PICTURED (L-R): WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE'S JOHN ESPOSITO, SMACKSONGS' SHANE MCANALLY, WARNER/CHAPPELL'S TRAVIS CARTER, SONGWRITER/PRODUCER CHRIS DESTEFANO, ASCAP'S BETH BRINKER, APRA'S MARK MOFFATT, MORGAN EVANS, WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE'S SCOTT HENDRICKS, SONGWRITER JOSH OSBORNE, SONY ATV'S JOSH VAN VALKENBURG, BMI'S MARYANN KEEN

Morgan Evans Celebrates His First Number One In The U.S.

Morgan Evans celebrated his first-ever #1 hit in the U.S., “”Kiss Somebody,” yesterday (1/17).

Flipping Nashville’s rehearsal hall Soundcheck into a full-on fiesta, the party was hosted by ASCAP, BMI and APRA to honor the Australia native’s debut single. Evans (BMI), along with co-writers Chris DeStefano (ASCAP) and Josh Osborne (ASCAP), were recognized for the song’s chart-topping success, expressing gratitude for the sea of industry attendees that helped make the milestone moment a reality.

“Every time I see the city skyline I think about the first time I came to Nashville and imagined being a part of this community. Every time I have that thought I get this rush of memories. Especially on a day like today when we get to stop and look back and celebrate things,” said Evans. “This is the biggest occasion. This is it. More than anything, it means I get to keep doing this for a long time, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

Adding to the excitement, Warner Music Nashville Chairman and CEO John Esposito surprised Evans with a plaque to commemorate the track being officially GOLD-certified by the RIAA – exceeding 500,000 track equivalents units/sold.

View photos from Morgan Evans’ “Kiss Somebody” #1 party here.

“I’m super proud to be on stage today, super proud to be accepting all these awards, and super proud to have this song that’s gone to number 1,” said Evans. “But above all else, I’m proud to have you guys as my team and my music family. Hopefully we get to do this for a long time together.”

With the stage set for his final rehearsal before hitting the road on Old Dominion’s MAKE IT SWEET TOUR, Evans took the party to a new level with an impromptu performance of “Kiss Somebody.” Inviting the room to get a little “Day Drunk” and toast his first #1, Evans also treated the margarita-sipping crowd to his current single.

Evans will kick off the MAKE IT SWEET TOUR tonight in Rosemont, IL. He’ll continue as a special guest with Old Dominion in February, before serving as direct support on the first leg of DAN + SHAY THE TOUR.