Kent Blazy

Induction Year: 2020

Birth Name: Kent Evan Blazy

Birth Date: 03-27-1951

Place of Birth: Lexington, Kentucky

Kent Blazy grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, playing in various local bands. By the mid-’70s, he was touring as a guitar player for Canadian legend Ian Tyson. After a first-place win in a national songwriting competition, Kent decided to make the move to Nashville.

In 1982, Gary Morris sent Kent’s “Headed For A Heartache” to #5 on the Country chart. Soon after, other cuts followed with The Forester Sisters, T. Graham Brown, Donna Fargo and Moe Bandy.

In 1987, Kent was introduced to new demo singer Garth Brooks. The two began writing together, and their first collaboration, “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” became Brooks’ first #1 single and NSAI’s 1989 Song of the Year.

Their writing partnership yielded four additional Top 5 songs with “Ain’t Goin’ Down (’Til The Sun Comes Up),” “Somewhere Other Than The Night,” “It’s Midnight Cinderella” and “She’s Gonna Make It.”

Kent also was a co-writer on the Brooks & George Jones duet “Beer Run (B-Double E-Double Are You In?),” as well as on “That’s What I Get For Lovin’ You” by Diamond Rio, “My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me” by American Idol finalist Danny Gokey and “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)” by Chris Young.

"Ain't Goin' Down ('Til The Sun Comes Up)"

(written with Garth Brooks, Kim Williams)

Garth Brooks1993 #1 Country
 

"Baby, Let's Lay Down And Dance"

(written with Garth Brooks, Steve Dorff, Victoria Shaw, Kim Williams)

Garth Brooks2017 #29 Country
 

"Beer Run (B-Double E-Double Are You In?)"

(written with Keith Anderson, George Ducas, Amanda Williams, Kim Williams)

George Jones w/ Garth Brooks2001 #24 Country
 

"Breathless"

(written with Kelly Shiver, Neil Thrasher)

Susan Ashton1999 
River Road2000 #45 Country
 

"Can't Get Enough"

(written with Blair Daly, Will Rambeaux)

Patty Loveless1999 #21 Country, #96 Pop
 

"Cold Shoulder"

(written with Garth Brooks, Kim Williams)

Garth Brooks1991 
Ralph Stanley II2008 

"Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)"

(written with Cory Batten, Chris Young)

Chris Young2009 #1 Country, #39 Pop
 

"God's Hands"

(written with Rob Crosby, Jim Dowell)

Jeff & Sheri Easter1995 
Johnny Cash2008 
 

"Guilty Eyes"

(written with Jim Dowell)

Bandana1982 #37 Country

"Headed For A Heartache"

(written with Jim Dowell)

Gary Morris1981 #8 Country
 

"I Don't Know What She Said"

(written with Cory Batten, Lane Turner)

Blaine Larsen2006 #24 Country

"If Tomorrow Never Comes"

(written with Garth Brooks)

1989 NSAI Song of the Year

Garth Brooks1989 #1 Country
Joose1997 #15 AC, #68 R&B
Ronan Keating2002 #1 UK
Engelbert Humperdinck2003 
Barry Manilow2004 
Jason Owen2013 
 

"It's Midnight Cinderella"

(written with Garth Brooks, Kim Williams)

Garth Brooks1996 #5 Country

"My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me"

(written with Marv Green)

Danny Gokey2010 #24 Country
 

"No End To This Road"

(written with Michael Dulaney, Neil Thrasher)

Restless Heart1998 #33 Country
 

"She's Gonna Make It"

(written with Garth Brooks, Kim Williams)

Garth Brooks1998 #2 Country
 

"Somewhere Other Than The Night"

(written with Garth Brooks)

Garth Brooks1993 #1 Country
 

"That's What I Get For Lovin' You"

(written with Neil Thrasher)

Diamond Rio1996 #4 Country
 

"Why Ain't I Running?"

(written with Tony Arata, Garth Brooks)

Garth Brooks2003 #24 Country
 

"You Can Let Go"

(written with Cory Batten, Rory Lee Feek)

Crystal Shawanda2008 #21 Country

Kent Blazy

Induction Year: 2020