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Rivers
Rutherford
Born
and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Rivers Rutherford began
his musical education at the age of seven, when he took
up the piano and guitar. His father, who also played the
piano and toured with the Apollo Boy’s Choir, was
his biggest influence. They spent many evenings in the family
kitchen playing tunes from what Rivers remembers as the
“big orange Elvis songbook.”
Rutherford’s
professional career began at the age of 15, when he was
hired to play piano on the Memphis Queen riverboat. He later
graduated to playing clubs on Beale Street throughout his
high school years. A piano scholarship enabled Rutherford
to attend Ole’ Miss, where he majored in English and
music.
Rutherford’s
father spotted a newspaper ad for a songwriting workshop
which lead to Rivers meeting with Chips Moman, producer
of Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds,” Willie Nelson’s
“Always on My Mind” and author/producer of “Luckenbach
Texas.” Moman was so impressed with a partially finished
song that Rutherford played at the workshop that he signed
Rutherford to a publishing and production contract. This
venture led to Rutherford’s first recording “American
Remains,” by The Highwaymen. In addition, Rutherford
played guitar and sang background vocals on the album.
In
1993, spurred by the positive direction his musical career
was moving, Rutherford moved to Nashville. There he began
working with a local commercial production company. During
this period, he wrote and performed on several award-winning
compositions for TV and film, including a rendition of “Wordless
Prayer” for Ken Burns’ Florentine Films.
In
1996, Rutherford signed an exclusive publishing deal with
Universal Music Publishing Group. He enjoyed immediate success
penning Chely Wright’s breakthrough single “Shut
Up and Drive.” Rutherford received ASCAP's Song Of
The Year in 2002 for "Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You"
recorded by Brooks & Dunn. Rutherford's songs have been
recorded by Gretchen Wilson, Gary Allan, Faith Hill, LeAnn
Rimes, Keith Urban, Trick Pony, Blake Shelton, Deana Carter,
Clay Davidson, Tim McGraw, Andy Griggs and Montgomery Gentry
just to name a few.
*For
more information on Rivers
Rutherford contact Kent Earls at UMPG Nashville. |
