Joshua Peter "Josh" Kear is an American songwriter

Songwriter

A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...

. His credits include Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...

's number-one "Before He Cheats

Before He Cheats

"Before He Cheats" is a song written by Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear and the third wide-release single from Carrie Underwood's debut album, Some Hearts. It was the fifth release from the album overall. It was named the 2007 Single of the Year by the Country Music Association...

," for which Kear won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song

Grammy Award for Best Country Song

The Grammy Award for Best Country Song has been awarded since 1965. The award is given to the writer of the song.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...

 in 2007 and Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum is an American country pop music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006. The trio is composed of Charles Kelley , Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott .The group made its debut in 2007 as guest vocalists on Jim Brickman's single "Never Alone", before signing to Capitol...

's number-one "Need You Now

Need You Now

"Need You Now" is a country pop song performed by American country music group Lady Antebellum. The song was co-written by Lady Antebellum and Josh Kear, and produced by the trio along with Paul Worley. It serves as the lead-off single and title track to their second studio album, Need You Now,...

," for which Kear won an Academy of Country Music

Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...

 Award for Best Country Song in 2010 and also won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year

Grammy Award for Song of the Year

The Song of the Year is one of the four most prestigious awards in the Grammy Awards ceremony, if not in all of the American music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 and unlike the Record of the Year award, which goes to the performer and production team of a single song, Song of the Year...

 and Best Country Song for the 53rd Grammy Awards

53rd Grammy Awards

The 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...

 in 2011. Both songs were awarded the ASCAP Country Song Of The Year. Kear also co-wrote "Inventing Shadows," the debut single for The Voice

The Voice

- Music :* The Voice of Frank Sinatra, a Frank Sinatra album* The Voice , a 1984 album by Bobby McFerrin* The Voice , a 1994 EP by Vicious Rumors* The Voice , a 2001 album by Russell Watson...

's Dia Frampton which hit #1 on the iTunes song chart.

Songwriting Credits [(Partial List)]

• Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
• Dancin' Away With My Heart - Lady Antebellum
• Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood
• Change - Carrie Underwood
• Drunk On You - Luke Bryan
• This Will Be The Year - Susan Boyle
• I'll Be The Wind - Garth Brooks
• Bama Breeze - Jimmy Buffett
• Forever Seventeen - Tim McGraw
• Set This Circus Down - Tim McGraw
• Inventing Shadows - Dia Frampton
• Shake That Thang - Gwyneth Paltrow
• It Takes A Man - Chris Young
• Broken Umbrella - Martina McBride
• Long Distance Lullaby - Martina McBride
• Don't Cost A Dime - Martina McBride
• Wild Rebel Rose - Martina McBride
• Good Night - Gloriana
• Wild At Heart - Gloriana
• That's How They Do It In Dixie - Hank Williams Jr.
• Jimmy Ray McGee - Julianne Hough
• Rocks Instead Of Rice - Kellie Pickler
• Second Hand Heart - Danny Gokey
• Runway Lights - Billy Ray Cyrus
• Guilty - Jessie James
• Luna's Song - Solal
• Kiss Me When I'm Down - Gary Allan
• 19 And Crazy - Bomshel
• Hallelu'yall - Bomshel

External links

• Winners List at cmaawards.com
• http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/GCNarchive/2007/GCNfeatureJoshKear.htm GulfCoastNews.com Feature Article
• Big Yellow Dog Music website
• Marquee Magazine