Here’s What Ashley Gorley Has to Say About Morgan Wallen Not Submitting His Album for Grammy Contention

Morgan Wallen has the support from one of his main collaborators and leading Nashville songwriters in his decision to not submit his current chart-topping album, I’m the Problem, for Grammy contention.

Ashley Gorley, who has co-written such Wallen hits as “Sand in my Boots,” “Last Night” and “You Proof,” told Billboard Wednesday (Aug. 20) night at the ACM Honor that he was more than fine with Wallen’s decision to not enter the album, any of the 37 songs on the voluminous set, or Wallen himself for consideration for the 68th Grammy Awards.

“That’s fine with me. We’re in the ‘Never won a Grammy club’ together,” said Gorley, who was at the event to honor Jelly Roll. “I was at [Wallen’s] show on Saturday night and that’s what matters most to us — the fans’ reactions, the way those songs are coming off is so amazing. What a great set.”

Gorley added that awards talk doesn’t enter the writing room. “We’re not thinking about Grammys when we’re writing those songs. So, all good,” he continued. “I’ll take one if someone wants to give me one, but at the same time, we’re all good with that. We’re all sort of writing from a different place. [Wallen’s] saying what he wants to say at this point as he should. He’s had an amazing career, he’s crushing it, so totally respect his opinion on that, for sure.”

Gorley, who co-wrote four songs on I’m The Problem, and the other songwriters can submit their own works should they chose in the Grammy song categories, according to sources.

Gorley has been nominated for eight Grammys, compared with Wallen’s two nods. The only Grammy nominations that the country superstar has received in his nearly 10-year career were for his work on Post Malone’s F1 Trillion album.  Post Malone and Wallen’s chart-topping duet, “I Had Some Help,” which Gorley co-write, received nods for best country duo/group performance and best country song for the awards presented this past February. Wallen has never received any nominations for any works from his solo albums.  

I’m the Problem has already spawned four No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and three chart-toppers on the Hot Country Songs chart, including the Gorley co-penned, “Love Somebody.”