Claude Kelly Named Top 100 Songwriter Of The Year

Noted songwriter Claude Kelly has not only penned some of this year's most revered singles, he has in fact reached music fans across multiple genres to land a spot on Billboard's Hot 100 songwriters of 2009 !

Coming in just one slot behind Beyonce, while outranking notables such as Will.I.Am, Ne-Yo and Pink, Kelly cracked the top 20 to reach no.14 this year.

Well known for writing Miley Cyrus' massive single "Party In The USA," Kelly also penned Time Magazine's #1 song of the year, "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson. Leaping 97-1 after selling 280,000 digital downloads on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year, the song is the first to achieve such a feat in Billboard's 50-year history.

While Kelly's success with Cyrus and Clarkson is well noted, the songwriter snagged a spot on one of the decade's most anticipated albums -- Whitney Houston's triumphant comeback effort "I Look To You".  Penning the touching song "Like I Never Left," Kelly assisted the woman so many simply call 'The Voice' in making 2009 a banner year.

2009 also saw Claude Kelly's songs on albums for some of the biggest names in music including Britney Spears ("Circus"), Adam Lambert ("For Your Entertainment"), Chrisette Michele ("Blame It On Me"), Jason Derulo ("In My Head"), Melanie Fiona ("Priceless") and R. Kelly ("Like I  Do" and "Echo").

Speaking of his ability to craft songs for such a diverse array of genres, Kelly says "I think I have a gift, but what keeps getting me work is the attention to the artists themselves. I’m really paying attention to what songs make the artist better."

In related news, Kelly's penmanship will be heard on forthcoming music from Christina Aguilera and current chart-topper Ke$ha. He is also working with Jennifer Hudson, Faith Hill and Fantasia.

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