The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival celebrates the creators of the music! Music education is an important part of our Festival. One of our goals is to bring the songwriters into the classroom to provide instruction and mentoring about the art of music. 2018 brings great news! We are so excited to announce that The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival has joined hands with the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame which will be hosting a workshop in three of our local schools.
Welcome and thanks for taking the journey with us! Let the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival introduce you to the songwriters who create the songs that inspire our daily lives. Songs create moods that can put smiles on your faces or tears in your eyes. There are so many emotions that live within us each and every day that a song sometimes has a way of healing.
AARON BARKER spent the better part of two decades in a band that performed at military bases and public events across the U.S. During long stretches on the bus he began experimenting with writing songs. His first attempt, “Baby Blue,” was recorded by George Strait and topped the country chart in Billboard. Aaron soon began performing his original material in small clubs and cafes. One night after a long father-son talk he wrote “Love Without End, Amen.” Once again, his song was recorded by George Strait and topped the country chart. After that, more Strait hits followed: “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “I’d Like To Have That One Back,” “I Know She Still Loves Me” and “I Can Still Make Cheyenne.” Aaron’s hits with other artists include “Not Enough Hours In The Night” by Doug Supernaw, “Watch This” and “You’re Beginning To Get To Me” by Clay Walker and “What About Now” by Lonestar. Aaron is also the writer and singer of many radio and television commercials for the Blue Bell Ice Cream Company, including “Have Yourself A Blue Bell Country Day” and “The Good Ol’ Days.” In 2007 he was inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Born and raised in Orange County, California. I'm a fan of all styles and genres of music. I've been playing since I was nine years old. Passionate about people and doing the Lords work. Transferred w/ my previous company, Guitar Center, to run The Pensacola Store from Memphis, Tn. Stepped out of MIR (musical instrument retail,) after seven years to raise my now three-year-old son. Happily married with two children and am currently a licensed real estate agent, localized in the Gulfbreeze and Pensacola Beach area.
Nick Biebricher is the founder of the SandyRoots Songwriter Series and the owner of SandyRoots Productions. He has only been a songwriter for the past 5 years and already his songs are being actively pitched around Nashville. He has performed at numerous songwriters festivals in the southeast including the Druid City Songwriters fest and the Mississippi songwriters festival. Last year with the help of his co-writers Taylor Craven and Troy Martin among others he penned close to 100 songs. Nick recently opened a studio in Perdido Key Fl and he is currently producing numerous artist on the gulf coast. Nick and his wife Christina Christian plan on releasing an all original duet album they penned together. Look for the album sometime in 2019.
Passionate & powerful – two words that describe Jared Blake and his music. He brings his deep vocals and emotional delivery to every performance, and he has the same passion for his fans that he has for his music. He is known to the world as a father of six kids, and he sees it as a natural extension to take care of his fans as well. He doesn’t separate his life from his music; it is a blend of family, fans, and friends, whom he has nicknamed “frands.” Jared Blake was raised on watermelons and rock ‘n roll. Growing up in the small town of Star City, Arkansas, he always had dreams of performing on the big stage. That didn’t stop him from taking his time growing up and learning everything he could about the music business, including songwriting and playing multiple instruments. He realizes that the music industry is forever changing, and he likes to change and grow with it. He landed his first break with the industry giant Sony/ATV and Bob DiPiero’s Love Monkey Music, as a songwriter for the nation’s largest publishing group. “The second I think I know what’s going on, it all turns upside down again. Jared would be the first one to tell you, “The second I think I know what’s going on, it all turns upside down again.” He also says that’s what keeps him writing, dreaming, working, and just being himself. That same willingness to keep going, even into the unknown, is what landed him on national television. In 2011, Jared found himself on a new adventure, appearing on what turned out to be a #1 rated show on NBC, The Voice. Landing on Blake Shelton’s team to guide him, he did what any regular ol’ country boy would do – he rocked it. He was just as happy on stage alone with his acoustic guitar, with 14-million viewers watching him sing “Not Ready To Make Nice” by the Dixie Chicks, as he was performing the rock tune “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon, in a guitar-throwing, full-out passionate display. All of his performances have appeared in the charts worldwide more than 56 times and reaching as high as #16 on the iTunes charts. Jared was featured in magazines such as People and Rolling Stone, on television morning shows, and on radio stations syndicated across the nation. “It was like the heavens opened up, and for some reason I was the one who was blessed that day. It was just an email, but it felt that good to know something you had so much fun and work into creating would get the mass attention of Sirius XM. His time on NBC’s The Voice garnered him lots of attention and many new fans. He began a national acoustic tour when the last week of the show was airing, promoting a single his fans picked called “Don’t Mind.” That tune won grassroots radio airplay in several areas, and gave Jared the ability to start touring with his band. In June of 2012, Jared was offered a recording deal with Skiddco Music, with Grammy award-winning producer, Skidd Mills. In July of 2013, Jared signed a new publishing contract with Lucky Diamond Music. Also in 2013, country music artist Curtis Grimes cut “Home to Me,” a song co-written by Blake, Grimes, and Willmon, which hit #1 on the Texas Music Charts. That same year, he released his first single to Music Row reporting stations, “Countryfied”, which reached #66 on the reported charts. Following the like-named tour, he created his own mini-festivals at local campgrounds across the US, where Jared and his band bring free concerts to all ages in an effort called, Bringing Families Together that continues to this day. Immediately after returning from that tour, he recorded his next release, “Stomp”. The single was heard by John Marks (Sirius XM The Highway) and set for exclusive release while Jared was still in the works of recording the video for the song. Jared claimed, “It was like the heavens opened up, and for some reason I was the one who was blessed that day. It was just an email, but it felt that good to know something you had so much fun and work into creating would get the mass attention of Sirius XM.” His continued mix of humor and gratitude was felt each week as his song continued to play on the station and eventually host their “On The Horizon” program. “We know everyone out there is working hard, and some guys are even fighting and dying so we can keep doing what we do, so for that alone, there’s no complaining. I couldn’t do any other job on the planet, so I owe my life to the music fans of the world! Stomp also received exclusive attention from Zuus Country television for its video, and was later released to VEVO. The song gained support from radio stations everywhere, and climbed to no. 55 on the charts. Jared Blake spent years being told he has “the voice,” and he has lent his unique sound to voice over work in the demo world for artists and to the weekly syndicated broadcast of CT40 with Bob Kingsley. Jared Blake’s concentration to his fans and staying on the road remains his focus, show-after-show, and into the wee hours of the morning. His sound has been compared to Bob Segar and Travis Tritt mixed with a little Chris Daughtry. There’s no doubt Jared has one of the most powerful voices to hit the country scene, and once heard, it’s never forgotten. Jared has played with artists like Lee Brice, Thompson Square, The Band Perry, John Rich, and Randy Houser. He has headlined or opened for events like The Lonestar Rally, Sturgis Bike Rally, Country USA, and many more. The joke with my road crew is that I’m like a 5¬-year¬ old,” says Blake, “and I think that’s why we all keep going and laughing the whole way. There’s no one playing the ‘poor me’ card for all the hard work we do. We know everyone out there is working hard, and some guys are even fighting and dying so we can keep doing what we do, so for that alone, there’s no complaining. I couldn’t do any other job on the planet, so I owe my life to the music fans of the world!” Jared’s debut EP Til Morning Light was released along with the music video for his single Stomp in October 2014. The video was picked up by VEVO and the single ran on NBC’s The Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda in November 2014. Joining Jared’s team are managers Cory Gierman and Jennifer Blake (Jennifer Rachidi when she originally joined the team), the one who eventually became Jared’s wife. Gierman is known as one of the Godfathers of MuzikMafia, which was responsible for the birth and early feeding of country acts like Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. Jennifer Blake moved to Nashville in 2009 after working in production for mega¬-seminars in arenas nationwide. She started her company, The M3 Agency, to focus on music and entertainment business development.
Singer/Songwriter Jack Bond is a performing musician living in Maryland and Nashville. His voice and guitar playing echo the years he spent living in Nashville as a songwriter/performer/studio musician. Jack’s songwriting career includes the title cut on Roy Buchanan’s album, “That’s What I Am Here For.” He has also played many times at the famous “Bluebird Café” in Nashville. He plays on, records and produces his own demos. He currently has 2 new CDs of original material, one secular and one Christian. He continues to write with some of the best in Nashville, and do guitar tracks, etc. for them. He is “in it for the love of music.”
Alt-Country and blues. Faith and experience shape a man and his music. Shawn Bowling's songwriting and musical style is heavily influenced by bluegrass & gospel from his childhood in the Ozark's and by traditional blues from his years in the Mississippi Delta. A well-spring of inspiring stories is drawn from his work in ministry, medicine, and the military, as well as his always entertaining family and friends. Love and devotion to God, his family, and friends provide meaning to everything he does. Shawn grew up in a family of musicians and has been active in music all his life. He has served as band member, band leader, and worship leader for several bands including Solid Rock in the Sand Band (Worship on the Water at the Flora-Bama) and "Blessing" (Perdido Bay UMC). He has also been an active member of gulf coast area songwriter’s groups and has participated in songwriter events and festivals since 2001. He released his LP "A Song in Every Life" in the Spring of 2015: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shawnbowling
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..”
Based in the greater Los Angeles area, singer/songwriter Melissa Bret continues to captivate audiences. She released her second album, “Easy Way Out,” in late 2015, and has been out performing live shows every week. Bret grew up in Florida before spending a few years in Atlanta, GA, then relocating Southern California in 2014. She is classically trained on the piano and is a self-taught guitarist. Melissa also plays ukulele, although she most often accompanies herself with guitar. Melissa’s sultry, soulful voice has warm bluesy tones that draw the listener in. She is known for her unique acoustic arrangements of popular cover songs at her live shows. As a songwriter, having such a variety of musical influences has made it a challenge for Melissa to identify with any single genre. She considers her original music to fall somewhere between Singer/Songwriter and Folk/Pop, peppered with a little bit of Country. By the age of 21, Melissa was already performing on the Las Vegas ‘strip,’ and over the years has been on stages ranging from Orlando to Atlanta to Oklahoma City, plus Nashville and even exotic locales such as Hawaii and Thailand. She has also participated in multiple exclusive invitation-only songwriters festivals in the southeast. In addition to the House of Blues (inside Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas), she has performed on notable stages including, but not limited to, The Mint (Los Angeles) and Eddie’s Attic (Atlanta). Along the way, Melissa’s songwriting and performing has continued to evolve, and it has gotten the attention of audiences far and near. Her music has had airplay not only in cities around the U.S., but internationally, which mirrors the sales she has gotten from the States as well as countries in Europe and even Japan. She has dedicated fans from all five regions of the world (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania). The media have taken notice too, as Melissa has taken a strong foothold on major music platforms from iTunes to Google Play, Spotify, CD Baby, MTV.com, and other online streaming platforms and retailers.
Every once in awhile you run into a soul like Brooke Brown. A 25 year old songwriter from a dot on the map called Lenox, Alabama. She has a way of lighting up the room with her presence and has never met a stranger! Her infectious personality shines through her songs that come straight from the heart. She doesn't just call herself a songwriter, she is a natural born story teller. In October 2015, she lit a defected firework that took most of her right hand and damaged her hearing. After 11 surgeries and a lot of determination, she decided to show the world that she was fireproof. She found a way to play the guitar again and was back playing shows whithin 11 months after her accident. She is filled with positive energy, never fails to always have a smile on her face, and is sure to put one on yours! She has played and sang her heart out in venues across the south from Georgia to Texas. Her goal in life as a songwriter is just to inspire others to never give up on their dreams.
When the Carter Family sang about a melancholy flower in the wildwood nearly one hundred years ago, little did they know that three generations later, another Carter songstress would personify its story. As a songwriter, Anne Buckle blends poignant lyrical themes with haunting melodies that channel her Appalachian roots. But who is she? A Harvard graduate, fluent in French; former diplomat at the US Embassy in Paris; classically trained violinist with a master’s degree in arts advocacy; self-taught on nearly a dozen other musical instruments; founder of a non-profit called 3 Chords that teaches refugee youth to write songs; a Georgia native who now calls Music City home, who spent three years creating the Tennessee Promise program with Governor Haslam. But, this daughter of two school teachers left that life behind, instead choosing to chase the dreams of her heart down an uncertain path - one full of doubt and heartbreak, freedom and possibility. In 2017, she started releasing new music under the name WILDWOOD, which has been called "a juxtaposition of haunting and hopeful" and "a refreshing take on a legendary family" by the Nashville Music Guide. Nashville's own Bluebird Cafe has described her as "honest, vulnerable, and completely original. Haunting and beyond category." She’s performed in festivals including Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Muletown Music Fest, and CMA Music Fest to name a few. She is signed to the indie label, South x Sea, which is administered by Kobalt. As a fiddle player, Anne has shared the stage with Charlie Daniels, toured with Augustana, and opened for the Dixie Chicks on their DCX MMXVI World Tour. When she isn't writing or performing music, traveling or working with refugees, Anne is a museum educator and teaching artist at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, helping K-12 students learn about country music history and songwriting. She also teaches private violin, piano, and guitar lessons and is a freelance writer, authoring the blog Life According to Annie B.
Award Winning Songwriter & 2013 Oscar Contending Vocalist (#17 on the Awards Circuit list against Adele's Skyfall) who has performed at the world famous "Bluebird" and the "Troubadour" sharing the stage & studio with artists Al Jarreau, Billy Idol, Don Henley, Grammy Winning Writer Jon Vezner, The Henningsen's, Martha Reeves, Dave Robbins (of Blackhawk), Toby Keith’s Trailer Choir Band, The Bangles and Chris Young. Donna’s music has been heard on HBO, Rock Band video games, Showtime, Access Hollywood, VH1, MTV, Sony Pictures, and TVO's Green Heroes. She has worked with Paul Reisler’s Kid Pan Alley Children’s project, along with notables Delbert McClinton, Cracker, Kix Brooks, & Amy Grant. She is presently Music Supervisor & Senior Composer for the films Cat Dexx ft. “She’s on the Prowl”, Turnover ft. “This is Your Day”, written with Nashville based Lyman Ellerman, Bon Appetit’ with Ross Orenstein & Passage ft. "Dream Big Dreams" with CJ Watson. Donna serves on the ”Songs of Love” advisory board and has written over 350 songs for ailing children. She is also a creative development children’s composer & partner with Pensacola based Music as Message, LLC., creator of the Eco Team Television Show featuring Eco the Butterfly that premiered on WSRE/PBS on Earth Day 2018. https://www.Donnabritton.com https://www.facebook.com/DonnaBMusic https://www.instagram.com/donnabuke/ https://www.youtube.com/user/DonnaBritton https://open.spotify.com/user/129254906/playlist/7KN1trLJ2fp24bcqTGzuCb https://twitter.com/DonnaBukevicz https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/DonnaBrittonBukevicz1 https://soundcloud.com/donnabrittonmusic https://itunes.apple.com/album/talk-about-saving-the-world/id414261875?i=414261937&ign-mpt=uo%3D5
Since moving to Nashville in July of 91’ Tim has not only become a successful songwriter but he has become one of Nashville’s most sought after session singers. In addition to singing on over 8,000 songwriter demos Tim has sung on albums by: Trisha Yearwood, Michael Peterson, Kevin Sharp, Billy Ray Cyrus and Rodney Atkins to name a few and on jingles for: Pepsi, Luvs diapers, TNN and many many more.
Jeremy Bussey grew up in the small town of Sylvan Springs, Alabama just outside of Birmingham. Like most kids, he loved to fish, hunt and basically anything outdoors. At the age of 5 he found something else he loved. Music. He started taking piano lessons, then later started writing his own songs and eventually made his way to Nashville, Tn. Jeremy started playing songwriter nights all over Nashville. He continued to work at crafting his lyrical skills and ultimately caught the attention of Ron Stuve at UMPG in 2010. These days, he has become the “go to guy” for great lyrics and song ideas. Jeremy has had his songs recorded by artist like Jason Aldean (All Out Of Beer) Brantley Gilbert (Three Feet Of Water) Ashley McBryde – (Title track – Girl Goin’ Nowhere) Chase Rice (Single – Everybody We Know Does) Thompson Square (Single – You Make It Look So Good) Josh Gallagher – (Single – Pick Any Small Town) Lonestar (Single – Just The Rain, Boomerang, Twice, Oh Yeah) Pop/Rhythm artist Nick Bennett (Single – Hotter Than You) Tate Stevens – (Single – Power Of A Love Song, Holler If You’re With Me) Mark Wills (Single – Looking For America, As Much Like Jesus) and others. He has also had landed songs for sync with Pepsi, and recently Ram Trucks. “I have always loved the stories in songs. That’s why the lyric has always been my strongest suit. I enjoy playing the piano, guitar and singing, but I love writing a great lyric and idea. It’s like putting the last piece of the puzzle together…then starting another puzzle.”
Dani grew up in San Diego and began writing music at 9 years old. At age 18, Dani put some of her other talents to use and built her own acoustic guitar. She later found herself regularly performing with now pop star, Jason Mraz. “We played every Thursday night at a local coffee shop and sang on each other’s tunes,” she recalls. Dani made the move to Nashville in 2002 and began working with David Malloy, producer for Julianne Hough, Reba McIntyre and Andy Griggs. Within six months, she signed a deal with Famous Music Publishing and continues to write songs with some of Music Row’s top talent. In 2007, Chris LeDoux’s band Western Underground released Dani’s song ‘Unbridled’ as the title cut and single on their record. In 2011, her song ‘You Can Count on Me’ was featured in two time daytime Emmy winning web series Venice.
Kim Carson, "The Honky Tonk Queen of New Orleans" Kim Carson, was born in Oklahoma, raised in Texas and lives in New Orleans. She has a lot of influences in her brand of Louisiana Tonkabilly music including Hank Williams, ?Merle Haggard?, ?Loretta Lynn?, ?Buck Owens?, ?Waylon Jennings? and ?Ray Price?. Kim performs her original songs with some Classic Twang. Kim Carson is surely a “one of a kind artist” and has been named “Best Country Artist” by the readers of the OffBeat Magazine eight times. She has performed 21 times at the most prestigious “Jazz & Heritage Festival” in New Orleans and many festivals across the south. Kim and her band "The Real Deal play Roadhouse's and Honky Tonks from Luckenbach, Texas to the Florabama. After building a name for herself as the undisputed “Queen of Louisiana Honky Tonk Music” she has distinguishing herself as a formidable Country & Honky Tonk Songwriter. Kim Carson has released 12 albums to date available on iTunes and cdbaby, Pandora and Spotify.
Friday Oct. 5 7pm - Sandbar Saturday Oct. 6 4pm Holiday Inn Beach Resort
This year saw an unexpected pause in the career of Nashville recording artist/ songwriter Hope Cassity. After successfully battling Multiple Sclerosis with a stem cell transplant, she went to war with a rare form of Ovarian Cancer that affects only 1% of women her age. Cassity previously earned an NCMA Award for Best Female Vocalist of the Year, two nominations for her original songs, earned ten songwriter cuts with CMA artists Penny Rae, in addition to other cuts with Erath Old, Victoria Camp, and Aubrey Lynn. She is anxious to resume work with her producers Jason Schmidt (Nashville) and Matthew Thornton (Phoenix) on a solo record about her journey. Most recently, Cassity released an authentically country single "If I Only Had A Heart" on I-Tunes, which had garnered a radio deal. With a newly gained perspective, she gives back daily to others through her art and music, and vows to raise Ovarian Cancer awareness.
Colonel (R) Jill W. Chambers Colonel (R) Jill W. Chambers served four Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff over an eight-year period. In 2007, she was selected to serve as Special Assistant to current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, to conduct a focused study of wounded warrior issues, specifically in the areas of Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Colonel (R) Chambers built a team and spent 18 months traveling the U.S. She witnessed firsthand the often heart-breaking difficulties facing returning warriors, many of whom experienced multiple deployments. Understanding the urgency for both real-time solutions and long-term prevention strategies, Colonel (R) Chambers imagined and assembled an unprecedented strategy and team, including world renowned psychologist Martin Seligman and immediate past U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, world leading expert in Health Literacy, with the hope of increasing resiliency in Service Members before they face adversity and reducing the stigma surrounding PTS for the invisibly wounded. Taking her Joint Staff experience related to returning warrior issues she moved to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel in November 2008 and arranged a meeting between the team she had assembled and the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. They successfully presented their unique vision as the strongest opportunity to care for the record number of men and women in all branches of service facing from TBI and PTS. She is widely recognized as the first person in the history of the U.S. Military to develop a successful, sustainable strategy designed to reduce the crippling stigma associated with mental health challenges in a Warrior culture. Her clear vision, comprehensive experience, understanding of the issues at hand, willingness to think laterally and dogged determination laid the groundwork for the development and adoption of the first holistic approach to wellness for our Service Members. The U.S. Army subsequently developed the “Comprehensive Soldier Fitness” program that launched in 2009 and created an unprecedented number of messages via Armed Forces Radio and Television declaring and encouraging the “Permission to Speak” across all branches of Military Service. She was inducted into the Army Women’s Hall Of Fame for her groundbreaking role in transforming the culture around Mental Health challenges in the Military. Retiring in 2009 after 28 years of active duty, Colonel (R) Chambers “re-launched” as the Founder of This Able Vet, LLC, where she continues her commitment to real time solutions and long term strategies working with non pharmaceutical alternatives for PTS like Neuro-feedback alongside Dr Tim Royer and Guided Imagery with Belleruth Naparstek. Jill serves on the SBA’s Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs and The American Legion TBI/PTS Ad Hoc Committee. Most recently, as of June 2011, she is serving as an external Advisory Board member for the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. Partnering with JPMorgan Chase, this is the first institute of its kind serving as a national center in higher education focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues impacting veterans and their families post-service. Additionally, in recognition of her rare gifts as a leader and her many groundbreaking accomplishments over 30 years of service, she was selected as the SPWA/Department of Defense Woman of the Year for 2010. In 2011 Jill was recognized at the American Legion National Convention for her service towards children and youth in connection with the TAG You’re It High School Assembly program receiving their 2011 Americanism Award. In 2012, she was selected for the NEXT MAKERS award as one of the 6 most influential emerging female leaders in America by AOL/TIME-WARNER & PBS She is currently working on her third Masters degree, a degree in Health and Wellness. She and her husband, Country Music Star Michael Peterson live in Las Vegas when they are not on the road. They share three daughters, three grandsons and a happy life.
Tim was born in Birmingham Alabama, but a native of Pensacola Florida since he was two. In middle school Tim began writing poetry and winning awards for his writing. Tim took what he felt from his heart and put it on paper. December 1999 Tim joined the United States Marine Corps. Tim served sixteen years and was retired after injuries sustained in Iraq. Tim returned home and began to put his life back together. Three years ago Operation Song and Rusty Tabor out of Nashville reached out to Tim and other local Veterans with a desire to help. Helping Veterans write songs to tell their story is a great therapeutic method to recovery and healing. Tim wrote his first song Fight for me about his struggle coming from combat and fighting the family court to see his kids. Tim wrote the song 22 to bring awareness to the 22 Veterans a day that commit suicide. Tim’s heart is with our Veterans and he hopes somehow someway he can make a difference.
Chloe Channell has been performing over half her life. In 2013 at the age of 11, Chloe was a quarterfinalist on Season 8 of America’s Got Talent!! That same year she met and started working with 2 time Grammy Award winner, singer/songwriter, Billy Dean. Chloe wrote her first song at the age of 12!! She has been writing with some of the top writers in Nashville along with her mentor/manager Billy Dean. She is now 16 and has recently released her first EP and video featuring “Walls”! EP includes 5 original songs written by Chloe! She has a passion for writing and performing her own songs and loves to entertain.
Ruell Chappell grew up in the Springfield Missouri Music scene making his first recording at 7 years of age and working as a studio musician for Wayne Carson, and many other prolific writers in Springfield, Tulsa and Nashville. Ruell joined the Ozark Mountain Daredevils in 1976 and performs with the band today. Ruell found his writing voice in the early 2000s working on an album created around the story of The Young Brother’s Massacre of 1932, the largest law enforcement massacre previous to 9/11. In addition to performing with OMD, Ruell hosts Ozark Writers’ Night, a local songwriter’s group, and is Director of Play It Forward SWMO, his Not For Profit dedicated to putting instruments in the hands of children that cannot afford them.
Christina Christian is singer songwriter from Miflin, AL. She’s been traveling the Southeast, gracing many bars and venues for a living since 2011. Her new single "Dolly Would You Pardon Me" is out on October 1st along with a music video featuring local musicians and songwriters. Silent Sea, her debut album, was released in 2017, it features top notch Nashville & Gulf Coast musicians. Travel to SongFest 2018 to hear Christina.
Ashton Clark is a 21 year old singer/songwriter from Fairhope, Alabama. She received her first guitar at age ten and has been writing songs ever since. Ashton has performed at the iconic Bluebird Cafe in Nashville along with multiple songwriters festivals such as Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival and the Frank Brown International Festival, where she received honorable mentions for her songs "Down South" and "Turn To Ash". She was included on the Nashville Songwriters' Association International (NSAI) E.A.R.S. "Ones To Watch". Along with performing at festivals, she has also appeared on local TV and radio stations. Ashton just graduated from Coastal Alabama Community College after two years on a vocal scholarship, and is now attending online classes at Troy University. She plans to move to Nashville after graduation.
This is another exciting year in the life of quickly rising and emerging country artist Pearl Clarkin. She recently released her first original to radio and has been played on over 150 radio stations nationally. Look for Fishin on all platforms and the rest of her EP soon!! She is an acclaimed songwriter and on the circuit on any given night just look for her at Bluebird, Listening Room or any of the local spots for originals and showcases. She was recently compared to Bobbie Gentry by a major publisher while singing at Bluebird Cafe. Pearl has opened for many big names, and performed at the CMA Fest for the last 3 years at places like Storme Warren's Nashville Navy and on the Hard Rock Stage outdoors. Pearl headlined her own concert back home on Pensacola Beach before 4000 friends and fans and sings each year for the Pensacola Beach Songwriter's Festival. You've seen her on GAC TV in Storme Warren's Country on the Beach Key West Event. She has already been named one of the top unsigned artists in the country by CMT by placing in their Music City Madness singer/songwriter contest. Along with her solo career, Pearl is lead singer in the touring all female band The Highway Women. Pearl is a 6th generation Floridian born and raised on the white crystal sand of Pensacola Beach FL and has recently moved to attend college in Nashville. She is at home in both the gulf waters of the Redneck Riviera and the beautiful country side of Tennessee. Being a part of the south is something in her blood
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 2018 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
Raised in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Greg Crowe brings a compelling blend of blues, rock and country to Music City. Crowe is a BMI award winning songwriter whose credits include artists such as Montgomery Gentry, Sammy Kershaw, Adam Gregory, Will Hoge, Chuck Mead, Lonestar and many more. He also wrote, sang, and produced the official song for The Tennessee Titans Radio Network, “We’re Fired Up,” and production credits include a nomination for European country music album of the year, 2008. In addition, his skills have been put to use in many television commercials. Crowe works out of Nashville and is signed with SWAT Music Group and is happy to announce His current affiliation with SESAC, He writes with top artists and songwriters in the rock and country genre, for more info please visit GregCrowe.com.
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."
Dan Demay currently writes for Atlantic Bridge Music. He has written for EMI, Mosaic (Stage Three), Friday Records. He’s had songs recorded by Darryl Worley (If Something Should Happen, Doing What’s Right, Messed Up In Memphis), Martina McBride (Everybody Does), Tracy Lawrence (You Can’t Hide Red Neck), Joey+Rory (Heart Of The Wood), Tracy Byrd (Crazy Every Time), Cledus T Judd (Illegals), John Michael Montgomery (All In A Day), Bobby Pinson (Right To Be Wrong).
Daniel grew up in a songwriter’s household so he unwittingly picked up the art of song-crafting. Daniel played his music to soldiers and airmen throughout the middle east theater of operations while station there himself. Since his return to the states, he has been writing and catching the ears of successful songwriters throughout the industry. He is currently writing for Atlantic Bridge Music who are excited about his musical future.
Super New Orleans duo, Sarah Quintana & Michael Doucet share their writing skills, musical talents & love of the Acadian French language in this slam-bang/thank you ma’am New Orleans jazz, blues, Cajun & Folk music rolled into fresh original songs which make laugh, cry & wonder why!! Sarah is a highly sought after and regular performance artist in Southern France; Michael is the leader of the multi Grammy winning group BeauSoleil. Having met walking together in the St Anthony Krewe at Mardi Gras, they forged a duet sound of fiddle, guitars & harmony vocals of songs of love, tragedy, respect & spirit! Their latest cd recording Lâcher Prise (Let it Go) will be released on Compass Records Fall of 2018.
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
A performer since childhood, Lynn Drury’s first accolade was at the age of five. She won a 4-H pole-bending competition in her native Mississippi. Though her rodeo career didn’t follow her into adulthood, she was primed and ready for the spotlight by the time she first picked up a guitar nearly twenty years later. Born in Yazoo City, MS and raised in Carriere, MS, Drury relocated to New Orleans, LA in the mid-nineties and performed her unique style of roots rock on most of the stages in the city. Over the past two decades, that meticulously cultivated style – NOLAmericana® – has brought Drury’s original music to stages all over the world. Her music, along with her personality, is reflective of her two hometowns – “Mississippi Grit – New Orleans Groove,” as Drury calls it. Drury’s impressive catalogue includes “Crossing Frequencies” (2001), “Blackberry Winter” (2002 with Bad Mayo), “Spun” (2003 with Bad Mayo), “All You Need” (2006), “Dal Vivo (2009), “Sugar on the Floor “ (2011), “Come to My House” (2014), and 2017’s critically acclaimed “Rise of the Fall.” She has earned multiple nominations and awards from New Orleans’ most prominent publications. Her latest release, “Rise of the Fall” showcases Drury’s “exponential growth as a songwriter” and was hailed as “another breakthrough” by Offbeat’s John Swenson. She is currently on tour in support of the release as she writes material for her next effort.
Since releasing her Self-titled Debut EP last fall, Hannah Ellis has garnered some well-deserved attention, being named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country as well as one of Rolling Stone’s “Artist’s to Watch”. Her single “ILYSoWhat” premiered on CMT earlier this year, and has since been streamed over 1 million times on Spotify as well as being played “On the Horizon” on Sirius XM. This female country artist from Campbellsville, Kentucky grew up competing in every small town contest she could get into. It didn’t take long until she was opening for stars like Lee Brice & Jake Owen. After graduating from the University of Kentucky in late 2012, Hannah moved to Nashville. In 2015, she competed in Season 8 of The Voice and made it to the televised portion of the show before heading home. She signed with WordCountry Publishing later that year and has since received multiple country cuts by artists like Russell Dickerson and Danielle Bradbery. While writing full time, Hannah continued playing shows such as Gulf Coast Jam, CMA Fest, and the National Police Officer Memorial Service in Washington, DC. There she had the privilege of performing her song ‘Officer Down’ on the steps of the United States Capitol building in front of 50,000 people. At the end of 2017, she signed with Creative Artists Agency and has since opened for Dwight Yoakam, Montgomery Gentry, and Russell Dickerson, just to name a few. 2018 has been a year in which Hannah has seen her fan base grow immensely, and is currently working on a video to promote her newest single “Home and a Hometown” that was released on July 13th.
Kylie Nicole's writing style can be best described as a mix of introspective themes combined with her own personal experience. Kylie’s heartfelt passion and authenticity just seem to naturally show up in her songs, her playing and her vocals. After graduating from Belmont University with a degree in Songwriting, Kylie made the move to the West Coast to pursue her dream. The Southern California Coast has played a huge role in the start of a whole new chapter in Kylie’s songwriting career, as reggae and beach influences have started to pull her music in a different direction.
Adrienne Follese’ was raised in a musical family. Her mother, Jerrie Anger was a singer with her own radio show on KFRC in San Francisco. Her father, Maurice Anger was an accomplished jazz pianist and a leader of his own orchestra. Adrienne has been playing and singing music as long as she can remember. Her parents used to hold her up to a microphone to sing when she was too small to reach it. Adrienne said,” I have always been lucky enough to write in both the country and pop genre. I appreciate all kinds of music”. She has written with Katy Perry, John Oats, Hot Chelle Rae, Jo Dee Messina, Kenny Chesney and Timothy Schmit of the Eagles. She said,” I was lucky enough to sing with Timothy, and I think that was the only time in my life I was a little star struck. She also co-wrote and sang all the background vocals on the BMLG release of Ryan Follese’.She has had cuts on Martina McBride “I Love You” (Runaway Bride)(5 weeks #1),Jo Dee Messina “Dare to Dream”, Lady Antebellum “Long Gone”, John Pardi “Borrowed Time”, Johnny Reid “It Started With a Child” and Hush “Used to be You”. Adrienne started writing when she was 13. She plays both guitar and piano. She said “I love writing songs, I never grow tired of it. From the beginning notes and ideas, to the work tapes , to the building of the tracks. Then the vocals, harmonies and the final mix. I love bouncing lines and ideas off other writers. One word or a few chords can turn into a song. I love all of it”. She now spends most of her time writing and developing new artists, both in country and pop. She is currently working with Beamer Wigley, an up and coming country artist and has been working with a couple of pop artists from the voice UK.
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.
As a songwriter, a storyteller, and the original Nashville outlaw of the 60's, Chris Gantry has written over 1,000 songs. Some of those stories were collaborations with Nashville's best - including Kris Kristofferson, Mel Tillis, Shel Silverstein, and Eddie Rabbit. Over 100 of his songs have been recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, Reba McEntire, KD Lang, Robert Goulet, Wayne Newton and others. Gantry penned the american classic, Dreams of the Everyday Housewife by Glen Campbell, which won three bBMI honors including the millionaire's award for over two million performances. Gantry has written for Sony music, Warner Chapel music, Faverett music group. in addition to songwriting, Chris is a prolific writer of prose, novels, and poetry. He won the Tennessee Williams play writing contest with a collection of one-act plays entitled Teeth and Nails. Gantry has written several books including Father Duck Tales, a collection of short stories. His recent autobiography, Gypsy Dreamers in the Alley, explores his life in the Nashville music business from his arrival to modern day. The book received glowing reviews from both the Tennessean and USA Today. Gantry currently writes for Cool Vibe Publishing. Chris Gantry plays a significant part in the Outlaws and Armadillos: country’s roaring 70’s exhibit on display now at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville,Tn. Chris Gantry continues writing music with some of today's brightest stars and living the life of a gypsy dreamer. he performs regularly and will be touring this fall.
Sean Gasaway is an award winning singer/songwriter, music publisher, record executive, and record producer. Sean was born on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and now resides in Nashville, TN. Sean's incredible popularity and high demand has led to performances at Heinz Field, performing his hit "Stomp" and The National Anthem in front of 75,000 plus Pittsburgh Steeler Fans, Feature Rounds at the World Famous Bluebird Café, International Festivals including The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival, The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, year round performances at the World Famous Flora~Bama, Feature Artist with The Last Honkytonk Music Series, various House Concerts from the Gulf Coast to New England, major publishing and record deals in the US and the UK, garnering over 100 songs cut, four #1 songs on the Americana and Independent charts, six Top 40 on Billboard and Independent Charts, 2017 Native American Music Awards Song Of The Year winner, songs in major movies, documentaries, NFL Sports, as well as his highly acclaimed 2016 album release "Mississippi Vol. 1" and 2018 release "Mixtape, Mississippi". Sean has been in the music business for over 25 years writing, performing, producing, and touring with bands including 3 Doors Down, Cowboy Troy, Mickie James, The Ying Yang Twins, Deborah Allen, Kat Perkins, Jason Mitchell, and Marianne Allison to name a few. Singer/Songwriter/Producer Sean Gasaway, Mississippi boy, has become a hurricane-like force to be reckoned with.
Dave Gibson has a keening baritone with a wry sense of humor. Born in El Dorado, ARK and raised in Odessa, Dave grew up loving music and in particular songwriters. Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison were two Texans who most influenced his vocal stylings and later Elvis Presley’s dynamic and commanding performances gave Gibson something more to strive for. Off to Nashville in 1982 found Gibson in front of an array of producers including Tony Brown, Norro Wilson, Oak Ridge Boys, Duane Allen and eventually Doug Johnson. Dave landed a publishing deal with The Oak Ridge Boy’s company, Silverline Music, and began co-writing with a who’s who of hit makers. He has cuts by Sever Wariner, Joe Diffie, Confederate Railroad, Tanya Tucker, Alabama, Pam Tillis, and Montgomery Gentry. There are 6 number ones to his credit with Alabama’s “Juke Box in My Mind” staying at number one for four weeks. Not only is Dave a great songwriter he is also a great performer. In 1990 he teamed up with rocker Blue Miller and the duo formed the Gibson-Miller Band. Their Duo scored multiple top ten hits as well as a coveted Academy of Music Award for New Vocal Group or Duo in 1994. These two even landed a song in the feature film, The Cowboy Way, starring Keifer Sutherland and Woody Harrelson, with their re-make of the hit “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”. When the band broke up, Gibson began focusing again on his writing and developing and new talent. Dave has his own label and publishing company, Savannah Music Group, which he founded in October, 2008 with Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Jeff Cohen.
Tiffany Goss was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama and attended Troy University where she earned a degree in PR / Journalism. She moved to Nashville in 1997 where she began her career in the music industry working at the front desk of Warner Brothers Records. After being a staff writer at EMI Music Publishing and Buddy Killen Publishing, Tiffany signed with Curb Music Publishing where she has been a staff writer since 2007. She had cuts by artists including Brooks and Dunn, Chris Janson, Delta Rae, Clay Walker, Delta Rae, Brett Young and others. She also serves as the Creative Manager of Curb Publishing. Tiffany writes on guitar, is an accomplished vocalist and collaborates with many of the industry’s finest writers and artists including Lee Brice, Hal Ketchum, and Larry Gatlin. Tiffany’s songs have been featured on The Bachelor, Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, Fox News, Hart Of Dixie, ABC and NBC.
Angela Hacker was born and raised in LaGrange Alabama. The 4 th of 5 children born to Harty and Susan Hacker. She started singing when she was a little girl, using a hairbrush for a microphone. "Growing up in the country, there wasn't much to do, but there were always instruments lying around." Her father Harty was a professional singer and guitar player and her older sisters played and sang as well . Fast forward to 2007 when she auditioned for the tv show "Nashville Star ". She won the talent show and released a record that year on Warner Bros. Records. Since then she has continued to write, play and sing anywhere and everywhere she can. "I love to perform live! I feel like its what i was born to do! "
TOMMY IKE HAILEY BIO: Ponchatoula, Louisiana-based singer-songwriter Tommy Ike Hailey has been called “a storyteller in song” by some listeners. Influenced early on by Jim Croce and James Taylor, and later by Texas musicians Jerry Jeff Walker, Nanci Griffith, and Robert Earl Keen, he sings of love and loss, of joy and sorrow, of family, friends, and the folks you see on the street - with the voice of experience, observation, and compassion. When he’s not out somewhere singing his own songs, he shows his love of songwriting and singer-songwriters in other ways. For example, he created and hosts Troubadours Songwriter Night in Covington, Louisiana, and he co-created and co-hosts Songwriter Sessions in Des Allemands, Louisiana, both of which showcase featured local and regional songwriters and include a songwriters open mic at the conclusion of each show. In addition, he has helped to create and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ozone Music Education Foundation, whose mission is to provide resources and music education opportunities to children and adults. As a part of their public outreach, the Board members of OMEF are organizing the first annual Ozone Songwriter Festival, which will be held Oct 20 and 21, 2018, in Mandeville Louisiana. For Tommy Ike, it’s all about the songs, and, most importantly, it’s about hearing them from the ones who know them best – the songwriters who wrote them. https://www.facebook.com/tommyikehaileymusic Troubadours Songwriter Night: https://www.facebook.com/TroubadoursSongwriterNight/ Songwriter Sessions: https://www.facebook.com/louisianasongwritersessions/ Ozone Songwriter Festival: https://www.facebook.com/Ozonesongwritersfest/
Whit Hill was born and raised in New York City. A child actor, Whit performed at New York’s famed La Mama Theater, with the New York City Shakespeare Festival and the New York City Opera. A professional choreographer for over 20 years, her dances have been commissioned and performed by companies across the country. As a backup singer, Whit toured the country – from the Bottom Line in Greenwich Village to the Vancouver Music Festival. She formed her own band, Whit Hill and the Postcards, in 2001. Her three albums, “We Are Here” (2003), “Farsighted” (2006), and “I Dug It Up” (2013), have received wide critical acclaim. A winner of the 2012 Kerrville New Folk Competition, Whit writes and sings about unusual topics: elderly doctors, the Civil War, bad road trips, paramecia, cicadas, and various interesting neighbors. And love. Ultimately, she writes about love. Whit lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Al Hill, a keyboardist, guitarist and singer with whom she often tours. Random facts about Whit: her Armenian grandfather owned a saloon called the Sanitary Lunch. She once delivered a friend’s baby by herself; this was unplanned. Her dad was on The Sopranos. She collects coincidences, loves dogs, teaches dance to the sweet children of East Nashville, and owns four metal detectors.
Faith Jess is a singer/songwriter native to Pensacola, Florida! She began her songwriting journey at the age of twelve. At this age she also started performing locally around Pensacola. She has performed at multiple places around town including; Vinyl Music Hall, Gallery Night and much more! Faith describes her music genre as country/pop with an folk twist to it. She has most recently released her debut single, "He Won't Even Say". It can be found on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play. Faith recorded her very first music video for this song as well, which is available to watch on YouTube. She's very passionate about songwriting and plans to pursue her dream. Faith states that songwriting is a way she can express her true emotions, through a beautiful and artistic way.
From British Columbia, Canada, Singer/Songwriter Andi Zack-Johnson has written songs recorded by artists such as Brothers Osborne, Josh Thompson, Danielle Peck, Etta Britt, Drew Gregory and others… Vince Gill recorded two of Andi’s songs with his daughter Jenny Gill for her debut album released in late 2016. She also co-wrote Josh Thompson’s smash hit, “Beer On The Table” and long time Delbert McClinton band vocalist Etta Britt’s “Make It Fast”, which was featured on Good Morning America. Look for Andi’s song “Heart Shaped Locket” on Capital recording artist, Brothers Osborne’s grammy winning debut album, Pawn Shop. Andi has also released her own CD called “Love Party”. The unique new CD features 11 songs all written on the ukelele. The project was produced by 2 time Grammy winning producer Skidd Mills along with Aerosmith keyboardist, Buck Johnson. Andi and her husband Ken Johnson are also known as the popular new children’s music duo Huck and Lilly. Their albums “There’s A Tree Growing In My Room” and “Sunshine” were co-produced with multi Grammy and Dove award winner Skidd Mills. Ken and Andi are also cast members of the hit television show and Ryan Seacrest production, “I Love Kellie Pickler” on CMT which has aired for 3 seasons now.
Ken Johnson Ken Johnson’s songs have been recorded by many artists including Uncle Kracker, Tyler Farr, Billy Gibbons, Tim Montana and The Shrednecks, Harry Connick Jr., Butch Walker, Chris Janson, Craig Morgan, Joey and Rory, Clare Bowen and Buddy Miller, Josh Thompson, The Farm, Ty Stone, Josh Grider, Lisa Lambe of Celtic Women Group, Walt Wilkins, Wayne Newton, and Paul Sanders with Vince Gill among others… Past hits include Josh Thompson’s “Beer On The Table” and Craig Morgan’s “Still A Little Chicken Left On That Bone” and more recently, “You Dream I’ll Drive”, ”Summer and 16" and “White Van” all of which reached the #1 spot with popular Texas artist Josh Grider. He has written multiple songs for television shows like ABC’s ”Nashville”, CMT’s “I Love Kellie Pickler” and CW’s hit show “Hart of Dixie". Ken has collabarated with members of ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, Matchbox 20, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith and NRBQ. In 2012, Ken released his own album, “Dang Good Day”, in association with Warner Chappell Music and Combustion Music. The album features tracks written with singer/songwriters like Randy Houser, Frankie Ballard, Josh Thompson, Brothers Osborne, Sarah Buxton and Eric Paslay. Currently, Ken has two singles at radio. One with new Universal artist, Marty Heddin, called “Game Changer”… cowritten with his wife Andi Zack-Johnson and produced by Kieth Stegall (Alan Jackson/Zac Brown Band) and “Hammer” by country newcomer Ben Daniel. Ken along with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Tim Montana have created the theme song for a new major motion picture called American Dresser, set to hit theaters in Spring of 2018 starring Tom Beringer and Gena Gershon. Ken has appeared on Fox and Friends and Good Morning America and has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Ken and wife Andi Zack-Johnson are known as the popular new children’s music duo Huck and Lilly. Their albums “There’s A Tree Growing In My Room” and “Sunshine” were co-produced with multi Grammy and Dove award winner Skidd Mills. Ken and Andi are also cast members of the hit television show and Ryan Seacrest production, “I Love Kellie Pickler” on CMT which has aired for 3 seasons now.
Nicole Johnson Official charmed the hearts of America on the Fall 2012 season of THE VOICE on NBC-Team Blake. From Denham Springs, Louisiana now living in Nashville, this 24 year old singer/songwriter has a voice that is “sweet, yet powerful, always effortless in key, but never over the top.” Her work ethic and passion prove there is “no plan b” for this up and coming country star. She has co-written over 500+ songs and counting. Johnson's songs have been placed on National TV on Access Hollywood, The Outdoor Channel, Big Tips Texas(MTV) and Nascar Countdown(ESPN) to name a few. Nicole Johnson www.Soundcloud.com/NicoleJohnsonOfficial
Jason Justice is a Southern songwriter who was baptized in the music of Honky Tonk legends such as Waylon, Merle, Hank, Billy Jo and Guy Clark, from a time when Country was still Country. After 4 years in the Navy, he came to port in Pensacola and never left. He’s been a fixture at Florabama and other venues in the area for over 25 years, performing with his band The Hung Jury. Jason has had the opportunity to open for some of his heroes including Alan Jackson, David Allan Coe, and Confederate Railroad. He’s also been privileged enough to perform with his All Time Honky Tonk Hero, Billy Jo Shaver. A few years ago, his song No Wake Zone was picked up in Nashville and put on hold to record. Jason was so excited by this news that he bounced checks all the way down I-65 on his way back to the beach. That song, and others, can be found on his new album, PAWN SHOP SIDE OF TOWN, which is getting radio play across the country and is available on iTunes!
At 17 years old, it started in Pensacola, Florida on a dirt road with a backwards-strung guitar, and a burgeoning woman looking for an identity that was ultimately found in music. She has since performed at many venues and radio stations across the Southeast in support of her debut self titled album, Lauren Kay. Her televised appearances include StudioAmped on PBS, BLAB TV's The Daily Brew morning show, and South Carolina's Nite Line on WGGS. 2016 started off with a sweet surprise from Lauren Kay, releasing her sophomore album, Single Mama, on Jan 8th by her record label, Baldwin County Public Records. Much like the debut album, Single Mama is personal and intimate. Producer, Anthony Crawford, put his handprint on the songs and dives deep into the groove on songs like Big Guns, Single Mama, and More to Me with pedal steel, piano, and electric guitar. After her 2 year mainstay performances at former restaurant Nolan's, She's back performing this season along the Gulf Coast.
Josh Kerr is an award-winning hit-songwriter and music producer at Black River Publishing based in Nashville, TN. His multiple US No.1 songs include the RIAA Platinum-certified “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Dibs” co-written and recorded by Kelsea Ballerini and the RIAA Platinum-certified “My Girl” co-written and recorded by Dylan Scott. As a songwriter and producer, Kerr has worked with a variety of artists spanning multiple genres including Keith Urban, Camilla Cabello, Brett Eldredge, Abby Anderson, Danielle Bradbery, RaeLynn, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Maddie & Tae, Cole Swindell, Geoff Warburton, Hannah Kerr, and for KING & COUNTRY. Available now, “Never Comin’ Down” produced by Josh Kerr and Keith Urban is the second track found on Keith Urban’s GRAFFITI U and was written by Keith Urban, Josh Kerr, James Abrahart, Shy Carter. Kerr began making music early on in life while growing up in upstate New York. He was honored as the top jazz musician prior to graduating from Messiah College where he played collegiate lacrosse in addition to his music studies.
Jill Kinsey’s music is an explosion of Truth, Passion and Healing frequencies that affect your very soul. She epitomizes the very concept of being an Artist, what it means to contribute to humanity through creation. She does it with raw honesty and integrity, and captures the listener with her voice and the meaning behind her lyrics. Jill Kinsey has been playing music all of her life. Born and raised in Athens, TX, a young beauty queen turned guitar slinger and songstress, she began writing songs in her teens. Influenced by the likes of Waylon Jennings and Janis Joplin, Jill’s music evolved as a very unique sound. One part traditional country, one part rock and roll. One part indescribable. Her latest album, Just Jill, was recorded by The Tallent Brothers in Missouri, and released in 2016. This album is human and authentic to its core, one half country and the other half southern rock ’n roll, and a ride through heartbreak, sensual expression, and redemption in getting sober. One of the tracks, a love ballad “With You”, has been covered by multiple artists in live shows across the country. “It’s been so amazing to see how this song reaches people. It’s traveled places I couldn’t have imagined, “says Jill. Whether featured as a solo singer/songwriter performance or tearing up the stage with a face rockin’ band, Jill Kinsey is a powerhouse of energy and her music will open your soul, if you let it. http://www.jillkinsey.com/ http://www.facebook.com/jillkinseymusic
Goldie Lahr is a Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who grew up near Ft. Worth Texas and now resides in Pensacola Florida where she is a full-time musician and songwriter. Goldie’s first album came out May 2017 and has had the opportunity to perform her songs at many songwriters, music and art festivals across the US. She also enjoys contributing vocals and violin work for film scores, as well as creating instrumental compositions herself. When Goldie is not singing, she loves mountain biking, backpacking, and camping with her husband Robert, her chocolate lab Gunner, and cat Dolly Purrton. Her second album is in the works and is set to come out Fall 2018.
A native of Memphis, Joe’s “Memphis Thang” influences are diverse and that diversity is evident in his songwriting. Having been awarded numerous BMI and ASCAP awards, some of Joe’s hits include, "Tough" by Craig Morgan, “Where I’m From” by Jason Michael Carroll, Tim McGraw's "Still" and Steve Holy’s “Love Don’t Run.” Joe also landed the title cut to the Kenny Chesney Platinum release “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” and Clay Walker’s “Jesse James.” The critically acclaimed “Nashville Without You” is on Tim McGraw’s Two Lanes of Freedom album and Thompson Square released “I Can’t Outrun You.” Among the artists who have recorded Joe's songs include Trace Adkins, Clay Walker, Lee Brice, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Trailer Choir, Halfway To Hazard, Rio Grande, Lisa Brokop, Brian Davis, Thompson Square, Kellie Pickler, Jerrod Niemann, Randy Houser, Gary Allan and others. Joe’s approach to life and the craft of songwriting can be summed up by his own words, “swing hard, you might hit it.”
Singer-songwriter James LeBlanc was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. James picked up the guitar at age seven, inspired by his father James Sr. By the time James was 18, he knew he wanted to make a life and living in the music business. After many years of struggles, trials and tribulations, James finally got an opportunity when he was “discovered” by Rick and Rodney Hall. They were and still are the proprietors of FAME Enterprises in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. James signed a production agreement and a publishing contract with FAME. Soon thereafter, he began getting songs recorded by the likes of Martina McBride, Bryan White, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Thompson Square and more. James co-wrote the hit song “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” for Travis Tritt. He also co-wrote the hits “Relentless” for Jason Aldean and “Learning How to Bend” for and with Gary Allan. James’ songs have been on records which have sold over 25 million copies. “I’m ready for what comes next! I’m so excited to be a part of the Dreamlined Entertainment team!” JOIN OUR MAILING LIST FOR THE LATEST NEWS
Shelby Leeann is an Award Winning Singer/Songwriter from the Florida Panhandle. Shelby has been performing since the age of 8 and has performed in venues across the Southeast including: The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Famous Flora-Bama, and many more! Shelby’s style is primarily Indie-Folk. She has a smooth, sultry tone. Her melodies are captivating and her lyrics come from the heart. She has recently released her first EP, and is currently working on her first full album. Shelby is passionate about her music and wants to use her gift to help those living with Epilepsy. You can keep up with ShelbyLeeann at shelbyleeannmusic.com.
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.
Son of Dave Loggins, best known for the song "Please Come To Boston", and member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Quinn Loggins is a second generation singer songwriter. Loggins has had his music featured on TV shows such as "CMT short cuts", "Heartland", and "Bones", as well as writing with and for artists such as Kingbilly, Little Texas, Kal Horde, Australian artists Amber Lawrence, Travis Collins, Victoria Avenue, Tori Darke, and the no 3 Australian single in 2017, "Rope" for Rachel Fahim. Loggins has also penned singles for Katie Armiger "Trail Of Lies" and recently "Want Me Too" for Charlie Worsham, as well as writing the theme song for the 2017/18 Tennessee Titans titled "Welcome To The South" with Trafton Harvey and new country artist, Adam Warner. Loggins writes for Dan Hodges Music. Www.facebook.com/quinnlogginsmusic https://m.soundcloud.com/quinn-loggins
Throughout her career, Brigitte London has been called a renegade, gypsy, outlaw, highwaywoman. Her songwriting and powerhouse vocals have attracted an A -List lineup of backing musicians live and on record that have included legends. She's worked on recording projects with the likes of the late great Jerry Reed & Porter Wagoner, Marty Stuart, Bobby Keys of the Rolling Stones, Dale Watson and many more. She's released seven albums and traveled the world with her songs. But despite urgings from Industry heavyweights, Brigitte London has remained Independent, determined to stay in creative control of her music. Brigitte was recently featured on the Discovery Channel's Killing Fields Season Two premiere performing her song, "She's In The Bayou". She is currently working on her eighth album, a collection of Billy Joe Shaver and Kris Kristofferson songs. An advocate for independent music, Brigitte is a founding member and producer of the Last Honky Tonk Music Series, producer and host of The Highwaywoman Radio Show (2008-current), Honky Tonk Hometown Radio Show (2016-current) and a new show, Last Honky Tonk Music Series Radio Show. She also produces multiple festivals and live music events and is Co-Founder and Editor of Outlaw Magazine.
Mike Loudermilk has been making music most of his life. He started his musical career when his ?rst song, an instrumental, was recorded by guitar legend Chet Atkins, who invited him to Nashville to play on the session. Atkins offered then to sponsor him in Nashville, but approved of Mike’s decision to return to Louisiana and ?nish his education in music theory and guitar. Mike made his way back to Nashville where he began playing music full time. He has toured, recorded, and/or written songs with artists from John Schneider to Crystal Gayle, and from Tracy Lawrence to Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. As an artist, he has recorded several albums internationally...including a duet record, "Wildwood Flower," with bluegrass ?ddle legend Buddy Spicher. He has performed on numerous television shows and specials and has played on world stages from the London Palladium to the Crazy Horse Saloon, and from the casinos of Las Vegas to the White House. Mike worked with Crystal Gayle for many years and co-produced Crystal’s “Midnight In The Desert,” a song they wrote for the international radio talk show “Coast to Coast AM.” The song also won a NAMA (Native American Music Award) for “Song of the Year” in 2002. He is now concentrating on songwriting and producing at his studio "Nashville Sound Project House." There he has recorded, co-written, and arranged songs with some of Nashville's biggest hit songwriters. Mike has also performed at fund raisers for Aids and Cancer Research, National MS Society, and St. Jude Children Hospital (to name a few) along side of country music's most talented singer/songwriters. Endorsements with Taylor guitars, Elixir Guitar Strings, Fishman Transducers, Bill Lawrence, and KJL Ampli?ers point to his reputation as a "musician's musician," both onstage and through recording projects.
Makenna and Brock were 2011 Top 12 Finalists on The X-Factor, and performed to a National television audience. Have been featured in National publications, including Rolling Stone, People, Country Daily and the Washington Post. Featured on CBS.com, CNN.com and MTV.com. Have opened shows for Sheryl Crow, Parmalee, Uncle Kracker, Sam Riggs, Cowboy Troy, Jon Pardi, Reckless Kelly, and many others. Notable venues and performances: PBR events, St. Louis Rams, Texas Motor Speedway, Bass Pro Legends of Golf, Bluebird Cafe-Nashville, Blue Note-Columbia, MO, Ozark Empire Fair-Springfield, MO. Makenna and Brock have maintained a National touring schedule since 2009, and have performed in MO, OK, TX, KS, IL, TN, IA, KY, & FL, at Fairs, Conventions, Festivals, Corporate Events, Nightclubs and Casinos. Makenna and Brock released their debut national single “Burnin’ The Night Down on September 14, 2015. Contact: Clif Doyal, Clif Doyal Agency 615-319-1863 cdanashville@gmail.com
Singer, Songwriter, Publisher Glenn Martin has been making great music for many years. He has charted over 200 songs which include #1 hits such as “Is Anybody Going to San Antoine”, “I’m Just Me” Charly Pride, “It’s Not Love but It’s Not Bad” Merle Haggard, “Memories of Us” George Jones. Glenn has two sons that continue the tradition of making great music.
The title of Shane Martin’s latest album “Keepin’ The Night Alive” sums up how he keeps his music alive and loves what he does: “Livin’ every moment, hangin’ on for life” and play his powerhouse brand of country rock. A Top 5 Finalist in the 2012 Texaco Country Showdown where he competed for “Best New Act in Country Music” at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium (hosted by LeAnn Rimes), the Minnesota based singer/songwriter is now up to a breakneck pace of over 175 regional shows per year performing as a solo “One Man Band” and with his full band. Fronting his full ensemble, Martin has shared the stage with numerous national acts and performed at some of the top music festivals in the country. With over eighteen years of stage experience, Martin has recorded and self-released two EP’s and four album’s. His latest single “Hankerin’ and Jonesin” was selected as a Finalist in the 2017 Session-II John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the country category. Shane Martin’s unique country rock vibe is perfectly described by his longtime producer, Emmy Award winning engineer/producer Kenny Royster: “Shane is a great singer/songwriter on the teetering edge of country, pop and rock where it’s just dangerous enough to be fun!” www.shanemartin.com
Troy Martin is an important adviser and coach to many new songwriters. He has already written songs that have been recorded by a dozen major recording artists including three #1 hits: George Strait’s “BABY’S GOTTEN GOOD AT GOODBYE”, Rick Trevino’s “SHE CAN’T SAY I DIDN’T CRY”, and Jeff Carson’s “NOT ON YOUR LOVE”. Troy’s brother Tony is also a highly-accomplished songwriter with songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Billy Currington, Sara Evans, George Strait, Tim McGraw, and many others. It’s all in the family because Troy and Tony's father Glenn Martin wrote the classic hits “IF WE'RE NOT BACK IN LOVE BY MONDAY” for Merle Haggard, “STATUE OF A FOOL” for Jack Greene, “IS ANYBODY GOIN' TO SAN ANTONE” for Charley Pride, and “IT'S NOT LOVE BUT IT'S NOT BAD” for Merle Haggard, among others. Troy is currently a staff writer for Melody Roundup Music LLC based out of Nashville, TN. He is very active writing and performing in Nashville and on the Gulf Coast on a regular basis. For More Information Contact: Kayron "Tinker" Creasy Melody Roundup Music, LLC 118 16th Ave. South, Suite 210 Nashville, TN 37203 903-458-5820 kayron@melodyroundupmusic.com www.melodyroundupmusic.com
Jim McCormick is a staff songwriter at BMG Music in Nashville. McCormick has earned two #1 songs on the Billboard country charts: Jason Aldean's “Take A Little Ride,” which spent 3 weeks in the #1 position, and Brantley Gilbert's "You Don’t Know Her Like I Do." Current releases written by McCormick include Kelly Clarkson’s “Minute,” Luke Bryan’s “All My Dreaming There,” Jason Aldean’s “Lights Go Out,” Harry Connick Jr’s “I Do Like We Do, ”Jon Pardi’s “Lucky Tonight,” Charlie Pride’s “Standing In My Way,” Shenandoah’s “Noise,” and Trace Adkins’ “Jesus and Jones.” His songs also have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Jamey Johnson, Smash Mouth, Kristin Chenowith and many others. He has served as a board governor and vice-president for the Recording Academy and on the board of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He is also an alumnus of Nashville’s Leadership Music. McCormick is a faculty member in the film and music industry studies program of Loyola University where he teaches the craft and business of songwriting. He’s also a member of the faculty of Belmont University in Nashville. He has lectured extensively on the craft of songwriting at Berkelee College of Music, Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, and Tulane University, as well as GrammyPro and NSAI events. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in poetry from the University of New Orleans.
Billboard said, "It's an almost unheard-of feat in the country community for an Independent label act, much less a brand new artist, to go toe-to-toe with the majors and score a top 10 hit." Yet in 2001, Mark McGuinn did with his smash "Mrs. Steven Rudy;" the first time in over 40 years a new artist, on a independent label, had done. Three successful releases, the label ceased, removing Mark out of the public. "This was a blessing," states Mark, "It allowed my focus on family and songwriting." The initial result: his self-penned top 10 song, for Lonestar, "Unusually Unusual" and more songs for his last project, "One Man's Crazy" released in 2006. USA Today wrote, "It is hard not to root for an underdog who is this winningly optimistic.”
Chris has been playing music on stage for 35 years, touring the country with many artist and bands such as Ferlin Husky, Marty Stuart, Jack Greene, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Chris is a passionate songwriter. He has teamed up with many of Nashville’s brightest songwriters as well as seasoned veterans and has had curt by Ken Mellons, Flatt Lonesome and a Bluegrass today #1 Hit “I Know Better” recorded by the Grascals. Chris is the owner and producer of Stonewall Studios, located in Pensacola Florida. Helping clients make their dreams come true is more than a mission statement. “It’s Fun!” Chris enjoys sharing his passion with everything music and songwriting. He currently is coordinator for the Pensacola/Perdido Key Regional Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International helping fellow songwriters learn the music business as well as the art and craft of songwriting.
Ronny Miller is the founding member of The Southern Breeze Band, The Gulf Coast’s longest running band. Formed in 1980 they had 2 chart records “She’s A Lover” in 1983 and “Just An Imitation” in 1984. They have opened up for over 35 major artists since they formed. Ronny is the Songwriter for the “Breeze” having written over 139 songs he has had 2 number ones in the Indie’ World Charts worldwide “Kickin’ Back” which he wrote with Jay Brown of Nashville. He has a video of another song which he wrote with Jay called “Drive Fast, Turn Left” which is all over the internet on YouTube. Ronny has a total of 8 albums including 2 with Southern Breeze and a “self-titled” album and one called “Kickin” Back” . He recently recorded two more Christian albums one called” The Handy work Of God” and the other called “Unplugged Again.”
Tony T-bone Montgomery was born and raised in Muscle Shoals, Al. He grew up running through FAME studios dreaming of recording there one day. In Oct of 2015 that dream came true when he recorded with his band the Beach Billy's. T-bone was born into a musical legacy with his cousins Peanut, Melba and Carl blazing a musical trail before him. In 2016 he realized another dream of recording with Peanutt Montgomery and collaborating on the It's A Montgomery Thing project.T-bone tours as a solo act and his band the Beachbilly's sharing his self styled honktonk music he calls BeachGrass.He has been on the Gulf Coast on Perdido Key Fl for the last ten years where he plays with his band and sings duets with his wife JoJo.
Alissa Moreno was born on a small Navajo reservation then grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She co-wrote the Grammy nominated hit "Every Day" for Rascal Flatts, she has a new song "Walking Blind" on The Voice winner, Javier Colon's new album and two on his previous "When" and "That's My Little Girl." Her song "Far From Here" was the show ID for the Lifetime series "Army Wives," and she co-wrote/co-performed ABC's "Hope and Faith" theme song. Her song "Next Time" is featured on the Interscope Records release "Laguna Beach: Summer Can Last Forever". Her music is featured in television and film with numerous songs licensed to "The Vineyard", "The Hills," "Laguna Beach," "How I Met Your Mother," "Guiding Light", "Will and Grace" "Criminal Minds", commercials such as Tide, Belk, and Central Way Numbers, and many others including the films "Daltry Calhoun" and Slamdance hit "Mall Cop". She was the vocal coach to Ben Affleck for his award winning role in "Hollywoodland". Alissa currently lives in Nashville, and has written with and been recorded by artists such as Colbie Cailat, Rascall Flatts, Alex Da Kidd, Kina Grannis, StreetRunner, JoJo, Chuck Wicks, Mallary Hope, Kate Voegelle, Javier Colon, Nikola Bedingfield, Lil' Eddie, Fast Ball, Big Al Anderson, Vince Gill, and Vertical Horizon.
Mark was raised and still resides in Center Star, Alabama, in the shadow of the music mecca of Muscle Shoals. He grew up loving and emulating the sounds from those Shoals studios and has had a 25 plus year career as a songwriter. He graduated from Brooks High in 1983, then attended the University Of North Alabama where he received a degree in commercial music in 1988. Mark also worked locally as a radio announcer. With over 80 cuts to his credit, he has had songs recorded by Josh Turner, John Michael Montgomery, Shenandoah, Blackhawk, Terri Clark, Craig Morgan and many others. His song "That's What I Love About Sunday" was the most performed song at country radio in 2005 according to Billboard magazine and spent five weeks at number one. Also it was the #8 Billboard country song of the 2000's decade, and achieved gold sales status. His first cut was on the Shoals supergroup Shenandoah-- "Moon Over Georgia" and became a top five hit nationally. Mark was also co-writer along with Walt Aldridge on the number two country hit by Blackhawk, "Like There Ain't No Yesterday". Mark was awarded a bronze star for his musical achievements which is on permanent display in the lobby of the Alabama Music Hall Of Fame. His songs have appeared on seven gold or platinum albums. Mark has been a staff songwriter for FAME, Jody Williams Music, Reba McEntire's Starstruck Music Group, March Music, Sony ATV Tree and currently for Noble Vision Music Group in Nashville.Mark has had 13 songs co-written with and recorded by Josh Turner. In 2016, Mark appeared as a songwriter on records that were nominated for both Grammy and Dove awards.
Like new strings on a well-traveled guitar, Bernie Nelson is both timely and timeless. Bernie’s rich, country vocals and well-crafted lyrics comfortably draw you in at his sellout shows. With his roots seated deep in the truest form of country music, Bernie attributes his selection and conviction with his songs to his closeness with country’s best like Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Townes Van Zant and the more modern Garth Brooks and Chris LeDoux. A favorite at the world famous Bluebird Cafe, Bernie has also graced the stages alongside his legendary friends like Darryl Worley, Tracy Lawrence, Lee Roy Parnell and many others. Bernie is both a talented singer but also well loved for his connection with his audiences drawing them in with his stories of life both in his early years on Music Row and of his endless encounters on Life’s highway. His stories are just as much a part of his shows as his award winning songs. Bernie has been blessed with a successful career both as a songwriter and entertainer. His songs have sold over 25 million copies with multi-platinum cuts on the works of major artists such as Conway Twitty, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Wynonna, Colin Raye, Confederate Railroad, Chris Ledoux, Kris Kristofferson, John Anderson and many more. Bernie achieved ‘Million-Airplay’ status on his # 1 hit, ‘Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind’ with Confederate Railroad. Most recently he’s enjoyed success with cuts on Mark Wills’ ‘Looking For America; Montgomery Gentry’s ‘Damn Baby’ and Tracy Lawrence’s ‘The Ride’ and ‘Heaven For A While.’ Try the new Yahoo Mail
For many touring bands, the road is their home away from home, an ever-rolling muse that runs beneath their tires and works its way into every aspect of their lives, including their songwriting. For hard- traveling Americana duo The Nouveaux Honkies, the road is literally their home, as the two live out of a creatively rebuilt RV that they use to tour throughout the year in the American South. Rolling along in their high tech, solar powered, self-sufficient chariot, equipped with its own espresso bar, mini studio, and more comforts than most studio apartments in NYC, Tim O’Donnell and Rebecca Dawkins worked out a great formula to tie their travels to their music. They set up in a key American city for a couple months at a time, soaking up inspiration and making friends, before moving on. In this way, their new album Blues For Country, draws its sounds from the musical influences of New Orleans, Nashville, Florida, Austin, and the Texas hill country where they recorded it. “As far as genres are concerned, I don’t think it is an intentional thing for us to be bouncing around the map,” confesses Tim O’Donnell, The Nouveaux Honkies’ songwriter and lead singer. “It is just my personality. I love lots of stuff. To me there is good music and bad music and I really have no formula on what it is. I just know when I like it. Jimmy Webb, Jimmy Reed, and Jimi Hendrix all give me this crazy feeling when I listen to them.” With all these regional flavors, it’s no wonder The Nouveaux Honkies’ music jumps so easily and happily between genres, mixing up a bubbling Americana gumbo of blues, country, roots, R&B, Texas swing, honky-tonk and old-fashioned songwriting. To record Blues for Country, The Nouveaux Honkies pulled their RV into the peaceful hill country town of Dripping Springs, Texas, a tiny town 30 minutes West of Austin. “We had our dogs, our espresso machine, our bed, our kitchen and the whole thing was super relaxed,” remembers Dawkins. “I think it reflects in the recording. It doesn’t feel frantic or rushed even though we were in and out in 8 days.” On Blues for Country, O’Donnell’s whiskey-tinged vocals are a perfect match for Rebecca Dawkins’ glorious harmonies and soaring fiddling; the two of them can sound as charming as an old-school country duet like Parton and Wagoner, or as bittersweet as that old recording of Townes Van Zandt and Emmylou Harris. In fact, the two cover Van Zandt’s “Pancho and Lefty” on the new album, though most of the songs are originals from O’Donnell’s pen. O’Donnell’s songs track the road-rambling ways of The Nouveaux Honkies, from “Life Ain’t Easy,” an unvarnished look at the touring life of musicians, to “I Know Things You Read About,” a funny song that speaks to the hard-won life skills learned on the road, or “Hours Into Days,” which sadly chronicles the distance that can well up between two people. O’Donnell’s the best kind of songwriter–able to swing between bitingly funny and touchingly honest–and he showcases this on stellar songs like the opening track “Blues for Country,” which perfectly mixes R&B vocal swagger with Dawkin’s country fiddle. On Blues for Country, The Nouveaux Honkies roll hard through songs that have soaked up the fresh air of the American backroads this duo drive through every day, informed by all the great cities of the South, and beholden only to the open road. - See more at: http://tnhband.com/bio#sthash.2bujCCDW.dpuf http://tnhband.com/ https://www.facebook.com/tnhband
An award winning children's songwriter, Ross started his children’s songwriting career licensed by National Crime Prevention Council to write music for McGruff the Crime Dog. He followed that up by creating his own character, the Safety Ape. The Safety Ape was licensed by Liberty Mutual Insurance for a Radio Disney Tour to teach children important safety messages using music as the messenger. Ross produced a puppet production on reading and literacy for Coca-Cola and Reading is Fundamental (RIF) for their Story Traveler Tour featuring his original music. His current project is producing a children’s show with Eco the Butterfly and The Eco Team puppets as a partner in Music as Message. The pilot episode aired on WSRE/PBS on Earth Day 2018. Ross has written over 100 songs for the non-profit Songs of Love this year and co-wrote a song with Donna Britton Bukevicz for the upcoming movie, Turnover. Ross serves on the Board of Directors of the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival and will be participating in the school visits during SongFest 2018.
Chad Austin Parker is a local talent who stays quite busy along the Gulf Coast area. As a songwriter Chad takes part in several of the festivals and events from Nashville to Pensacola Beach. As a musician and solo artist Chad can be found consistently at venues along the Mississippi and Alabama gulf coast. Last year marked the release of "Time Machine", Chad's sophomore album and there is currently a third project in the works! You can keep in touch and up to date with Chad's musical efforts on Facebook at Chad Austin Parker Music.
Jim has 5 national and international charted recordings to his credit, Ray Charles "Slip Away", Gene Watson "Bottle of Tears”, Dorothy Moore "I Found Someone', Ed Bruce "Someone Who Would Care", Eric Clapton with Bobby Whitlock "Southern Gentleman" and Country and Western 1959-1986 CD Box Set, Ray Charles. Jim is a feature artist with "The Original Flares", on Catbone Records, "Belly Full of Blues". In 2015 he co-wrote the theme song to the Movie, “Happy Log" which also featured 5 other recordings of Jim’s songs. He was awarded the Mississippi Dreamers Achievement Award in 2017 for his continuing contribution to Mississippi Music. Now semi-retired, he lives in Alabama with his wife and partner, Reneda. Together they are the founders of The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival.
There is a very small town located in the northwest panhandle of Florida called McDavid. That's where I'm from. I guess you can say that my roots ran so deep that I never moved away. My love of music reared its head early life. When asked what I wanted for Christmas in kindergarten I quickly said a guitar. I grew up in the 80's and 90's so of course I was influenced by the prominent music of those eras. But my love of music goes far beyond that. I love the old stuff. All kinds of the old stuff. Classic Country, Classic Rock, Soul music, and Gospel. One of my most favorite artists of all time is Sam Cooke. If you have never heard his music you don't know what you’re missing. Go get you some. I promise you won’t be sorry you did. I'm a regular guy with a regular job and a regular family. I write because God put it in my soul to create. These days you can catch me somewhere between the Gulf Coast and Nashville. Write on.....
MICHAEL PETERSON BIO With over 2500 concert performances and keynotes in 19 countries during a unique performance career that spans over 30 years, Michael Peterson has had the good fortune to be: • A million selling, Grammy nominated, country music star with seven #1 hits including the wedding standard “From Here To Eternity” and the iconic “Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie” • A songwriter with the unusual good fortune to have had his songs recorded by Country, Rock, Pop and Gospel Hall of Famers Travis Tritt, Timothy B Schmit (The Eagles), Deniece Williams and The Classic Imperials. • A contributing author for 8 books, including his latest “Little IsGood” and the New York Times best selling "Chicken Soup For The Soul" series. • The recipient of numerous distinguished public service awards including the prestigious Bob Hope “Spirit of Hope” medal from the USO following his 11 tours and over 150 performances for Service men and women deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and South Korea He and his wife, COL Jill Chambers U.S. Army (Ret) currently live in Las Vegas, have 3 daughters and a dream life.
Elaine Petty is a singer/songwriter/ guitarist with a rock a billy style. She was "country when country wasn't cool”! The "encyclopettya” of music is one nick name she has been given (by Cathy Pace) for knowing just about every request she gets. Some of her most requested originals are "Nannies House” “I Must've Been A Jukebox" "Paradise" "Wildlife" "The Bridge" "Off The Hook" Born in Mobile, Al, Elaine has toured the country but makes the Gulf Coast her home. She is "lovin life in Paradise!" Visit me on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/Elaine-Petty
Raised a ‘son of a preacher man’ in a family full of musicians, there are some things in life one can’t escape. Ricky Lee’s destiny was laid out long before he became aware of it. He realized his passion for music at an early age in church services where he found that he could pick out and sing different harmony parts during praise and worship time. Little did he know he was honing his craft in those backwoods churches. Through the years his musical interests grew in various directions, finally leading him to Music City-Nashville, Tennessee. Doug Phelps, Ricky Lee’s younger brother, was already in Nashville playing bass guitar for a noted country artist but spent his spare time jamming for fun with some good ol’ boys from Kentucky. The brothers soon saw an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing music together. Thus, The Kentucky HeadHunters were born. What started out as a fun sideline turned into success, fame and fortune, seemingly overnight. The six-year ride with the ‘Heads’ produced two albums, a Grammy, an American Music Award, 4 CMA Awards, 1 ACM and 2 Billboard Awards. Feeling the need to broaden their musical scope, Ricky Lee and Doug pulled away from the group to launch out on their own. The dynamic duo called Brother Phelps shot out of the gate with a Top 10 single, music video award success and nominations at most of the major award shows, including Duo of the Year from the TNN/Music City News Awards and the Country Music Association. After the release of two albums with Brother Phelps, Ricky Lee decided to leave the duo and pursue other personal life goals. On the family front, Ricky Lee and his wife Karen have two sons, Eli and Jeff, Daughter-in-law Margaret and two grandaughters, Willow and Mackensie. These days he calls the Gulf Coast his home. Far from the hustle and politics of the music industry and enjoying playing music more than ever. Collectively known as 'Lektric Mullet', Bill Dossey, David Glencoe, Randy Whitaker and Ricky Lee have been rockin' the gulf of late. They have gathered thousands of loyal 'Mulletheads' who never seem to tire of the party these boys provide when they take the stage. Along with performing, Ricky Lee has taken on his father's mantle as pastor of Word and Grace Ministries of Florida. Headquartered in Hendersonville, TN, Ricky Lee was ordained to pioneer the first branch of Word and Grace on the Gulf Coast. Aside from all that he keeps himself relaxed by a newly discovered hobby. Just recently he sort of stumbled into another form of artistic expression through the medium of paint and has been putting brush to canvas feverishly ever since. He tends toward portaiture, some of which can be seen at this website. So the summation of his life these days is, preachin', pickin' and paintin'. He says, "Life is good because God is good".
Originally from Slidell LA, Sam studied jazz and music performance at the University of New Orleans. He became interested in Cuban music and played bass in various N.O.-area Latin bands until finally forming his own award-winning Afro-Cuban jazz group- 'OTRA' in 1999. When Hurricane Katrina forced the evacuation of the city in 2005, Sam met up with fellow New Orleans musicians living in San Francisco, and together they created the Honey Island Swamp Band. Over the past 12 years HISB has become a beloved New Orleans 'Bayou Americana' band, and a successful national and international touring act. Over the years Sam has been writing his own original music and in December 2015, assembled a group of young musicians to perform his songs. Sam Price & the True Believers released their debut EP in 2017, which won Offbeat Magazine's 'Best Roots Rock Album' of the year. They are currently working on a follow up full-length album, produced by Papa Mali and funded in part with a Threaded Cultural Foundation grant.
Nashville native, Suzi Ragsdale virtually cut her teeth in the recording studio. At age five she sang on her father's (Ray Stevens) Grammy-winning smash, “Everything Is Beautiful". At age 10, she began recording children’s albums and writing songs… by 13, she was singing demos & by 17 singing in local clubs. Suzi’s songs have been recorded by Dierks Bentley, Anne Murray, Pam Tillis, Hal Ketchum, Suzy Bogguss, Darrell Scott, Rodney Crowell & others. Her vocal work can be heard on recordings by Guy Clark, Darrell Scott, Suzy Bogguss, Pam Tillis, David Ball, Hank Williams Jr. and many others. She’s been in the bands of Guy Clark, Darrell Scott & Verlon Thompson. Suzi’s latest release, Best Regards & Less Of The Same, climbed to number 14 on the Americana charts. Recorded with some of Nashville’s finest, the double EP showcases her talents as both a lyricist and vocalist. She’s currently recording a new album with her dad, which will be released later this year.
Jessie Ritter is a country singer/songwriter based in Pensacola, Florida. She grew up on farms in Southeast Missouri, fishing with her family before homework began and making up her first songs—performed mostly to the neighbor’s livestock. Jessie left home at eighteen to pursue her education in Tennessee. During her years in Nashville she earned a degree from Belmont University’s School of Music and developed her own voice in the vibrant songwriting community of Music City. While attending college Jessie wrote and recorded her first EP. Stories Told blends traditional country, modern folk, and Jessie’s unique songwriting. Ranging from quirky love songs like "Talking in General" to the dark roots revival "Gypsy River,” and the ever-lovable pop/country title track, “Stories Told,” this debut project showcases the depth of Jessie’s heart. Just weeks after graduation Jessie Ritter began her full time music career. She spent two years traveling the world singing on cruise ships. Nightly performances of country, rock, soul, and pop classics proved Jessie comfortable on stage no matter what the event calls for. This adventure took her from Australia to Europe to New York City, and eventually Jessie landed on the Emerald Coast in Northwest Florida. You can now find her singing near the beach several nights a week as well as frequently touring through the midwest, no doubt stopping in her hometown of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Jessie’s first full length album, Coffee Every Morning, released Summer 2018, solidifies her place as a true professional in this industry. Totally modern pop/country tracks like “Meet Your Mother” will have you singing along in the car on a sunny day. “Where You Go” and “No Matter What” make you long for that forever kind of love, while the introspective title track “Coffee Every Morning” might have you crying into your morning cup of Joe. Jessie penned every track on the album with one exception— a folksy cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” that she has beautifully made her own. Though only at the beginning of her career, Jessie has spent thousands of hours on stage and written songs that hold their own alongside today’s chart-toppers. An early addiction to country radio will forever inspire her original material. And today her favorite writers and artists—Lori McKenna, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby, Cam—all influence her songwriting. Jessie continues to write original music and tell stories that speak deeply of the human experience and finding a unique path in this beautiful world. Visit www.jessieritter.com to download Stories Told and Coffee Every Morning from our MUSIC page. Look for upcoming performances on our TOUR page. Or email jessielynnritter@gmail.com to book a show in your area!
Growing up in the rural community of Old Texas, AL (Monroe Co.), Nathan Robinson enjoyed listening to The Grand Ole Opry and watching his cousin play that left handed guitar on Hee Haw. He knew early in life he wanted to play music and entertain people. At 13, he was playing drums in a country band with 2 of Hank Williams’ cousins, playing many of the same places Hank himself had played. Playing and traveling with several bands over the years, Nathan took a break from music and started trucking, traveled cross country, then bought his own truck. After a 15 year break, Nathan got back into music and writing his own songs. Meeting his friend, Terry Faust, aka The Grave Tender, then Beth and Jeff Petty at The Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, was a huge break for exposure. He has participated in workshops at the Museum with Aaron Bolin of Curb Records and many #1 hit songwriters such as Bill Anderson, Jan Howard, Sylvia, Mark Narmore, Steve Dean, Bobby Tomberlin,and Bill LaBounty. Nathan owns “The Hideout” recording studio in Evergreen, AL and currently is working on his first album, Whiskey and Women”. You can listen to his music on Reverbnation and Youtube. Nathan is still trucking, but enjoys writing and playing music all he can! Contact info: cnathanrobinson2@gmail.com
One listen and it becomes crystal clear Ami Gussie Russ was born to make music. Her soothing sound and powerful lyrics will send you jet setting into a broad range of human emotions. Ami grew up in rural Florida on the banks of the Blackwater River. She was raised with strong family values and with a love of country music. Ami took that love of music and chased her dreams all the way to California. While in California she honed her craft. Traveling and performing on stages across the US. Her music reached audiences in England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Japan. She was able to share her gift while teaching and earning a degree. Ami’s country-folk-rock melodies are catchy and convey life in a way everyone can relate too. Her lyrics are reflective of a modest upbringing which helped foster her creativity. “My childhood centered around family, church, and music. We created our own fun, and were encouraged to let our imaginations run wild. I’m pretty sure that’s why I write songs today.” It is this artistic abandonment that country music has fallen in love with and branded Ami Gussie Russ as an artist to watch in 2019. After releasing her self titled EP to iTunes, Spotify, and Pandora to rave reviews. She knew it was time to create the album she had long dreamt of. Ami’s highly anticipated new album “Friends Call Me Gussie” will yield something for everyone! “I have been blessed to perform and travel the world and have collected some of the most incredible stories. Stories that I know, when people hear them, will make them feel a little less alone. After all, that’s what music is all about.” Ami Gussie Russ is an artist whose refreshingly authentic sound will leave you wanting more. https://m.facebook.com/GussieRuss/ https://www.instagram.com/ami_gussie_russ/ https://mobile.twitter.com/GussieRuss https://open.spotify.com/album/4qZRqbf3W5afUa7AGHcsXd?si=s2y7XpOI
Sailor Jerri is a Navy Veteran and country music artist from central Minnesota. While serving in the US Navy she worked as an Aviation Mechanic on F/A 18's with the VFA 83 Rampagers. Jerri started playing guitar and singing for the long-term care at the VA, and in veteran support groups. In April of 2017 she wrote and posted "Hallelujah Veterans Version”. Since then it has been viewed over 115 million times and downloaded in 22 countries. Jerri has been busy writing and, in the studio, recently releasing "No Rules In Sight" her debut album, which hit #14 on the country charts. Many of her songs bring light to Veteran issues. She is currently touring the country to promote the new album, and just filmed a music video for "I'm Going Anyway" in her squadron's hanger. It will be released later this fall. She is working on album #2 which will be out in the spring of 2019.
Pete writes for Demolition Music/Shakes Spear Music. He is a Grammy nominated songwriter who's had cuts across the genres. The pop of American Idol winner Phillip Phillips, Betty Who, and David Archuleta - the 3x Grammy winner Blues/Americana artist Keb Mo, and in country by Ronnie Dunn, Bucky Covington, and the hit single "Shut Up & Fish" by Maddie & Tae.
Joel Shewmake, discovered his musical talents at the age of fourteen while growing up in Cookeville, Tennessee. He moved to Nashville in January 2001 and landed his first publishing deal with BMG in November 2001. Since he has written for Amylase Entertainment/Warner Chapel and now currently writes for BMG/Chrysalis/Amylase Entertainment & has been privileged to have had cuts by artists such as Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Gary Allan, Montgomery Gentry, Lonestar, Craig Campbell & Jarrod Niemann.
Jeff Silvey was born and raised on a farm in Indiana in a town of 6,000 people called Alexandria. ( The hometown of Bill and Gloria Gaither ) He was always around music from the time he can remember. His daddy was a great fiddle, guitar player and was the biggest musical influence in Jeff's life. Jeff learned to play the piano chording along with his daddy's bluegrass bands. When Jeff was 14 he joined his first Southern Gospel Quartet and was on the road every weekend during school and he continued on the road until he moved to Nashville, TN in 1986 to pursue his dream of music. ? During Jeff's 28 years in Nashville, he has made his mark in the Christian music industry having over 300 cuts that were recorded by acts from Gaither Vocal Band, Dallas Holm, 4 Him, Oak Ridge Boys, to DC Talk, and also co-wrote and co-produced the dove award nominated song "HE IS" for the father and son duo, AARON/JEOFFREY. He earned four RIAA certified Gold and two Platinum albums in the industry and: in 1997 won the Dove Award, as an artist, for Country Album of the year, "Little Bit of Faith". Jeff went on to co-write the song: “Oh What A Perfect Day” on George Strait’s “Somewhere Down In Texas” project. He has produced many artists throughout his career. Randy Travis, Gaither Vocal Band, ( on Gaither Homecoming Lullaby's) Aaron Jeoffrey, Ann Downing, just to name a few. In 2008 Jeff signed as a writer with Erv Woolsey and George Strait’s publishing company, Muy Bueno Music and writes for O-Tex Music/BMI. He is currently writing for and producing new act’s that will soon be releasing. Most recently Jeff co-produced and co-wrote several of the songs and was the music supervisor on the soundtrack for the Hank Williams SR. movie called The Last Ride, Jeff has a song on Easton Corbin's All Over The Road CD released on September 18th 2012 He co-wrote the song, I Think Of You with Thom Shepherd and he has co-written a brand new song called "When Love Comes Around Again" on George Strait's current Love Is Everything CD that released May 14th 2013. Jeff co-produced and mixed the latest single from Branch and Dean called The Dash!. Jeff is currently producing and wrote several of the songs on a new project for ICMA Entertainer of the year and ICMA Female vocalist of the year Kali Rose which will be released in the late fall to Early Spring of 2015 and will feature a duet with Kali and award winning artist Gary Chapman! Jeff is unique in the fact that he has been an Artist, is a Songwriter, Producer, and Mixing engineer. He understands what it's like to be on the road and communicate with audiences just as well as having a current perspective on the latest recording business in Nashville TN. His love for music and passion for artist development keeps him extremely busy working with new talent and writing with some of Nashville's biggest hit songwriters!
Donna Slaters’ soulful voice captures audiences wherever she plays, whether it’s listening rooms or biker bars. Her mesmerizing vocal style can best be described as purest Americana, ranging from blues to country with hints of her Ozark background thrown in for good measure. But it’s her original songs where her spirit shines strongest. Slater bypasses the standard love or love gone wrong themes and ventures into reflections on domestic violence, the meth addiction crisis in the rural areas, Alzheimers and others about navigating lifes temptations and challenges. “I’ve always played a rather eclectic mix of songs in my live shows and that has carried over into my songwriting. Some of mine are country but I have others that are straight-up blues, alt-country and bluegrass..just whatever I’m feeling at the moment” Slater has performed at the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival, Mississippi Songwriters Festival, 3rd Street Songwriters Festival ( Baton Rouge),Hwy 80 Songwriters, Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, Road to 3rd Street ~Songs On the Bayou and with the Last Honky Tonk Music Series.
With the fuel of both Southern rock and country music influences pumping through his veins, it’s no surprise that CJ Solar is a natural at fusing the two worlds. Combine that with Delta blues, compliments of a childhood spent in Cajun country, and you’ve got one badass up-and-comer, with the pure musical talent and vocal chops to back him up. Already turning heads throughout Nashville, Baton Rouge and beyond, having been named one of the “New Artists You Need To Know” by Rolling Stone Country, Solar says the driving force behind his untimely success isn’t fame nor fortune – it’s just a diehard infatuation with the music he grew up on. Solar’s five-song Get Away With It was released in April on Sea Gayle Records. He co-produced the EP with Brent Anderson and co-wrote all of the songs with the likes of Bob DiPiero, Rick Huckaby, Michael Hardy, Jake Mitchell, Travis Denning, Chris Stevens, Westin Davis, Derek Sutherland and Andrew DeRoberts. The first single, “Airplane,” hit #15 and was one of the highest charting singles from an independent artist. The hard driving “American Girls” is his latest single hitting radio now. Get Away With It follows Solar’s critically-acclaimed debut 2016 EP, Hard One to Turn Down. Critics at The Daily Country wrote, “Solar injects a hefty (and welcome) dose of Southern rock into his country, which melds perfectly with his gravelly vocals.” Country Music Rocks was “immediately captivated by all five songs and hoped that [the EP] obtains the recognition it deserves.” The Rowdy found it “exactly what country fans are looking to savor.” And The Shotgun Seat welcomed Hard One to Turn Down as “the perfect pairing of country storytelling and rocking rhythms, married by his dynamic vocals” and named him one of their “17 to Watch in 17.” The EP’s debut single, “Tallboy,” has garnered over two million streams on Spotify and the music video hit #1 on the fan-voted CMT 12 Pack Countdown after spending 13 weeks in the countdown. The followup single, “Just Another Day in the Country,” was one of the fastest rising and highest charting debut singles for a independent artist. June 2018 was an epic month for CJ, as he celebrated his first #1 country single as a songwriter with Morgan Wallen’s “Up Down” smash hit featuring Florida Georgia Line. CJ co-wrote Jerrod Niemann’s Top 30 single “Blue Bandana” and The Regulars” on Neimann’s latest album as well as “Between You & Me” on Justin Moore’s current album. He also had writing credits on two Texas artists, “Damn Good Goodbye” on Mike Ryan’s new album and Kyle Park’s single, “What the Heaven,” which hit #1 on the Texas chart in February. When not out touring the country headlining his own shows and opening for such artists as The Cadillac Three, Old Dominion and others, he continues to write and record. A road warrior at heart, CJ recently received news that Lynyrd Skynyrd asked him to open select dates on their “Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour” with 38 Special and Hank Williams, Jr. “I just want to write songs that say something that really means something. I want to ride around in a van, tour the country, and play songs with my buds. Everything I do in music, I want to do it for the love of the music and the sake of the song,” he adds. www.CJSolar.com
Born in Texas, raised in Va. Beach, Virginia. A guitar student since the age of eight, performing professionally since age 12. Shows large and small-- restaurants, lounges, gambling boats and ski resorts, coast to coast. Currently living & working in Nashville, Tennessee. Songs recorded by numerous artists including Tennessee Ernie Ford and John Schneider. Work in Musical Advertising as guitarist, vocalist, writer and producer. Local, regional and nationwide radio and television ads for clients such as McDonalds, 7-UP, Mountain Dew, and Ford Trucks. Television and stage work includes The Nashville Network, featured artist with The Virginia Pops Symphony, and the Grand Ole Opry. Honored to be a part of Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival.
Sugarcane Jane is the husband and wife duo of Savana Lee and Anthony Crawford. Both came to Sugarcane Jane with a lifetime of experience. Savana was a successful Nashville songwriter and studio executive. Anthony is one of rock and roll's most experienced sidemen logging decades on stage beside Neil Young, Steve Winwood, and Vince Gill. His songwriting credits run the gamut from Steve Winwood, Dwight Yoakam, Kenny Rogers, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lorrie Morgan, Lee Greenwood, and Sawyer Brown. Musically they bring all of the diverse influences of their South Alabama home to bear blending gospel, country, folk, and Southern rock. The duo are also members of the Gulf Coast Americana supergroup Willie Sugarcapps. Their latest release Southern State of Mind may be Sugarcane Jane’s best album yet. The ten songs continue to capture the couple’s lighthearted and playful nature with Cabin on the Hill and Campfire, but also channel their deep southern roots with the timeless Southern State of Mind and We Can Dream. Cowritten and coproduced by the legendary Buzz Cason, released October 19, 2018 via ArenA Recordings.
Like many singer/songwriters that came before him, Kevin Swanson was born and raised in the state of Texas. He grew up in Humble Texas, a town just North East of Houston. It was here that his love for music came to light. As fate would have it, just before his 8th birthday he received his first guitar and has been playing ever since. Upon graduating High School, Kevin decided to join the United States Navy and is still currently on Active Duty. During his time in the Navy, he has been able to hone his craft into what it is today. Kevin enjoys several types of music. His passion for music covers many genres including Country, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, and most of all, Texas Country. With influences ranging from Garth Brooks, George Strait, Robert Earl Keen, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Pat Green, Wade Bowen, and Randy Rogers. The list goes on. When he's not working with the Navy Kevin can be found spending time with his 2 children, writing songs, playing music and meeting local musicians and songwriters... Basically just enjoying life along the way! If you're interested to hear more about Kevin be sure to check out one of his live performances or you can send him a message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KevinSwansonMusicTX.
Kentucky born singer/songwriter Rusty Tabor has been performing on stage since the ripe young age of 14. After a short lived college football career he packed up and moved to Nashville in 2001 to chase yet another dream… that of signing a record deal. Shortly after arriving in Music City Rusty found himself enamored by Nashville’s songwriting community. He says, “I’d always loved performing, but it wasn’t until I got here that I truly understood what “songs” are…they’re the most beautiful picture someone can paint without a brush. They’re the most basic thoughts, the deepest emotions, stories of skeletons in closets or lighthearted love. I HAD to figure out a way to do that for a living.” Within his first year in Nashville Rusty had landed his first publishing deal with Skidaddy Music. Billy Ray Cyrus quickly took a liking to Rusty’s songwriting style and recorded 2 songs out of that first catalog. “Back to Memphis”, a single off of Cyrus’ TIME FLIES album and soon after “Wouldn’t You Do This For Me” on his THE OTHER SIDE album. While performing at a private event one summer Rusty got a call to be the host of a nationally aired outdoors television program on the Outdoor Channel called W.F.O. Penning songs on the road while filming for the show was trying to say the least. After 3 years of television it was time to say goodbye to the camera and put all of his efforts back into the microphone. “I really hated parting with so many friends that I’d met through the show. However, I knew it was the right thing to do if I was ever going to get where I wanted to be musically.” says Tabor. He soon found another writing home with Plus Spins Music. From that catalog came “All I’ve Got Left” that was recorded by Russell Hitchcock (formerly of Air Supply) on his TENNESSEE:THE NASHVILLE SESSIONS double cd project and IBMA male vocalist of the year winner Bradley Walker recorded “One Paragraph” for his upcoming Rounder Records album. The future is brighter than bright for Rusty nowadays. In January of 2011 he was offered a chance to be a part of legendary songwriter Earl Bud Lee’s publishing company. “I JUMPED at that opportunity!”, he says, “Bud Lee is one of the most successful writers in the business with hits like ‘Friends in Low Places’, ‘One Night at a Time’ and ‘Who Are You When I’m Not Looking’. He’s not only a master at what he does, he’s one of my favorite people in this world.” Rusty is currently in the studio working on his own album with some of the best in the business. Tabor says “It took me a little time, some hills and valleys and a lot of living to figure out who I really am. Thanks to all of my friends and associates on Music Row I finally have the opportunity to record what I want to record, how I want to record it and with whom I want to record it with. Life isn’t good….. it’s GREAT!” Rusty Tabor came to Nashville to be a Singer… he’s grown into an Artist…….
Payton Taylor grew up in South Jersey and developed an “old soul” through listening to her grandfather’s favorite records as a child. In 2013, Payton convinced her family to make the move to Music City, where she’s continued to develop her soulful sound as a country music singer-songwriter. Payton has spent the past five years learning from some of the best songwriters and producers in the industry, including Wade Kirby (George Strait’s No. 1 “I Saw God Today,” Blake Shelton’s No. 1 “Doin’ What She Likes”) and Phil O’Donnell (George Strait’s No. 1 “Give It All We Got Tonight,” Clay Walker’s “She Won’t Be Lonely Long”). She has also opened for Charlie Daniels and was invited to the Grand Ole Opry stage by William Michael Morgan. Payton’s single from her upcoming 6 song EP is set to be released soon.
The Wilson Brothers Band are a Nashville-based brother duo from Alexander City, AL. Their debut single “It All Looks Good From Here” debuted at #1 on the CMT 12 Pack Countdown and their music has been streamed by the millions. They are currently touring and promoting their second single “Loving You, Loving On Me”. Their music is truthful, emotional, and delivers a positive message easily recognizable by their sibling harmonies.
WHY DO I SING? Because the Lord has given me the gift of touching the hearts of others through music. Using spoken testimony, insightful lyrics and Biblical principles I reach out to those who hurt. I graduated from the Word of Life Bible Institute where I was part of two national tours with the "Collegians" and recorded the album "Let Freedom Ring." I have been compelled to sharpen my ministry with a focus on helping those who are suffering. Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the unsaved and encouraging believers in their daily walk with the Lord. Seeing the overwhelming need in today's church, my mission is to "encourage them in heart, unite them in love... that they may see Christ." I sincerely believe that because of the seasoning with grace I have experienced in my own life, the Lord uses my music as a source of encouragement to the believer and as a magnet to draw those with no knowledge of the Lord to His saving grace. After years of sharing original songs I now have five recordings including "This Quiet Place," released in January 2017. We released my first two music videos, "Tears in a Bottle" and "There Is Prayer" in 2017, and I am currently in the writing process for a sixth project to be titled "Hymns to Him." MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS Five completed projects: Love Still Lives Here Beyond Emotion Send Your Love Home at Last This Quiet Place Concert appearances in churches of many denominations throughout the U.S. Appeared with the following artists: Point of Grace, David Meece, Phil Keaggy, Bruce Carroll, Wayne Watson, Kenny Marks, Code of Ethics, Patsy Moore Featured by: Conservative Baptist Association, African Inland Mission, Youth for Christ, Campus Crusades, Sacandaga Bible Conference, NY, Rumny Bible Conference NH, Sandy Cove MD, and the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ.
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
Chasing the Dream With an armload of songs and a heart full of songwriting dreams, Jerry made the move from his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri to Nashville, Tennessee in the fall of 1984. While attending the School of Hard Knocks on Nashville’s Music Row, Jerry has been an exclusive staff songwriter for Dick James Music, Little Big Town Music, Malaco Music, and Talbot Music. Jerry’s first major label cut, Don’t Waste It On The Blues, recorded by Gene Watson, reached #5 on the country charts in 1990, winning him an ASCAP award. In 1990, Wild Rose climbed the charts to #13 with Vandiver’s penned hit, Go Down Swingin’. Since then, he had had two songs recorded by Tim McGraw, It Doesn’t Get Any Countrier Than This, featured on McGraw’s platinum 6 CD “Not A Moment Too Soon,” and For a Little While, (reaching #2 on the country charts) on the quadruple platinum 1998 CMA Album of the Year, “Everywhere,” winning Jerry a BMI Award. For A Little While was also included on McGraw’s platinum 5 Greatest Hits CD and Special Edition Box Set. Other artists recording Jerry’s songs include Barbara Mandrell, Lee Greenwood, The Oak Ridge Boys, Phil Vassar, Dusty Drake, Lonestar and David Lee Garza. Thanks to these artists, Jerry has songs on over 15 million records and two of his titles are hanging on the wall in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Stephen Lee Veal's musical journey began just outside Tulsa Oklahoma with a mother who was a lay preacher and a father singing old yodeling cowboy songs, playing a 1939 0-15 Martin that was passed down later to Stephen. The music was broadened by the family's move to the Gulf Coast where Blues and Swamp Roots were added to the Gospel, County, Cowboy mix. His turn to writing soon brought Stephen Lee to Nashville where he has written with a number of regular hit writers and there hosted an "All Alabama" songwriter's round at Broken Spoke for three years running. He has also played the Bluebird Cafe there twenty four times. On the Gulf Coast Stephen played a number of the "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" songwriters series at the NOLA House of Blues - Parish Room, hosted the "Songwriters Saturday Showcase" for six years back when it was the only regularly scheduled songwriters' night on the central Gulf Coast. He has performed in the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival every year since 1998. He has cuts on Gospel and Independent country records with a 1st place overall award for his "Feels Like Alabama" at the Hanks Williams Festival 2001.
Amanda Walker is a lifelong musician and songwriter. She was born and raised in Dexter, MO. Her mother taught piano and played in various bands and in church, giving Amanda the opportunity to learn music from an extremely young age. After years of piano lessons, Amanda shelved music for a few years while she took on Division I tennis at Southeast Missouri State University, where she completed undergraduate school before New Orleans drew her south to acquire her Juris doctorate Degree from Tulane Law School. The first week of her last year of law school, Hurricane Katrina blasted New Orleans and the surrounding area, rendering the area nearly uninhabitable for months. Amanda relocated to Columbia, Missouri, where she attended University of Missouri School of Law that semester. The impact of this experience threw her back into songwriting, mostly as catharsis, but the spark caught fire. Almost immediately upon her return to New Orleans, it became apparent that there was no escaping the music. After a celebratory dinner with a lifelong friend, she ended up behind the piano of a French Quarter restaurant, was immediately offered a residency, and the rest is history. Amanda landed at Rabadash Records for her first album, and as the gigs built and the songs kept flowing, she was able to completely relinquish practicing law and focus completely on her musical craft. Currently she has independently released a second album, Long Way Down, featuring the single Haunt Me in 2018. She subsequently reached #2 on ReverbNation's global indie chart and performed Haunt Me on NCIS New Orleans. Amanda is currently thrilled to be part of the Last Honky Tonk Music Series and hopes to release a third album within the next year. Amanda J. Walker, Esq. walker.amandaj@gmail.com
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
Born and raised just south of Nashville, Nick Wayne found his love for songwriting in an unfortunate but fortunate way. His dream of playing baseball came to a halt after he broke his arm his senior year in high school. After his cast came off he picked up a guitar and spent a couple years working on his guitar skills and shortly thereafter he started writing his own music. Nick has a cut on American Idol winner Trent Harmon's record called " Cause I Do" and his Wayne's own music is set to be released this fall. Make sure you don't miss this blues driven Nashville singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Hey everyone! For a local, The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival is the most anticipated event of the year. We are so thankful for the talented songwriters to come to our beach and share their beautiful and fun songs. I'm excited and honored to be apart of the lineup and I can't wait to meet everyone and share a few of my songs too. See ya' at the beach! Robert Wayne
Wayward Jones is a singer/songwriter duo with deep southern roots. Bicycle Jones and Amanda Jones met at a package show in 2016 and have been writing and touring ever since, Often playing up to 150 shows a year. With ties to Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and South Louisiana, they bring an eclectic flavor to their music, heavy with elements of blues, country, folk, and rock. They recently placed third in Boswell Media’s Mississippi Songwriter of the Year Contest, and have been featured in multiple songwriter festivals, including Ozone, Druid City, Pensacola Beach, Third Street, Mississippi Songwriter Fest and SXSW. You can contact them via Facebook- @waywardjonesmusic, or email, waywardjonesbooking@yahoo.com
Singer/songwriter Tris has had a deep love of music since birth. Having her first performance at the age of three, her flaming passion has continued to grow. Starting in musical theatre, Tris has spent the majority of her years in and out of rehearsals and private lessons. She studied rock vocals and songwriting at Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Michigan over the past year. Playing guitar, piano, and classically trained in voice, she is influenced primarily by 60s/70s classic rock and modern alternative. Her songs are soul-searching, and poetically explore the wonders of love, self-empowerment, society, and the power in selflessness. Performing at open mics, Gallery Nights, and organizing benefit concerts to raise money for pediatric cancer charities, Tris is a prolific writer gearing up to release her debut EP.
Touring Artist, #1Song Writer, Producer, Recording Artist, Award Winner. These are just a few of the words that describe Brian White. One of Nashville’s most sought after hit makers; White has been on every side of the microphone during his career. White’s songs have been recorded by Christian acts such as Danny Gokey, Mandisa, Kutless, Avalon, Point of Grace, Larnelle Harris, 7th Time Down, Karyn Williams, Jaci Velasquez and many more, earning him Fourteen #1 Songs and 2 Dove Awards. His successes in the Country market have landed him songs recorded by hit makers Jason Aldean, trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Gary Alan, Neal McCoy, The Swon Brothers, Kix Brooks, Charley Pride, Blackhawk, to name a few as well as the Five-week #1 Smash, “Watching You” for Rodney Atkins which was named SESAC Country Song of the Year and Billboard Magazine’s “Most Played Country Song of 2007” as well as being nominated for SONG OF THE YEAR honors at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards. Recently “Watching You” was named the “Most Played Country Song of the Decade” and landed at # 37 in the “Top 100 Country Songs of All Time”. Brian continues to be a writer whose songs cross the lines that so many tend to draw in today’s music. A man of Faith and Conviction, White currently lives in Nashville with his wife, Christian Recording artist Karyn Williams and writers and produces for SB21 Music Publishing.
For hit music creator Phillip White, becoming a songwriter was practically a compulsion. “I couldn’t help it,” Phillip says. “I just always wanted to write songs”. Phillip is notable for co-writing such songs as “I’m a Survivor,” the omni-present theme song of the TV sit com Reba, and “I’m Movin’ On,” the Rascal Flatts smash that was named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2002. Phillip’s songs have also been recorded by such stars as George Strait, Kenny Rogers, Jo Dee Messina and Blake Shelton. Most recently, Phillip landed two songs on Scotty McCreery’s platinum album “Clear As Day” including the hit single “The Trouble With Girls”. Phillip also had two of his songs featured on the soundtrack for the film Act of Valor. These songs were recorded by Jake Owen and Wynonna respectively. In addition, Darius Rucker recently recorded the song “Lost In You” that he and Phillip penned together. Phillip currently writes for Sea Gayle Music in Nashville.
Matt Williams is a Singer/ Songwriter who lives with chronic pain and endures the effects of PTSD. Matt is a medically Retired Army Chaplain. After several years of attempting to treat his physical pain and PTSD with pills Matt found a holistic approach to healing. This approach includes: connection with others, singing, songwriting, prayer, meditation, counseling, yoga and a healthy diet. Matt stresses, “Avoiding maladaptive practices is a key component to wholesome living and you also have to be dedicated to getting back up and starting again, this isn’t easy.” PTSD and chronic pain are a part of life for the Retired Army Chaplain. Matt travels the country playing music and extending hope and encouragement to the caregivers and those living with PTSD, Moral Injury, and Chronic Pain. He can be reached through his website at
Xaris is a eighteen year old folksinger born in the panhandle of FL. She picked up a guitar for the first time at the age of 8 and started writing songs not long after that. She is now writing songs on the daily. Her love for folk music began in middle school and has grown; looking up to folk groups from the 1960s and traditional old time music. Xaris's biggest dream is to travel, sharing love through music; meeting as many people as she can along the way. She now travels and plays small venues and festivals around the USA.
