Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival

Bio

Joe Allen is a legendary bass player and songwriter born in Waco, TX. In the seventies and eighties, Joe was always in the music charts with number 1’s and top tens. When Joe arrived in Nashville, his unique jazz-inspired bass style set him apart as one of the most in-demand session players in town. Joe wrote for, recorded with, and played for Crystal Gale, Don Williams, Gene Watson, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Loreta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, Neil Young, Charley Pride, Ray Price, Andy Williams, Julie Andrews and countless others. After a long break, Joe continues to perform at festivals and listening rooms across the country and his new songs are, once again, in the charts. Joe is currently collaborating with Dan Auerbach and artists that he is producing. As of this writing, Joe has two of his songs on an album by Yola that is number 4 on the Americana charts. Yola has also been nominated for Americana album of the year, competing alongside Joe’s good friend, John Prine. How fun is that? Joe also has songs coming out by John Anderson and Gene Watson.

Bio

From a Southern California stage at the age of three, with a loosely strung ukulele, to one of the many great concert halls in the world today, armed with his two sided Langejans “Super Dualette” guitar (he refers to it as “My Band”), Thom Bresh, the 2001 inductee into the “Thumbpickers Hall of Fame” and his six string friends have been entertaining people for a lifetime. Whether he is leaning against a wall telling you how his day went or shaking the walls of a concert hall with that famous hard driving thumb, first and foremost, you will be entertained. He is equally at home on stage in a stadium or on a couch in someone’s living room. Add to this scenario a deep, witty and gritty singing voice set in the middle of that relentless, powerful groove and you have a genuine force to deal with. The Breshman was born in Hollywood, California and raised in the middle of guitar royalty. Roy Lanham, Thumbs Carlisle, Jimmy Bryant, Curly Chalker, Joe Maphis and Leo Fender. Not to mention the members of this elite guitar court who, in life, would become his close friends and peers. Chet Atkins, Ernie Ball, James Burton, Marcel Dadi, Nokie Edwards, Scotty Moore, Les Paul and Jerry Reed. The list keeps going and growing. Now let’s put in part three of this equation; the genes. His father, Merle Travis, was the most influential American guitarist of the 20th Century. With this sort of heritage and upbringing, what do you have? As Chet Atkins put it, “Thom Bresh is a guitarist that deserves to be heard.” On every performance Bresh pays tribute to his father when he straps on his custom D’Angelico “Thom Bresh Special”. When he lays into his father’s thumbpickin’ classics, he and that guitar will leave the Travis style pickers hungry and the rest of us breathless. Buster B. Jones sums it up like this.. “Bresh is a drop-top version of his daddy with a souped up engine and a whole lot more chrome.” But there is even more in the Bresh entertainment arsenal than singing and playing a guitar. His quick comedic timing and sharp ear has made him an incredible impressionist. That led to two HBO Specials. Thom hosted his own TV show and has guest starred on numerous others. Behind the scenes, as a producer, he has received two Grammy nominations and one for an Academy Award. In his own words.. “The guitar is my first love, my partner in life. We grew up together and we’ll most likely die together. Everything I’ve accomplished was with it. Every great moment in my career was because of it. Remember my heritage. To me, playing the guitar is not about licks and speed. That’s only for the insiders. Playing it makes music and music is an emotion. Emotions are stimulated by feelings and sounds.. That works on everybody. When the sound and feel are right... Wow.. I never really learned how to play the guitar.. I was born with it.. I’m an entertainer... Who happens to play the guitar..”

Bio

One of Britain's most prolific songwriting professionals, Roger Cook first came to prominence during the British Invasion, usually working in tandem with Roger Greenaway. After the pair hit big with the Fortunes' oldies-radio staple "You've Got Your Troubles," they continued to crank out hits for years to come, also writing numerous ad jingles (one of which, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," was a massive pop hit in its own right). By the late '70s, Cook had moved to Nashville to become a successful country-pop songwriter. Roger Cook was born in Bristol, England, on August 19, 1940. He first sang in church choir at age 11, and performed in vocal harmony groups for much of his youth. He wrote his first song in 1958, and that same year recorded a few sides with a vocal group called the Sapphires. The Sapphires disbanded the following year, and Cook next sang with a group called the Londons, splitting off with bandmate Jill Stevens to form Jon & Julie in 1962. The duo recorded a bit for Columbia, but broke up when Stevens became pregnant. Cook spent about a year away from music performing in theatrical productions as a mime, but returned to singing in early 1965 when Roger Greenaway invited him to join a harmony group called the Kestrels, which actively toured the British variety circuit. They also featured future studio vocalist extraordinaire Tony Burrows, who split for a solo career not long after Cook joined up. Cookand Greenaway stuck together, forming a songwriting partnership and working as session singers in the meantime. The two caught their big break when the Fortunes recorded their composition "You've Got Your Troubles." It was a Top Ten smash in both the U.S. and U.K., falling just one spot short of the top in the latter. In its wake, Cook and Greenaway teamed up to record as the soft pop duo David & Jonathan, scoring a transatlantic hit with their cover of the Beatles' "Michelle" in early 1966. Meanwhile, the Fortunes released their follow-up hit, "This Golden Ring," and Gary Lewis & the Playboys scored an American Top Ten hit with "Green Grass," both Greenaway-Cook creations. David & Jonathan landed their biggest U.K. hit that summer with the Top Ten "Lovers of the World Unite," and the two subsequently began writing advertising jingles, most notably for Coca-Cola. In late 1967, Gene Pitney scored a Top Five U.K. hit with "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart." Cook and Greenaway decided to end their David & Jonathanpartnership in early 1968, but kept writing songs together, including Cilla Black's U.K. Top Ten "Conversations" (1969). Meanwhile, Cook made a few solo recordings under the name Roger James Cooke (culminating in the 1970 album Study), and joined the pop band Blue Mink in 1969 as a featured vocalist. Blue Mink scored a succession of U.K. hits through 1973, including "Melting Pot," "Good Morning Freedom," "Banner Man," "Stay With Me," and "Randy." Meanwhile, Cookand Greenaway briefly re-teamed in the studio group Currant Kraze, and wrote a Top Ten U.S. and U.K. hit for White Plainsin 1970 with "My Baby Loves Lovin'"; their "Home Lovin' Man" was also a U.K. hit for crooner Andy Williams. In late 1971, Cook and Greenaway's most popular Coke jingle was adapted into the pop song "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)" and became a hit for both the Hillside Singersand the New Seekers; the latter's version became the pair's first U.K. chart-topper. Naturally, demand for the pair's ad jingles skyrocketed during the next few years. In the meantime, Cook and Greenaway continued to collaborate on the occasional pop hit. The Congregation had a U.K. hit in 1971 with a cover of David & Jonathan's "Softly Whispering I Love You." "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)," written with Hollies lead singer Allan Clarke, became that group's biggest American hit in 1972; two years later, "Doctor's Orders" became a hit for R&B singer Carol Douglas. Meanwhile, Cook released two solo albums under his own name on Regal Zonophone, 1972's Meanwhile Back at the World and 1973's Minstrel in Flight. By late 1975, Cook had split amicably from Greenaway, and moved to the United States. He drifted through New York and Los Angeles before settling in Nashville, where he completed the solo album Alright in 1976. Moving into country territory, Cook scored a breakthrough with Crystal Gayle's 1978 chart-topper "Talking in Your Sleep," written with Bobby Wood. In 1980, he teamed with Sam Hogan to write another number-one country hit, Don Williams' "I Believe in You." 1981 brought two country Top Fives in Gayle's "Livin' in These Troubled Times" and Williams' "Miracles." Williams landed another number one in 1983 with "Love Is on a Roll," which Cook co-wrote with folkie John Prine; the two would continue to collaborate off and on in the years to come. Cook's writing activities tailed off as the '80s wore on, though 1989 found him back on top of the British charts thanks to Marc Almond's remake of "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart," which featured duet vocals from original artist Gene Pitney. In 1991, he teamed with ex-Strangler Hugh Cornwall and guitarist Andy West to form Cornwall, Cook & West, issuing the album CCW the following year. In 1997, Cook became the first Englishman to be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame; later that year, he returned to writing, collaborating with Eddie Kilgallon on George Strait's number-one smash "One Night at a Time." In 1998, Strait landed another chart-topper with his cover of Cook and Prine's "I Just Want to Dance With You."

https://wiki2.org/en/Roger_Cook_(songwriter)

Bio

IT'S THE LIFE IN YOUR YEARS... Kensie began singing and performing early in life at the age of six years old. Already a country music lover, her first time on stage solidified her passion and fueled her drive for the next twenty years. Kensie's experience in the music industry runs deep in the heart of Texas dance halls, Oprys, and any stage they'd let her on. In her early teen years, after two serendipitous performances on the Grand Ole Opry and exposure to the inner workings of Music Row, she moved to Nashville with her parents, so she could embed herself in the creative side of the industry during her most formative years. She began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of fourteen with the good fortune of writing with the likes of Dale Dodson (multiple George Strait cuts) Wes Hightower (That ain’t gonna fly) and Bryan Wayne Galentine (What if she’s an Angel) and Curly Putnam (He Stopped Loving Her Today) just to name a few. Her experience in Nashville proved to be a hard but motivating awakening of what it would take to make her dreams in the music industry a reality. At nineteen, she left Nashville to go back to Texas and get real with her roots. Today, she is celebrating two top 40 songs on the Texas charts and multiple“Female Vocalist Of The Year” nominations along with being a finalist in many songwriting competitions. "Lie To Me" off of her self-titled debut EP was released after her first single "You Still Need Me" ft. William Clark Green rose to #35 on the Texas Charts. Kensie has moved back to Nashville to someday fill the shoes of her idols like Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Merle Haggard, George Strait, Shania Twain and Miranda Lambert. She signed a publishing deal with Erv Woolsey who is to this day George Straits manager. She writes for a living and still tours Texas and beyond to keep her voice heard, and alive. Kensie continues to work as hard as possible to make a name for herself. She is in the process of recording a new EP thanks to the Heart Journey Local Music Foundation, which will be independently released before fall of 2018. She will be performing in the Pensacola Songwriters Festival in October of 2019 and many more exciting events in the next year. Keep and ear and an eye or for this artist who is bound and determined to bring traditional country music back to radio and the female category. You can find her music on any streaming outlet including Spotify, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Pandora, YouTube, Facebook, Amazon Music, Apple Music and more. Website : www.Kensiecoppin.com Instagram : Kensiecoppin

http://www.Kensiecoppin.com

Bio

DARYL WAYNE DASHER: A Great Big Sky Holds Few Limitations Great Big Sky (2013) marks the Tennessee based crooner/songwriter Daryl Wayne Dashers sophomore installment as a solo artist. Released independently through his own label (Hike The Stone Music) with the help of a very successful Kickstarter ® fundraising campaign, the album is distributed by CdBaby®, Amazon®, iTunes®, and is available on CD as well as vinyl LP (with digital download card) in various independent record stores across the US and in Europe. Great Big Sky is the first known fully produced album recorded entirely on a small handheld 4-track recorder called the Zoom® H4n. Each instrument and vocal track was recorded one at a time either in Dasher’s home studio in Nashville, TN or on the road in various late night hotel rooms, host homes, and even a few backstage green rooms. Most instruments were played by Dasher, with help from his long time musical collaborator Rodney Russell on percussion and Karri Lee on fiddle. While trying to develop a new sound he likes to call Folk & Western Music, Dasher encouraged Russell to experiment with various exotic percussion instruments not at all common in the world of Country Music. Each individual track was then dumped into a music mixing program and pieced together as if it was a full band performance, and then the album as a whole was mastered by legendary Mastering engineer Randy Kling (Alabama, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, etc.). The end results is producing refreshing reviews from fans, bloggers, DJs, and magazine critics, including Outlaw Magazine, NashvilleGab.com, Urban Country News, Radio Memphis, and Country Radio Switzerland. Dasher’s creativity and subject matter comes from his raising in rural Northwest Ohio in a musical and artistic family. His parents and two sisters were also talented musicians and there was always music in the house. His Uncle Jon Post leads the area’s best known Bluegrass group and Daryl himself started playing in bands at a very young age. Dasher knew what he wanted to be by the age of four years old. By the time he turned 16 he was playing in small clubs, dance halls, lodges, school auditoriums, and wherever he and his musical cohort (now Nashville producer/songwriter/artist Andrew Adkins) could get their amps and folks to come listen. In college Dasher became enthralled with the storytelling and lonesome sounds of Classic Country Music. He began playing solo acoustic shows and found that his voice naturally lent itself to the style of Country Music. He moved to Nashville, TN in 1997 where he picked up work as a boot salesman and a security guard at the Grand Ole Opry. While in Nashville he reconnected with his ole band mate Andrew Adkins and they formed an Indie Rock trio with drummer Rodney Russell. The band would release two Independent albums, and a more critically accepted third album on the label Dual Tone Records. They spent most of twelve years in and out of their band van on the road – a real schooling for anyone who wants to be in the music business. In 2009 Dasher was involved in a musical movement spearheaded by Brigitte London called Spirit of the Outlaws in Nashville. The artists involved were recording tracks at Bridges studio in Golden, Mississippi for a supporting album of the same title. The doors did not open for the official release of that compilation album, which featured a band of legendary musicians (Richie Albright, Jerry Bridges, Fred Newell, and Eugene Moles). However the doors were open for Dasher and a few of the other artists to continue recording tracks until they had enough material to individually release full studio albums. For Dasher, this became his 2009 debut album, Long Road Now. The album featured 10 songs including 5 self-penned songs, a cover of the late Marty Robbins “Devil Woman”, and a Bluegrass/Gospel tune (Saw the Master) he recorded with members of his family at Sweetwater Sound in Ft. Wayne, IN. When Mellow Down Easy disbanded in 2011, Dasher continued to tour solo, and worked as a musician for a few artists to help make ends meet. During this time Dasher turned his focus more towards his abilities as a writer and also began co-writing with other artists like Brigitte London, Brook Faulk, and Jeff Keith (of Tesla fame). He attributes the change to attending Larry Jon Wilson concert and the discovery of the songs of Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. It was then he began working on the songs for Great Big Sky. He made demo recordings of the songs on the handheld 4-track recorder and started to build on them with the intention of having a well mapped out plan to take into the studio. Over the course of two years those demos became the actual album. It proved to be a painstakingly slow process, but one that felt very homespun and natural for Dasher. Rodney Russell’s percussive contributions to the album were refreshing and the two began touring with the exotic drums instead of a drum kit despite a few major complications with sound engineers at some venues. Eventually Dasher added an upright bass player to the live mix (mostly either Folk/Americana bassist Daniel Seymour, or Daryl’s father Verl Dasher). Thanks to bloggers, social networks, and independent radio stations Dashers music is now being heard all around the world. His Folk & Western sound has ignited excitement in regions not always common in a Country Music artist’s tour route, such as the Adirondack Mountains of New York, and New Eagle, Pennsylvania. The tour for Great Big Sky kicked off at the Hard Rock Café in Memphis, TN and took him to places like Tombstone, AZ, Marble Falls, TX, Cleveland, OH, and even to several villages in the Swiss Alps. Daryl Wayne Dasher is an artist who sincerely cares about his craft and about the people who listen to it. His passion for music and for humanity sweats out of him during every single performance. In a new world where people have virtually limitless choices of music, art, and entertainment, it is important to find a way to stand out. In a statement from Outlaw Magazine.com, music critic Richard Deihn wrote that "Daryl [Wayne] Dasher's unique rolling baritone slides into the listener's soul and takes up residence. A dynamic, commanding and uninhibited performer, Dasher's star power lies in his ability to truly connect."

http://dwdasher.com/

Bio

"Mike Doussan’s story is intrinsic to the human condition. There’s pain and pleasure, grit and grace, but much like the city of New Orleans and music itself, true beauty rises from chaos. His songs are proof." -(Brett Hutchins www.liveandlisten.com) Mike Doussan, a New Orleans native, started playing guitar at the age 8 and made his way into the New Orleans club scenes in 2004 at the age of 24. With guitar in hand he walked into different clubs with the intent of playing a couple of tunes with whomever was on stage. He then became a regular at The Apple Barrel playing blues with Mike Hood and the Frenchmen St. Delegation, at Banks St. Bar playing funk with New Orleans Juice, and anywhere Eric Lindell was taking stage with his blue-eyed soul ensemble. It wasn't long before he fronted his own band, Westbank Mike and the Fisher Project. Rooted in New Orleans funk and blues, the Fisher Project would go on to win Best Blues Band at the 2006 Sonny Boy Blues Society’s “Battle of the Bands.” Muse in the Kitchen, Doussan’s first album was recorded at Word Of Mouth Studios in historic Algiers Point in 2005. The last note being recorded just two days before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. Luckily, the music was saved and the album was released in 2006. Doussan then recorded Sin or Salvation at the Living Room Studio on the New Orleans West Bank. Each track draws on varying influences of rock, funk, country, but all comes together to be an unmistakingly New Orleans sound. Five weeks before its release in March 2014 the Doussan family experienced a tragedy that fundamentally changed Mike’s perspective. His brother, Brett Doussan, died by suicide. The song “Spend the Night” was co-written by Mike and Brett along with Dave Jordan and the late Jamie Galloway. Since his brother’s death Doussan has been working in advocacy and fundraising for both suicide prevention and mental health awareness. His mother, Lisa, along with friends and family, started up a non-profit as well called the Brett Thomas Doussan Foundation. In August 2017, Mike Doussan teamed up with Roxy Bergeron of CSB Roxy Music and Bassist/Producer Charlie Wooton to record a collection of all new original songs that were recorded in Music Shed Studios in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans. Grammy-winning engineer Eric Heigle (Arcade Fire, Lost Bayou Ramblers) was then brought in to mix the record along with Grammy-nominated engineer Pete Lyman (Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, John Prine) for the final task of mastering at Infrasonic Sound out of Nashville. Yesterday's Troubles was released May 2019.

http://www.mikedoussanmusic.com

Bio

Billy Droze has acquired the title of “hit songwriter” over the years co-writing such songs as; “Kentucky Blue” (#1 for two weeks on Bluegrass Today Weekly Chart) – Billy Droze, I Know Better” (#1 on Bluegrass Today Weekly Chart) – The Grascals, “Her Memory Again” (#5 on Bluegrass Today Weekly Chart) – Flatt Lonesome, “Bottle Was a Bible” – Junior Sisk, ”Big Pain” – Marty Raybon, “Free Again” –Shenandoah, “Sunday Clothes” – Randy Kohrs, “That’s Why I Run” – Billy Yates (#1 in Europe),“You Never Know” – Darryl Worley, “Like I Do” – Jamie O’Neil. To date as an artist Billy has had an unprecedented 5 consecutive # 1's from his debut Blugrass record "To Whom It May Concern" which also made it to the 2nd round ballot nominations for the 2018 Grammy Awards. Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, the 10th of 12 children, Billy Ryan Droze grew up in Alabama knowing that music was his life as far back as he can remember. “It’s as if I was inserted with a computer chip that made my life revolve around music.” But the reason is just as likely the influence of his father, Bob “Red” Droze, a dedicated country, gospel, and bluegrass musician, who in 1962 released an album on Rural Rhythm Records making father and son label mates. Billy was on stage with his dad by the time he was 4 years old, and spent his childhood singing with him everywhere from churches to bluegrass festivals to honky-tonks, developing a passion for traditional country, gospel, and roots music that has influenced him ever since. He learned to play guitar when he was 12, and as a teenager would perform anywhere, anytime, for anyone who would listen, sometimes walking miles down country roads, carrying his guitar, just for the chance to play a few songs. By the time he was 16, Billy’s dad had moved on to Texas, so he followed him there and spent a year or so playing with his band. Then after rambling around Texas for a while, he decided it was time to move to Nashville, where he’s lived ever since. Continuing to play anywhere he could, and constantly honing his skills as a song smith and musician, Billy steadily expanded his ever-growing fan base, dramatically increased by several tours singing lead for the Grammy-winning group Shenandoah (using the name Billy Ryan). Billy Droze has been touring and making music non-stop for more than a decade. This truly unique artist and hit songwriter, with lyrics that dig deep into the heart of life, melodies and a guitar style that combine his traditional roots with a modern twist that’s all his own, and a voice so soulful, earthy and sincere that every song draws you in to enjoy his signature sound experience. More information is at Billydroze.com

http://www.Billydroze.com

Bio

Keith Follese grew up in the music rich scene of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has spent most of his music career dividing time between Los Angeles and Nashville. Keith’s relentless drive and songwriting talent has rewarded him with many top songwriting honors. Keith has been named both ASCAP and BILLBOARD magazine’s SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR as well as being Grammy nominated. Since moving to Nashville, Keith’s chart action speaks volumes. Starting in 1994 Keith had #1 singles with Randy Travis’ “Before You Kill Us All” and Little Texas’ “Life Goes On”. Since then, Keith has held the #1 Single chart position for a record 15 weeks: Faith Hill’s “The Way You Love Me” (4 Weeks #1), Tim McGraw’s “Something Like That” (5 weeks #1), Martina McBride’s “I Love You” (Runaway Bride) (5 weeks #1), Lonestar’s “Smile” (1 week - #1). In 2002, “The Way You Love Me” from Faith Hill’s 8x’s Platinum “Breathe” CD was awarded ASCAP’s Country “Song of the Year”. “The Way You Love Me” went on to become a POP/AC hit in the United States and all over Europe. He also wrote “Peace” with Jim Brickman which became a top 10 AC hit. Keith was also the CEO of Midas Music. In June 2007, when Midas Records scored a top ten single with “He was a good man” by Emerson Drive written and produced by Keith and followed it up with #1 Country Single “Moments”. He co-wrote two songs on the debut Lady Antebellum record including the hit single “Looking for a good time”.Keith has written songs with artists as diverse as Katy Perry, John Oates, Hot Chelle Rae, Timothy Schmit, Jamie Johnson and Jo Dee Messina to name a few. He co produced and wrote three songs on the first Hot Chelle Rae record and was instrumental in getting them signed to a major label. Just finished co producing the Leiber/Stoller Legend record with Jed Leiber. Keith remains active writing, developing and producing artists today “The thing I love about producing and writing songs is that you wake up with nothing, but by the end of the day, you have a baby,” says Grammy-nominee Keith Follesé. The Nashville, Tennessee-based producer and songwriter has had success in the pop, country, pop-rock, and pop-punk formats, writing timeless but contemporary-feeling hits for a diverse array of artists. He’s had #1s with Randy Travis (“Before You Kill Us All”), Little Texas (“Life Goes On”), Faith Hill (“The Way You Love Me”), Tim McGraw (“Something Like That”), Martina McBride’s (“I Love You”), and Lonestar (“Smile”). He’s also garnered acclaim for his work with Emerson Drive, Lady Antebellum (“Looking For A Good Time”), Katy Perry, the Summer Set, John Oates, Hot Chelle Rae, Timothy Schmit, Jamie Johnson and Jo Dee Messina, among others. And, in addition to his Grammy nod, Follesé has been named both ASCAP and Billboard magazine’s “Songwriter Of The Year.” Follesé started writing songs when he was 13, and by age 16 had his first single as an artist. “My mother said I was always collecting songs. I always had melodies in my head,” he recalls. Follesé grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and played in bands regionally, before relocating to Los Angeles where he met his wife with whom he partnered with in a short-lived duo. When the duo’s debut failed to be mass released, the two packed up and settled down in Nashville, Tennessee where Follesé focused his talents on songwriting and producing. Five years after that fateful move to Music City, Follesé emerged with #1 singles for Randy Travis (“Before You Kill Us All”) and Little Texas (“Life Goes On”). In session, Follesé is sensitive to the creative and interpersonal dynamics in the room, and can fluidly shift his contributions. He’s accomplished at playing piano and guitar, and versatile as a writer, capable of turning in completed songs, or just providing la carte contributions like topline, or just vocal melodies or lyrics. “Every situation working with an artist is different,” he says. “I’ve learned when to take control, and when to quietly sit back and gently guide the session. I’m good at figuring out what’s needed in a room and fulfilling that role.” Follesé’s artistic palette is refreshingly diverse, but what ties his music together is an elegant simplicity that makes his songs instantly familiar. “I have a commercial head, I was raised on radio and I just love it,” Follesé says. In addition to spanning genres, his songwriting transcends generational divides. His sons are in the acclaimed pop rock band Hot Chell Rae, and he’s co-written with them. “I’m close with my kids, I listen to what they love, and when their friends come over, we do the same thing—we talk about music all night. Music is music, it doesn’t know age boundaries, and I just love all of it,” Follesé says.

Bio

Although her name is not yet a household word, chances are if you've spent any time in the Sacramento area or Nashville, you have heard of COLLEEN LLOY. She has been performing for many years in all the local "hot spots". LLOY also has been recognized for her dynamic performance during the annual California State Fair. No matter where you may have heard this lady, you can bet she has a voice you will never forget. This native Sacramentan’s first recording was a song “Sooner or Later” which was the number 2 song on an album for a charity, “MADD” (Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers). Critic Mick Martin wrote: “The most impressive of these is Colleen Lloy whose “Sooner or Later” is an absolute knockout. If this fine singer isn’t signed by a major label, there’s no justice in the music world.” This recording brought attention to City Kidd’s manager who asked Lloy to join the Band City Kidd and played with the original members now known as Tesla. LLOY over her musical career has entered and won many music competitions one of which was the Jimmy Dean/True Value Hardware Music Competition where she won first place in Northern California which ultimately brought her to Tennessee. LLOY, an award-winning singer/songwriter fell in love with the musical city and decided to move to Nashville, TN to pursue her singing and songwriting career in 1999. Like many artists, she has a story of courage and stamina where she quit her job, sold everything she owned and on a wing and a prayer moved to Nashville. It did not take long for the industry to realize this lady has major chemistry and charisma on and off stage. Coined the “chameleon” by many, she proves she has an unusual style of singing able to cover any type of music with ease. She also has appearances on the popular television show “Nashville” as an extra until she can set more time aside for other roles. 2000 was a difficult year for LLOY who lost her brother. She went into the studio and recorded “Life Challenges” and released the song “Can You Hear” to radio. It charted 26 on the Christian Country Music Charts and is receiving great airplay in many countries. • Decatur Celebration- "The best description of Colleen Lloy is a chameleon." • Sacramento critic, Mick Martin writes: "The most impressive of these is Colleen Lloy whose "Sooner or Later" is an absolute knockout. If this fine singer isn’t signed by a major label, there’s no justice in the music world." • Nashville Music Guide Critic Brad Fisher gives Lloy’s "Life Challenges" CD a five star rating and writes: "This ten-song CD is an emotional roller coaster that runs the gambit of love. The tunes were either written or co-written by Lloy who has a beautiful set of pipes which she shows off on this album." LLOY has devoted her life in giving back to worthy causes that touch her soul. Some of those include the American Red Cross, Susan G. Komen for the Cure to name a few. She is also an advocate of our U.S Military and veterans and has written several military songs to share with the soldiers and their families. LLOY has literally played all over the U.S. and abroad and returned from two USO shows in Italy. She is a frequent guest at the nationally known Bluebird Café, has done television and radio broadcasts and has opened up for artists like Billy Dean, Paul Overstreet, John Berry, Lee Greenwood, George Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker, John Anderson and many others. LLOY had the rare privilege of interviewing Mr. B.B. King for a proposed television show which she indicates is the highlight of her music career thus far. Lloy recently returned from Maui performing with Mick Fleetwood. In any event, whether you see her on a big stage or a small quiet room tucked away in her favorite clubs, we are quite sure you have not heard the last from COLLEEN LLOY.

Bio

Music has always been an innate catalyst for Laura Rabell. From singing at the top of her lungs in her ’96 Chevy Cavalier to the first time she recorded at Blackbird Studios, Rabell knew that music was meant to be part of her life. Although her 9-5 life in Charlotte, NC, was devoted to a career in marketing, Rabell’s desire and love for music didn’t go away. So she took a leap that so many others wish they could, ditching corporate America for Americana. Since relocating to music city, Rabell’s proven herself worthy as one of Nashville’s rising songwriters – she’s got a song to sing, but more importantly, a story to tell. Rabell doesn’t shy away from exploring the dark side of life and love in her music and is currently working on her first full-length album. Set for release in 2019, the album combines her literary depth and Southern Gothic perspective with the complex sounds of Alternative Country. After hearing a song she wrote, titled “Old Rag,” the unrelenting, unapologetic romp of a woman scorned, one of Laura’s songwriting mentors quipped that the song was “…like Loretta Lynn singing a Johnny Cash song on acid,” …which she takes as a compliment. “…like Loretta Lynn singing a Johnny Cash song on acid.” “I’ve always loved to sing as long as I can remember,” Laura says. “And I was drawn to the piano as a little kid, even before I knew how to play. My parents decided that I should take piano lessons – probably for their own sanity. It wasn’t a very pleasant noise,” she recalls with a laugh. Growing up in the Florida panhandle, she was influenced by a little bit of anything and everything on the radio or that could be scrounged up from her older brother’s CD collection. From a young age, she showed interest in music; experimenting with everything from the living room piano, the violin, flute, and percussion. As she matured, she took on an active role in Pensacola’s arts community, performed regularly with a local choir, and landed roles in multiple theatrical productions. In school, Laura always gravitated towards poetry and loved reading Shakespeare and mining all of the many metaphors and other poetic devices buried in the text like hidden treasures. She nursed her love of literature throughout college and graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in Humanities, concentrated on English & the Arts. But it wasn’t until her move to Charlotte that she got the spark needed to galvanize her latent musical drive, “I went several years without doing anything musical except singing in my car. It really felt like a void in my life that needed to be filled, but I had no idea what to do about it. Until I discovered the guitar. The guitar changed everything for me,” she says. Learning to play the guitar and pen original songs opened up a whole new world of possibilities by fusing all of her seemingly disparate passions – music, writing, performing and poetry – into one. “The guitar changed everything for me.” She’s always had the will, now she’s finding her way. Ten years after moving to Charlotte, Rabell packed up – with guitar, husband E.J., and dog Rusty in tow – and headed to Nashville. On any given week, when she’s not traveling, you can find Rabell playing music venues and dive bars all around Nashville. She feels most alive when performing her own songs for an engaged audience and most at home swimming in the poetic lyrics of other songwriters that she admires. “As a songwriter who is just getting started in my career, trying to figure out what makes a song good or even great, it’s inspiring to be surrounded by such incredible role models and to feel like I’m not alone on the journey.” For Rabell, that journey is paved with songs full of meaning. “I believe that songs are powerful. Songwriting can solve problems. Through the gift of song, I can choose to add levity and hope to a tough situation. Even if it’s only for three fleeting minutes, a song can balance the scales of justice and give a voice to the voiceless,” she says. In addition to working towards her debut album for 2019, Rabell chronicles her adventures in a monthly email newsletter. You can follow along by subscribing at www.laurarabell.com/mail.

http://www.laurarabell.com

Bio

If you don’t already know who Johnny Sansone is, it’s high time you found out about him. Long known for his instrumental prowess, particularly on harmonica and accordion, Sansone has been growing steadily as a songwriter and bandleader since surviving the events of 2005. His performances of the anthem Poor Man’s Paradise on his own and with the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars vaulted him into the pantheon of New Orleans songwriters. A legendary series of acoustic sessions with guitarists Anders Osborne and John Fohl at Chickie Wah Wah after the flood elevated all three to another level of songwriting genius that is still playing out today. Osborne joins Sansone for these sessions with help from the Mississippi Hill Country world boogie of the Dickinson Brothers—Luther on lead, slide and bass; and Cody on drums. This is the swamp rockin’–est band sound Sansone has ever come up with and he brings the material to match. Sansone’s big, growling voice soars over the relentless pummeling of the rhythm driven by the Dickinson brothers. Luther and Anders have a formidable two-guitar attack. Anders frames these songs like a master builder while Luther darts and glides around his lines with sharp slide textures and dense cross-rhythms. The sound is Sansone’s vision, and he gives it a name as he honks and moans harmonica blasts like a freight train sounding its air horn deep in the night. “They call it the blues, they call it country, they call it rock ’n’ roll,” he sings. “It’s all just soul with a ‘Delta coating’” The world boogie comes in right at the top with the irrepressible choogle of “Can’t Get There From Here.” “Derelict Junction” rides a deep-fried harmonica riff into a maelstrom of hard-driving frenzy that keeps building the intensity through the song. The title track is a medium tempo ballad that gives Sansone a chance to mythologize the trials of loving and losing, hitting the road and missing your roots. Luther’s slide offers appropriate sympathy. Things heat up again on the anthemic “Johnny Longshot,” which rides out on some more high-intensity slide work from Luther. “One Star Joint” is a slow-burn shuffle with Anders and Luther playing unison parts along with Sansone’s harp for a thick, raunchy sound. Johnny knows it’s a dive but he likes it as is. Things get even grittier on the hardscrabble “Plywood Floor.” Sansone pulls out his accordion to wrap up the record on the classic ballad “The Rescue,” offering an elegiac touch that recalls the timeless “Save the Last Dance for Me.” The record is a great performance from all involved—supercharged, passionate music broken up halfway through, then again at the end by ruminative turns. The energy level peaks so hard it could easily fly off the rails, but the perfectly balanced production from Osborne, and the finishing touches from Trina Shoemaker’s superb mixing, keep the buzz and distortion from turning into a train wreck. That’s how you catch lightning in a bottle.

http://www.johnnysansone.com

Bio

Karen Staley was born in Weirton, WV and raised in nearby rural Hookstown, PA in the Tri-State area of WV, PA and OH. She is a 30 year veteran of the Nashville music industry and has been involved in virtually every facet of the business from songwriting and performing to touring, recording and producing. As a recording artist, Karen had two, critically acclaimed, major label albums: Wildest Dreams on MCA and Fearless on Warner Bros, as well as several indie gospel and soul albums. Karen’s timeless #1 songs (“Take Me As I Am” and “Hey Baby, Let’s Go to Vegas” by Faith Hill, “Keeper of the Stars” by Tracy Byrd, “On A Night Like This” by Trick Pony and more) have been played on radio over 12 million times & counting. Those songs have collectively sold more than 20 million albums, singles, and downloads. Karen is one of the original mainstays at the Bluebird Café, the now iconic listening room popularized by the ABC TV show Nashville. She is also one of the pioneers of the “In the Round” format for shows. Her songs have not only been recorded by modern stars like Faith Hill, Reba, Trick Pony, Terri Clark and Tracy Byrd but also by icons and legends such as George Jones, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Brenda Lee. As a guitar player and background singer Karen toured with Faith, Reba, Patty Loveless, Terri Clark & Russ Taft. Karen is also a sought after studio session singer as well as demo producer. Many of Karen’s songs have been nominated for Dove, Grammy, and International Bluegrass Awards. Karen won the Academy of Country Music Song of The Year award with Tracy Byrd's classic “Keeper of the Stars,” a wedding classic, which was also featured on “CMT's 100 Greatest Country Love Songs of All Time” TV special. She was recently chosen to be on the roster of the elite organization The Nashville Music Masters. For the past decade, Karen has also been very active in the art of corporate/group team building through songwriting. She engages the client in co-writing, performing and recording a song about their business, school or organization, all within an hour! Karen’s unique blend of qualities including people skills, empathy, humor, ease and adaptability to any circumstance is what makes her events so successful. Her immense talent for songwriting, on the spot, while keeping the participants engaged, entertained and having fun is the reason organizations look to her time and again to create new memories, solidifying the message that teamwork, indeed, makes the dream work! The reason Karen was drawn to music in the first place was to reach people in some meaningful way. She continues to quite naturally strive for that intimate connection no matter the setting she presents in. Karen says she feels humbled and blessed to share her talents with so many diverse groups of people from all over the world and looks forward to every new opportunity to share the gift of music and human connection every time.

https://www.karenstaley.com

Bio

It’s hard to deny the pure talent and passion for her craft that is clearly the driving force behind many of artist Bridgette Tatum’s high profile career milestones. In 2009, this native of Florence, South Carolina, co-wrote the Most Played Song on Country radio stations across the United States. A tremendous achievement for any songwriter, the song, “She’s Country” (recorded and released by Platinum-selling country superstar Jason Aldean), held the #1 position on the chart for two consecutive weeks, reached two million plays, and out sold every genres ringtones, all of which are rare accomplishments, as well. In 2010, Tatum’s song, “Loud” was selected as the Official Theme Song for ACC Football’s 2010 Season. This fast-paced anthem celebrates the excitement and energy of ACC Football, captured in a raucous music video that was seen in all ACC Markets, resulting in exposure for Bridgette totaling over 27 million households. Add to these accolades Tatum’s own Album released on itunes, her single releases (I like my Cowboy’s Dirty, That’s Love Y’all, Hillbilly Rockstar) and her current Gretchen Wilson single (Summertime Town from “Ready to get Rowdy”), her recent Randy Houser (Fired Up 2016), Kristy Lee Cook (Lookin’ for a Cowgirl), The Farm, and George Clinton cuts, you have the makings of a woman building a sustainable music career for a lifetime of success. Bridgette has also produced “The Lockets”, a new fresh duo sound for country music, and currently is in production as well as a member of Uncle Si & The Sicotics. While Bridgette continues to create music, she balances it with her charitable work within The Charley Foundation (www.charleyfoundation.org), and donating her time and talents to various charities around the Middle Tennessee area. “If it's real and you are making it honest, that's what people want to hear.” With unfailing honesty and a penchant for risk-taking, Bridgette Tatum is storming the scene on her own terms and winning fans at every turn. www.bridgettetatum.com. www.facebook.com/bridgettetatum www.twitter.com/bridgettetatum www.instagram.com/bridgettetatum www.facebook.com/unclesi&thesicotics Media Contacts and Booking: bridgtatum@mac.com

http://www.bridgettetatum.com

Bio

Richard Thomas Uzdevenes aka Saltwater Rick, born February 27,1960 in Madrid Spain. A Navy brat moved to Gulf Breeze Fla at the age of 3. Grew up listening to the A.M. Radio and playing air guitar and singing everything poorly. Mom was a piano player and tried to teach the kids to play , but, I was to wild to sit and learn much at one time. Seeing my air guitar talents mom bought me and acoustic at ten years old. This birthday gift changed my world. The next years were takin up with sports but all the guys on the baseball team played music too. Some are still making it on the local scene today. I started writing my own stuff at fifteen when a teacher told me what a great job I did on a paper I wrote on Santa Rosa Island. Late songs from my catalog came from life's treasures or pains and when I was working for American Airlines as a mechanic in Tulsa Ok. I had the blues so bad being away from home that I wrote. "Saltwater Blues" when I started preforming it when on the island at the open Mics at The Sun Ray Taco Shop the other players Mark Ellis to be specific nailed me with the name Saltwater Rick and it just stuck. Soon I formed the Saltwater Blues Band and we were off and playing everywhere original songs. I wrote up a storm in those years about life and love on the gulf coast of west Florida. "Readin the water, Sunset Shuffle, Chasin the Moon, Gulfside Ride, RipTide, My Baby,Don't Want Me No More, Change your Blues, Waitin to Play, Inside the Box. and many other formed a local blues form, The Saltwater Blues. Later, seeing the need for music at the elementary level I put on a charity Texas Holdem For Fun game and raised $4800 and gave it to the beach school. They did not have a music department I was told by Mr. C the school boss, I said you do now and he hired Mary Holway and the program took off. That was in 2006. In 2017 I was chosen as the winner of the 2017 Escambia County's Champion of the arts award and 2016 & 2017 community volunteer of the year from PB Elementary school?????? We are doing the 12 annual charity event on September 29 2018 3pm along with the local songwriters preforming at The Paradise bar and grill. I also have run sound for the festival for years with Reneda at the Sandbar and worked the Frank festival at Characters on the key pre-Ivan. Along with 8 years as a Fishin report writer for the Island times. I have 49 songs copy written in the library of congress under Saltwater Rick volume 1 and have a notebook full for vol 2. Looking forward to the 10 annual PBSF. Come on down to the Deep South and breath in the Saltwater-air and take ride on the "Gulfside". SWR

Bio

Matt Warren was born in Nashville, TN. He is a graduate of Gallatin Senior High & has a BS degree in Education from Middle Tennessee State University. He first debuted into the Nashville music scene as an artist in 1996 when he & his band, 40 East, signed a deal with the Nashville booking agency Crescent Moon Talent & began a fall tour of the southeast region. The band broke up before they could make a record. His next endeavor as an artist was with his band Papa Joe in 2001. They released their debut record, "Storybook Ending", on Warren's own independent record label Stonewall Music. In many more ways than one, Matt Warren is a rarity amongst all of the transplants working & writing on the Row that he calls co-writers, comrades, musical peers & partners in crime, more specifically, in that he is 1 of maybe 10 current artists & writers who are true locals & Tennessee natives, born & raised in Nashville. In 2002, Warren made his professional staff writer debut onto Music Row's elite published songwriter scene when he signed his first deal with House of Fame & the Muscle Shoals, Alabama music icon & legendary Fame Studios founder, record producer, Grammy winner & Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Rick Hall & his two sons Mark & Rodney. Matt's first cut as a House of Fame writer was “Puttin’ Memories Away”, co-written with Gary Allan & featured on the Oprah Winfrey show when Gary was her guest. That song was the beginning to a brutal yet beautiful journey down a long & treacherous road to the amazing place he is now. Twelve years later, Warren has securely established himself firmly into the music scene as an extremely energetic & talented artist & a successful, well known & well respected award winning hit songwriter. He has had one song recorded by Americana music icon Jim Lauderdale & one song recorded by Pittsburgh blue collar rock legend & Bruce Springsteen co-writer & band mate, Joe Grushecky. Matt has had 15 songs recorded by country star Gary Allan. 5 of which are on Gary's brand new record for Universal Music Group, due out in the fall of 2014. Warren is the recipient of 2 ASCAP Awards for most spins in a year (2009, 2013). In 2009, he won the ASCAP award for the top 10 hit "Learning How to Bend". In 2013, he co-wrote the ASCAP award winning #1 smash hit & all-time biggest selling Gary Allan single ever, "Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)", which was also nominated for the 2014 ACM song of the year award. He has 6 songs on the brand new Gary Allan record soon to be released. He also co-wrote the lead single for Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s 2017 hit single “Love Let It Do What It Do” with Robert Randolph, Chris Gelbuda & Patrick Davis, which was a 2018 Grammy nominated record for Robert in the “Blues record of the year” nominee. Warren continues to work on his own artistry & is chomping at the bit to hit the road & tour to support his brand new, critically acclaimed record "Self- titled". Released in the Spring of 2014 on his own independent record label United We Jam Records with his business partners Daniel Loper & Alan Bradshaw. "Self-titled" is produced by Grammy, CMA & ACM multi-award winning musician & artist Tom Bukovac. It was tracked by Grammy Award winning engineer/producer Justin Niebank & mixed by Grammy Award winning engineer/producer Mills Logan. Matt’s band features Steve Gorman on drums (The Black Crowes, Trigger Hippy), Audley Freed on guitar (Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow), Tom Bukovac on guitar, slide guitar & keys (John Fogerty, Trigger Hippy), Michael Rhodes on bass (Ray Charles, Willie Nelson), John Lancaster on piano, Rhodes & Nord (Gary Allan, Will Hoge), Johnny Neel on Hammond B-3 & piano (Allman Brothers, Blue Floyd), Nick Buda on drums (Col. Bruce Hampton & The Code Talkers, Hank Williams Jr.), Jedd Hughes on guitar & beer (Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris) & Pat McLaughlin on guitar (Johnny Cash, The Subdudes). The record features vocalists Hillary Lindsey, Sarah Buxton, Pat McLaughlin, Carey Ott & Bonnie Bishop on back-up vocals. "Self-titled" is out now & available for purchase. Currently, as of January 2017, he signed with Mucho Love Publishing in Nashville, TN and he currently has the Robert Randolph & The Family Band single featuring Darius Rucker. www.mattwarrenmusic.com www.uwjmusic.com

http://www.mattwarrenmusic.com

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