Mitch collaborated on six songs of Chris Janson's
latest album Real Friends. When "Done" reached
gold certification it was a high point for Mitch as a
songwriter.
50 TOOMBS COUNTY MAGAZINE
Shoals, Alabama, had been coming to Legend’s Corner on
Broadway to hear Mitch sing for some time. “After a show one
night, Troy said, ‘If you ever want to quit teaching and write and
record music full time, I’ll pay you.’ I said back, ‘When you get
a year’s salary in the bank, call me.’ I said it with sarcasm, but
I meant it. And so did Troy. A year later, he called me and said,
‘I got your year’s salary.’ I put in my notice at the school and
started writing and performing full-time.” The deal with Woodis
lasted until the economic downturn of 2008 when everybody
had to tighten their belts.
The big break for Mitch came while working on a handshake
deal at Harlan Howard Songs, Inc. Kelly Lynn Janson, the wife
of Chris Janson was sitting in on a pitch meeting at Harlan
Howard songs. Kelly is not only her husband’s manager, but
also has her own publishing company called KJM Publishing.
Kelly liked what she heard. In fact, she liked Mitch’s songs so
much that she invited him to write with her husband. The result
of that meeting was a co-venture publishing agreement with
KJM Publishing and Warner/Chappell, which was just recently
renewed for the fourth year running.
When Chris Janson released his second Album Everybody in
2017, Mitch was a co-writer on two of the songs: “Redneck Life”
Photo by musicrow.com
ABOVE In 2017, Mitch signed a joint publishing deal with KJM Music Publishing, owned by Chris Janson's wife Kelly (bottom right), and Warner/
Chappell Music. OPPOSITE PAGE For years, Mitch regularly performed on Broadway in Nashville and had a following of his own.
/musicrow.com