Rivers Rutherford
GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
ASCAP AWARD WINNER
EIGHT #1 SONGS
With a name like Rivers Rutherford, it’s no surprise this soulful storyteller was destined to become one of Nashville, Tennessee’s (and music’s) most talented and accomplished singer-songwriters. Having grown up in the shadow of Elvis’ Graceland homestead of Memphis, Rutherford came out of the gates swinging, landing his first cut with American legends Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson (aka The Highwaymen). What followed were 8 #1 hits, multiple Grammys, CMA and ACM nominations, and over 20 ASCAP Awards, including both of the coveted awards for Country Song Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year, all of which have firmly established Rutherford’s position within the upper echelon of Nashville’s most lauded songwriters.
You’ll see Rivers’ name on #1 songs by Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Brad Paisley, and Dolly Parton (for the stunning and Grammy-Nominated duet “When I Get Where I’m Going”), Kenny Chesney, Rodney Atkins, Trace Adkins, and Brooks & Dunn- penning the duo’s most successful single to-date (“Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You”) which spent 6-weeks at #1 and won both 2002 Billboard and 2002 ASCAP Song Of The Year awards. Rivers has also enjoyed success with Country giants the likes of Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, Toby Keith, Faith Hill, and Gary Allan.
Known for his gritty, southern style, Rutherford is unapologetic about his love for God, devotion to his family, and making great music. His decades long career, the countless hits to his credit and his ability to write music that is timeless is a testament to a man that has come to be respected as an artist in his own right. Two of Rutherford’s most recent releases, “Southern Style” and “So I Sang” on Darius Rucker’s latest album and 2015 Tour by the same name serve as examples of Rivers genuine ability to capture the essence of a genre.
A staple on Universal Music Publishing’s roster since 1996, Rivers continues to write with and for the biggest names in Country music. He’s also returned to his early troubadour roots and maintains rigorous touring schedule (over 50 dates a year), brining his rip-roaring brand of no-holds-barred entertainment to audiences all over the world who come to hear his familiar hits straight from the source. With a persona that is at once direct, raw, and impassioned, and possessing the shrewd skills of a storyteller capable of cutting right to the heart of the matter. Rivers is known to cross the line- a trait that endears him to fans of both his live performance and of his songwriting.