Michael James Ryan Busbee (June 18, 1976 – September 29, 2019), known professionally as Busbee, was an American songwriter, record producer, publisher, record label executive, and multi-instrumentalist.[1] He is known for his work in both pop music and country music. He worked with 5 Seconds of Summer, Keith Urban, and Maren Morris.

Busbee
Birth nameMichael James Ryan Busbee[1][2]
Born(1976-06-18)June 18, 1976
Walnut Creek, California, U.S.
OriginSan Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 29, 2019(2019-09-29) (aged 43)[3]
Los Angeles, California, U.S.[4]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Songwriter
  • record producer
  • publisher
  • record label executive
  • musician
Years active2000–2019

Early life edit

Busbee was born in Walnut Creek, California, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area.[5] He began playing piano when he was seven years old, and started playing jazz trombone in high school.[6][7] Busbee marched with the World Class Drum Corps, Blue Devils.[citation needed]

He studied jazz at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, after receiving a scholarship to the school in 1995, but returned to the San Francisco Bay Area before graduating.[7][2]

Career edit

He moved to Los Angeles in 2000 and started working at a music studio assisting rock producer Eric Valentine, and began learning to play more instruments, including guitar, bass, and drums.[5][7][2] After working and assisting others in music studios for a while, he began working on his own as a songwriter, producer, mixer, writer, and engineer.[7][2] He started working on many pop songs, with many artists who had been on reality singing competitions like American Idol and The X Factor.[5][7]

After five years of working in Los Angeles, he starting working in Nashville, Tennessee, as well, at the recommendation of another writer. Musician and record producer Dann Huff then signed him to a publishing deal.[6][2] Since then, Busbee wrote for and co-wrote with a broad range of artists including Gwen Stefani, P!nk, Shakira, Maren Morris, Timbaland featuring Katy Perry, Keith Urban, Jon Bellion, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, and Lady Antebellum.[2][3][5] Busbee was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 2017 for his work on Maren Morris' debut single, "My Church".[8]

In December 2018, Busbee started his own music label, Altadena, in Los Angeles in partnership with Warner Bros. Records, Warner Chappell Music, and Red Light Management.[6][7][9]

Personal life edit

Busbee was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer called glioblastoma during 2019 and died later that year on September 29, in Los Angeles.[3] He was survived by his wife and three children.[10]

Discography edit

Songs written edit

Discography
Artist Album Song Co-written with Notes
5 Seconds of Summer 5 Seconds of Summer (2014) "Don't Stop Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Steve Robson Single
"The Only Reason” Steve Robson, Michael Clifford
The Head and the Heart Living Mirage (2019) "See You Through My Eyes" Anastasia Laura Whiteacre, Jonathan Eric Russell
Christina Aguilera Lotus (2012) "Empty Words" Christina Aguilera, Nikki Flores, Ali Tamposi
Lauren Alaina Road Less Traveled (2016) "Doin' Fine" Lauren Alaina, Emily Shackleton
"My Kinda People"
Jason Aldean My Kinda Party (2010) "Days Like These" Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley
Night Train (2012) "This Nothing Town"
Allstar Weekend All the Way (2011) "Not Your Birthday" (feat. Anth) Anthony Melo, JP Clark, Jayce Levi Single
"Do It 2 Me" Zachary Porter, JP Clark, Jayce Levi
Backstreet Boys This Is Us (2009) "Masquerade"[11] Brian Kennedy, Alex James, Antwoine Collins
Jon Bellion The Human Condition (2016) "80's Films" Jon Bellion
"Maybe IDK"
Glory Sound Prep (2018) "Blu"
Better Than Ezra Paper Empire (2009) "Black Light" Kevin Griffin
"Turn Up The Bright Lights" Kevin Griffin, Michelle Lewis
"In Between The Moments" Kevin Griffin
"Wounded"
"All in" Kevin Griffin, James Bourne
Boyzone Brother (2010) "Nothing Without You” Catt Gravitt, Tom Shapiro
Danielle Bradbery Danielle Bradbery (2013) "Yellin' From The Rooftop" Sarah Buxton
"Endless Summer” Sarah Buxton, Jedd Hughes
Toni Braxton Pulse (2010) "If I Have to Wait" Toni Braxton, Jud Friesman, Allan Rich
Garth Brooks Man Against Machine (2014) "People Loving People" Lee Thomas Miller, Chris Wallin
Alexandra Burke Overcome (2009) "Bad Boys" (feat. Flo Rida) Melvin K. Watson Jr., Larry Summerville Jr., Alex James, Lauren Evans Tramar Dillard Single (#1 UK Singles Chart, Brit Award Nomination)[12]
Kelly Clarkson Stronger (2011) "Dark Side" Alexander Geringas Single (#1 Billboard Dance Chart)
Daughtry Break the Spell (2011) "We're Not Gonna Fall" Chris Daughtry, Zac Maloy
"Gone Too Soon" Chris Daughtry
"Losing My Mind"
Baptized (2013) "I'll Fight”
"High Above The Ground”
Gavin DeGraw Make a Move (2013) "Who's Gonna Save Us" Gavin DeGraw
Lee DeWyze Live It Up (2010) "A Song About Love" Lee DeWyze, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, David Hodges
"It's Gotta Be Love" Lee DeWyze, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, Claude Kelly
"Stay Here" Lee DeWyze, Espen Lind, Claude Kelly
Colton Dixon A Messenger (2013) "Noise" Colton Dixon
"You Are Colton Dixon, Rhyan Shirley, Jared Martin Single
Edurne Climax (2013) "Pretty Boy" Meghan Kabir Single
"31 Seconds Alone" Alex James, E. Kidd Bogart, Jim Jonsin
"Bullets & Butterflies" Andrew Dorff, Dwight Baker
Sara Evans Slow Me Down (2014) "Good Love Is Hard To Find” Sarah Buxton, Dave Berg
Florida Georgia Line Dig Your Roots (2016) "H.O.L.Y" Nate Cyphert, William Wiik Larsen Single
Dia Frampton Red (2011) Don't Kick The Chair (feat. Kid Cudi)" Dia Frampton, Scott Mescudi, Julie Frost Single
"I Will" (feat. Blake Shelton) Dia Frampton, Tom Shapiro
"Good Boy" Dia Frampton, Chris Seefried
"Love Can Come From Anywhere" Dia Frampton
The Fray Helios (2014) "Hold My Hand” The Fray
"Give it Away”
"Our Last Days”
Martin Garrix "Don't Look Down" (2015) "Don't Look Down (Ft. Usher)" feat. Usher Martin Garrix, Usher Raymond, James Abrahart Single
Girls' Generation Run Devil Run (2010) "Run Devil Run" Alex James, Kalle Engström, Hong Ji-yoo, Nakamura Kanata Single
Giorgia Dietro le apparenze (2011) "Hostage" (È l'amore che conta) Giorgia Todrani, Allan Rich, Jud Firdman Single
"Did I Lose You" (feat. Olly Murs)
Hunter Hayes Hunter Hayes (2011) "Storm Warning" Hunter Hayes, Gordie Sampson Single[13]
Jana Kramer Thirty One (2015) "Said No One Ever" Nicolle Gaylon, Natalie Hemby Single
Lady A Need You Now (2010) "Our Kind of Love" Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood Single (#1 Billboard US Country)[14]
"Ready to Love Again"[14]
Own the Night (2011) "When You Were Mine"
747 (2014) "Falling for You"
The Best of Me (2014)
Heart Break (2017)
"You Look Good" Ryan Hurd, Hillary Lindsey Single (#9 US Billboard Hot Country Songs)
'"Somebody Else's Heart" Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Shane McAnally
"Army" Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Nicolle Galyon
"Good Time to Be Alive" Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Will Weatherly, Emily Weisband
"Stars" Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood
"Home"
Adam Lambert Trespassing (2012) "Take Back" Adam Lambert
Little Big Town Pain Killer (2014) "Quit Breaking Up With Me" Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally
Scotty McCreery See You Tonight (2013) "Now” Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers
"Buzzin” Frank Rogers
Katharine McPhee Unbroken (2010) "How" Lucie Silvas, Alex James
Bea Miller Young Blood (2014) "Enemy Fire" Meghan Kabir
Maren Morris Hero (2016) "My Church" Maren Morris Single (#5 Billboard Hot Country Songs)
"80s Mercedes" Maren Morris
"How It's Done" Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby
"Once" Maren Morris
Kellie Pickler The Woman I Am (2013) "I Forgive You" Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo
P!nk The Truth About Love (2012) "Try" Ben West Single (#1 Billboard Adult Pop Chart, Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart)
Cassadee Pope Frame by Frame (2013) "Edge of a Thunderstorm” Cassadee Pope, Liz Rose
Rascal Flatts Still Feels Good (2007) "Better Now" Gregory Becker, Darrell Brown
Unstoppable (2009) Summer Nights" Gary LeVox, Brett James Single (#2 Billboard Country Chart)[15][16][17][18][19]
Nothing Like This (2010) "Sunday Afternoon" Joe Don Rooney
Rewind (2014) Rascal Flatts
"She Must Like Broken Hearts” Back to Us (2017) "Hands Talk" Gary LeVox, Jon Nite
Haley Reinhart Listen Up! (2012) "Free" Lucie Silvas Single
"Wasted Tears" Haley Reinhart, Jonthan Green
"What You Don't Know" Haley Reinhart, Sam Watters
Chris Rene I'm Right Here (2012) "Trouble" Jason Bonilla, Alex Lambert Single
The Rosso Sisters Hola Hola (2014) "We Don't Care About That Anyway"
Shakira Shakira (2014) "Broken Record" Shakira
Blake Shelton If I'm Honest (2016) "Every Goodbye" Ryan Hurd, Liz Rose
Jessica Sutta "Show Me" (2011) Alexander Geringas, Paddy Dalton Single (#1 Billboard Dance Chart)
Rosie Thomas If Songs Could Be Held (2005) "Pretty Dress" Rosie Thomas
"Guess It May" Rosie Thomas
"Say What You Want" Rosie Thomas
"Time Goes Away" Rosie Thomas
"Tomorrow" Rosie Thomas
Timbaland Shock Value II (2009) "If We Ever Meet Again" (feat. Katy Perry) T.Mosley, James Washington Single (#3 UK Singles Chart)[20][21]
Keith Urban Get Closer (2010) "All For You” Chris Eaton
Ripcord (2016) "Sun Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Nile Rodgers and Pitbull) Keith Urban, Nile Rodgers, Pitbull
"The Fighter" (feat. Carrie Underwood) Keith Urban
"Your Body"
Vedera Stages (2009) "Goodbye My Love” Vedera, Simon Wilcox, James Bourne, Kasia Livingston
Carly Pearce Every Little Thing (2017) "Every Little Thing" Carly Pearce, Emily Shackelton Single
"Everybody Gonna Talk" Carly Pearce, Emily Weisband
"Catch Fire" Natalie Hemby
"If My Name Was Whiskey" Carly Pearce, Shane McAnally
"Color" Carly Pearce, Laura Veltz
"Feel Somethin’" Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby
"You Know Where to Find Me" Carly Pearce, Emily Shackelton
"Honeysuckle" Barry Dean, Hillary Lindsey
Trisha Yearwood Every Girl (2019) Can't Take Back Goodbye Busbee, Caitlyn Smith, Troy Verges

Production and co-production edit

Discography
Artist Album Song Co-produced with
Christina Aguilera Lotus (2012) "Empty Words"
Lauren Alaina Lauren Alaina EP (2015) "Next Boyfriend" (2015)
Road Less Traveled (2016) All tracks
Allstar Weekend All the Way (2011) "Not Your Birthday" (feat. Anth)
"Do It 2 Me"
Daughtry Baptized (2013) "I'll Fight” DreZa
"High Above The Ground” Mason "MdL" Levy
Gavin DeGraw Make a Move (2013) "Who's Gonna Save Us" DreZa
Dia Frampton Red (2011)
"I Will" (feat. Blake Shelton)
"Good Boy" J. Bonilla
Girls' Generation Run Devil Run (2010) "Run Devil Run" Alex James, Kalle Engström
Lady Antebellum 747 (2014) "Falling for You"
The Best of Me (2014)
Heart Break (2017) All tracks
Adam Lambert Trespassing (2012) "Take Back" J. Bonilla
Ingrid Michaelson Lights Out (2014) "Time Machine"
Bea Miller Young Blood (2014) "Enemy Fire"
Maren Morris Hero (2016) "My Church" Maren Morris
"80's Mercedes"
"Sugar"
"How It's Done"
"Rich"
"Just Another Thing"
"Second Wind"
"I Could Use A Love Song"
"Once"
"Company You Keep" Maren Morris, Brad Hill
"Drunk Girls Don't Cry"
Haley Reinhart Listen Up! (2012) "What You Don't Know" J. Bonilla
"Walking on Heaven"
"Hit the Ground Running"
"Baby, It's Cold Outside"
Chris Rene I'm Right Here (2012) "Trouble" J. Bonilla
Shakira Shakira (2014) "Broken Record" Shakira
"Medicine" (feat. Blake Shelton)
"23"
Rosie Thomas If Songs Could Be Held (2005) All tracks
Keith Urban Ripcord (2016) "Sun Don't Let Me Down" (feat. Pitbull) Keith Urban, Nile Rodgers
"The Fighter" Keith Urban
"Your Body"

Other songs edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Results for Busbee, Michael James Ryan". BMI. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Leight, Elias (May 24, 2016). "How Busbee Went From Jazz Scholar to Country Rebel". Rollingstone.com.
  3. ^ a b c Laffer, Lauren (September 30, 2019). "Acclaimed Songwriter and Producer busbee Dead at 43". Sounds Like Nashville.
  4. ^ "Busbee, Grammy-nominated country and pop songwriter, dies at 43". Los Angeles Times. September 30, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Wood, Mikael (September 30, 2019). "Busbee, songwriter and producer who partnered with Maren Morris, dies at 43". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Bonaguro, Alison (September 29, 2019). "Nashville Mourns Mike Busbee's Sudden Death". CMT News. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Halperin, Shirley (September 30, 2019). "Busbee, Hit Songwriter and Producer, Dies at 43". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  8. ^ "busbee". Grammy Awards. June 4, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  9. ^ Norwin, Alyssa (September 30, 2019). "Busbee: 5 Things To Know About Grammy-Nominated Producer Who Sadly Died At 43". HollywoodLife. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  10. ^ "Busbee, Grammy-Nominated Songwriter and Producer, Dead of Brain Cancer at 43". People. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  11. ^ Steffen Hung. "Backstreet Boys - Masquerade". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  12. ^ "Bad Boys by Alexandra Burke Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  13. ^ "Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird Are BMI's Top Songwriters, Tom T. Hall the Icon". CMT.com. October 31, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Lady Antebellum - Chart history". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  15. ^ "Rascal Flatts - Chart history". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  16. ^ "Rascal Flatts - Summer Nights - Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  17. ^ "Rascal Flatts Scores Fourth Billboard 200 No. 1". Billboard.com. April 15, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  18. ^ "Top 10 Country Music Songs for Summer 2009 - We list the Top 10 Country Music Songs for Summer 2009". Countrymusic.about.com. July 21, 2012. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  19. ^ Bierly, Mandi. "Unstoppable". EW.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  20. ^ "Timbaland With Katy Perry - If We Ever Meet Again (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  21. ^ "Timbaland - If We Ever Meet Again ft. Katy Perry". YouTube.com. February 9, 2010. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2015.

External links edit