Singer-songwriter Aaron Barker is best known for the string of hits he wrote for country superstar George Strait, but Barker’s long career has many other highlights.  Long before his success as a songwriter, he made his mark as a charismatic entertainer.  Born in San Antonio, Barker got his first guitar at age six, taught himself to play it and was soon singing at school and church events.  He also began to write songs at an early age.  When asked to create a grade-school art project, Barker turned in poetry rather than work within the visual limits of his red-green color blindness.  Those poems eventually became the basis for his first songs.

Award-winning songwriter and country-folk artist, Alan Rhody released his ninth solo album, “Led by Love” in 2012. In a career that now spans forty years, the Louisville, Kentucky native, known for his easy-going but engaging stage presence, has written hits that are compassionate, imaginative stories (“I’ll Be True To You” Oak Ridge Boys, “Somebody To Care” Tanya Tucker), as well as all-out charges into alt-country and blues-based tunes (“Wild-Eyed Dream” Ricky Van Shelton, “Trainwreck Of Emotion” Lorrie Morgan).

Western Massachusetts songwriter Alex Rohan has been in the live music scene in New England for the last fifteen plus years. With a unique & polished style of guitar playing, deep relatable emotion filled lyrics alongside powerful & delicate vocals, Alex offers a wide variety and pays homage to many different  genre’s. Music and it’s ability to bring people together always fascinated Alex.

Allison Clarke is a singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Her acoustic pop style and soulful vocals capture crowds wherever she plays—from festivals throughout the southeast to songwriter rounds in Nashville. She cites artists like Colbie Caillat, John Mayer and Ed Sheeran as some of her biggest influences.

It takes a lot of evolution to create a country music singer like Alison Nichols. As one of the first Asian-American artists in the country format (and 2nd cousin to the late great Joe Diffie), Alison likes to say she is “half Korean, half Redneck and 100% American”.

Originally from Missouri, Bill Whyte is a songwriter, comedian, Hall of Fame radio announcer, performer, and more.  He’s recorded two comedy song albums “Off the Wall” and “Leave Em’ Laughin.” His songwriting credits include “Safe Haven” by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family which was included on the album “Love Remains”.

Bill Worrell is an internationally touring guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer.  His recent tour credits include lead guitarist for the Grammy Award winning band, America.  Bill’s music combines rock, blues, and progressive rock.

Fourteen top 10’s and seven #1’s to date. Over 300 songs recorded as a writer and multiple albums as an artist in his own right. In the words cited by Billy Currington in his #1 smash, “that’s how country boys roll.” Or rather, in the words of songwriter Brett Jones. In fact, Currington falls into the same category as Jason Aldean, Montgomery

Gentry, Neal McCoy, Tracy Lawrence, Reba McEntire, Lee Ann Womack and many more who have all recorded Jones’ songs thru the decades. Fortunately for Nashville, the Warm Springs, Georgia native traded in farm life for Music Row 28 years ago.

Brett is originally from Monticello, FL. His musical journey started with his band 19 South performing in Tallahassee and the Panhandle area.  BK has been a regular performer at Monticello’s Southern Music Rising Festival. He is a familiar face to Port St Joe.  He has performed at the Haughty Heron where he opened for Billy Dean, and at the Scallop Festival where he opened for Aaron Tippin. He was an emerging artist at a previous Blast.

Brian White is passionate about writing songs. With over 400 cuts to his credit, his work has earned him Sixteen #1’s , 2 Dove Awards, SESAC Song of The Year as well as ACM , CMA and Grammy Nominations. His songs have been recorded by such artist as Rascal Flatts , Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean ( Including Jason’s latest #1 “Blame It On You”) , Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins ( “Watching You” – Billboard Song of The Year) The Swon Brothers, Steve Holy, Earl Scruggs, Terri Clark, Kix Brooks, Blackhawk, as well as Canadian and Austrailan Country stars.

It’s hard to deny the pure talent and passion for her craft that is clearly the driving force behind many of artist Bridgette Tatum’s high profile career milestones.

In 2009, this native of Florence, South Carolina, co-wrote the Most Played Song on Country radio stations across the United States.  A tremendous achievement for any songwriter, the song, “She’s Country” (recorded and released by Platinum-selling country superstar Jason Aldean), held the #1 position on the chart for two consecutive weeks, reached two million plays, and out sold every genres ringtones, all of which are rare accomplishments, as well.

Texas born, with music in his blood, Brooks Huntley was made to play. Growing up in Austin, Texas, Brooks soaked in the bluesy culture of Stevie Ray Vaughan from his youth. A passion for playing the guitar, a small town childhood, and the musical legacy of his blues piano playing grandfather lead Brooks to discover his true love in songwriting and storytelling at at the age of 11; he never looked back.

The Grammy nominated singer songwriter, Clint Daniels, was born and raised in the Florida Panhandle. He gained an interest in music as a child, singing with his sister in church. Inspired by Bluegrass, Daniels taught himself to play guitar by the time he turned 12. After graduating high school, he moved to Nashville, TN in pursuit of a career in the country music industry.

A North Carolina native, Dana moved to Nashville in 1993. She signed her first publishing deal with Double J Music in 1994 and had her first Number One song in 1995 with GEORGE STRAIT’S “CHECK YES OR NO” which went on to win the SONG OF THE YEAR. While at Double J, Dana also landed cuts on CLAY WALKER, PERFECT STRANGER and JAMES BONAMY.

Songwriter-artist Danny Wells is a CMA and an ACM award nominee. He is recognized for the #1 HITS, Check Yes or No recorded by George Strait, These Days recorded by Rascal Flatts and Couldn’t Last a Moment by Collin Raye.

Donny, a songwriter and ichthyologist from Florence, Alabama has had more than 100 songs recorded by country artists including Alabama, Restless Heart, Reba McEntire, Dirt Band, Nanci Griffith, Randy Travis, Steel Drivers, Mac McAnally and Hank Williams, Jr.

Founding member of Little Texas, Songwriter, Musician, and Educator.

Dwayne O’Brien is a native Oklahoman who moved to Nashville in 1987 after graduating college with a degree in chemistry that he earned on a music scholarship.

Ella Gibson is a 17 year old singer/songwriter from a small town in southern Illinois. Ella draws inspiration from a wide range of musical genres including country, bluegrass, blues and pop. She writes her own songs, often drawing from personal experiences and emotions to create heartfelt and relatable lyrics.

Emma Zinck is a powerhouse singer/songwriter and one to watch in the Nashville music scene today. Think John Mayer meets country music! Armed with her guitar, vocals, melodies and dynamic presence, she is captivating fans with any stage she steps onto. The 25 year old from Fredericksburg, Virginia has been in Nashville for the past 5 years honing her skills and writing with several hitmakers and other artists.

If country, pop and Americana were on a Venn diagram Grace Morrison would be squarely in the center. As a teen – she made a name for herself backing up pop/rock icons Eddie Money and Joey Molland (Badfinger).  She’s toured listening rooms and honky-tonks from coast-to-coast gaining fans with her vivid storytelling and unforgettable melodies. Fast forward to 2022 and Grace is establishing herself as a confident, refreshing voice in country-pop.

At 19 years old, Jason Byrd fulfilled a lifelong dream when he became the third generation to serve as a firefighter at the Tallahassee Fire Department. But at this same time, a new and unexpected dream began to consume him. It was to write and perform Country music. Raised in Tallahassee, Jason grew up on hymns and Country music. Deep appreciation for the music genre turned to profound ambition as his undeniable talent for singing and songwriting became clear.

This is a pivotal moment in our shared human story where above all, truth, authenticity and freedom matter the most. Whether it’s through songs, shows, speaking engagements or his work online, Jean Nolan is inspired to bring back those qualities to the center of the human conversation.

Referred to by Billboard Magazine as “One of Music Row’s greatest veteran tunesmiths,” Jerry Salley has had an incredibly successful songwriting career. The 2003 SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year, Jerry has had over 450 songs recorded in his multi-award winning career.

Jesse Rice is an award-winning writer and artist whose work has taken home ACM, AMA, CMA, Billboard, BMI, SESAC and Trop Rock Music Awards.  Most recently, this Billboard Top 40 charting artist was honored to see his co-penned song A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega featured on Ashley McBryde’s Grammy nominated album Girl Going Nowhere.

Jimmy Miller was raised in the Florida panhandle playing the southeast Bluegrass circuit.  His taste changed to Country music, and he purchased his first pedal steel guitar at age 21.  He played steel in local bands. Then he formed his own very successful band, and performed throughout the south, opening for major country acts.

Karen Staley’s songs have been played on the radio over 13 million times and counting. Those songs have collectively sold more than 20 million albums, singles, and downloads. She’s enjoyed longevity with many timeless # 1 hits by artists (including Faith Hill – “Hey Baby Let’s Go to Vegas,” “Take Me As I Am” and Tracy Byrd’s award-winning wedding classic “Keeper of the Stars”) as well as Seven Top 10 hits with BMI Millionaire Awards.

Singer songwriter Lauren Spring is an Americana artist as well as a founding member of The Krickets, a folk group whom Paste Magazine calls a ‘truly stunning, one-of-a-kind sound.’  When covid pulled the band off the road in early 2020, Lauren dove into songwriting and production.  By June of 2020 her first production effort, These Games, premiered in American Songwriter as a ‘Best New Music’ feature.

Matt Warren was born in Nashville, TN. He has a degree in Education from Middle Tennessee State University.  He first debuted as an artist in the Nashville music scene in 1996 when his band, 40 East, signed a deal with 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 independent record label Stonewall Records.

Pete, originally from Chicago, currently writes for Demolition Music/Shakes Spear Music. He is a Grammy nominated songwriter who’s had cuts across the genres.

Arriving in Nashville in 1987, Ron fast became one of Music Row’s most recognizable and sought after voices. His ability to sell a song has earned him a spot on the “A” List of Nashville session singers.

Ronnie has shared the stage with many superstars like Huey Lewis, Greg Khin, The Knack, Elvin Bishop, and Tommy Tutone, to name a few.  He was lead vocalist/front man with his AOR recording act, WORKFORCE on Scotti Bro./CBS Records.  During his stint with WORKFORCE, Ronnie had a song he cowrote and sang with the band featured in an episode of the popular TV series,  “Baywatch.”

Nashville-recording artist and singer-songwriter Seth Michael, first started belting out tunes in his Georgia home at the tender age of five. He later quickly realized that his voice was a gift and an instrument – and by the time he was 12 years old he had the opportunity to sing in front of Billboard chart-toppers, Rascal Flatts.

After being discovered at age 14 as Johnny Cash’s opening act on his Australian tour the diminutive brunette Sherrie Austin packed her bags and her entire family and moved to Hollywood California to join the cast of the hit series ‘The Facts Of Life’.

Nashville singer/songwriter Steve Dean has co-written six number one Billboard country hits, including the most played song on Country Radio in 2007 and Country AirCheck’s Song of the Decade in 2017, “Watching You” for Rodney Atkins, the Grammy nominated “It Takes A Little Rain” for The Oak Ridge Boys, “Southern Star” for Alabama, “Round About Way” for George Strait, “Hearts Aren’t Made To Break” for Lee Greenwood, “Walk On” for Reba McEntire, two number one bluegrass hits, “New Day Dawning” and “No More Lonely” for The Roys and one number one Top Independent Country Chart hit,  “3935 West End Avenue” for Mason Dixon, as well as two Billboard top 10 hits, two Billboard top 20 hits and four Billboard top 40 hits.

Tim made his living as a singing drummer, from the age of 18 until moving to Nashville in 1991 , where he put aside the drums to focus on a songwriting career. While performing his songs at the Bluebird Café Tim was asked to sing some demos for hit songwriter Don Schlitz. Fast forward 30 years and Tim has sung on over 10,000 recordings including 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 more.

While she is originally from historic Dixon, Illinois, Victoria now calls Nashville “home”. After graduating Millikin University in Commercial Music, she began further pursuing her dreams of becoming a singer/songwriter. In addition to touring the country with many different shows and bands, she has been a featured artist on the stages of many of Nashville’s hottest music clubs, including the world renowned Bluebird Café.

Wil Nance hit the top of R&R and Billboard with his #1 BRAD PAISLEY smash “She’s Everything”, a song on Time Well Wasted, the Multi Platinum 2007 CMA Album of the Year.

Will Rambeaux was born in Lafayette, Louisiana in the heart of the Cajun country. He grew up listening to the classic pop, rock, and country music of his day, as well as a healthy dose of the Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans R&B native to Louisiana. With a degree in Literature under his belt, Will left home on a musical odyssey that took him first to Austin, Texas, and then to New York City. On a chance visit to Tennessee in the 1980s, Will managed to get a tape of his boyhood idol, Roy Orbison. Mr. Orbison took note of his talent and offered to bring Will to Nashville where his career as a writer and producer has blossomed.