Rodney Clawson took a huge career leap from farmer to songwriter when he began to make trips from his home in Gruver, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee. Longtime friend John Rich encouraged Rodney’s writing trips, which eventually led to his first publishing contract in 2000.
Three years later, he earned his first top 20 song with “I Can’t Be Your Friend”, cut by the band Rushlow. This was quickly followed by his first top 5 song, “Sweet Southern Comfort”, recorded by Buddy Jewel. After this success, Rodney made the decision to leave his farming career behind and move to Nashville to be a full-time songwriter.
In the summer of 2006, he landed his first #1 hit with “Why”, recorded by Jason Aldean and followed by another #1, “Lost In This Moment”, recorded by Big and Rich. In 2007, Rodney received two nominations, including CMA Song of the Year with “Lost In This Moment” and ACM Song of the Year with “Amarillo Sky” by Jason Aldean.
In 2008, Rodney signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Big Loud Shirt, a company owned and operated by Grammy award-winning songwriter, Craig Wiseman. In February of that year, country music legend George Strait released Rodney’s song, “I Saw God Today”, as the first single off of his Troubadour album. It became Strait’s highest debuting single of all time and his record breaking 56th #1 song. The song won CMA Single of the Year and was nominated for Best Country Song at the 2009 Grammy Awards.
Rodney took on the role of producer when he recorded some songs on the Jake Owen’s Barefoot Blue Jean Night album and songs on James Wesley’s release with Broken Bow Records.
In 2015 Rodney received a Double CMA Triple Play Award. Following in 2016, Rodney achieved his 23rd #1 with Florida Georgia Line’s “May We All”, featuring Tim McGraw. Additionally, he won his sixth CMA Triple Play Award (awarded for having 3 songs reaching #1 in a one-year period) honoring “Confession” by Florida Georgia Line, “You Look Like I Need A Drink” by Justin Moore and “May We All”.
To date, Rodney has had twenty-six number ones. In his downtime, Rodney likes to participate in fishing tournaments throughout the United States.
#1 Songs
“Why” by Jason Aldean
“Lost in This Moment” by Big & Rich
“I Saw God Today” by George Strait
“Drunk on You” by Luke Bryan
“Drink On It” by Blake Shelton
“Get Your Shine On” by Florida Georgia Line
“Round Here” by Florida Georgia Line
“Take a Little Ride” by Jason Aldean
“Sure Be Cool If You Did” by Blake Shelton
“Southern Girl” by Tim McGraw
“Crash My Party” by Luke Bryan
“Lettin’ the Night Roll” by Justin Moore
“One of Those Nights” by Tim McGraw
“Bartender” by Lady A
“American Kids” by Kenny Chesney
“Confession” by Florida Georgia Line
“Dirt” by Florida Georgia Line
“Sippin’ On Fire” by Florida Georgia Line
“Burnin’ It Down” by Jason Aldean
“Helluva Life” by Frankie Ballard
“Fast” by Luke Bryan
“May We All” by Florida Georgia Line (ft. Tim McGraw)
“You Look Like I Need a Drink” by Justin Moore
CMA Awards:
2007 – Nominated – “Lost In This Moment” by Big & Rich – Song of the Year
2008 – Nominated – “I Saw God Today” by George Strait – Song of the Year
2015 – Nominated – “American Kids” by Kenny Chesney – Song of the Year
ACM Awards:
2006 – Nominated – “Amarillo Sky” by Jason Aldean – Song of the Year
2007 – Nominated – “Lost In This Moment” by Big & Rich – Song of the Year
2008 – Nominated – “I Saw God Today” by George Strait – Song of the Year
2012 – Nominated – Songwriter of the Year
2013 – Nominated – Songwriter of the Year
2014 – Nominated – Songwriter of the Year
2014 – Nominated – “American Kids” by Kenny Chesney – Song of the Year
2015 – Nominated – Songwriter of the Year
BMI Awards:
2013 – WON – Songwriter of the Year
2015 – WON – Songwriter of the Year
NSAI Awards:
2013 – WON – Songwriter of the Year
2015 – WON – Songwriter of the Year
Other Hit Radio Singles:
“Sweet Southern Comfort” by Buddy Jewell – #3
“Sunshine and Summertime” by Faith Hill – #7
“Amarillo Sky” by Jason Aldean – #4
“Johnny Cash” by Jason Aldean – #6
“Crazy Town” by Jason Aldean – #2
“Where I Come From” by Montgomery Gentry – #8
“Feel Like A Rockstar” by Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw – #11
“Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” by The Band Perry – #2
“Down to the Honkytonk” by Jake Owen – #7
“Momma’s House” by Dustin Lynch – #5
