Chris DeStefano explained

Chris DeStefano should not be confused with Chris Distefano.

Chris DeStefano
Birth Name:Christopher Michael DeStefano
Origin:Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genre:Country, pop, pop rock
Occupation:Songwriter, record producer
Instrument:percussion
Years Active:2010–present

Christopher Michael DeStefano[1] is a Grammy Award-winning American singer/songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist currently living in Nashville. As a songwriter, he has multiple #1 songs with artists Carrie Underwood (“Good Girl”, "Little Toy Guns"), Billy Currington (“Hey Girl”), Brett Eldredge ("Don't Ya"), Luke Bryan ("That's My Kind of Night", "Kick the Dust Up"), Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood ("Somethin' Bad," later reworked as the opening theme for NBC Sunday Night Football), Rascal Flatts ("Rewind") and Jason Aldean ("Just Gettin' Started").

DeStefano was raised in Mount Laurel, New Jersey and graduated from Lenape High School in 1993. He was in the school's music program while playing with a progressive rock band in the area.[2]

Underwood's "Good Girl", which DeStefano co-wrote, reached number 1 on Hot Country Songs in 2012.[3] [4] He also co-wrote and produced Brett Eldredge's number 1 single "Don't Ya".[5] He co-wrote “Something in the Water” sung by Carrie Underwood which was the #1 song for seven weeks, the 3rd longest running female #1 Hot Country song in chart history. DeStefano co-wrote "Kiss Somebody" (July 2017) with Australian singer, Morgan Evans, and fellow American songwriter, Josh Osborne.[6] At the APRA Music Awards of 2018 the song and its writers won Country Work of the Year.[7]

Discography

Songwriting discography

YearArtistAlbumSongCo-written with
2010David ArchuletaThe Other Side of Down"Something 'Bout Love"David Archuleta, Sam Hollander, Dave Katz
2011Kelly ClarksonStronger"Let Me Down"Kelly Clarkson
David CookThis Loud Morning"This Is Not The Last Time"David Cook, David Hodges
Eli Young BandLife at Best"Every Other Memory"Catt Gravitt, Josh Kear
Scotty McCreeryClear as Day"Better Than That"Jess Cates, Craig Wiseman
2012Kris AllenThank You Camellia"Turn the Pages"Kris Allen, Jess Cates, Lindy Robbins
"Shut That Door"Kris Allen, Jess Cates
Connie Britton"Buried Under"Natalie Hemby
Jana KramerJana Kramer"Why Ya Wanna"Catt Gravitt, Ashley Gorley
Haley ReinhartListen Up!"Now That You're Here"Haley Reinhart, Sam Watters
Carrie UnderwoodBlown Away"Good Girl"Carrie Underwood, Ashley Gorley
2013Lauren Alaina"Barefoot and Buckwild"Lauren Alaina, Jon Nite
Big Time Rush24/Seven"Picture This"Carlos Pena Jr., James Maslow, Ashley Gorley
"Just Getting Started"Kendall Schmidt, Logan Henderson, Ashley Gorley
"Lost in Love" (feat. Jake Miller)Carlos Pena Jr., Jake Miller, Shari Short
"Na Na Na"Carlos Pena Jr., Ashley Gorley
Luke BryanCrash My Party"That's My Kind of Night"Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley
Billy CurringtonWe Are TonightHey GirlRhett Akins, Ashley Gorley
Gavin DeGrawMake a Move"Heartbreak"Gavin DeGraw
Brett EldredgeBring You Back"Don't Ya"Brett Eldredge, Ashley Gorley
Florida Georgia LineHere's to the Good Times"Take It Out on Me"Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally
Jake OwenDays of Gold"Ghost Town"
"Life of the Party"Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson
Chris YoungA.M."Aw Naw"Chris Young, Ashley Gorley
"A.M."
"Goodbye"
"We're Gonna Find It Tonight"Chris Young, Rhett Akins
2014Jason AldeanOld Boots, New Dirt"Just Gettin' Started"Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley
Dan + ShayWhere It All Began"Nothin' Like You"Ashley Gorley, Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney
Florida Georgia LineAnything Goes"Smile"Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley
"Every Night"Tyler Hubbard, Tyler Kelley, Ashley Gorley
Lucy HaleRoad Between"Kiss Me"Mike Daly, Ashley Gorley, Lindy Robbins
"Lie a Little Better"Mike Daly, Melissa Peirce
"That's What I Call Crazy"Ashley Gorley, Kacey Musgraves
Miranda LambertPlatinum"Somethin' Bad" Brett James, Priscilla Renea
Rascal FlattsRewind"Rewind"Ashley Gorley, Eric Paslay
Cole SwindellCole Swindell"Swayin'"Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley
Chase RiceIgnite the Night"Ready Set Roll"Chase Rice, Rhett Akins
"Do It Like This"Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley
"Beach Town"Chase Rice, Jon Nite
"Beer With The Boys"Chase Rice, Ashley Gorley
"We Goin' Out"Chase Rice, Shane Minor
"50 Shades Of Crazy"Chase Rice, Jon Nite
"Best Beers Of Our Lives"Chase Rice, Shane Minor
Carrie UnderwoodGreatest Hits: Decade #1"Something in the Water"Carrie Underwood, Brett James
"Little Toy Guns"Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey
2015Bon JoviBurning Bridges"Life Is Beautiful"Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Falcon
Luke BryanKill the Lights"Kick the Dust Up"Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley
Kelly ClarksonPiece by Piece"Second Wind"Shane McAnally, Maren Morris
Thomas RhettTangled Up"Tangled"Adam Hoffman, Matt Lipkins, Josh Osborne, Scott Schwartz
Carrie UnderwoodStoryteller"Renegade Runaway"Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey
"Smoke Break"
"Clock Don't Stop"Hillary Lindsey, Blair Daly
2016Dan + ShayObsessed"From the Ground Up"Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney
Rachel PlattenWildfire"Superman"Rachel Platten, Lindy Robbins
Bon JoviThis House Is Not for Sale"Roller Coaster" Jon Bon Jovi, Ashley Gorley
2017Jerrod NiemannThis Ride"Zero to Crazy"Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally
"Out of My Heart"Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson
Thomas RhettLife Changes"Grave"Hillary Lindsey, Josh Miller
Chase RiceLambs & Lions"Lions"Chase Rice, Ashley Gorley
"Eyes on You"
"Jack Daniel's Showed Up"
"25 Wexford St."Chase Rice, Jim Beavers
Chris YoungLosing Sleep"Losing Sleep"Josh Hoge
2018Morgan EvansThings That We Drink To"American"Morgan Evans, Josh Osborne
"Kiss Somebody"
"I Do"Morgan Evans, Ashley Gorley
"Song for the Summer"Morgan Evans, David Hodges
"Day Drunk"Morgan Evans, Lindy Robbins
"Dance With Me" Morgan Evans
"Me On You"Morgan Evans, Josh Osborne
"Things That We Drink To"
"We Dream"Morgan Evans, Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite
"Everything Changes"Morgan Evans, Blair Daily
"Young Again"Morgan Evans, Josh Kear
Carrie UnderwoodNBC Sunday Night Football"Game On"Carrie Underwood, Brett James
2019Noah KahanBusyhead"False Confidence"Noah Kahan
Lady AOcean"Mansion"Hillary Lindsey, Josh Miller
LoCashBrothers"Cold Beer Kind of Night"Ashley Gorley, Rhett Akins
Jake OwenGreetings from... Jake"Mexico in Our Minds"Jaren Johnston, Ashley Gorley
Runaway JuneBlue Roses"Trouble with This Town"Naomi Cook, Jennifer Wayne, Liz Rose
2020Lee BriceHey World"Don't Need No Reason"Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs
2021Callista ClarkReal to Me (EP)"Heartbreak Song" Callista Clark, Emily Shackleton, Liz Rose
Chase RiceThe Album"Best Night Ever" Chase Rice, Matt Jenkins
"Belong" Chase Rice, Jon Nite
Mitchell TenpennyMidnight Diaries (EP)"Bucket List" Mitchell Tenpenny, Laura Veltz
Carrie UnderwoodMy Gift"Favorite Time of the Year" Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey
Chris YoungFamous Friends"Break Like You Do" Chris Young, Matt Rogers, Anthony Smith
"At the End of a Bar" Chris Young, Mitchell Tenpenny
"Love Looks Good on You" Chris Young
"One of Them Nights" Chris Young, Rhett Atkins
"When You're Drinking" Chris Young, Matt Rogers, Anthony Smith
"Everybody Needs a Song" Chris Young, Brad Tursi
2022Randy HouserNote to Self"Out and Down" Randy Houser, Matt Rogers
Mitchell TenpennyThis Is the Heavy"Do You" Mitchell Tenpenny, Claire Douglas, Michael Whitworth
"Bucket Lost" Mitchell Tenpenny, Laura Veltz
Carrie Underwood Denim & Rhinestones"Poor Everybody Else" Carrie Underwood, Josh Miller
2023Chris JansonThe Outlaw Side of Me"Outlaw Side of Me" Chris Janson, Lee Thomas Miller
Kip MooreDamn Love"Silver & Gold" Kip Moore, Dan Couch
Jason MrazMystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride"I Feel Like Dancing" Jason Mraz, Mai Bloomfield, Abby Dorsey, Rebecca Gebhart, Stephanie Jones, Chaska Potter, Mona Tavakoli, Eg White
2024Chris YoungYoung Love & Saturday Nights"Looking for You" Chris Young, James McNair, Emily Weisband
"Don't Call Me" Chris Young, Ashley Gorley
"Country Boy's Prayer" Chris Young, Mitchell Tenpenny, Michael Whitworth
"Call It a Day" Chris Young, Emily Weisband, Jon Nite
"Drink to Remember" Chris Young, Corey Crowder
"Fall Out" Chris Young, Emily Weisband, Jon Nite
"Fire" Chris Young, Hardy
"Right Now" Chris Young, Josh Hoge, Paul DiGiovanni
MacKenzie Porter"Walk Away"Nobody's Born with a Broken HeartMacKenzie Porter, Jon Nite

Production discography

YearArtistAlbumSongCo-produced with
2010David ArchuletaThe Other Side of Down"Something 'Bout Love"S*A*M and Sluggo
2011Kelly ClarksonStronger"Let Me Down"rowspan="4"
"Don't Be a Girl About It"
2012Kris AllenThank You Camellia"Turn the Pages"
Haley ReinhartListen Up!"Now That You're Here"
2013Big Time Rush24/Seven"Picture This"Damon Sharpe
"Just Getting Started"
"Lost in Love"
"NaNaNa"
Brett EldredgeBring You Back"Don't Ya"
2014Chase RiceIgnite the Night"Ready Set Roll"
"Do It Like This"
"Beach Town"
"Beer With The Boys"
"We Goin’ Out"
"50 Shades of Crazy"
"Best Beers of Our Lives"
"Mmm Girl"
"Carolina Can"
"Gonna Wanna Tonight"
"U Turn"
"What’s Your Name"
"Country In Ya"
"Ride"
Dan + ShayWhere It All Began"Nothin' Like You"
2015Kelly ClarksonPiece by Piece"Second Wind"
Kip MooreWild Ones"Wild Ones"
"Complicated"
Thomas RhettTangled Up"Learned It from the Radio"rowspan="2"
"Playing with Fire" (featuring Jordin Sparks)"
2017Chase RiceLambs & Lions"Lions"rowspan="3"
"On Tonight"
"Unforgettable"
"Eyes on You"Jacquire King
"Jack Daniel's Showed Up"rowspan="3"
"This Cowboy's Hat"
2018Morgan EvansThings That We Drink ToAll 11 tracks
Carrie UnderwoodNBC Sunday Night Football"Game On"Mark Bright
2021Chase RiceThe Album"Lonely If You Are"Chase Rice
"Best Night Ever"
"Messy"
"In the Car"
"You" rowspan="4"
"Break. Up. Down"
"Down Home Runs Deep"
"Belong"
Chris YoungFamous Friends"Break Like You Do" Chris Young
"At the End of a Bar"
"Love Looks Good on You"
"One of Them Nights"
2024Chris YoungYoung Love & Saturday Nights"Looking for You"
"Young Love & Saturday Nights" Chris Young, Corey Crowder
"Don't Call Me" Chris Young
"Country Boy's Prayer"
"Call It a Day"
"Don't Stop Now" Chris Young, Corey Crowder
"Fall Out" Chris Young
"Fire"
"Right Now"
"Million Miles" Chris Young, Corey Crowder
"Everybody Grew Up"
"Knee Deep in Neon" Chris Young
"Down"

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ACE Title Search . June 5, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130306032310/https://www.ascap.com/Home/ace-title-search/index.aspx . March 6, 2013 .
  2. Pensiero, Nicole. "Mr. Write", South Jersey Magazine, February 2014. Accessed June 8, 2020. "Chris DeStefano’s career has had more twists and turns than, say, one of the chart-topping songs he’s co-written for the likes of Carrie Underwood or Luke Bryan. The Grammy Award-winning Mount Laurel native—who now divides his time between Nashville and Los Angeles—is riding high on a wave of acclaim for his songwriting and production talents in the world of country music.... 'I took private lessons, and Lenape High School (where he graduated from in 1993) had an amazing music program—I learned so much there,' DeStefano recalls."
  3. Web site: Chris DeStefano. ASCAP. 18 October 2013.
  4. Web site: Chris DeStefano & Ashley Gorley Top the Charts with "Good Girl". 30 August 2012. ASCAP. 18 October 2013.
  5. Web site: Brett Eldredge Savors First No. 1 With Co-Writers Ashley Gorley, Chris DeStefano. https://web.archive.org/web/20130929053240/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1714539/brett-eldredge-savors-first-no-1-with-co-writers-ashley-gorley-chris-destefano.jhtml. dead. 29 September 2013. Morris. Edward. 24 September 2013. Country Music Television. 18 October 2013.
  6. Web site: Full List of Winners . Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) . 2018 . April 13, 2018 . April 5, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200405152847/https://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2018-awards/apra-music-awards/full-list-of-winners/ . dead .
  7. Web site: Country Work of the Year . Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) . 2018 . April 14, 2018 .