Chart-Topping Nashville Songwriter Matt McGinn Arrested On Felony And Misdemeanor Charges
McGinn has written songs recorded by Kane Brown, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, and many others.
Matt McGinn; Promo Photo
Chart-topping songwriter Matthew McGinn, also known as Matt McGinn, was arrested on two felony charges as well as one misdemeanor charge on Saturday, October 28 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a court document obtained by Country Now via Nashville.gov.
Who Has Matt McGinn Written Songs For?
McGinn, who has written songs recorded by Kane Brown, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Dustin Lynch, and many others, was booked on the following charges: kidnapping (felony), attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (felony) and a violation of an order of protection (misdemeanor). According to Scoop Nashville, the songwriter was released on a $12,500 bond.
Taken Into Custody On October 28
The 35-year-old was taken into custody just one day after his girlfriend, Carly Strickland, filed an order of protection against him after an incident that reportedly occurred on Thursday, October 26. According to the filing, Strickland claims that McGinn was at his house when they got into an argument.
“He got escalated and began to throw my objects down the stairs, push me down to the ground, and then push me up against a wall,” Strickland reports in the protective order. “He demanded that I could not leave. He started to threaten my dog” by saying ‘I will strangle this m********** and “I will kill this b**** to hurt you.”
According to Scoop Nashville, a recording of McGinn was obtained. In the recording, McGinn can allegedly be heard saying he was going to kill Strickland and slit her dog’s throat if she attempted to exit his home.
Strickland says she asked him to “get away” from her, however, he “would not take no for an answer.”
His Girlfriend Detailed The Incident
She continued, “He then began to threaten me by saying ‘I want you to die,’ ‘I will kill you first,’ and ‘listen to me m**********.’ He was punching items around me and, at one point, even took off his shirt and wrapped it around my body. He asserted that I would be ‘allowed to leave’ when he was ‘done with [me].’ I was terrified. I fled to my car to try and leave, but his car was parked at the top of the driveway, leaving me unable to exit.”
According to the order of protection, this led to Strickland calling the police, which prompted McGinn to allow her to leave. Strickland later filed a police report (#23-642198) with the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Her restraining order concluded by sharing that McGinn is “an unpredictable individual who gets escalated without warning.” In the order of protection, Strickland also stated that this was not the first time he’s “been violent” with her.
“In February of (2023), another police report was filed after he pulled in front of my car, forced himself in, and threw a water bottle around,” Strickland continued. ”I kindly ask the court to order Matthew McGinn to stay away from me, my home, and my workplace, and to not contact me indirectly or directly. All the statements above are true and occurred in Davidson County.”
He Will Soon Appear In Court
Matt McGinn is currently out on bond. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 to settle the case with Judge Marcus Floyd, according to the Criminal Court Clerk.
Matt McGinn was named SESAC Songwriter of the Year in 2020. At the 2018 SESAC Country Awards, he was awarded with Song of the Year for “Heaven” (recorded by Kane Brown) and also Songwriter of the Year.
In September of 2023, McGinn signed a publishing deal with Boom Music Group in partnership with Cinq Music Group, according to Music Row.
McGinn has written songs recorded by Tim McGraw (“7500 OBO”), Kane Brown (“Bury Me In Georgia,” “Like I Love Country Music,” “Cool Again,” “What Ifs,” “Worship You,” “Homesick,” “One Thing Right” and “Heaven”), Staind (“Lowest In Me”), Dustin Lynch (“Party Mode”), Blake Shelton (“Body Language”) and many others.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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