Marcus Hummon
Grammy award winner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, Marcus Hummon has enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter, recording artist, composer, playwright and author. His songs have been recorded in many genres--Pop, R&B, Gospel. He is most notably known for his work in Country music, in which he has written some of the genre’s most iconic songs. Hummon has received 7 BMI Awards, and 5 BMI #1 Awards for Rascal Flatts’ "Bless The Broken Road" (winner of the Grammy for Best Country Song 2005, nominated for Song Of The Year in all genres 2005, two-time NSAI Song Of The Year Award 2005 and 2007, nominated for a Dove Award for Song Of The Year 2007) along with, The Dixie Chicks' "Cowboy Take Me Away," Sara Evans’ "Born To Fly" (nominated for CMA Song Of The Year 2001, won CMA Video Of The Year 2001), Tim McGraw’s "One Of These Days" and Wynonna Judd’s "Only Love" (nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female) and many more. He has scored two films, written 6 musicals and 2 operas. Most recently, his musical American Prophet: Frederick Douglass In His Own Words, about the life of Frederick Douglass, premiered at Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage Theater in the summer of 2022, to sold-out audiences and rave reviews across the board. Hummon is a multi-faceted songwriter that brings a wealth of talent into every session.
Dawson Anderson
At only 24-years-old, country singer-songwriter Dawson Anderson has already lived a full life - or two - in the music industry. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina and raised in Temecula, California, Dawson made his first trip to Nashville at 15-years-old, with the dream of signing a record deal. That dream soon became a reality, signing his first record deal as part of the band Temecula Road. Dawson quickly dove into songwriting, making frequent trips back and forth to Nashville while finishing high school, and eventually making the full time move in 2019. Dawson boasts stage credits worldwide, from Stagecoach to C2C to the Grand Ole Opry. He has opened for the likes of Kane Brown, Nate Smith, Billy Currington, Scotty McCreery, and countless more. Now with years of both more personal and professional experience under his belt, Dawson is stepping out on his own for the first time with his debut solo project.
Marc Martel
Marc spent years recording and touring as the singer and main songwriter for award winning Canadian rock band Downhere. In 2012 Marc found himself as the new voice and face for Queen Extravaganza, a tribute touring project launched by original Queen members. Marc brings a mix of talents to the table when it comes to his songwriting. He possesses a voice that comes around once in a blue moon and blends elements of rock, jazz and pop into his songwriting. In recent years, Marc has started his own project called the Queen Experience in which he tours the world singing Queen classics so well you'd think it was Freddie Mercury himself up on stage. These talents led him to an opportunity of a lifetime in which he was asked to record the vocals for music in the award winning biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody." Marc keeps up a steady touring schedule with the Queen Experience while also releasing his solo artist projects along the way.
Ivory Layne
Though a newcomer to the pop world, Ivory Layne has been writing music since the age of fourteen. In 2011, she met producer, Ed Cash, and together, the two created Ivory's debut EP, Volume One. This record features a collection of energetic, eclectic tracks that showcase her innovative co-production and thoughtful writing. More recently she released her Something's Gonna Happen EP, which includes the single "Something's Gonna Happen" - included on White House Black Market's fall campaign ads and multiple Swarovski ads. Layne weaves simplistic stories into fresh, unconventional melodies paired with smart lyrics. Upon signing with Justin Timberlake's Villa 40 in 2015, she has set out to record and release her much anticipated full length album.
Regie Hamm
A hit songwriter, artist and producer, Regie Hamm has penned over 20 #1 hits, many of them in Christian music. He hit the Billboard Top 20 as an artist in 2003, and later went on to see his solo-written song “Time of My Life” (sung by 2008 American Idol winner David Cook) stay at #1 for 4 months on the pop charts, making it the longest running number one pop song by a Nashville based songwriter in history – beating out Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” by one week. Oprah called it the “official theme song of 2008 Summer Olympics,” and David Cook announced that with the song, Regie had hit a chord with people. But the real story of Regie’s personal journey has had all the twists, turns, and drama of a Hollywood movie. He was raised in Pentecostal churches, tent revivals, and all night singings. But rose from those humble beginnings to experience unprecedented success in the music industry, writing 16 number one hits from 1994 to 2000, with Grammy and Dove nominations, and winning SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year award four times.
Emma Brooke
If she sings it, she’s lived it. Emma Brooke is a singer/songwriter from a New Jersey town wrapped within the Appalachian Mountains. At a young age, her favorite artists ranged from Dolly Parton to Britney Spears. After years of deeply digesting their catalogs, both women have proven to be consequential influences in how Emma operates as a writer and artist to this day. Molding those influences together, she takes the core-country value of storytelling and frames it with pop-leaning grooves and melodies. Originally writing songs as an outlet to express herself 10 years ago, Emma’s inspiration for writing has become bigger than simply self-expression. “I see songs as spaces of validation and I believe validation can be extremely healing. Whenever I’m writing a song that feels emotionally uncomfortable to express, it helps me to think that someone else has probably experienced something similar and a song could help them process what they feel”. Collaborating with artists and writers across all genres, Emma’s skills and passion for documenting the true essence of life’s experiences puts Emma in a category all her own.
Trent Willmon
Country singer/songwriter Trent Willmon was born in Amarillo, TX and was raised on a ranch near the tiny West Texas town of Afton. His mother gave him a guitar when he was 16, and he learned to play, but went to school to earn a degree in agriculture. By his second year he switched to the music department and ended up dropping out to play bass in a bluegrass band. He moved to Nashville in 1995 and signed a publishing deal in 1998. As a songwriter, Trent has had cuts by Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Little Big Town, Wade Hayes, Randy Houser, Kevin Fowler, Blake Shelton, Maddie and Tae and Merle Haggard to name a few. The song “Keep On Lovin’ You” cut by Steel Magnolia reached the Billboard top 5 and “Back When I Knew It All” cut by Montgomery Gentry hit the Billboard #1 spot.
Zane Williams
Zane is an anomaly in today's country music....a modern-day "throwback" who is equal parts bar-room entertainer and introspective poet. Zane writes and sings about real life in a way that real people can relate to. He was the 2015 Texas Regional Radio Music Award winner for single of the year, song of the year, music video of the year and entertainer of the year. Zane has had cuts by Cody Johnson, Pat Green, John Michael Carroll and many more. In 2015, Zane had four #1 songs on the Texas country charts. Respected by his fans as a down-to-earth family man, Zane is a also a charismatic entertainer on stage and a prolific songwriter. It's a rare combination of abilities that just may make him a superstar, especially among country music fans hungry for an alternative to today's pop and hip-hop influenced "bro country".
Jasmine Murray
Jasmine is an up and coming Christian artist that has been singing since age three. While fresh into a record deal with Fair Trade, Jasmine is no stranger to the entertainment business. She's spent much of her life in front of audiences and competed as a contestant in Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant for the first time in 2006, going on to win the title in 2007. From there she went on to be a contestant on the eighth season of American Idol after auditioning on a whim, making it to the top 13. Her time on American Idol showcased her singing ability and shed light on her talents as an artist. Following American Idol, Jasmine went on to compete in the Miss Mississippi pageant, winning the crown in 2014. She then competed at the Miss American 2015 pageant and placed in the top 10, all the while, her love for singing staying strong. Jasmine moved to Nashville and began working with songwriters. She’s currently recording her debut album, which is set to make waves as she has undeniable talent.
Rebekah White
Rebekah White is known for her ability to write infectious melodies, with memorable hooks. She has written with Printz Board, Clif Magness, Dapo Torimiro, Jerrod Bettis, Kaci Brow, and Drew Seeley just to name a few. Rebekah has co-written two songs on Evan Bogart’s TV series Majors & Minors and had two songs featured on Dance Moms. If Rebekah is not found in the studio collaborating you can find her performing herself. She loves music and loves writing. “When I’m writing songs for myself, I just write about life, love, whatever is real to me at that moment in time. When I write for other artists, it’s about them, what they feel. I love being able to get in their head and help them pull out whatever it is they feel they need to say. I love being a part of creating music. It’s amazing.”
Andrew Ripp
Born and raised outside of Chicago, Ripp was a jock whose musical talents lay dormant until he was a teen. Immediately after high school, Ripp headed for Los Angeles and dabbled in both songwriting and community college. In 2004, he started co-writing with Ryan Cabrera and four of Ripp's songs made it onto the pop star's next record. That coup bought him a few years of no-pressure writing, but with all of his friends busy with school or work, he found himself alone. And drinking. With support from his now-wife Carly and what he calls his "come-to-Jesus moment," Ripp eventually abandoned the partying lifestyle. Soon after becoming sober, he got a call from Nashville-based artist Dave Barnes, who had two requests for Ripp: to open a few shows for him-and to move to Nashville. Upon arriving in Music City, Ripp shed his lonely songwriter persona. He partnered with an artist development company, Be Music & Entertainment, and joined Barnes' tightknit singer-songwriter circle, which also includes Ben Rector and Steve Moakler. Ripp’s songwriting continues to grow with more powerful songs full of life experience. His most recent cut includes Wynonna Ryder’s rendition of one of the songs off his latest record called “Cool Ya.”
Kev Kelly
Kev Kelly, pop artist and songwriter, burst onto the scene in 2020 with the release of his debut EP Saint KDK V. Listeners instantly resonated with Kelly’s one-of-a-kind sound as well as his acerbic wit and refreshing vulnerability. With musical influences that range from Frank Ocean and Hozier to Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, Kelly began discovering his musical aspirations at the age of four, when he first sat down at a piano. In 2020, Kelly’s single “Everything’s on Fire” was chosen as an American Songwriter Daily Discovery and reached #3 on the Commercial Pop UK Club chart. The song is “a hip-swaying summer classic, building on an already immaculate discography that mixes acoustic ballads and dramatic pop tunes,” raved Wonderland.
Robert Counts
Robert Counts is a country songwriter with a work ethic that can compete with the best of them. Robert’s passions came to a turning point when he decided to no longer pursue medical school and instead focus on making music. He took a chance on his love of songwriting and went full force ahead towards a music career. Robert’s hard work has paid off and has recently signed to Sony Nashville as a country-recording artist.
Michaelis
It’s impossible to manufacture something as genuine or as damn-straight cool as the sister trio Michaelis. With harmonies as tight as their sisterly bond and a sexy, swaying sound all their own, Michaelis is a breath of fresh air in an often stifled and male-heavy musical environment. “There is no fabrication going on with our songs. It’s very much us and we’re part of their creation. Our songs are about love, our faith and how we see the world—and how we wish other people would see the world,” says Meagan, who sings lead. Mallory, rocks the rhythm guitar and, as the heart of the band, lays down the group’s signature low harmonies, while Madeline is the trio’s multi-instrumentalist, playing lead guitar, mandolin and nearly anything with strings, while providing a near-angelic high harmony. The Michaelis girls are real and ready to take on the male dominated country world.
Kylie Rae Harris
By age 12, Kylie knew singing is what she wanted to do with her life, thanks to influences like Jerry Jeff Walker and Radney Foster. She’s never strayed from those early influences. Throw in singer/songwriters Walt Wilkins and Patty Griffin and you begin to understand why her lyrics sound so….real. “You can just feel something about somebody when they mean what they are singing,” Kylie says. “That’s so important to me. Music is a connecting point with people; it’s fellowship with people. It’s why I love music.” Music has always been in Kylie. She's a storyteller and that ability influences her songwriting.
Cary Pierce
Cary is a songwriter, performer and producer. He's half of the duo Jackopierce.His mission is to connect with millions and millions of people and make their lives better through his music, performance and production. His songs and co-writes have appeared on more than a million records. He has shared stages with John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Matchbox Twenty and many more. He has appeared on Rosie O’Donnell, Conan O’Brien and countless other national and local TV shows. He has written songs with Stan Lynch, Franne Golde, Jamie Houston and many others. He has produced and/ or co-written records for Chris Tomlin, Graham Colton, Jack Ingram, American Royal, Creede Williams, Jay Quinn Band, Kai Brow, Jenny Kirtland and others.
Jack O'Neill
Jack is one half of the musical duo “Jackopierce.” In 1988, Jack O'Neill and Cary Pierce, the "Jack O" and "Pierce" who make up the seminal acoustic duo, Jackopierce, were playing cover songs in a dingy club with a crummy PA in their hometown of Dallas, Texas. In a moment of young-musician desperation, they whipped up a tune on the spot called "Three of Us In A Boat" to elongate their set. That became a signature track for a decade-long career wherein the two-piece sold 500,000 records over six albums (two for major label A&M) and toured three continents, nine countries, and 44 states. After a five-year breakup, in 2002 the duo reconvened as Jackopierce. Today Jack O'Neill and Cary Pierce have a renewed creative vigor, mutual respect, and deep gratitude for their Jackopierce heritage. It's a time of fertile creativity for the duo, and celebrating the past inspires the guys to move forward in inventive ways.
Curtis Grimes
To hear Curtis Grimes sing is to take a tirp through the heart of country music. A Texas native, Grimes was raised on a steady diet of George Strait and Alan Jackson, and possesses the everyman charm of both his heroes, along with a refreshingly mature voice that – in an era of country raps and pop beats – truly stands out. Deep down Grimes is a true student of traditional country music. As a true showman, Curtis has proved himself in front of massive audiences like opening for Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith. Also, Curtis was chosen by Cee Lo Green for his team on season one of the NBC TV Show “The Voice.” In 2014 the hard working performer recorded his first fully produced studio album, “Our Side of the Fence,” produced by fellow Texan singer/songwriter Trent Willmon. Grimes hit his stride with his first number one single “The Cowboy Kind” in early 2014. Grimes got his second #1 single of 2014 with the title track to “Our Side of the Fence.” The song spent two weeks at the top of both of the Texas charts. He had previous radio success with “Irresponsible,” “Smile” and “Home to Me;” that appeared in a national commercial for Supercuts. The small-town boy has already achieved a lot in a relatively young career.
Josh Grider
Josh’s confidence is unflappable. His mix of traditional and modern influences has combined to make a living, breathing collection of songs that range from ethereal and pensive, to light-hearted and downright funny. He makes no more apologies for his electronic loops than he does for his thoughtful lyrics. Writing is more than a job for Josh. It’s a passion that allows him to chronicle his life, and a therapy that helps him make sense of the world around him. He's a thinking man's writer with an incredible baritone voice that delivers lyrics directly to his listener’s soul.
Matt Caldwell
After a few years on the road, Matt knew writing songs and playing music was what he wanted to do with his life, it was his passion, it was in his blood. Matt made a decision to move to Nashville, but like so many of the multitudes who made the same move to chase a dream, he soon found himself caught in the balancing act of trying to break into country music while at the same time making a living. “Sometimes it’s hard to find gigs and put on a good show when you’ve been out in the hot sun working construction all day,” says Caldwell. Continuing to work on his craft of songwriting after a day’s work, as well as becoming more and more natural onstage while continuing to make fans and friends by the dozens, Matt also began taking his music back to his home state of Texas. His easiness in front of a crowd, approachability and honest-to-goodness humble nature makes it hard to tell who is having more fun…the audience or Matt. He is currently on the road spending a lot of time playing throughout Texas showing fans his version of country music. Matt Caldwell is on the cusp of something big.
Susan Ashton
Susan’s debut adult contemporary single gained an audience with CCM radio listeners around America in 1991. Ashton reached number one in the Christian charts two more times that year, received a Dove award for New Artist of the Year and won a CCM readers and reporters poll for Best New Artist. Her second album, Angels of Mercy proved her staying potential: it spawned four CCM number one singles and was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Gospel Album category. In 1993, she released her self-titled third album, with two singles charting number one. The rise up the charts through the 1990s was a double-edge sword. Although she had a platform for sharing her faith, the time on the road also sapped her soul. Her relationship with Christ became…dry. The decade ended with a broken marriage, financial disaster, abandonment by friends and a deep hurt that’s taken years to heal. God faithfully brought Susan through every circumstance and restored her love for Him for the purpose of delivering an authentic message that cuts through banal superficiality, and all the way to the soul. Every song is personal and bears the marks of a life still standing after weathering the storms.
Brent Bourgeois
Brent began performing on piano in Dallas clubs when he was only 13. He moved to California five years later with friend Larry Tagg and in 1984 formed the pop band Bourgeois Tagg with drummer Rick Walker and guitarist Lyle Workman. The group released a self-titled album in 1986 and Yoyo in 1987 (produced by Todd Rundgren). The single “Mutual Surrender (What a Wonderful World)” reached the charts in 1986 and the following year “I Don’t Mind at All” hit the Top 40. Bourgeois Tagg’s future looked bright, but Brent became addicted to drugs and alcohol. When drinking buddy Charlie Peacock began going to church, he followed and became a Christian soon after. Problems in the band were then magnified by Bourgeois’ lyrical tendencies toward Christianity, and the band broke up. Brent recorded an eponymous album for Charisma in 1990, and hit number 32 on the pop charts with “Dare to Fall in Love.” An album for Capitol followed, but he decided to join Christian Contemporary label, Reunion Records releasing “Come Join the Living World” in 1995 produced with Charlie Peacock.
Ryan Edgar
Born and raised on the outskirts of Charleston, South Carolina, Ryan was submersed in Gospel music at a very young age. As the son and grandson of Baptist Ministers, he developed his vocal chops listening to a wide range of Gospel, Blue-Grass and Southern Gospel music. Over the years he honed in on his writing skills and began a successful career penning music for himself as well as others. He made a departure from his full-time involvement in the Gospel market, and began to embark upon a solo career in mainstream music. His musical sound captures a blend of southern rock-blues-folk and soul.
He was recently a Semi Finalist in a trio that received international attention on "America's Got Talent." His family story was highlighted in a weekly package during the current season of the show. Currently residing in Los Angeles California, Ryan has already carved a niche for his in demand vocal sound. Having lent his voice to various commercial recordings for artists and television programs, and most recently the remake of Dirty Dancing, he is sure to make his move to Los Angeles a worthwhile venture.
Ashley Brandenburg
Ashley is a singer/songwriter who began writing her own songs and singing around age 8 and never looked back. She went from winning singing competitions in her hometown to playing the Bluebird and opening for some of Nashville’s biggest songwriters at The Franklin Theatre. Her Nashville music career began in 2010 when she moved to the city during that summer. “I thank God every day for every single door He has opened and closed, because it has led me to where I am today and the people I get to work with and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Jon Abel
Growing up in South Louisiana with no natural push or interest in playing music, Jon never imagined becoming a musician, much less doing it for a living. His parent’s gift of an Ibanez acoustic guitar for his high school graduation was so out of the blue that Jon nearly pawned it to get what every 18-year-old fresh out of high school needs. Cash! Jon never stepped into that pawnshop, but rather began to learn how to play this foreign instrument. Opportunities opened up to work with producers Mike Busbee (Rascal Flatts, Katy Perry, Switchfoot, Lady Antebellum) on one of his first independent albums and Cary Pierce (Jackopierce, Chris Tomlin, Jack Ingram) on his two latest full length projects. This gave Jon the chance to grow and learn from pros, eventually finding his own voice as a songwriter and artist releasing five albums to date.
As a songwriter, his songs have found placements on Chris Tomlin’s Grammy nominated and RIAA Gold selling See The Morning album, ABC’s Private Practice, Sixsteps Record’s Passion-Everything Glorious CD, The Museum’s (BEC Records) Let Love Win album, and WOW Hits 2011.
Stacy Dean Campbell
Campbell’s father was a gospel singer. Campbell moved to Nashville after his brother, Spencer, launched a professional career there. He became a songwriter for Tree Music, and released his first album as a solo artist in 1992. Three singles from his debut album hit the Billboard Country singles chart. Campbell release follow-up albums in 1995 and 1999. In 2000, Campbell and Dean Miller co-wrote Trace Adkins’ single “I’m Gonna Love You Anyway.” In 2004, Campbell’s first novel, Cottonwood, was published. The book is set in West Texas in 1937. Included with the book is a CD which features 12 original tracks inspired by the novel. In recent years, Campbell has expanded his career and moved behind the scenes, working as a producer and director in music videos and short films. He is one of the founders of Gravel Road Productions, which produces Bronco Roads, a PBS travel series that showcases New Mexico in which Campbell serves as host. Campbell also acted as the storyteller for the television docu-reality series “Troubadour, TX.”