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Festival Grand Master 2009
Mel McDaniel
The Festival Grand Master
bestows his blessings upon all songwriters in Music Land and anoints
them with special writing powers during the festival. The songwriters
will present Mel with the keys to Music Row June 19th 8 PM @ Vibe 56
Stage.
Mel McDaniel signed a record deal with
Capitol in 1976. He had some early success with the single "Have a Dream
on Me," but really began to steamroll thereafter, ending up with a
string of country Top Tens that stretched through the 1980s.
Mel McDaniel has amassed numerous Top 10
singles over his storied career including his 1984 Number 1 hit single
"Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On". His next two releases “Let It Roll” and
“Stand Up” were not only top ten hits for Mel but also some of the most
played videos of the 80’s. In 1985 he was nominated by the Academy of
Country Music for the “Male Vocalist of the Year” award. The hits
continued for Mel throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s. His proudest
moment in music was when he became of member of the Grand Ole Opry in
1986. During the 60th anniversary party of the Grand Ole Opry the music
was written by Mel titled “The Grandest Lady Of Them All”. Mel has spent
a lifetime devoted to his music and his fans. He is known throughout the
music industry for his high energy shows. |
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Life Time Achievement
Recipient 2009 Jerry
Foster
Jerry
had his first cut in 1968, when Charley Pride recorded
The Day The World Stood Still, which reached the Top 5, and followed it
up with the Top 3 hit, The Easy Part’s Over, the latter earning the
first of their two BMI awards. The following year, Jeannie C. Riley had
a Top 40 success with The Back Side Of Dallas. In 1970, Stan
Hitchcock had back-to-back hits with Call Me Gone and Dixie
Belle. However, that same year, Mel Tillis had a Top 5 with
Heaven Everyday. In 1971, Foster and Rice racked up a slew of hits
that included, All I Want to Do Is Say I Love You (Brian
Collins), At Least Part Of The Way (Stan Hitchcock), Give Him
Love and Think Again (both Patti Page) and Is It Any
Wonder That I Love You and What About The Hurt (both Bob
Luman). That year, they set the then ASCAP record, receiving 5 awards.
The following year, the duo had a bumper crop of major hits that
included, Somebody Loves Me, Someone To Give My Love To and
Love Is A Good Thing (all by Johnny Paycheck), It Takes You
and When You Say Love (both by Bob Luman), Is It Any Wonder
That I Love You (Nat Stuckey) and Would You Take Another Chance
On Me (their first No.1, from Jerry Lee Lewis). Lewis also recorded
Think About It Darlin’ as the flip-side of his follow-up single,
Chantilly Lace. During the year, they broke their own ASCAP award record
by receiving 10 awards. In 1973, it was Jerry’s turn to make his chart
debut, when Copperhead scraped in and then Looking Back (a
1958 Pop hit for Nat "King" Cole), reached the Top 60, both on Cinnamon.
That year, Foster and Rice had another generous helping of songs cut and
made hits of by other artists, including All In The Name Of Love
(Narvel Felts), Darling You Can Always Come Back Home (Jody
Miller), I Hate Goodbyes (Bobby Bare), Something About You I
Love (Johnny Paycheck) and Take Time To Love Her (Nat
Stuckey). During 1974, their run continued unabated with Born To Love
And Satisfy (Karen Wheeler), Loving You Has Changed My Life
and Hey There Girl (both David Rogers), When Your Good Love
Was Mine, Until The End Of Time and I Want To Stay
(all by Narvel Felts/Felts and Bill Rice’s future wife,
singer/songwriter Sharon Vaughn), I’ll Think Of Something (Hank
Williams, Jr.), Song And Dance Man and My Part Of Forever
(both by Johnny Paycheck) and Rosie Cries A Lot (Ferlin Husky).
Once again, they broke their own ASCAP record when they received eleven
awards plus four production awards for their newly constituted
production company, Farah. Their roster was Narvel Felts, Bobby Bare,
Sharon Vaughn and Foster and Rice themselves. During 1975, Eddy Raven
had hits with Foster and Rice’s Ain’t She Something Else and
You’re My Rainy Day Woman. The following year, Paycheck scored with
another of Jerry and Bill’s songs, I Can See Me Lovin’ You Again.
In addition, they had hits from Jacky Ward with I Never Said it Would
Be Easy and Jerry Lee Lewis with Let’s Put It Back Together Again.
In 1977,Mickey Gilley took their song, Here Comes The Hurt Again
into the Top 10.
They had major cuts from Steve Wariner with Easy Part’s Over
(1980), Jerry Lee Lewis with the Top 5 single Thirty Nine And Holding
(1981), Johnny Rodriguez with First Time Burned (1984) and
the No.1 hit from Conway Twitty, Ain’t She Something Else
(1985). Jerry has had over 500 songs recorded during his career, mostly
by major artists.
Jerry and
Bill are the most awarded songwriting team in the history of ASCAP, and
hold the records for most awards received in one year. They also hold
the distinction of having 10 songs in the billboard country music charts
in one week. |
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Arti Portilla Wrote
for Warner Brothers Music Publishing for five years learning the art of
songwriting co writing with Harlan Sanders. My first cut came by Joe
Sun, (OLD FLAMES CAN'T HOLD A CANDLE TO YOU) Later, I sang lead vocals
for a group called The Capitals, ("A Little Ground in Texas" and "Bridge
Over Broadway"). During this time, I had some songs cut by various
artists. Later in Nashville I ran into then unkown, Tim McGraw. He
recorded my song, "What Room Was the Holiday In?" Also has Joe Sun
record, "I'm Still Crazy About You". Now a solo artist working on a new
"CS co-written by BO Roberts (Kenny Chestney). 10 With A Two. |
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RIC SANDLER
By the time he graduated high school, Sandler had already been signed
to an exclusive publishing contract that led him to Los Angeles and all
it implies. Writing prolifically for the next fifteen years for various
publishers such as Sony Music and Warner Chappell, Ric wrote and
recorded for himself as well. He collaborated with John Lilley of the
Hooters and was also an in-demand session player, working with such
legends as Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon, Larry Carlton, Lee Sklar, and the
Porcaro brothers, as well as doing lead vocals on some studio group hits
during the seventies. While superstars like Dionne Warwick, Jermaine
Jackson and Anne Murray were recording his songs, he was also scoring TV
shows and films, including Ralph Bakshi’s Warner Bros. film “Hey Good
Lookin”, touring with Tanya Tucker, playing with Chuck Berry, and
working the club circuit, as well. In 2000 The Dixie Hummingbirds did
one of Ric's songs on their Grammy nominated album, "Music in the Air."
The album, a multi-textured wonder called Rhythmunderground.
Rhythmunderground yielded two Top 20 Adult Contemporary radio hits,
RUBIES and I’LL LET YA KNOW. |
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Tony
Stampley
Tony Stampley has written
more songs for Hank Williams Jr than any other writer. Songs such as I
like My Whiskey On Ice and Women On Fire, I’ve Been Down, American
Offline, Woman On The Run. The Nashville Scene, Video of the year and
Top Five funny song of the year in 1985 with the parody song about Boy
George Where’s The Dress. Had over 50 songs recorded by Major label
Artist such as John Anderson, George Jones, Randy Travis, Moe Bandy and
Joe Stampley, Confederate Railroad, and Guitar Legend Lonnie Mack. Most
recently "Heal Me " on Billy Curringtons latest release
and tons more... |
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Diane
Falcone
Silence' on:
NNeil Young's 'Songs of the Times'.Recently
won the Billboard World Songwriting Contest for 2 of her
songs off her new full-length CD debut, called, Release,
Falcone has additionally signed a licensing agreement with
Oxygen TV, the Cable TV network co-founded by Oprah
Winfrey. |
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Jim Parker
1978 ASCAP SONGWRITER’S AWARD for “I’ve
Got A Feelin”, recorded by John Anderson on Warner Brothers Records.
John Anderson’s first Warner Brothers release remained on Billboard’s
National charts for 11 weeks peaking in the top 20s.
1981 BMI SONGWRITER’S AWARD for “Chicken Truck”, recorded by John
Anderson on Warner Brothers Records. This song reached #8 in the nation
on the Billboard country charts and is currently on John Anderson’s 1st
Greatest Hits album |
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Rand Bishop
is a Grammy-nominated,
BMI Award-winning,
Million-play songwriter
with well over 200 cuts
to his credit—by such
artists as Beach Boys,
Heart, Cheap Trick,
Indigo Girls, Tim
McGraw, David Ball,
Peter Noone, Richie
Havens and Vanilla
Fudge—among many others.
Bishop’s My List,
recorded by Toby Keith
(co-written with Tim
James) spent five weeks
at number one on the
Billboard .
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Stonewall
Thomas
Rock & Roll, Singer-Songwriter
Stonewall. Who's MP3.com chart topping singles include the #1 "Sunsets
For You", #1 "Never Say Goodbye" and Five other top 5 singles including
"Karma", I'm Not A Criminal", "Noah". ...and more |
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Travis
Meadows
#1 Christian ('Should've
Been Lovin' You"
Jonathon Pierce 2001 ASCAP
Award.) and many more.....Universal staff writer. |
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Chris Gantry,
Chris has written more than 1,000 songs some of them with Kris
Kristofferson, Mel Tillis, Shel Silverstein, and Eddie Rabbit. Over 100
of his songs were recorded by various artist; Roy Clark, Johnny Cash,
Sonny Curtis, Robert Goulet, Wayne Newton, Johnny Lee, Reba McEntire,
Billy Walker, Garry Pucket, KD Lang, Davey T Hamilton, Yankee Grey, and
Rhett Akins, including Dreams of the Everyday Housewife, by Glen
Campbell which won three M.M.I awards Chris recorded five albums for
Monument and ABC Dot Records. |
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Lorna Flowers
NCM magazine Country
Songwriter of the Year
in 1998, and having
several songs hitting
the European Country
Radio charts (including
3 #1 songs and several
top 10s), Lorna had
another ‘first’ with a
#1 song in Australia
(and #2 in Poland) via
Lucie Diamond’s
recording of “Don’t Even
Think About It” (written
by Shelley Jacobson and
Lorna Flowers), and had
her first US cuts in
2008 (adding to her 40
cuts worldwide)
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Stan Webb
"I'm From the Country," Tracy Byrd SESAC Legacy Award for his string
of musical achievements. Wait till ya hear his new stuff. |
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Lisa Aschmann
With over 400 cuts from radio and movies from Jazz to Bluegrass or Soup
to Nuts, Lisa is an eclectic and prolific songwriter .at the top of
her game. Cuts by Diamond Rio, Collin Raye, Aiofe Clancy, Art Garfunkel,
Aaron Neville, Grace Griffith, Don Jones, Alice Newman,Wayfaring
Stranger and with her co-writer, Joel Evans, she’s had over 30 TV and
film placements this past year, including Numbers, Bones, West Wing, The
Young and the Restless, JAG, Providence, and The Perfect Man. “A Dozen
Roses Ago”, “What Are The Chances of That?” and “Until It Happens To
You.” and of course more... |
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Effron White
HALL OF FAME Artist NW Arkansas Music
Awards.
"Every song tells
a story and his voice is full of the character needed to deliver
it." - Paul Pearcy (Lost Gonzos, Dixie Chicks, Terri Hendrix)
"EFFRON WHITE IS A
TRUE TREASURE. HE HAS THE MAGIC TOUCH." - Jerry Corbitt (The
Youngbloods, Charlie Daniels)
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Tom T. Hall
The first singer to have a
hit with one of Hall's songs
was Jimmy C. Newman, with
"DJ for a Day" to the Top 10
in 1963. In 1964, Dave
Dudley took "Mad" to the Top
10. Johnnie Wright had a No.
1 hit with Hall's "Hello
Vietnam." In 1968, Jeannie
C. Riley had a major hit
with Hall's "Harper Valley
P.T.A.," which spent three
weeks at the top of the
charts and was voted the
Single of the Year by the
Country Music Association.
"Ballad of Forty Dollars"
became his first Top 10 hit
as a songwriter/artist. No.
1 single "A Week in a
Country Jail". "Shoeshine
Man" and "Salute to a
Switchblade" both hit the
Top 10. Number 1 also with
"The Year That Clayton
Delaney Died," "Old Dogs,
Children and Watermelon
Wine," "I Love," "Country
Is," "I Care," and "Faster
Horses (The Cowboy and the
Poet)." Hall appeared
regularly on Hee Haw.
Alan Jackson released Hall's
"Little Bitty," spent 3
weeks at No. 1.
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Stella
Parton
She since has recorded 27 chart singles, 17 albums and garnered numerous awards and nominations, including multiple ASCAP Awards and ACM and Music City News Award nominations. Stella. has been featured in such films as "Cloud Dancer," "The Loner," and "Country Gold." Her work in television has included "The Dukes of Hazzard" and the CBS-TV move, "The Color Of Love," co-starring Lou Gossett, Jr. and Gena Rowlands.
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Walter
Egan
An American rock musician, best known for his 1978 Top 10 (and gold) hit single "Magnet and Steel" from his album Not Shy, produced by Lindsey Buckingham and Richard Dashut of Fleetwood Mac fame. Buckingham also co-produced Egan's first album Fundamental Roll with Stevie Nicks. "Magnet and Steel" was featured in the 1997 film Boogie Nights. Egan also wrote "Hearts on Fire," which was covered by Gram Parsons on his album Grievous Angel, and "Hot Summer Nights", which was the first hit for the band Night, which included such session musicians as Nicky Hopkins and Robbie McIntosh. Egan backed artists from Jackson Browne to David Lindley increasingly turning his energies towards graphic art and I hear has several of his works displayed prominently in galleries around the world..
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Brian White
"Watching You" for Rodney
Atkins which was named SESAC Country Song of the Year at the recent
Awards Dinner. The song continues to be a fan favorite and a radio smash
as it earned the title of "Most Played Country Song of 2007" as well as
just being nominated for SONG OF THE YEAR honors at the upcoming Academy
of Country Music Awards. His
writing has earned him eleven #1 songs as well as 2 Dove Awards..
Add to that yet another Dove Award Nomination for 2008 Country Song of
the Year for "James White", a song recorded by country legend Earl
Scruggs. He
has written for such artist as Avalon, 4 Him, Point of Grace, Brian
Littrell, Selah, The Crabb Family, All Star United, Greg Long, Larnelle
Harris, Jaci Velasquez, Cliff Richard and many others. Staff writer for
BMG/Brentwood Benson Music Publishing in Nashville.
Recently Brian expanded his writing into the country market and has
found success there as well with songs being recorded by country super
star Trace Adkins as well as Neal McCoy, Blackhawk and more... |
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Troy Martin
Troy Martin "Baby's Gotten Good At Goodbye", "She Can't Say I Didn't
Cry" and lots more....... |
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Boomer Castleman
Inventor:
Bigsby PalmPedal
Music Director:
The International Country Music Awards Show; A
live Audio/Vidio production featuring top
international artist. Tom Jones hosting.Musician:
Played on recording
sessions for
Pop, Country, and R&B
artist such as; Linda Ronstadt, Vic Dana, Lola
Folana, Kenny Rodgers, Merilee Rush, Michael
Martin Murphy, George Hamilton, Tammy Wynette,
David Alan Coe, Johnny Rodriguez, George Jones,
Dorsey Burnette, Johnny Paycheck, Patti Page,
Johnny Lee, Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Earl Scugges,
Trini Lopez, Dave Dudley, Hoyt Axton, Big Al
Downing, Gerry Mulligan, and many more.Live
Performances:
The White House, Washington DC December 29th,
2000; 2001 Super Blues Fest, San Diego; American
Bandstand (One of only two artists to perform
live. The other was Jim Stafford); guitarist for
flutist James Galway on the "Stranded in West
Texas" show; Staff guitarist for the Smokey
Mountain Steel Guitar Jamboree, Knoxville, TN (a
yearly event).Background
Vocalist:
"In the Heat of the Night" (Oscar for best sound
track, 1968); "I Dream of Jeannie", "For Singles
Only", "The Tiger Makes Out", guitarist on "Take
This Job & Shove It", movie; "New
Country", "Christmas on the General
Jackson", "The Graham Parsons Notebook"
(Vocalist & Guitarist).Songwriter:
Songs by Lyle Lovett, John Dever, The Monkeys,
George Hamilton IV, Ronnie Prophet, Chad Evertt,
Rusty Weir, Seldom Seen, Ray Wylie Hubbord,
Michael Martin Murphy, BW Stevenson, Mari
Wilson, and the TV shows "Bonanza" & "I Dream
of Jeannie".Producer:
"Judy Mae" (Boomer Castleman,Mums Records);
"Telephone Man" (Mari Wilson, BNA/GRT Records);
"Say You Do", (Bobby David, 20th Century
Records); "Hollywood & Vine" (Kim Morrison,
Malalco Records); "Just Fir You" (Ronnie
Prophet, Cachet/TeeVee Records) Records; "Peter
the Meter Reader" (Mari Wilson WMOT Records);
"Silent Partners" (Rodney Lay, Sun Records);
"Summertime Blues" (Boomer Castleman, Cream
Records); "Internet Man", "900 Song" (Mari
Wilson WB/Giant Records); "Mr Hyde" (Mr Hyde,
axim Records); "Personal Notes" (Boomer
Castelman, RLG Records) "HOT LYX" (Boomer
Castleman, RLG Records).Awards:
Vocals on Quincy Jones Oscar winning soundtrack
"In the Heat of the Night", "Telephone Man"
(Mari Wilson RIAA Certified gold record); "Just
For You" (Ronnie Prophet CRIA Certified gold
record); "Telephone Man" (Mari Wilson Ampex
Golden Reel Award); "Just For You" Ronnie
Prophet Ampex Golden Reel Award); "Telephone
Man" (Mari Wilson UK Certified Silver);
"Spotlight Guitar" (Boomer Castleman, Guitar
Player Magazine June 1994); "Lick-of-the-month"
(Boomer Castleman Guiter Player Magazine, March
1999); ("Rock & Read" Magazine Boomer Castleman
'Cover Story');Record
Labels:
Owned BNA Records, a successeful independent
label, sold to BMG, 1993; Head of Delta Disc
Records A&R 1999, currently COO of Legend
Records; also owns and operates Amria Records
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John Heinrich
the darling of the CMH of Fame
Steel Guitar request performer,.John
worked at the World Famous Stockyard/Bullpen Lounge from April of 86
till November of 95. While there many artists would come by to sit in
with the band, those included Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beach Boys, Reba
McEntire, The Everly Brothers, Lorrie Morgan, The Kentucky Headhunters,
Rick Astley, Steppenwolf's John Kay, Travis Tritt, Shania Twain, and
many others. In 1991 John took a three month leave of absence from the
Bullpen lounge to work with "Hank Williams Jr.." In 1999, John recorded
saxophone at the famous "Fame Studio's," in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with
"Wayne Jackson," the Trumpet/leader of the "Memphis Horns," on a session
for the famous country group "ALABAMA," with producer "Rick Hall". This
studio is where all the "Stax Records" songs such as, "Knock On Wood,"
"Dock Of The Bay" and "Soul Man" were recorded and produced. |
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J.K. Coltrain
grew up surrounded by music & musicians. His cousin, Buddy Starcher
was a professional recording artist on Columbia Records and was a
regular performer on the then popular Midwestern & Louisiana Hayrides.
He also introduced the late Keith Whitley who first appeared on Buddys
weekly radio show in Charleston, West Virginia when he was 8 years old.
J. K. made his own first appearance on radio at age 12 and first TV
appearance at age 14. O J.K.opened for many popular groups at that time
such as Pure Prairie League, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco & The
Marshall Tucker Band.He signed a recording contract with Monument
Records. He first cracked the country music charts in 1987 with a
self-penned song, West Virginia You're Still My Home on the Studio 7
label. Since then he has made many appearances on numerous radio & TV
shows including The Nashville Showcase, The Midnight Jamboree, Nashville
On Stage, The Jerry Lewis Telethon & Stars of Tomorrow. J. K. has toured
worldwide and worked with some of the greatest names in country music.
Jerry Reed, Loretta Lynn, The Bellamy Brothers, Conway Twitty, Buck
Owens, George Jones, Tammy Wynette & Jerry Lee Lewis to name just a few.
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Dan Demay
"Crazy Everytime" that Tracey Byrd put on his "Ten Rounds" CD. If
Something Should Happen" with Darryl Worley Martina McBride's
"Everybody Does", Tracy Lawrence "You Can't Hide Red Neck" Cledus T.
Judd just released single "Illegals" You ain't herd the last from this
guy. |
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Charlie Allen
One of Radio’s “Most Played”
Independent Artists of 2007 Charlie Allen's current single, "Can't Take
Him Out of Me" (River Run Records), hit # 1 on the Independent Music
Network Country Charts, the multitalented singer/songwriter was also
nominated for Country Male Artist of the Year, one of the top awards at
the annual New Music Weekly Awards Show. |
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Jeff Dayton
Jeff has earned platinum and gold
awards as well as a platinum video award for his George Strait
cut “Any Old Time” included on the CMA and ACM Album of the Year “Does
Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?” Glen Campbell's bandleader for 15
years. After Jeff’s final gig with Glen, Jeff was called to play guitar
with Lee Greenwood’s band. For the rest of 2002 he was a regular member
of Lee’s tour. Also filled in with Kenny Chesney’s band |
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Dillon Dixon
While the original intent
was to focus on his
songwriting talents for the
Nashville market, he began
to land tracks in motion
pictures including “Open To
Me" from Terminator 3. He
has also landed tracks in
Scream, The Crow 3, Dracula
2000, Flight Of The Phoenix,
and the Wes Craven film,
Cursed. Dillon explains,
“When you are trying to
write something for a movie,
you have to be totally
immersed in the emotion of
the scene to reflect it
musically.
Warner-Chappell/Ash Street
Music
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Don Poythress
He has penned songs that
have been recorded by Willie
Nelson (You Remain), Bonnie
Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Tim
McGraw (Comfort Me), Daryll
Worley, Sir Cliff Richard,
Brian Littrell, Niall Toner,
The Marie Sisters, The
Wilkinsons, Leslie Satcher,
Andrea Zonn, Nashville
Bluegrass Band, Daryl
Worley, Andy Childs and Bill
Gaither among many others.
His Dove Award-winning Song
"The Promise" as sung by The
Martins, was awarded top
recorded song in the
Southern Gospel Category in
2004. Don was nominated for
a 2006 Dove Award for "Lay
it Down" as recorded by Jaci
Velasquez and the London
Symphony Orchestra.
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Billy Montana As
a recording artist, Montana's album, No Yesterday, was critically
acclaimed with USA Today, characterizing him as "a wonderful
songwriter." Country Weekly described his music as "A common man's
wisdom voiced in an uncommon manner." A diverse group of artists have
recorded Montana's songs including Jo Dee Messina, Tim McGraw, Sister
Hazel, Blake Shelton, Sara Evans, BlackHawk, Kenny Rogers, Lee Ann
Womack, Steve Holy, Pat Green and many others. Montana's number one
single, "Bring On The Rain" recorded by Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw
was nominated for a Grammy. Montana wrote "Friends For Life" for the
animated MGM movie release of the Mark Twain classic Tom Sawyer. His
song "A Clean Mind and Dirty Hands," which was awarded Song of the Year
in 1996 by Farm Journal as the song best depicting genuine farm life.
Montana’s most recent success is the Sara Evans hit “Suds In The
Bucket.” |
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Jimmy
Butler
His live gigs out
of the Nashville area have included playing with the B.B. King All
Stars, the Wooten Brother's Friends, Joey Richey, Larry LaDonn and a
tour date with David Lee Murphy. He is currently winding up summer
touring dates with Bryan White. |
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Karen Reynolds
University
of Tennessee songwriting instructor and radio host.
"Writer's Block" is a weekly,
independently produced radio program featuring ONLY Independent
Performing Songwriters. The program has been on the air for 8 years and
is web cast around the world.
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Frank Knapp
Songs cut by Lorreta Lynn, Ronnie
McDowell, Carol Chase, CarolChanning, Anita Carter, Dean Dillon and
others.
Movies in are SWEET DREAMS, MADISON, FURNACE, which is out now, A
FATHER'S RIGHTS, about to
be released and AMATEURS coming later this year. TV: HEAT OF THE NIGHT,
AMERICA'S MOST WANTED,
AMERICA'S DUMBEST CRIMINALS, THE YOUNG ELVIS and I am an UNSOLVED
MYSTERY.
Professional Skydiver for 43 yrs. now, which in a round about way got me
in all of the above like
skydiving into John and June Cash's yard. |
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Billy Don Burns
Not enough words can describe
this songwriters hard driving string of accomplishments. Click on his
name above and visit his website. A true songwriters, songwriter. Called
the other day to say make sure we don't forget him at the fest this
year. |
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Denny Sarokin -
Denny
had his first Top Ten hit as lead singer/ guitarist/ writer/ bandleader
for Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band. Denny has Performed with the
Nashville Symphony. Critically acclaimed, Denny has written, performed
and produced songs for T.V. and film soundtracks, including “Fast Times
At Ridgemont High”, “Electric Horseman”, and “Stoker’s Ace”. |
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Pete Sallis
I've have been lucky to get
some cuts recently with Rodney Atkins and George Canyon. In fact, the
George Canyon's "Somebody Wrote Love" won the 2006 CCMA 's Single of the
Year. I currently write for a publisher called Singing Honeytree Music.
I love to hear new songs from my friends. |
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Tirk Wilder
Tirk wrote the theme song for the
mega-hit CBS television show, "Walker, Texas Ranger", "The Eyes of The
Ranger" received the prestigious BMI TV Music award for three
consecutive years.
On the heels of a record contract with RCA Victor, he appeared with
such greats as Jerry Lee Lewis, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Dickie
Betts, Black Oak Arkansas, David Allen Coe, Earl Thomas Conley, and many
others. He has also toured throughout the country as keyboard player
for country music sensation, Toby Keith. |
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Dave Gibson & Dasiy Dern
"Midnight Fire" became a top 5 hit for Steve Warnie, immediately
followed by "Heart Trouble", which also scored in the top 5. Dave has
written hit songs for Alabama; "Jukebox In My Mind," Tanya
Tucker; "If It Don't Come Easy," Confederate Railroad; "Queen
of Memphis" and "Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind," Joe Diffie;
"Ships That Don't Come In," Pam Tillis; "Do You Know Where Your
Man Is," Conway Twitty; "House On Old Lonesome Road," and most
recently the hit "Lonely and Gone" for Montgomery Gentry. |
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David
Allds Third year fest head who once had special Fest Logo
"T" shirts made with Don Henley and Glen Campbell at a golf game trying
to drop a hint. When I first met "Smoothie," I saw his calloused
hands and said, "Damn, you must be a drummer!" David's looking for ten
#1 songs this year. Hit song writer and hit record producer, (I think)
with Mel Tillis and so on. Founder of
Flatlanders Publishing Group |
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Steven
McClintock
Look at Me, Now; Whenever I Fell in Love; With This Kiss; I Believe In
You; "Put Christ Back In Christmas"; I Will Sing My Song; Christmas
Needs Love To Be Christmas; Fear Of A Broken Heart; Don't Move; Let Me
Show You; All This Time; Can I Call You My Girl; I Always Thought I'd
See You Again; Oh Jackie; Until Tonight; If Love Is Blind, and many more
at the site... |
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R.C.
O'Leary
His
songs have been described as a mixture of Folk, Country, Blues, Pop and
Rockabilly.
In '76 I signed with Warner Brothers (Nashville). "Jailbirds Can't Fly"
(Peter Fonda), "Me and Rosana" (Garrick
Alden), "That's What Friends Are For" (Harlan Sanders), "Honky Tonker"
(Ronnie Prophet).
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Dr. Jay & Miss Diana
TV & Radio commercials for
McDonalds, Wal-mart, La-z-Boy Dell Computers, SW Airlines,Texas
Commerce and Union Planters Banks. Look on the back of any Tennessee
liscense plate and you'll see their hook. Tennessee, "Sounds good to me" |
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Monty Holmes
writer/artist, smooth, ( Multiple cuts by George Strait including "When
Did You Stop Loving Me", Michael Montgomery, Lee Ann Womack, Lane
Turner, and George Jones have also cut his songs)
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Buddy Lee Texas and
American Charted song "A
Soldiers Prayer"
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Tommy Barnes
Cat
Daddy, (7 Hank Jr. cuts, 6 Tim McGraw cuts including "Indian Outlaw", 3
Little Texas cuts including "My Love", Western Flyer, Englebert
Humperdink and Celinda Pink have also cut his songs)
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Billy Arr
(age 29) handsome, tall, over 800
songs published, 87 cuts. Mel Tillis, (# 1 single & album) Faron Young
( 4 cuts), Dave Dudley, (2) Loretta Lynn, ( 8 1/2 million sales) Mickey
Gilley, Freddie Hart, The Kendalls, The Wilburn Bros., Roy Rogers,
Tom Jones, & Minnie, Minnie Uthers |
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Earl Clark
A
songwriters songwriter, living what he writes.
I
Found Jesus On The Jailhouse Floor - George Strait One Step At A Time
- George Strait Can't Break It To My Heart - Tracy Lawrence
Renegades, Rebels & Rogues - Tracy Lawrence It's Not The End Of The
World But A Damn Good Start-Emilo I Can Do That - Tanya Same Ole Fool
- Johnny Rodriguez Stray Cats - Willie Nelson
Cowboys & Girls Of The Night - Willie Nelson |
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Greg Crowe
Driving writer/artist. "Little Did I Know" by Sammy Kershaw, "Lonely and
Gone" by Montgomery Gentry and more... |
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Jeff Pearson
Totally nice guy.
Jeff has hosted the Bluebird Café Songwriters Nite
for 18 years.
Jeff has
performed with, opened for or played with... the Righteous Brothers,
Rick Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bobby Bare, Patty Loveless, Barbara
Mandrell, Tammy Wynette, Trisha Yearwood, Waylon Jennings, Paul
Overstreet, Charlie Daniels and........ |
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Bob Hicks
(Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, and other cuts past and
present.) Hasn't missed a fest yet. Ask him about his bio and the old
days when ya see him. He loves to share his experiences. |
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Tony Mullins
Campfire ring -a ding. How
Forever Feels- Kenny Chesney Angel In My Eyes -I’ll Take
Love Over Money- Aaron Tippin All I Want Is A Life - Tim
McGraw Home - TIm McGraw Aint That Just Like A Dream - Tim
McGraw Lonely Grill - Lonestar What About You - Sons of
the Desert The 5th - Brad
Martin |
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Chris & Camille Wallin
I’m Tryin’
- Trace Adkins
Speed - Montgomery Gentry
Beer Run - Garth Brooks
Artists who have cut Chris's songs include Lorrie Morgan, , Sammy
Kershaw, Tommy Shane Steiner, Michael Peterson, Jeffrey Steele,
Confederate Railroad, Neal McCoy, Brian McComas, Brad Paisley, Joe
Diffie, Diamond Rio and more..... |
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Clinton
Gregory
Great
writer, killer Fiddle player and studio musician of legends. "Clinton
Gregory is one of the Greatest Country Singers on the Planet." ~ Marty
Stuart. |
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Jimbeau Hinson
PARTY CROWD - DAVID LEE MURPHY/FANCY FREE - OAK RIDGE BOYS/HILLBILLY
HIGHWAY - STEVE EARLE/TRAIN OF MEMORIES - KATHY MATTEA/STONES - TRACY
LAWRENCE & TY HERNDON/GOTTA GET YOUR HEART RIGHT - LEE
GREENWOOD/HILLBILLY HIGHWAY - RICKY SKAGGS/BORN THAT WAY - DAVID LEE
MURPHY/RED ROSES - REBA MCENTIRE/WHEN YOU GIVE IT AWAY - OAK RIDGE
BOYS/HARMONY - JOHN CONLEE/BLONDE AMBITION - RODNEY CROWELL/BILLY
BURNETTE, THE GOLDENS/ BROKEN TRUST - BRENDA LEE/I'M ON YOUR SIDE &
AFTER ALL - PATTY LOVELESS Along with others recordings by: Tammy
Wynette, Porter Waggoner, Rita Coolidge, Connie Smith, Carl Perkins, and
many more. |
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Poobah
Been there done that. Real human being. A life full of astounding music
connections. Truly blessed. Thank you Poo.
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Buzz Rabin & Jimmy Compton
Guys, I need your bios. Thanks Buzz and
Jimmy for being there. Where the hell is the Travs and those hats?
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Kim McLean (Kim
Patton-Johnston)
In 1999, McLean received
a Dove Award for Country Gospel song of the year for
"Count Your Blessing" which was recorded by The Martins.
Other artists who've recorded Kim McLean songs include
Tim McGraw, The Happy Goodmans, Trisha Yearwood,
Jennifer Hanson, Lee Ann Womack, Billy Gilman, Sierra,
and more. Since her first publishing deal with Little
Big Town, she has also written for EMI, Centergy, King
Lizard, New Haven, Worley World, Skyline, and Sony-Tree.
Her own publishing company, Kim McLean Music houses most
of her Gospel copyrights. Her songs have been used on
several major network TV shows including JAG,
Early Edition, As The World Turns, The
West Wing, and Hope & Faith, which also
included a cameo appearance by McClean. Rick Schroder
used "All We Ever Find", a McLean composition recorded
by Tim McGraw, for the feature film Black Cloud,
about a Native American boxer who made the Olympic
boxing team. In 2001, McLean returned to her maiden
name, and launched a solo artist career of her own with
the creation of Hippie Chick Twang Records. Her album,
"Happy Face" contains a duet with Dolly Parton called
"Angels and Eagles". The title cut of the album, Kim
McLean composed with Kenny Alphin, Big Kenny of Big and
Rich.
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Billy Yates
BILLY YATES AT # 1 FOR 26 WEEKS IN 2005
(01/20/06) - For the past 2
years, our own Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, Billy Yates, has
enjoyed widespread recognition among country music fans around the
world. While performing more than 100 shows all over Europe during the
past two years, Yates and his M.O.D. (my own damn) Record Label decided
to start releasing singles there. "Our first single went straight to
number one, the second did the same and the craziness hasn't stopped".
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Mack Vickery
Mack has written countless songs, which have been recorded by Americas
Top Country Stars, including, “The Jamestown Ferry” (Tanya Tucker), “I’m
The Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised” (Johnny Paycheck), “The Fireman”
(George Strait), “Right In The Wrong Direction” (Vern Gosdin) “Rockin’
My Life Away” (Jerry Lee Lewis. Mack has written many songs for the late
great Waylon Jennings such as “The Eagle”, “If She’ll Leave Her Mama”,
“Cedartown Georgia” and “ I Can’t Keep My Hands Off You”. Mack has
written songs for Charlie Pride, Mel Street, Ricky Van Shelton, Mark
Chestnut, John Anderson, Mickey Gilley, Hank Williams Jr., Claude King,
Lefty Frizzell, Cal Smith, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Becky Hobbs,
Louise Mandrell, Barbi Benton, Faron Young & Earnest Tubb. |
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Billy Ray Reynolds
Over the years, Reynolds has continued to churn out quality tunes for
the likes of Waylon, Johnny Cash, Tanya Tucker, David Rogers, Tompall
Glaser, John Conlee, Johnny Rodriguez, Jack Greene, David Frizzell and
many, many more. Plans to record the ruggedly handsome singer were
periodically floated by, and then--similarly--they'd vanish in the
breeze. |
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Michael Peterson
The success of the hit single, "Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie" catapulted
Michael Peterson into the national spotlight in 1997 and the follow up
release, "From Here To Eternity," earned the singer his first #1 hit.
The self-titled debut disc was certified gold and Peterson was
recognized as country music's top selling new male artist of 1997 and
1998. |
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Jimmy Payne
As a songwriter Jimmy Payne has had songs recorded by Charley Pride, Ray
Price, Bill Anderson, Glen Campbell, Grandpa Jones, Jim Glaser, Tompall
and the Glaser Brothers, Cal Smith, Connie Smith, Jo-El Sonnier, Jeanne
Pruett, Tammy Wynette, Dottie West, Daniel O'Donnell, Frank Ifield,
Frank Jennings and many others. |
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Casey Kelly
His many hit songs include #1’s: Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight by Kenny
Rogers and Dottie West, Soon by Tanya Tucker, Somewhere Down the Line by
T G Shepherd and country music standard, The Cowboy Rides Away by George
Strait. He works as a session player and singer and performs in clubs
and concerts for audiences in Europe and throughout the US. A frequent
panelist, workshop contributor and songwriters' rights activist, Casey
is a member of ASCAP, NARAS and NSAI. He mentors the NSAI Regional
Workshops in Providence, RI; Atlanta, GA; Greenville, SC and Pensacola,
FL. He is currently a Songwriters Guild of America Board of Councilors
member, and serves as elected Vice President of that organization,
representing the Southeastern Region. |
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Devon O'Day Her
songwriting career includes credits by George Strait,
Hank Williams, Jr, Lee Ann Womack, Kim
McLean, Dolly Parton, Ray Stevens,
Trace Adkins, Neal McCoy and more. Though now
an ASCAP songwriter, she holds a "Million-Air" award
from BMI. As of 2006 she hosts Country Hitmakers
on 100 radio stations across the country, as well as
launching Country Spirit nationally (a weekly
gospel/inspirational radio show), and narrating the
"Impact Songs" series for the Bravo network. She also
hosts weekend shows on SIRIUS Radio's Spirit Channel.
Her voice is heard on campaigns, promotions, and
programs for The Billy Graham Crusade, Women of Faith,
United Methodist Communications, KFC, Hilton Hotels,
Drexel Heritage Furniture, United Way, and many others.
Her voice has been heard on CBS, PBS, NBC, TNN, CMT,
Lifetime, RFD-TV, MSNBC, and FOX. She has been the voice
of choice to narrate specials at the request of such
artists as Garth Brooks, The Dixie Chicks, Kenny Chesney,
Trace Adkins, John Michael Montgomery, The Isaacs, Bill
Gaither, and Trisha Yearwood.
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Dick Feller
Five of Dick Feller's songs have won
BMI Awards:
"Any Old
Wind That Blows"; "The Credit Card Song"; "East Bound And Down"; "Lord,
Mr. Ford"; "Some Days Are Diamonds" |
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Gary Talley
As a songwriter, he has penned cuts for Keith Whitley, The Box Tops,
James Cotton, T.G. Shepard, Fish Heads & Rice and others. He has
continued writing and teaching, while at the same time playing
television appearances, live events or touring with artists like Billy
Preston, Sam Moore, Pam Tillis, Brenda Lee, Tammy Wynette, Rufus Thomas,
Tim McGraw, Sam "the Sham" Samudio, David Lee Murphy, Bobby Whitlock,
Tracy Nelson, Dr. John, Mac Gayden, Bobby Bare, Ray Vega, Deirdre
Reilly, the Hombres, Jason D. Williams, James Carr, Lloyd Price, and
Little Eva among others. |
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Irene Kelley
"A Little Bluer Than That"
Alan Jackson, Drive- BMG "Hold Her", Loretta Lynn, Still
Country- Audium "O, Mexico", Trisha Yearwood , "Thinkin
About You"- MCA "Second Chance" Trisha Yearwood, Inside
Out- MCA "Cold All The Time" Bill Anderson, What I
Feel - indie "Somewhere Between Texas And Mexico" Pat
Green - Universal/Mercury/Republic "Don't Waste My
Time" Little Big Town- SONY "Not So Different After
All", Brother Phelps - Asylum Records "You Are A Rock
(And I'm A Rolling Stone)", Carl Jackson - CBS "Jesus
Rock My Baby", The Whites - Curb Records
"Silver and Gold", Claire Lynch - Rounder Records "Love
Can't Ever Get Better Than This", Ricky Skaggs & Sharon
White - CBS (Sony) & Curb "Run To the Well, Virginia"
Stevens Sisters- Little By Little -Rounder "Scorns of
Time" Allan Hall - Curb "You're Gonna Need This
Memory" Pierce Pettis , Great Big World- Compass
"Sure Do Miss You Now" Pure Prairie League, All In Good
Time - Drifters Church "Keep My Love There While I'm
Gone", Claire Lynch
"Jealousy", Claire Lynch ,
Silver & Gold - Rounder
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Robert Jason
BMI Millionaire Award (one million airplays worldwide) For "She Ain't
Your Ordinary Girl"; NSAI #1 Award; R&R #1 Award; Quadruple Platinum
Record For "Alabama's Greatest Hits - For The Record" - Featuring "She
Ain't Your Ordinary Girl"; John Lennon Songwriting Contest Award
[Gospel/Inspirational]; Basil Morrotta Honorium - Best Piano Composition
[1983]; CLIO Award - Best Commercial, Radio "Penguins Frozen Yogurt";
Christian Country Radio #1 [2001] for "Yours", Recorded By The Fox
Brothers; Power Source Christian Country Charts #1 [2001] for "Yours",
Recorded By The Fox Brothers |
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The Luboffs
As songwriters, we have had success with "Trust Me," the first single on
Snoop Dogg's "Topp Dogg" album, "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much," a
No. 2 chart recording by Bobby Womack, "Body Language" cut by Patti
LaBelle (gold album) and the featured song in the John Travolta movie,
"The Experts," among others. |
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Virgil Gibson
was the original lead singer for The Platters and will be singing and
sharing some of his life's story. Vernon Rust White Collar Man,
Sacred Ground. The Ranch and a whole new catalog. |
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Wayne Barker Jr.
Wayne Barker Jr. & the VETTZ Band,
18 certified
gold records, BMI's top 10 songwriters in November of 2004, wrote theme
song for Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, (The Wall), Rockabilly Hall
of Fame in February 2005. Worked with Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall
Tucker, John Anderson, Hank Williams Jr., John Kay, Joan Jett, Edgar
Winter, Molly Hatchet, Rick Derringer, Willie Nelson, etc.
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Joie
Scott
#1 song (Not That Different) Collin Raye and cuts by Anne Murray,
Restless Heart, Riders In The Sky, Peabo Bryson, The Lynns, Cheap Seats |
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Larry Johnson
"Don't Take The Girl" (Tim McGraw) nominated for CMA Award and few more
under his sleeve. |
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Donna Frost
Donna has performed across
the US, the Caribbean and UK. Donna has a distinct style, blending folk,
blues & pop.
Two songs made the top 25
in the indie charts in Europe and "Feels Like
Home" went straight to #1 on the World
Independent charts in Australia and remained in the top
10 for 38 weeks.
Her Christmas single,
was voted the #2 Christmas song on the indie charts in
Europe for 2001
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Gary Sefton
Gary Sefton has had his songs recorded by more than one hundred
different artists Including John Anderson, Tom T. Hall, Chris Ledoux,
Ray Price, Bobby Bare, Wilma Burgess, Norma Jean, Jimmy C. Newman, Joe
Diffie, Dottsie, and Earl Richards to name a few. "Ready Mixed Revenge"
the song that brought him to Nashville has been recorded at least 15
times including a top 5 chart record in Australia by Johnny Chester
(Australia's Johnny Cash). "Different Kind of Flower", a hit single for
Ray Price in the early eighties,"Soldier of Fortune" was not only a hit
single by Tom T. Hall, it was also the title song of one of his albums. |
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Steve Fox is a
Canadian singer/songwriter. He was born in
Brampton, Ontario and raised in
Vancouver, then moved to
Toronto in the early 1980s to pursue a career in music. He got his
break in 1995 with a rock LP "Where The Blue Moon Rises" followed by a
CD , but in 2001 he released his platinum album Small World which
led to notable singles "Small Town", "Cheap Red Wine" and "Couple On The
Cake", a duet with
Beverley Mahood and a video featuring
Leslie Neilson. Steve released the album "Lunch With Chet" with the
single "Dream On". He also is noted for writing the
Montgomery Gentry single "Daddy Won't Sell The Farm". Currently
Steve is producing records for other artists. Steve released his single
"If My Life Was a Movie" in January 2007. |
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Danny Dill
Songwriters Hall of Fame member , his songwriting credits include two
country classics -- "The Long Black Veil" and "Detroit City." He got his
start as a professional musician while working with Annie Lou Stockard
as Annie Lou and Danny, a duet act that performed on the Grand Ole Opry
during the '40s and '50s. Although Dill recorded as a solo artist, he
found his greatest success as a songwriter. "The Long Black Veil," a
Top 10 country hit for Lefty Frizzell in 1959. Recorded in later years
by numerous artists, including Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, The Band and the
Kingston Trio. Dill and Mel Tillis co-wrote "Detroit City," which Bobby
Bare took to the Top 10 in 1963. It remains a signature song for both
Bare and Tillis. Dill's songs were also recorded by Ray Price, Willie
Nelson, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Carl Smith, Webb Pierce and Faron
Young. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in
1975. |
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Don Wayne
"Saginaw Michigan" with Bill Anderson
which provided a huge hit for the late Lefty Frizzell in 1964. The
multi-award winning hit "Country Bumpkin" for Cal Smith in 1974 and the
clever "Belles Of Southern Bell" for Del Reeves in 1966. |
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Charlie Wayne
Charlie Wayne's musical journey has
been marked by success in both Rock & Country music - a gold record for
his participation in the hard-rock outfits BULLETBOYS and HAWK, plus a
Top 40 Country single ("Raised On Country"). |
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Ron Keel
As frontman for hard rock/heavy metal
bands KEEL, Steeler, Saber Tiger, and Fair Game (he also spent a brief
moment in time with Black Sabbath), Ron Keel sold millions of albums,
toured the world as a headliner and opening act for icons such as
Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, and many more, plus notched
several hits on radio and MTV including classics “The Right To Rock”,
“Because The Night”, “Tears Of Fire”, and “Somebody’s Waiting |
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and more...
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