Nashville-based Lindsay Rimes is a co-writer on Kane Brown's hit song 'Heaven'
'Heaven' is the first country song honoured with the Billions Award
Rimes is a three-time APRA Music Award-winner
Nashville-based songwriter and producer Lindsay Rimes has been honoured by APRA AMCOS with a place on The 1,000,000,000 List, for co-writing Kane Brown's 2017 smash hit 'Heaven'.
This is the first country song, and the 35th song overall, to be recognised for surpassing more than one billion streams across all major streaming services.
Rimes, who is published by Sony Music Publishing, was presented with his award by Mark Moffatt, APRA AMCOS' Nashville Member Relations Representative.
The sweet and soulful 'Heaven' was the third single from Brown's self-titled, breakthrough debut album. At a songwriting retreat hosted by Sony with Brown, Rimes connected with co-writers Shy Carter and Mark McGinn to pen the song, which was produced by Dan Huff.
'Heaven' would go on to top the Billboard Country Airplay chart; reach #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, which blends airplay, streaming and sales data; peak at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Billboard Canada Country chart. It is certified six times platinum in the US and triple platinum in Canada. 'Heaven' propelled the album to the top 5 on the Billboard 200 and was named Favorite Country Song at the 2018 American Music Awards.
"I’m thrilled to have a billion streams for 'Heaven'! Thanks to everyone who listened to the song and APRA AMCOS for their continued support of Aussie writers abroad," said Rimes.
Originally from Sydney, Rimes focused his energies on songwriting and producing after an injury curtailed his rugby career. He co-wrote the McClymont's ‘Piece of Me’, which was named Country Work of the Year at the 2013 APRA Music Awards. Rimes relocated to Nashville and co-penned Dylan Scott's country hit 'Hooked' with Morgan Evans and Seth Ennis at an APRA AMCOS SongHubs and quickly became an in-demand collaborator.
Rimes' credits include Busby Marou's 2016 APRA Music Award-winner 'Days of Gold', the title track from Kylie Minogue's 'Golden', Troye Sivan's 'Fun'; releases by country artists Lo Cash, Luke Bryan, Tyler Rich and more. He was honoured with an Overseas Recognition Award at the 2019 APRA Music Awards.
"We've been cheering Lindsay on over the years and couldn't be prouder of all that he has achieved both at home and in Nashville. His hard work and dedication are inspiring to so many songwriters here in Australia. He’s a hugely respected writer in the US, and an all-round great guy! We congratulate Lindsay on his Billions Award achievement and are thrilled to have 'Heaven' as our first country song on The 1,000,000,000 List,” said APRA AMCOS Chief Executive Dean Ormston.
"Lindsay Rimes proved, once again, that he is a HITMAKER on any continent! 'Heaven' was a massive song for Kane Brown and Country Music, and we are proud to represent Lindsay in all of his successes!” said Josh Van Valkenburg, Sony Music Publishing, Executive Vice President, Nashville A&R.
The 1,000,000,000 List takes into account streaming numbers from major services Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. It is the first award of its kind to recognise a songwriter’s achievement.
Kane Brown - Heaven