Rory Michael Bourke From the age of seven, Rory Michael Bourke loved watching movie musicals. "[That was] in a big way the reason I am a songwriter today," he says. But like many of his peers, the Cleveland, Ohio, native broke into songwriting through the back door. Fresh out of college, Bourke came to Nashville in 1964 to take a sales and promotions job with Mercury Records. During the next few years, he made contacts and learned how the music business operated.  In 1971, he met publisher Don Gant, who was soon acting as his mentor. With veteran songsmiths Norro Wilson and Billy Sherrill, Bourke wrote "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World," which, in 1973, became a No. 1 country and pop hit for Charlie Rich. Bourke's gallery of greats also includes "Shadows In The Moonlight," "A Little Good News," "You Look So Good In Love," "I Know A Heartache When I See One" and "Come Next Monday." In 1989, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.     Birth Name: Rory Michael Bourke Induction Year: 1989 Date of Birth: 07/14/42 Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio "I started going to the movies full time when I was seven years old with the little girl next door. Her father was the manager of a Lowe's MGM theatre. I saw every MGM musical they every made and I believe that in that darkened theatre a dream started. Gene Kelley, Fred Astaire...they sang songs...they danced...they were romantic...they always got the girl...I believe my early musical movie going is in a big way the reason I am a songwriter today. I learn from every person I write with, and I hope they learn from me...songwriting is an art whose lessons are never completely learned..."(from questionaire) Former Occupations: Tracer with the New York Central Railroad Education: Grade School--St. Anns (from 1948-1957) High School--Gilmour Academy (from 1957-1960) Mount Saint Mary's College (from 1960-1964)--Graduated Career Milestones: 1964--moved to Nashville; took on position of National Sales and Promotion Manager for Mercury C&W 1971--met and mentored by Don Gant and subsequently signed by Henry Hurt of Chappell Music 1973--"Most Beautiful Girl" is a worldwide hit 1979--met and started successful co-writing career with Charlie Black Awards: 1975--ASCAP\Writer of the Year 1979--ASCAP\Writer of the Year 1983--ASCAP\Writer of the Year CMA\Triple Play Award Catalog Highlights: Most Beautiful Girl Co-Writer: Norro Wilson, Billy Sherrill Artists: Charlie Rich (1973) Shadows in the Moonligh Co-Writer: Charlie Black Artists: Anne Murray A Little Good News Co-writer: Charlie Black, Tommy Rocco Artists: Anne Murray You Look So Good in Love Co-writer: Glen Ballard, Kerry Chater Artists: George Strait Baby I Lied Artists: Deborah Allen Comments: Won 11 BMI performance award and over 45 ASCAP performance awards