Bailey Zimmerman Celebrates Double No. 1 Party for "Where It Ends" and "Religiously" at BMI

BMI’s Nashville office was buzzing with excitement on Tuesday, October 22, as collaborators, songwriters, and music industry insiders gathered to celebrate rising country star Bailey Zimmerman's double No. 1 success. The CMA New Artist of the Year nominee, signed to Atlantic/Warner Music Nashville, marked major milestones for his breakout hits "Where It Ends" and "Religiously," both from his record-breaking debut album Religiously.

"Where It Ends" Photo Back Row L-R: Hipgnosis’ Ashley Alexander, Nice Life’s Caitlyn Lytle, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Warner Chappell’s Bryce Sherlow, Warner Music Nashville’s Gregg Nadel; Front Row L-R: Joe London (BMI), Bailey Zimmerman (BMI), Austin Shawn (Producer), Grant Averill (BMI), Studio Bank’s Ron Cox; Photo Credit AubreyWise for BMI

Zimmerman's debut album smashed streaming records, becoming the biggest country streaming debut of all time and achieving the highest all-genre debut since 2021. Hosted by BMI and ASCAP, the double No. 1 party was a fitting tribute to the young artist's impressive success, with BMI’s Clay Bradley kicking off the celebration by recognizing Zimmerman’s fast-rising career. Bradley introduced BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, who extended her congratulations to the talented team behind the Platinum-certified "Where It Ends" and the 2X Platinum title track "Religiously."

"Where It Ends," co-written with Grant Averill and Joe London, and "Religiously," penned by Marty James, Alex Palmer, Austin Shawn, and Frank Romano, were both produced by Shawn. The songs have quickly cemented Zimmerman's place as one of country music's newest powerhouses, with heartfelt lyrics and emotive performances that have resonated deeply with fans.

In a particularly touching moment, Grant Averill, who co-wrote “Where It Ends,” was presented with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar in honor of his first No. 1 as a BMI songwriter. Sponsored by Studio Bank, the party also featured a donation presentation made by Ron Cox on behalf of Zimmerman and the songwriters to CreatiVets, a nonprofit organization that helps wounded veterans heal through songwriting and other creative outlets. This generous contribution added an extra layer of meaning to the celebration, highlighting the power of music as a force for healing and connection.

Before the festivities kicked off, Zimmerman spoke with All Country News and other outlets about the magic behind "Where It Ends." Reflecting on the creative process, he shared, “Honestly, it’s one of those things you really can’t explain, but it’s just like meant to be. I didn’t know these guys, but I had this guitar rhythm, and I thought, ‘Oh dude, that’s so sick.’ I had this picture in my head of a dead-end road sign, and I was like, ‘This is where it ends.’”

Zimmerman emphasized how rare and special the writing process was for the song. "Sometimes songs take forever," he said, "but when you get that one line that sparks the whole story, and it starts flowing out like that—nothing better than that."

The gathering at BMI’s office not only marked the latest in Zimmerman’s series of career highlights but also served as a reminder of the collaborative spirit and shared passion that drive Nashville’s songwriting community. As Bailey Zimmerman continues to carve out his place in the country music landscape, it's clear that these two No. 1 hits are just the beginning of what promises to be an incredible journey.

With his heartfelt songs, grounded humility, and undeniable talent, Zimmerman’s future shines as brightly as the two platinum records now to his name.