Paul Worley

Paul Worley (born February 16, 1950 in Nashville) is an American record producer and session guitarist, known primarily for his work in country music. Formerly a vice president at Sony BMG, he later joined the staff of Warner Bros. Records' Nashville division as chief creative officer. Since leaving Warner in the early 2000s, Worley has worked mainly as a record producer for other acts including Big & Rich, as well as an occasional session guitarist. He is mostly known as the co- producer (with Victoria Shaw) of the self-titled debut album of Lady Antebellum and as one of the producers of their second album, Need You Now (2010). He also discovered the Dixie Chicks and with Blake Chancey, co-produced their first two albums.

Early life Worley was born in Nashville in 1950. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in philosophy. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Worley has produced or co-produced several country music albums, primarily by country music artists. Worley also played guitar on the Chicks' debut single "I Can Love You Better". After becoming chief creative officer at Warner Bros. Records in 2002, Worley helped sign Big & Rich, a country music duo composed of Big Kenny and John Rich.

Worley left Warner Bros. after the label did not sign Lady Antebellum, despite Worley's encouragement. When the band signed with Capitol Records, Worley left Warner Bros. in order to produce the band. In 2012, Skyline writer Jon Stone co-wrote the SESAC Song Of The Year, "A Woman Like You," recorded by Curb Records artist Lee Brice. Also in 2012, Skyline writers The Henningsens were awarded BMI awards for two singles recorded by Valory Music Group's The Band Perry, "You Lie" and "All Your Life." Worley also produced The Henningsen's debut album, to be released by Sony Music Nashville in 2013.

Skyville Records and artist development In 2010, Worley, Wilson, and Skyline partner Glen Morgan formed the independent record label Skyville Records. The label's first release was Stealing Angels later that year. In 2011, Skyville signed a distribution deal with Sony Music Nashville. Skyville specializes in artist development, working with up-and-coming talent in production, music publishing, and artist management.