Rocky Block: A Rising Star in Country Music
Rocky Block, a Nashville native and songwriter, recently earned his first CMA Triple Play Award. He's known for penning hits for artists like Morgan Wallen and Cole Swindell. Growing up in a musically rich environment, Rocky absorbed lessons from Nashville’s creative community from a young age. His father, the late Billy Block, was a beloved Western Beat radio and TV host, promoter, and champion of Americana and country music, which gave Rocky early exposure to artists and writers.
“It made [a music and songwriting career] kind of feel attainable from a really young age,” Rocky said in an interview. By the age of 12, he was already playing in bands with friends who have since become established writers in Nashville. Interestingly, those early bands avoided country music at first, partly as a way for Rocky to define his own path separate from his father's legacy.
Achievements and Notable Work
The CMA Triple Play Award recognizes songwriters who have written three number-one hits within 12 months. Rocky earned this honor for his work on:
- “Man Made a Bar” (Morgan Wallen/Eric Church)
- “Pour Me a Drink” (Post Malone/Blake Shelton)
- “Cowgirls” (Wallen/Ernest)
In addition, he was named the Rising Songwriter of the Year by the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville. Rocky co-wrote nine tracks on Wallen’s I’m the Problem album, which dominated the Billboard 200 for two months. His contributions include the top-five Billboard Hot 100 hit “Smile,” as well as “Dark Til Daylight,” “Genesis,” and “Number 3 and Number 7.” He also co-wrote four songs on Wallen’s previous album, One Thing at a Time, and the Lil Durk/Wallen collaboration “Broadway Girls,” which topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Creative Process and Collaborations
Writing with Morgan Wallen, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, is both rewarding and pressure-filled. Rocky explains that the pressure comes from Wallen’s high standards, but it’s also lighter because Wallen is an accomplished writer who makes collaboration enjoyable.
After signing with Big Loud Publishing in 2020, Rocky quickly connected with fellow writers and producers such as Ernest, Charlie Handsome, and John Byron. Their camaraderie formed as Wallen’s career was taking off, creating a supportive environment for all involved.
Rocky shared how some songs came to life. For example, “Number 3 and Number 7,” which addresses the dangers of drinking and driving without glorifying it, was written just before Wallen’s last album release. “Genesis” was Wallen’s idea, envisioned as a companion piece to another track called “Revelation.”
Diverse Writing Credits
Beyond Wallen, Rocky has written for a wide range of artists including Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Cole Swindell, Breland, Chris Young, Nelly, Kane Brown, Ashley Cooke, and Teddy Swims. His ability to co-write across genres shows his versatility and appeal.
His growing schedule often finds him writing on the road. One bus trip collaboration led to Swindell’s hit “Forever to Me.” Despite the hectic pace, Rocky maintains a disciplined approach, aiming to write at least one song a day during the week.
Focus on Craft Over Performance
Although he once signed an artist development deal, Rocky's ambition lies firmly in songwriting rather than performing. He values the freedom that comes with focusing solely on writing, without the pressure of being the artist singing the songs.
He’s also learned that songwriting isn’t always about proving yourself by carrying the entire session. Sometimes, the most valuable contribution is helping others shine. This perspective has eased the pressure that many new writers feel in the studio.
Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence in Songwriting
Rocky acknowledges AI's growing presence in music creation but questions where copyright infringement begins with AI-generated content. He sees parallels between how AI learns from existing music and how songwriters absorb influences to create something new.
While he doesn’t rely heavily on tools like ChatGPT, he finds them occasionally useful for rhyming or brainstorming. His advice to new writers is clear:
- Write frequently and consistently.
- Develop strong, original ideas to stand out.
- Focus on getting better to keep pace with advancing AI tools.
For writers interested in learning how to improve their craft and stay ahead of AI innovations, exploring specialized AI training resources can be valuable. Check out Complete AI Training’s courses by skill to enhance your creative workflow.
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