Grammy may open more doors for songwriter

Chris Tompkins woke up Sunday morning a different person.

While he was the same Chris Tompkins who graduated from Rogers High School in Greenhill, married Jessica Muse, moved to Nashville, Tenn., and wound up working as a songwriter for Craig Wiseman's Big Loud Shirt Industries, something was different.

Tompkins was a Grammy Award winner.

"I remember going to sleep about 2:30 a.m. and woke up about 5:30 a.m. and started thinking about it," Tompkins said. "I woke up and my wife, Jessica, woke up and we were just kind of saying, 'Wow.' "

Tompkins and Josh Kear, a songwriter from east Tennessee, wrote "Before He Cheats," which became a smash hit for country artist Carrie Underwood. The song has been nominated for and won several awards since its release in 2006.

The song also carries the distinction of being the most downloaded country song, totaling more than 2 million.

Tompkins' and Kear's song received the Grammy Award for "Country Song of the Year." "Before He Cheats" was also nominated for "Song of the Year," but lost out to Amy Winehouse's "Rehab."

Tompkins said he received the "Country Song of the Year" Grammy at about 3:30 p.m. Pacifiic Time during a ceremony that is held before the televised Grammy Awards program.

"Any winners go through a press area, then they take you out to the main show," Tompkins said. "We had amazing seats."

Tompkins said he was seated behind Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt.

"I talked to her the whole night," he said of Raitt.

To Tompkins' left was Carrie Underwood and to his right was rock guitarist Steve Vai. Cindy Lauper, known for her 1980s hit "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," was sitting behind him.

Nearby was Kanye West and rapper Snoop Dog.

"I had already won a Grammy so I wasn't that nervous," Tompkins said. "It was nice to be walking into the big show a winner. It took a lot of pressure off."

Tompkins said he was not surprised that Winehouse's "Rehab" took "Song of the Year" honors.

Tompkins said he actually left the ceremony before the "Album of the Year" award and attended an after party held by record producer Clive Davis.

At the "swankiest party in the world," Tompkins said he mingled with the likes of John Mayer, Chris Daughtry, an American Idol runner-up, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

"It was so cool to be right there in the middle of them," Tompkins said.

Tompkins rubbed shoulders with industry giants such as West, Beyonce and Ringo Star. Nearby was Yoko Ono.

"Tom Hanks is an arm's length away from you," Tompkins said. "It puts it all into perspective. You feel like you earned something."

While the food there was good - shrimp, cupcakes and mini milk shakes - it was not very filling.

Tompkins said he and his wife celebrated his Grammy Award with a hamburger from In-N-Out Burger.

Tompkins said he almost missed the big event. He spent four days before the Grammys battling the flu and feared he might not be well enough to attend.

He finally went to see a physician suggested to him by a friend. The doctor treats celebrities such as Ozzy Osbourne, Tompkins said.

"I felt great for the show," he said. "Ozzy Osbourne's doctor pulled me through."

On Monday, Tompkins was back doing what he does best, writing songs.

He was on his way to meet with David Hodges, former keyboard player for the band Evanescence.

"We've been doing some writing over the past few months," Tompkins said. "I'm kind of branching out here in L.A. It's opened up a whole new book in my life. I'm making new friends out here."

He also has plans to spend a few days writing with Lisa Marie Presley.

Tompkins said he might also do more writing with Daughtry, who he learned is a big Tim McGraw fan.

"He's one of the biggest rock acts right now and all he wanted to do was meet Tim McGraw," Tompkins said. "It just shows you all these artists are just normal people. They just lead big lives."

Tompkins stressed that despite his growing L.A. connections, he does not have any plans to relocate from Nashville to the West Coast.

Tompkins has come a long way since he strolled the halls of Rogers High School in Greenhill and played in the Buccaneer Marching Band.

When it comes down to it, Tompkins is still the same person he was before he won a Grammy, but the recognition will certainly open more doors for him.

"It's already opened up so many more doors," he said. "When you say 'Grammy winner,' it sounds good."

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.