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Event Lineup

2022 Lineup

Below are the artists and hosts of the 2021 Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival.

Brady Seals TicketsFriday Aug 19 $20
Doors 6:30
Brady Seals Release Party
and
Shane Stevens, Stephony Smith, and Karyn Rochelle in the Round

Friday August 19
Legends of Bluegrass @ Ole Smoky Holler
7:30-9:30 Tim Stafford, Irene Kelley, Tomm Jutz
9:30-11:00 Jerry Salley, Carl Jackson

Larry Gatlin TicketsSaturday August 20 $40
An Intimate Evening
Larry Gatlin with
Tommy “C. Thomas” Howell and
Onoleigh

MEET YOUR HOSTS

Devon O'Day

Brenda Lynn Allen
Radio personallity, musician, songwriter

Grey

Taz Cable
Radio and internet personality

Tommy “C. Thomas” Howell
Actor, songwriter

Steve Wright

Steve Wright
Comedian

Return Here to see our Amazing Line-up of Hit Performers, Writers and Industry Greats! BECOME A MEMBER NOW and let our Newsletter keep you up to date on everything new.

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Featured Performances by:

Tony Arata

Tony Arata best known song is “The Dance”, a number-one U.S. country hit for Garth Brooks in 1990 which was nominated at the 33rd Grammy Awards for Best Country Song. He also wrote No. 1 U.S. country hit “Dreaming with My Eyes Open” recorded by Clay Walker. Arata was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012.

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Brady Seals

Brady Seals – Singer/songwriter/artist Brady Seals has a pedigree for success. You could say that music is “in his blood,” as he is related to numerous industry heavyweights including…

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Pete Sallis

Pete Sallis – Pete writes for 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…

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Brian White

Bryan White – As a touring artist signed with a major record deal, he fronted the Christian rock band “Brian White & Justice” for 15 years, recording 5 projects. As a writer his songs have…

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Victoria Venier

Victoria Venier – A member of one of GSF favorite songwriter trio’s, Hits and Grins,  which includes Steve Dean and Bill Whyte. She is also a part of the explosive vocal powerhouse TNT with…

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Danny Wells

Danny Wells – George Strait – “Check Yes Or No”, Rascal Flatts –“These Days”, and Craig Morgan – “Little Bit Of Life” 

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Karyn Williams

Karyn Williams – Karyn is a #1 songwriter, a 9-time marathoner, author of the best selling book “The Takeaway” and was named by BILLBOARD Magazine as a “Best Bet” for new music…

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Steve Dean

Steve Dean – Rodney Atkins -“Watching You”, Oak Ridge Boys- “It Takes A Little Rain”, George Straight – “Round About Way”, Alabama- “Southern Star”, Reba McEntire – “Walk On”

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Bill Whyte

Bill Whyte – Bill’s unique presentation of funny and twisted songs makes him a favorite everywhere he entertains. His tribute to AARP “Retired” was recorded by Ray Stevens and…

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Irene Kelley is an American country and bluegrass musician. As a songwriter, she has written for Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Loretta Lynn, and the Osborne Brothers. 

Aaron Scherz

Aaron Scherz may be best known for his Billboard #1 country single by Maddie & Tae “Girl In A Country Song”, He has many other hits including Keith Urban’s, “Boy Gets A Truck” from Grammy Nominated Ripcord. Whether you hear music on Radio Margaritaville, with John Frinzi and the Coral Reefers, or in some Key West hideaway, his music is sure to take you away to an island state of mind. He is 2018-19 Texas Country Music Association Songwriter Of The Year.

Jerry Salley

Jerry Salley has hits in country, bluegrass, and gospel including Reba McEntire – “I’m Gonna Take That Mountain”, John Anderson – “I Fell In The Water” many more. He was nominated in 2019 for both the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and a GRAMMY for producing, Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout. Salley is the 2018 & 2019 IBMA Songwriter of the Year 2003 SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year.

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Larry Cordle

At last count, Larry Cordle’s songs had appeared on projects that (to date) have sold a combined total of more than 55 million records. Artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, and many others have recorded Cordle’s songs. 

Bobby Tomberlin
Bobby Tomberlin has also had songs recorded by Blake Shelton, Faith Hill, Josh Turner, Kenny Rogers, Joe Nichols, Dolly Parton, Rodney Atkins, Joe Diffie, Dylan Scott, Pam Tillis, Mo Pitney, Jamey Johnson, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Oak Ridge Boys, Thompson Square, actor Chris Pine, Terri Clark, John Schneider, Lee Greenwood, Jeannie Seely, Rhonda Vincent and many others.
Rafe Van Hoy

Rafe Van Hoy – Rafe has been active and successful as both writer and producer over four decades with credits in several categories and genres of music, including a Grammy Nomination, 11 BMI One Million…  

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Tim Stafford
The 2014 and 2017 International Bluegrass Music Association Songwriter of the Year, Tim Stafford is a founding member of the celebrated band Blue Highway and won a Grammy Award in 1993 as a member of Alison Krauss and Union Station. He’s had over 300 cuts in the Bluegrass and Americana field, with 11 #1 songs.

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Thomm Jutz
Thomm Jutz has had eight #1 Bluegrass songs recorded by: Terry Baucom, Chris Jones, Irene Kelley, Mac Wiseman/Shawn Camp, Buddy Melton & Milan Miller, Junior Williams, and two #1 Bluegrass/Gospel songs by Dale Ann Bradley &Tina Adair, Terry Baucom. Thomm is the IBMA’s current Songwriter of the Year. His songs are featured in over 250 TV placements world-wide and he is a lecturer in the Songwriting Department at Belmont University in Nashville.

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Dana Black

Dana Hunt Black’s first recorded song was “Check Yes or No” by George Strait, co-written by Danny Wells. Strait also recorded her song “Write This Down.” Other artists who have recorded her songs include Gary Allan, Alan Jackson, Clay Walker and Suzy Boggus. In total, she has had 22 cuts recorded, and three number one hits.

Karyn Rochelle

Karyn Rochelle’s billboard songs include hits by Trisha Yearwood , “Georgia Rain”, “This Is Me You’re Talking To”, Kellie Pickler’s “Red High Heels”, “I Wonder” and “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful”.  Sunny Sweeney’s “From A Table Away” and numerous cuts by Sara Evans, Reba McEntire, LeeAnn Womack, LeeAnn Rimes, Terri Clark and even the legendary George Jones.  Karyn opened the Garth Brooks World Tour from 2014-2017 and has released two albums of her own. 

Shane Stevens

Shane Steven’s most recent accolades include writing Walker Hayes’ 2021 singles “Fancy Like” and “Make You Cry”, “Crazy For You” by Universal Japan’s rising pop star Mizki, and selling a Country music musical movie to Paramount Pictures in 2019, where Shane was responsible for writing all original compositions associated with the musical alongside childhood friend Karyn Rochelle.

Will Nance

Wil Nance – a multi-platinum, chart topping songwriter who earned his first number one song at country radio with George Strait’s “Round About Way”, CMA Album of the Year…

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Carl Jackson

Among his many achievements, Carl Jackson’s first Grammy was awarded in 1992 for his duet album with John Starling titled “Spring Training.” In 2003, Jackson produced the Grammy Award-winning album “Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers.”

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Selected songwriters

Michael Mitchell is a performing songwriter originally from East Tennessee who now resides in Nashville. His solo performances tend to have an Americana / Folk feel. His first album “North Carolina” was considered a “labor of love” by Gone Country Magazine.

Of August means “coming from a place of respect, wisdom, & character”. August delivers folk-rock melodies with a strong pop sensibility. Lyrics explore topics on life, love, and faithalongside August’s up beat rhythmic guitar. 

Phil Tittle is a singer-songwriter based out of Pensacola, Florida. His music has traces of blues, country, rock, and singer-songwriter influences that fit nicely into the Americana genre. Read more at Phil Tittle Music
Rob Redwine is an American born singer-songwriter and touring musician from Fort Worth, Texas. He has written over 300 songs and recorded six albums with several radio hits included. He is a Published Author of three books, and a screenwriter of two feature film screenplays that are available for production.

www.robredwinemusic.com

Dave Lenahan
Dave Lenahan is the host of the Songwriter Connection Podcast.  He is a singer/ songwriter who lives in Nashville Tennessee. A 40 plus year veteran of broadcast radio, Dave has worked for stations in Cleveland and Cincinnati Ohio.  He was also the host of the award nominated TV show Nashville Songwriter Connection.

davelenahanmusic.wixsite.com/songwriterconnection

Roger Adams is an award winning country music singer and songwriter. He planted his roots in country music at a very early age. Influenced by people like, Roy Clark, Glenn Campbell and Jerry reed, he found his love for playing guitar and singing. He has now become a very well respected Nashville recording artist.

www.rogeradamsmusic.com

Ashlyn Grayce

Ashlyn Grayce is a  singer-songwriter, born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Her birthplace, “Music City,” was no coincidence since she grew up in a musical family. 

Bill Hartman
Bill Hartmann draws fans in with masterful storytelling and lyrics that touch one’s soul. His style is compared to James Taylor and the late great storyteller, Harry Chapin. Pennsylvania-born, Hartmann relocated to South Florida where he released his debut CD, Now and Then. https://www.billhartmannmusic.com
Karen Bowles
Karen Bowles of Knoxville Tennessee is a songwriter/singer who plays the baritone ukulele and performs Country, Gospel, Bluegrass and children’s songs.  
Karen formerly worked as a DJ at WSEV/WDLY owned by Dolly Parton, was an extra in Dolly’s 1990 Home For Christmas, Christmas Special, 
and worked as a video technician at the Louise Mandrell Theater in Pigeon Forge TN.
Jim Bowman

Jim Bowman. Lifetime singer songwriter. Opened shows for many of the greats in country music including Kenny Rodgers, Reba, Oak Ridge Boys, the Gatlins, Etc. wrote a theme for Roy Rogers video auto biography on AMC. Chart record with Mel Tillis.

jimbowmanmusic.com

Mike Burke

Mike Burke is a singer-songwriter with soul, rock and country influences. Most recently, Mike was awarded 2018’s Southwest Airlines’ Artist on the Rise, and has been named Writer to Watch by Nashville Songwriters Association International several times since 2016. In addition to his previous two albums, Mike released his new self-titled EP in May 2020.

Grace Morrison

Grace Morrison, former backup singer for rock icons Eddie Money and Joey Molland, has become an award-winning regular on the national festival and touring circuit performing at the New Bedford Folk Festival, the Black Potato Music Festival, the Musikfest, Reel Harmony Songwriter’s Festival, Wildflower, Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival, and a series of others. 

Steve Minotti
Steve Minotti started captivating audiences at the age of 17. His soulful style is cultivated from his love of the 70’s singer/songwriter era. This troubadour has a flair for writing heartfelt love songs. Steve has released 2 Cd’s, his debut record “The Gallery,” where the single “Alien Song” placed Top 10 Finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition 2018 and “Hats Off!”. 
Cale Charney

Cale Charney is an American singer/songwriter born in rural Northeastern Pennsylvania and is currently based in Knoxville, Tennessee. He began playing guitar at 24 years old, drawing inspiration from such artists as Tom Petty, John Mayer, Ray Lamontagne, and Bob Seger. His musical repertoire ranges from folk to country to soul, and he has been described as a visceral storyteller.

Hannah Belle

Singing in a gospel band, with her siblings and her Daddy, since she was three years old, Hannah Belle has learned how to make a stage her own. Growing up, she had always told her parents she wanted to be a country music star, like Faith Hill. Since beginning her musical journey, she has made great strides towards making her dream come true. 

Gregory Dwane
Gregory Dwane is a lifer. From his humble “two turntables and a microphone” beginnings in rural North Carolina to eventually touring around the world as a tech and his recent work as producer for Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, Dwane has seen many facets of the music industry first-hand.

www.gregorydwanemusic.com

Ben Stroup

Ben Stroup is a singer/songwriter who runs a full-time recording studio. When he is not writing original songs, he is jet skiing or showing off in his 27 foot Sea-ray boat.

Solo Sixstring

Rythm. Rhyme. Harmony. That’s SOLO SIXSTRING.  Singer/songwriter/guitarist, SOLO SIXSTRING is an acoustic entertainer that promises to deliver an enjoyable listening experience backed by a driving guitar and strong vocals with a style that is all his own.  SOLO SIXSTRING pens powerful and profound lyrics that are positive and inspiring with a focus on faith, family and life.    He’s always had a passion for songwriting and his musical interests are diverse  which is evident when you listen to his songs.  No two sound alike. 

solosixstring.com

Kevin Daniel
Raised in North Carolina, Brooklyn-based Americana crooner Kevin Daniel is set on making NYC a destination for Nashville sounds. The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist brings southern rock, gospel, and blues to barrooms of Brooklyn and beyond.

thekevindaniel.com

The Frost Duo
The Frost Duo is comprised of multi instrumentalist/composer Christian Gratz and JMA award winning vocalist/songwriter LeahBeth Evans. The Group from PA has performed in some of the most prestigious venues in the country, spreading their name performing original music in the style of soft rock and jazz.

www.thefrostduo.com

Turk McNamara
“Turk” McNamara is a storyteller, a songwriter, a musician, and an entertainer. He is also a loving husband, a devoted father, a successful restaurateur, and proprietor of one of Nashville’s favorite hot spots, McNamara’s Irish Pub and Restaurant.

www.turkmcnamara.com

Ronnie Criss
Rainfeather Records recording artist Ronny Criss is a Nashville based singer/songwriter rooted equally in rock and country. Ronny has had a breakout year in 2021 releasing four new singles from his soon to be release debut album Highways, three music videos, on air radio performances, and great press all around.

ronnycriss.com

Gable

Gable grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains before moving with her family to Dallas, Texas. She studied music for years, winning various contests along the way, before moving to Nashville to attend the music business program at Belmont University. 

www.gablehea.com

Michael Manning

Michael Manning is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter originally from Oklahoma via Illinois, Florida, and California. His influences include The Beatles, John Denver, America, Gordon Lightfoot, and numerous classic country artists. He is frequently on stage at the Commodore Grill, Belcourt Taps, Alley Taps, and Bobby’s Idle Hour in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ella Folk
Never a day goes by that her guitar is not in hand—Ella Folk is a singer and songwriter with a passion for old country music and a desire to bring that sound back. Living back in the Blue Ridge Mountains feeds this girl’s inspiration for her rustic country sound.

ellafolk.com

Catherine Rose

Catherine Rose started writing songs in 1998 and entertaining in variety shows, Canada Day Celebrations and coffee houses. She currently resides and performs in the state of Florida.

Ricky Duran

Ricky Duran garnered international attention with his soulful vocals, fiery guitar playing and compelling performances on NBC’s The Voice. The Season 17 Runner-Up has since released a single charting at No. 1 on iTunes and sold out shows, showing himself to be more than a fleeting show success.

www.iamrickyduran.com

Shelby Cline
Shelby Cline is a singer/songwriter from the Pigeon Forge area, specializing in pop country and R&B songs.

www.facebook.com/shelby.cline.50

Winston Wallin
Winston Craig Wallin is from LaFayette Georgia and has been writing songs for the last ten years. He has played several songwriter shows over the years in Chattanooga and Cartersville, as well as the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival.

www.reverbnation.com/damnwallin

Wesley Pelle
Wesley Pelle is a singer/songwriter/acoustic guitarist who had been performing since ’83, having performed at coffee shops, restaurants, lounges, churches, festivals, charitable and private events.

He performs folk rock and inspirational music that encourages and uplifts.

www.reverbnation.com/wesleypelle

Pamela Lack
Pamela Lack and partner Bobby Kropp are prolific singer songwriter/producers based in Nashville. Working with Christian artist Ben Fuller, they cowrote and produced his 2020 album, Witness, which has hundreds of thousands of Spotify streams. Ben was signed to the Sony Provident Label in December of 2021.
David Starr
David Starr possesses “a compelling voice, something truly special, both accessible and passionate” (Elmore), that has been honed releasing ten albums, touring internationally, and opening shows for esteemed artists such as John Oates (Hall & Oates), Karla Bonoff, The Steel Wheels, Survivor, and more.

www.davidstarrmusic.com/

Judy Paster
Meet Nashville-based, Pennsylvania-grown Artist/Writer Judy Paster. “As a singer/songwriter, Paster embodies the refreshing simplicity of the troubadour tradition,” Americana Highways noted. Paster seems to belong on the stage.”

Facebook.com/judypastermusic

Troy Castellano
Troy Castellano is a songwriter and music producer based out of Columbia Tennessee. Originally from Minnesota, in 2014 Troy moved with his family to Nashville to dedicate his time to, as he puts it, “create instead of imitate”. Since moving to Nashville, his songs have been on hold with major artists and he has had a number of his songs recorded by up and coming music artists.

troycastellano.com

Monsters Calling Home

Sean Allen, performing as Monsters Calling Home, is a singer/songwriter in the alternative/indie rock arena. Anthony Garner of the band “Spitfire” has described him as “a mix of the Lumineers and Mumford and Sons.”

Dan Foster
Dan Foster’s music is driven by events in his life that can only be explained in a spiritual sense.  His songs are tales of the American experience.  Small towns, the people who lived there, and the changes we all experience in our lives.

www.fostergreene.com

Kevin Mahoney
Kevin Mahoney has been in a National magazine sampler (Relix) and listed on their Artists on the Rise TV spots, FM Radio, guitar pick endorsements, Guitar Strap endorsements, Pedal endorsements, National Company selected a song for their hold music, Nashville, Tri-cities, NY venues, theaters, listening rooms, CD’s and a finalist in the World Songwriting Awards! 

www.kevinmahoneymusic.com

Shantell Ogden
Shantell Ogden’s songs have received airplay on hundreds of country and Americana radio stations internationally, and gained impressive chart positions both in the US and Europe, including a #2 slot behind Chris Stapleton for her single “Blossom in the Dust.” Shantell’s music has also been featured in shows such as the hit television series Hart of Dixie and in more than a dozen feature films.

www.shantellogden.com/

Delaney Ramsdell
Delaney Ramsdell is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN. Ramsdell is a recent graduate of Belmont University’s prestigious songwriting program, the winner of the ASCAP Writers Night, and she had the privilege to perform in Belmont’s Best of the Best Showcase in 2019. Now she is writing, touring, and working on the release of her sophomore EP.

www.delaneyramsdell.com/

Craig Alan

Craig Alan is a professional singer, songwriter, musician who has been performing & entertaining crowds for many years. He has produced and recorded several CDs including his latest project ” Candlelight”. He is very passionate about what he does and it shows when you see and hear him.

Dave Easterling

David Easterling is an Americana singer/songwriter/storyteller living in Oak Ridge, TN. He has recorded 6 CD’s of original music. David’s music can be found on the usual media outlets including YouTube, Facebook, etc. and has been played on radio stations from WDVX in Knoxville, TN to K2K radio in London, England. www.davideasterling.com

Edd Saxon

Edd Saxon is a singer-songwriter born and raised in rural Georgia. Edd has deep country roots, not only in the music he loves to write and sing, but also in the place he calls home.

Will Kruger

Will Kruger has been recognized as a significant songwriter and has had four of his songs featured in the Lazarus Filmworks production of “God Where Are You” and “Grace Of The Father.” He is also a featured performer in Nashville a number of times a year at Texas Troubadour Theatre/The Nashville Cowboy Church and numerous other venues.

willkruger.com

Meade Skelton

After graduating from High School, Meade Skelton quickly got involved in the Richmond, Virginia music scene, playing with such bands as The Floating Folk Festival, The Kate Lawton Band, and The Gravity Hounds. Described as “Coffee Shop Country” by critic Ned Hepburn, Meade also embraces his “outsider music” status.

www.meadeskeltonsplace.com

Ash Taylor

Ash Taylor released her debut EP, Bakersfiled, in January of 2019, rising to number 60 on the Itunes Top 100 Country Albums chart. She was named “One to Watch” by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and can be seen on several episodes of the hit television series “Nashville.”

www.ashtaylor.com

Robby Hopkins
Robby Hopkins, country music singer/songwriter, is a NASHNext Regional Winner for the Chattanooga area/NASHIcon 107.9 and Nashville Rising Star winner. He’s opened shows for Rodney Atkins, William Michael Morgan in 2019, Craig Campbell, Joe Nichols, and T. Graham Brown in 2018, and has also opened for Randy Houser, Lauren Alaina, Aaron Tippin, Travis Tritt, and twice for both Craig Morgan and music legend Gene Watson.

www.robbyhopkins.com

David Lauver
David Haley Lauver of Knoxville, Tennessee, writes and performs Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Gospel songs and original comic songs and parodies. In 2014, David was chosen to the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame. A five-time finalist in the Chris Austin national songwriting competition at North Carolina’s “Merlefest,” he also was selected to perform at Nashville’s Tin Pan South Festival in 2019.
Maura Streppa
Since making the big move to Nashville, Maura Streppa has been performing almost every single night, sharing her soulful songs with those who cross her path. She recently won Tennessee Songwriter’s Week and made her debut at The Bluebird Cafe with her song, “Singer and The Song”. The eclectic artist has a strong conviction to create music with authenticity, love, and purpose and works hard to carry out that calling every day.

maurastreppa.com

Kidd and Burke

Joe Kidd and Sheila Burke are two time recipients of the Detroit Music Award for Songwriter of the Year, Michigan Governor’s Award, World Songwriters Award, 2019 Congressional Certificate from US House of Representatives, 2019 Clouzine Magazine Music Award for Best Acoustic Song, 2020 International Singer Songwriter Association Award for Vocal Duo of the Year. Joe Kidd was inducted into the Michigan Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on June 1 2017.

joekiddandsheilaburke.com

Bob Davoli
Bob Davoli is a singer-songwriter based in Massachusetts. Bob released his first album in January 2021, distilling seven decades of experiences to make a beautiful, remarkable, and very personal album, titled Wistfully Yours.

bobdavoli.com/

Parker Pressley

Parker Pressley got his start singing in the church he attended with his grandparents. In 1993, he worked with Jimmy Snow, son of legendary Hank Snow, and won his first singing award. All of his hard work has led to a career recording records for the Sims Record Label and in 2014, winning the New Horizon Entertainer of the Year Award for the North American Country Music Association International (NACMAI).

 

Darris Stanley

Darris Stanley

Richard West

Richard West is from a musical family and started playing guitar at age eight. He has performed many live stage shows, concerts, festival and events from Nashville, Tennessee to Los Angeles California. He has opened for artists such as Leann Rimes, Marty Stuart and Tim Mcgraw.

www.richardwestmusic.com

Randy Brooks

Randy Brooks is inevitably introduced as “the man who wrote ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” – the multi-million seller that one Nashville publisher has called “The ‘Gambler’ of Christmas songs.”  The song earned Randy SESAC Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year honors.

www.randybrooksmusic.com