A Georgia woman is the creative mind behind several hit songs you probably know.
Hillary Lindsey helped write Martina McBride's "This One's for the Girls," and number-one hit, "Blessed."
It's another inspirational song taking her new places and touching more people.
Washington, Georgia native, Hillary Lindsey, has helped write one Nashville hit after another.
“To write something that really affected a lot of people is a blessing, it's really neat,” Lindsey said.
Her cross-over hit, “Jesus take the Wheel,” made famous by American Idol's Carrie Underwood, is nominated for two “Song of the Year” Grammy Awards.
The song already won the same honor from the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
“It was the first time I had written a song and, even though I put words in it and the melody in it along with my co-writers, it turned around and started speaking to me,” Lindsey said.
“I think that people hear that and it just helps remind us we're not alone,” Lindsey’s mother, Kathy, said.
The 30-year-old's skyrocketing career is no surprise to parents Ricky and Kathy. Dad, who plays drums, says music runs in the family.
“I have a tape of my daughter sitting in my dad's lap when she was two-years-old singing and it was very evident to me and my family, which are all musical, that Hillary had talent,” Ricky Lindsey said.
Hillary got her start in the youth choir at First United Methodist Church in Washington and also sang for more than six years with the 4-H “Clovers and Company” group.
She attended Belmont University and decided to stay in Nashville after graduation to pursue her career in music.
Now she plans to use her talents to help students in her hometown reach their musical dreams.
“Hillary recognizes this is a gift she's been given and it's up to her to give it back,” Lindsey’s mother, Kathy, said. “She is coming April 28th to do a concert open to the public and it's being funded by the Arts Foundation here and all net proceeds will go to buy house instruments for the band at our middle school.”
Hillary’s also considering taking the stage as a solo artist, but for now, she says she's enjoying her songwriting success.
“Just thinking about it, I get butterflies, I get real nervous. It's just great to be nominated (for a Grammy.) I know a lot of people say that, but I really mean it, win or lose,” Lindsey said.
Hillary Lindsey's Benefit Concert for the Washington Wilkes Middle School Music
Saturday, April 28th, 2007
8:00 p.m.
Washington-Wilkes Country Club
Proceeds will help buy band instruments for Washington-Wilkes Middle School Band Program
Tickets: 706.318.8190 or 706.678.2013
Here are the songs nominated for “Song of the Year” at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards:
Song of the Year (A Songwriter(s) Award.)
“Be Without You”
Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jason Perry, songwriters (Mary J. Blige)
“Jesus, Take the Wheel”
Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
“Not Ready To Make Nice”
Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison & Dan Wilson, songwriters (Dixie Chicks)
“Put Your Records On”
John Beck, Steve Chrisanthou & Corinne Bailey Rae, songwriters (Corinne Bailey Rae)
“You're Beautiful”
James Blunt, Amanda Ghost & Sacha Skarbek, songwriters (James Blunt)
Best Country Song (A Songwriter(s) Award)
“Every Mile A Memory”
Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley & Steve Bogard, songwriters (Dierks Bentley)
“I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today”
Matraca Berg & Jim Collins, songwriters (Gretchen Wilson)
“Jesus, Take the Wheel”
Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
“Like Red On a Rose”
Melanie Castleman & Robert Lee Castleman, songwriters (Alan Jackson)
“What Hurts the Most”
Steve Robson & Jeffrey Steele, songwriters (Rascal Flatts)
