> It is the best song. >> The bonus track. >> That's what they said. >> My husband wants a boat really bad and I told 'em if he ever get's one we'll gonna call it bonus track. [Laughter] Isn't that a good name for a boat? >> I like that. >> He's getting one. >> Just so you all know it's never good to be the bonus track, honestly, 'cause that means they'll probably only sell it at Target and you get about a 10th of the sales which has happened to me and it sucks. So let's all hope that Keith listens to People Magazine and then the next printing has it on all the albums, right? >> Yeah. >> That's' amazing. >> It's amazing, amazing. [ Applause ] >> So if that is a bonus track [laughter] then he must have the cure for cancer on the rest of the CD. [ Laughter ] >> I am with you. >> You gotta be shittin' me. >> Yeah. I know. >> Can we quote him? Can we quote Bob on that? Can we put that in my bio or something [inaudible]? >> No. >> Yeah. >> That's just wrong! >> I know I heard it and I told them, I said you have to get the Keith Urban record. We were on Keith's label, so they gave it to us for free but it didn't have the luxury of knowing on it. So it's like go buy the record at Target 'cause you have to hear her song. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Amazing. >> So good. >> Wow. >> You know the only thing wrong with that song Lori? >> What is that? >> It didn't have Keith's name on it. That's the only thing that's wrong. That's a little inside showbiz. >> Yeah. >> Violent, you know. >> Truth. >> That's a bless your heart. >> That's about I was about to say. >> Bless his heart. >> You know, I was thinking about bless your heart when you're talking about it 'cause I live in Boston. And I was trying to incorporate certain-- thank you. [Laughter] Certain things from myself up there like y'all which is really easy to say and just sort of waste-- you know, save a lot of time. >> Yeah. >> And bless your heart. But nobody will do it but then I was thinking that we sort of-- we tried our own bless your heart which is that being said. [Laughter] But it really-- it just mean-- its like-- >> What is that? >> She gain 40 pounds, that being said. [ Simultaneous Talking ] [ Laughter ] >> But it's not the same. It's not-- >> No, it's perfect translation-- [ Inaudible Remark ] >> It's now prayer involved, like you just-- you had-- >> Well that being said has to be followed by a compliment. >> I know you have to do-- >> Bless your heart you can just hang, you can just hang in there. >> Yeah. >> Bless your heart but that being said, yes. Fantastic, Lori. Can I write that down? >> Yes, you can. >> That's good. >> That's good. [ Strums ] >> Well this song got written down in Florida, down in the Panhandle. And a buddy of mine Jeff Steele and I were seating on this porch down here right between Panama City and Destin. This is a little place called Sea Side. And it's a very pastel kind of place. [Laughter] Violently pastel. It is, as a matter of fact the movie the Truman Show was filmed in Sea Side. [Strums] So it really exists and that was not staging. So all these little lime green beautiful houses was just-- it's lovely. I live in the-- in the single digit millionaire ghetto of it. The really rich people they don't, you know-- I just I'm in the back writing songs. My buddy, Jeff Steele and I were in there writing a song and this song sucked. I mean we beat it up for 2 hours and its still wasn't any good. And we're just trying to make it work and it ain't working. So I looked at my watch and I said "You know what man, time for lunch." But before we go, how about this, how about we write a song with one word title and 2 chords. We got to be able to write that. [Strums] Time for lunch and time for some oysters. >> Oysters. [ Laughter ] [ Strums ] >> So we sat on a porch and we wrote this song. [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> This ain't no temporary, typical, tearful good-bye, uh, uh, uh. This ain't no takin' up and wakin' up breakin' up one more time, uh, uh, uh. This is gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone. Gone like a freight-train, gone like yesterday. Gone like a soldier in the civil war, bang, bang. Gone like a '59 Cadillac, like all the good things that ain't never coming back. She's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, she's gone. maybe we can work it out, uh, uh, uh. Won't be no champagne, red rose, romance, second chance, uh, uh, uh. This is gone, gone, gone, ,gone, gone, gone, gone. Gone like a freight-train. Gone like yesterday. Gone like a soldier in the civil war, bang, bang. Gone like a '59 Cadillac. Like all the good things that ain't never coming back. She's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone. She's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone. Look out. Long gone, done me wrong, never comin' back, my baby's gone. Yeah, oh, lonely at home, sittin' all alone, packed her bags and now she's gone. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And she's never comin' back. No, she's never comin' back. No, she's never comin' back. Never, she's never, she's never comin' back. She's gone. She's gone. She's gone. Oh, oh. She's gone. [ Applause ] >> Yeah! >> Thank you. >> Whoa! >> Thank you. >> Whoa! >> Yeah! >> Now who's showing off? >> And in 15 minutes you had a song. >> Yeah. >> You know 15 minutes and we got some-- >> There's a C-H in it, oyschters. >> Oys-- oyschters. >> That is so weird. >> Makes my tongue vibrate. [ Laughter ] >> Thank you, by the way that song was called "Gone." [Laughter] You didn't catch that. That's songwriter inside secret. Say the chorus as much as possible and then collect the cheque. Pretty much it's that easy. It's just that easy. [ Laughter ] >> How about another song for Little Big Town. [ Applause ] >> Thank you all so much. [ Laughter ] >> How do you follow that man? >> I know. >> I don't think so. >> That's good. >> I know, now we're gonna be serious. >> Now we're gonna get all serious. >> Yeah. >> This is-- This is the last song on our latest album called "The Reason Why" is the album name and a song. >> You can pick that up at Target as well. [ Laughter ] >> Yes. Just if you're wondering. >> There is no bonus track. >> It's got a bonus track [inaudible]. [ Laughter ] >> There's no bonus track, this is the last track on the record. >> We wrote this with the-- >> Hidden track? Anything? >> No hidden track, nothing. >> No, it's not hidden. It's out in the open. >> Yeah, it's all there, all 12 songs, so we wrote this with Wayne Kirkpatrick, our co-producer, collaborator that we have been making records with for awhile now. And we've been a band together 12 years this year. >> Wow. >> I know. >> We started when we were 6. >> We started when we were young. >> Yeah we did. [ Applause ] >> So we were kinda talking about the band's journey, you know, with Wayne and we were-- we were kind of stuck on some songs and like Bob, you get stuck, you know, and you kinda walk away. >> Beat your head against the wall. >> And we were like "Wayne, do you have-- you don't have anything like anything that you've been working on?" He said well I've got this. And we couldn't believe it. He said "I was thinking about y'all and had this little chorus idea" so this is the song. We wrote with Wayne and it's kind of reflective of our journey but also lot of people it seems like in Nashville with the flood and hard times that have kinda come every one's way since in the last few years. So this is a story about faith and perseverance. >> 3, 4. [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> These days are filled with trouble. And the nights feel like they're all getting longer. These days are dark and grey like that storm rolling in across the water. There's a strong wind blowing. I push on it pushes back. It's a hard time. But I know I'll get through it, just gotta lean into it. This ain't where I thought I'd be. And if I could I'd stop it now and I'd rewind it. But this ain't where I'm gonna fall. If there's a way to fight, I know I'm gonna find it. There's a strong wind blowing. I push on it pushes back. It's a hard time. But I know I'll get through it, just gotta lean into it. I keep going even though there's a strong wind blowing, I push on it pushes back. It's a hard time but I know I'll get through it. Just gotta lean into it. Just gotta lean into it. [ Music ] >> Whoa! [ Applause ] >> Little Big Town. Whoa! >> Wow. >> Thank you. >> Thank y'all. >> I really might just leave now. [ Laughter ] >> I'm going with you. >> It sucks following you guys, I'm telling you. [ Strums ] >> But he's good though, isn't he Brett James? Don't you think he's awesome? >> Amazing! >> Unbelievable. >> Bless his heart. >> Bless his heart. >> Bless my heart. I'm gonna sing another song for you, bless my heart. >> Another number 1. >> Yeah. >> This is-- I wanna do a new song for you guys, newer. It just kinda new song. It just came out this week on an album. It's a new Bon Jovi greatest hits record that's out there and they put a couple new songs and-- [ Inaudible Remark ] [ Laughter ] >> -- fortunately this is the single of that album and it's exciting for me 'cause I wrote with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie. And you know I'm a kid, I grew up in Oklahoma in the '80s in high school. And sometimes your dreams come true and, you know, it's the second single I've got having Bon Jovi. Freakin' crazy so anyway this is-- this is the newest one. And I'm so not cool enough to ever sing a song with Jon Bon Jovi sing, you know what I'm saying? You have to let go. Okay, so pretend you're somebody else right now. Pretend you're somebody else, 'cause Jon's pretty cool guy. It's called "What Do You Got." [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> Everybody wants something, just a little more for makin a livin', ain't what we're livin' for. A rich man or a poor man, a pawn or a king. You can live on the street, you can rule the whole world. But it don't mean one damn thing. What do you got, if you ain't got love? Whatever you got, it just ain't enough. You're walkin' the road, but you're goin' nowhere. Tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there. Who do you hold, when you know it's gone? You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight. You can have all the things, that you've been dreamin' of. If you ain't got someone, you're afraid to lose. Everybody needs just one, someone to tell them the truth. Maybe I'm a dreamer, but I still believe. I believe in hope, I believe that change can get us off our knees. What do you got, if you ain't got love? Whatever you got, it just ain't enough. You're walkin' the road, but you're goin' nowhere. Tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there. Who do you hold, in the dark of night? You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight. You can have all the things, that you've been dreamin' of. But if you ain't got love, love, it's all just keeping score. If you ain't got love, love, what the hell we doing it for. I don't wanna have to talk about it. How many songs I gotta sing about it? Why does someone somewhere have to doubt it? How long you gonna live without it? Someday we'll figure it out. What do you got, if you ain't got love? Whatever you got, it just ain't enough. You're walkin' the road, but you're goin' nowhere. Tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there. Who do you hold, in the dark of night? You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight. You can have all the things, that you've been dreamin' of. If you ain't got love, love, it's all just keeping score. If you ain't got love, love, what the hell we doin' this for. Woah. What do you got if you ain't got love? Oooh, what do you got if you ain't got love? Whoa, oh, what do you got, what do you got. Whoa, oh. [ Applause ] >> Yeah. >> Thank y'all. [ Applause ] >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Bon Jovi who? [Laughter] They're new group out of Jersey. I think they might do something. [ Strums ] >> Jon Bon Jovi, huh? You know my friend Paul McCartney said, never be, never be a name dropper. >> Never be a name dropper. >> Don't be a name dropper, he told that. So I'm just saying. [Laughter] What? What's wrong with him? >> Was he staying at your house for awhile when he said that? >> Yeah, he wouldn't leave. [Laughter] Just wouldn't leave. I mean get this guy out of here, he's a vegetarian. [Laughter] I'm a meatatarian. Well, if God wouldn't wanted man to eat animals he would've made a man a meat. [Laughter] That's what I think. Never mind. [Laughter] Lori McKenna [ laughter ] [ Applause ] >> So-- [ Laughter ] >> That's great, I love that song. You sing it amazingly well. You didn't think you'll go in it, you did. So I lived at south of Boston, I live 20 miles south of Boston which is where I get my southern twing. And I'm a townie. I lived in my town forever. It's called Stilton and my kids go to the elementary school that my husband and I went to and the high school that I went to. And we have five kids and I drive four of them to school every morning. Well the older kid just got a car so I don't have to do for him anymore with it. It makes my life a lot easier. But the routine when I wrote this song about a month and a half ago was that I would-- in my pajamas take all the kids and put them in the mini van and drive the two older ones to the high school and drop them off and then drive back to the center town. And feed the little kids and go and bring them to the-- to the elementary school still on my pajamas. Well, they're yoga pants in that way people think you maybe going to the gym after. [ Laughter ] >> That's smart. >> So I actually thought [inaudible]. And my oldest one is he's not-- he doesn't even live at home, he's so old, he lives in Boston. But that's where all the five kids are. But one day I was-- I realize that I drive thought the center of Stoughton, Massachusetts sometimes 10 times a day. And literally this song popped in my head. And I'm not kidding, you know how that happens every now and then you get a little magical gift from the song writing gods and then you have to drop your kids off real fast so you can go home and finish it. It's called By This Town. [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> If I could buy this town, I'd keep it small and rough. Full of third-shift dreamers and high school love. I'd keep the Church of Christ and the bowling alley open, where the Bud Light signs crackle while they're glowing. If I could buy this town. If I could buy one night, I wouldn't buy the one you'd think. I'd buy the one when my eyes teared up by the light above the kitchen sink. And you held me tight and you begged me not to cry. If I could buy the sweetness of one kiss, well, that's the one I'd buy. If I could buy one night. All the money in the world couldn't buy a drop of real love could it? And it really shouldn't, now should it? If I could buy the stars I'd polish them so bright. If I could buy your pain, first I'd buy the great big sea. And I'd put that pain inside a box and bury it so deep. If I could I'd buy you back the years you worked yourself to death. I would buy and waste your suffering until there wasn't any left. If I could buy your pain. All the money in the world couldn't buy a drop of real love could it? And it really shouldn't, now should it? 'Cause I'd gladly give you every piece of my whole heart. If I could buy this town, I keep the Friday night bleachers, full of kids falling in love and unlikely believers. And the firefighters are there, 'cause their kid's in the game. And we don't win too often but that ain't why we came. If I could buy this town. [ Music ] [ Applause ] >> Whoa! >> Thank you very much. >> Lori McKenna. >> My goly, that's so great. [ Strums ] [ Applause ] >> I'm gonna-- I should have dedicated that song to my friend Whitney 'cause I think her team lost tonight. [ Laughter ] >> Aw. >> Bless her heart. >> You don't win too often. [ Laughter ] >> Man, I can't believe it I think we're almost out of time. >> Oh. >> Can't be right. Bless our heart. [Laughter] Who is that guy, throw 'em out. Before we end I guess I wanna thank somebody who has been a champion for a-- the creative person for us in Washington DC. Someone who's been protecting the intellectual copyrights, and that's what we do. We create intellectual copyrights that called songs but it's-- that's how we earn our livings is by these intellectual copyrights that we created. And the gentleman's here tonight who has been behind us since I've been on the board of the CMA which is a long time ago. And his name is Jim Free and I would love for you to give a hand to Jim if he's in the audience. [Applause] Alright Jim. He's our man in Washington! There he is. He knows where all the bodies are buried. [ Laughter ] >> He's a good one. He really is. And I can't tell you the amount times he is really come to the aide of the songwriters. And, you know, the way the revolution of the internet is a wonderful thing but there's been fall out and that is folks like us who create this copyrights, a lot of people believed that they're free. And, you know, the old hippie in me understands that. But the guidance-- you know, a guy that's gotta put gas in the tank and send kids to school doesn't get it. You know, so Jim's out there making sure that we're not out on the street 'cause if we're out on the street and you don't put enough money in the can, bless your heart. It's not gonna be good. Well listen we've had a great time, I hope you guys have had a great time. [ Applause ] [ Strums ] >> And the good news here we are going to be back. The CMA songwriter series has been invited back. We are honored and grateful to be invited. And we'll be back here sometime March, April, spring sometime. So please, please, please come back. [Strums] And thank this entire incredibly talented people. [Applause] Lori, Brett, Jimi, Karen, Mr. Sweet >> That's my name. >> That's a good name. Mr. Sweet. >> It's not quite as good as free though I like that. [ Laughter ] [ Strums ] >> Oh, [inaudible] hold on. So this is kind of the-- maybe the National anthem of country music. And you're welcome to sing along. And we're all gonna take turns. [ Music ] [ Background Music ] >> Let me put my glasses on. [ Music ] [ Singing ] >> I was standing by my window, on one cold and cloudy day. When I saw that hearse come rolling for to carry me away. Will the circle be unbroken by and by, lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, lord, in the sky. I said to that undertaker, undertaker please drive slow. For this lady you are carrying, Lord, I hate to see her go. >> Will the circle be unbroken by and by, lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, lord, in the sky. Oh, I followed close behind her I tried to hold up and be brave. But I could not hide my sorrow when they laid her in the grave. Will the circle be unbroken by and by, lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, lord, in the sky. I went back home, my home was lonesome. Missed my mother, she was gone. All of my brothers and sisters crying what a home so sad and lone. Will the circle be unbroken by and by, lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, lord, in the sky. We sang the songs of childhood hymns of faith that made us strong. Ones that mother Maybelle taught us hear the angels sing along. Will the circle be unbroken by and by, lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, lord, in the sky. Will the circle be unbroken by and by, lord, by and by. [Background clapping] There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, lord, in the sky. There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, lord, in the sky. [ Applause ] >> Good night everybody. Little Big Town. >> Thank you. >> Brett James. >> Thank you. >> Lori Mckenna. >> I'm Bob DiPiero. Thank you. >> Thank you guys. [ Applause ] >> This has been a presentation of the Library of Congress.