The Swallow At The Hollow

Mark Selby

Selby has written more than 10 top-40 singles and 4 #1 hits, including the Dixie Chicks’ Grammy-winning There’s Your Trouble and Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Blue On Black — Billboard magazine’s1998 Rock Track of the Year. Wynona, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Roy Parnell & Keb Mo, JoDee Messina and many others have recorded Selby’s songs.

A virtuoso guitarist and dynamic live artist, Mark Selby has shared the stage with B.B. King, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, Robert Cray, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Delbert McLinton, John Hiatt, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Collective Soul, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Levon Helm, Junior Brown, and many more. Selby has appeared on notable radio and television music programming including World Cafe, Mountain Stage, and Woodsongs, and continues to perform with his stellar backup band, as an acoustic solo artist, and in a duo with his wife and frequent collaborator, Tia Sillers.

Clay Mills

Clay Mills, notable songwriter/record producer is currently living happily ever after in Nashville.  He’s got  a number 1 Grammy nominated single called “Beautiful Mess”, recorded by Diamond Rio and Top 5 single recorded by Andy Griggs “She Thinks She Needs Me”. His new Top 5 for Clay Walker  “Fall” and the new Grammy nominated Trisha Yearwood single “Heaven Heartache and the Power of Love” are current chart climbers. Trisha belts out this song that is revival- like in it’s passionate tale of love-you gonna hum this powerhouse melody all day long. Diamond Rio does Clay proud too with Beautiful Mess-telling the story of the complete bliss of new love “what a beautiful mess I’m in; spendin’ all my time with you; there’s nothin else I’d rather do; what a sweet addiction I’m caught up in; cause I can’t get enough; it’s the hunger of your love…”. We can’t get enough either-of this song!

He’s had songs recorded by many country superstars including Reba McEntire, Jo Dee Messina, Trisha Yearwood, Steve Holy, and Little Big Town. Ironically. “Fall” is also climbing a different chart (sung by Kimberly Locke)-except this version is a techno dance remix-same words-whole different sound. You can two step or do a disco jiggle-your choice!! I think you definitely  wanna a piece of this…

Sonny LaMaire

From ‘77 to ‘94 Exile recorded 4 pop albums, 6 country albums, had 10 number 1’s, several greatest hits packages, worked with amazing artists from Aerosmith to George Jones and toured the world. Sonny has lived in the Nashville area since ‘93 and continues to write songs and has been blessed to have had continued success. Sonny works with some of the best writers on the planet and lives in a part of Tenneessee that’s simply beautiful. “I have a great family, great friends, who could ask for more”.

Kerry Kurt Phillips

Kerry Kurt’s catalogue of over 600 songs has garnered four #1 singles as surveyed by Billboard, and Radio And Records. He has been awarded 12 gold records and 17 platinum albums accounting for certified sales of over 30 million records.

One of his biggest achievement was winning the TNN/Music City News “Song Of the Year Award” for Billy Ray Cyrus’, “It’s All The Same To Me.” ASCAP has recognized 13 (12 country and 1 pop) of Kerry Kurt’s works as being the most performed songs in the nation in each of their respective years.  In addition, his peers in the NSAI (Nashville Songwriter’s Association International) have awarded three of his compositions with their certificate of achievement, as has the Songwriter’s Guild of America.

In the past Kerry Kurt has had songs nominated for both the CMA (Country Music Association), and the ACM (Academy of Country Music) awards, and the Grammy’s. Five of Phillips’ songs have received the prestigious Million-Air honor, which recognizes over one million airplays for a given song.

Kerry Kurt’s biggest hits include the George Jones Smash, “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair”, Joe Diffie’s, “Is It Cold In Here”, “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox”, “In My Own Backyard” and “Pickup Man” which spent a record 5 weeks at number 1. Tim McGraw’s “Down On the Farm” and “Maybe We Should Just Sleep On It” are both products of Kerry Kurt’s pen.

His most recent hits are “That’s Just Jessie” sung by Kevin Denney, Tammy Cochran’s “Life Happened”, Craig Morgan’s “Almost Home”, Dusty Drake’s first two singles “One Last Time” and “Smaller Pieces”, the Tracy Byrd single “Drinkin’ Bone”, Tim McGraw’s recent release “Do You Want Fries With That” and George Strait’s most recent #1 Single “She Let Herself Go”.

Jonathan Kingham

Jonathan must be doing something right. In his first few years on the scene he has quickly developed into a seasoned performer while sharing the stage with the likes of Shawn Colvin, Michael McDonald, Doug Stone, Vanessa Carlton, Jonatha Brooke, and David Wilcox. Recent tours have found him on the road with such diverse acts as Julio Iglesias Jr. and Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Performing Songwriter magazine selected his release ‘Hardwood Floors’ as one of its top Do It Yourself Picks. “If this is just the beginning, Kingham is going to be a major talent in the near future,” says Performing Songwriting Magazine.

The release of his third album “That Changes Everything” finds him maintaining one foot firmly in the folk/pop world that has enabled him to sell over 5,000 copies of his first two releases. Fans of Shawn Colvin, Norah Jones and Jamie Cullum will enjoy this new offering from one of Seattle’s up and coming performers.

Stacy Donahue

A multi-dimensional artist, her passion for singing may only be matched by her enthusiasm for songwriting. It was with a song she wrote herself that she was selected as a finalist from the Chicago area to compete and perform in the Colgate Country Showdown at Country Thunder 2004 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. Stacy outperformed all other individual performers, taking third place behind two band acts. Nashville was waiting.

She spent two years playing gigs down on “Broadway” before deciding to truly take control of her career. While many singers in Nashville are content to make due with the talent they have, Stacy has chosen to take time off from the stage to hone her skills. “I recently read a quote that said ‘the only way to predict the future is to create it,’” Stacy says. “And that’s exactly what I’m doing every single day.” A piano player since the age of 8, Stacy took up guitar over a year ago, and now spends her time practicing, writing music with some of the industry’s most established names, and performing demos.

Jill Colucci

Jill has had hit after hit on the radio. She wrote Billboard Song of the Year “No One Else On Earth” sung by Wynonna Judd: ASCAP #1 Award and CMA #1 Award winning songs “I’m Gonna Be Somebody” and “Anymore” for Travis Tritt and has had cuts on gold albums from Anne Murray and Gloria Loring.
Other artists who have recorded her songs include: Lacy J. Dalton, Michelle Wright, Richard Carpenter and Kennedy Rose. She has now released an album of her own songs- “No Regrets”, features her hit compositions “No One Else On Earth”, “Anymore” and “He Would Be Sixteen”.
At just about any given hour, somewhere, Jill’s voice or original song can be heard. . . For three years running she sang ABC’s network theme. She sang “Celebrate Me Home” for the Disney Channel’s commercials. She was songwriter and vocalist for the “America’s Funniest Home Videos” show. Other commercial credits include Coors Beer, Glidden Paint, Oldsmobile, Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Chevrolet, Coca-Cola and Toyota’s “I Love What You Do For Me” campaign plus many more. She’s been lead vocalist for numerous feature films too including Mystic Pizza, Where The Boys Are, Taps, All The Right Moves and White Water Summer. She wrote the song “Paradise”, which was featured in White Water Summer and Little Nikita.
Besides all that, she’s a sweetheart! She loves to talk to people and that can happen if you hang out after the show! Come out and see for yourself!

Tim Thompson

As a professional musician working in a competitive industry, Tim Thompson has learned to play his strengths in more than one area of the business. Not only is he considered a guitar virtuoso and talented singer/songwriter, he’s also a much sought after independent producer and session player. In 2008 Tim was named the National Finger Style Guitar Champion.
However, Tim Thompson’s versatility is also reflected in his own catalog of CDs. Tim’s intricate and energetic finger-style interpretations of some of the great classics can be heard on his three instrumental CDs, Christmas, Cathedral and Christmas Cool, and Thompson’s arrangement and performance of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is included on the soundtrack of Casper’s Haunted Christmas along with Randy Travis, Ricky Van Shelton, and Deana Carter.
His album, Bring On The Giants is a collection of songs written with intelligent lyrics, and delivered in Tim’s signature raspy voice. He is a popular performer and is seen often at Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe. Tim also recently wrote the theme song for The Amber Foundation (Amber Alert for children that go missing).

Kim McLean

Kim is a career songwriter with songs recorded by Tim McGraw “All We Ever Find”, Trisha Yearwood “Harmless Heart”, Lee Ann Womack “Forever Every Day”, Billy Gilman “Elisabeth”, Jennifer Hanson “Beautiful Goodbye”, and more.  She won Gospel Song of the Year at the Dove Awards for “Count Your Blessing” recorded by the Martins.

With over 200 of her songs recorded by other artists and heard on TV shows like West Wing, JAG, and Hope & Faith, Kim steps into the artist spotlight with her own music for a groove-rock-country sound that is uniquely her.  Kim says it’s a Folkahoma-Appalachi-Groove Train kind of experience”.

She’s a North Carolina Irish-Cherokee chick who currently lives outside Nashville and tours extensively.  Her current single, “All About Us” was co-written with Canadian song-maven and Swallow favorite, Lisa Brokop.

Mark Elliott

Mark has had staff writing positions with major publishing companies including, Bluewater Music Group, Maypop Music Group (owned by the super-group Alabama) as well as Sony Music Publishing. Mark’s songs have been recorded by independent and major artists, receiving airplay on radio and TV in the United States and abroad. His songs have hit the Billboard Top Forty charts, highlighted by the hit single by Neal McCoy, “Every Man for Himself.” Billboard Magazine called it “a song with rare lyrical and musical edge and the best cut on the album”.

Buoyed by wins in singer-songwriter contests at major festivals across the country Mark began to build a reputation for standout live performances.

Mark just released his seventh CD “A Good Life” and has cuts by the late great Chris LeDoux and even a song on the Sunset Beach TV show. Mark is destined to be a Swallow favorite.

Cory Batten

Brooks & Dunn recorded Cory’s (co written with Dave Brainard) song ‘Down By The River’ and  he wrote ‘The Grass Is Always Bluer’ for Rhonda Vincent. This award winner from Arizona summed it up best when he got pulled over for his second speeding ticket on his move to Nashville….. “Man you gotta go fast when you’re chasin’ your dream”.

Blake Shelton cut his “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” and Crystal Shawanda cut “You Can Let Go”. If Cory hasn’t caught his dream yet, look out when he does!

Karyn Rochelle

Karyn has written songs for some of the best voices in country music. Credits include: “Georgia Rain” Trisha Yearwood, “This Is Me You’re Talking To” Trisha Yearwood, “Red High Heels” Kellie Pickler, “I Wonder” Kellie Pickler, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” Kellie Pickler Other artists who have recorded Karyn’s songs: Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, LeAnn Womack, Terri Clark, George Jones, Ronnie Milsap, Kenny G & Chante Moore , Caitlin & Will, Cherry Holmes and more! She’s a great performer and a wonderful person. When she and Cory play together it’s a knock out show!!!

JAMES LEBLANC

James Leblanc was born and raised in Shreveport Louisiana. He has been playing since his Dad taught him to play as a toddler. In his teen years James started writing songs and playing in local bands. Over the years his following began to grow to include other songwriter’s and musicians. In 1995 one of these musician friends sent sone of James’ songs to Rodney Hall at Fame Publishing. After two years of staying in close touch with the FAME staff, James was signed to FAME Publishing’s, House of Fame branch. Since that time James has fast become one of the hottest songwriters around garnering cuts on artists such as Rascal Flatts(3), Martina McBride, Travis Tritt(2), Joe Diffie, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Heartland and Cyndi Thompson(2). In late 2000 James relocated to Muscle Shoals, Alabama where has continued to pursue his livelong music habit. James first hit single was released on Travis Tritt. The song is entitled “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde. The song garnered James his first top 10 single and ASCAP award for One of the Most Performed Songs of the Year.

More Recently James has landed the title cut on Platinum artist Jason Aldean, as well as two cuts on Gary Allan’s forthcoming project. James also recently signed to FAME Records and will be releasing his next cd this fall. As an artist James released a singer/songwriter cd titled “Muscle Shoals City Limits” in 2003. The Cd garnered widespread critical Acclaim thoughout the music industry.

ANGELA HACKER

Angela’s rise toward stardom received one hell of a boost in 2008 with her win on the nationally televised program, Nashville Star. Angela not only won a recording contract and a new truck but the hearts and ears of listeners across the country and her fan base skyrocketed.

“My fans are my livelihood.”

She’s hitting the road this spring, along with singer/songwriter James LeBlanc, with a new CD, new songs and a new attitude. She and LeBlanc collaborated on a beautiful ballad titled, “These Walls.” The song is dear to Angela’s heart and exhibits her ability to deal with personal subjects. “It’s about dealing with the past,” said Hacker. “It’s how I chose to deal with it- how I got through it. It’s more of a confession to God.”

Hacker’s new CD reveals more about this rising artist than her previous recordings. Like an audio voyeur, fans can enjoy delving into the artist’s soul. When Hacker taps into those life experiences, both good and bad, we can’t help but listen and hope that it keeps on flowing. It’s natural joy, her nature- a liberation of sorts. Like water running down hill.

Tommy Talton

Tommy Talton was a cornerstone for the group COWBOY as well as a session player on records by Kitty Wells, Dickey Betts, Martin Mull, Johnny Rivers, Sea Level and Corky Laing to name a few. His group COWBOY was a mainstay at Capricorn Records until it’s collapse in 1977.
A monster songwriter as well as a musician, playing guitar, dobro and mandolin he defines the word “legend” in every sense.  He’ll have old road stories for you that date way back.
This is a unique chance to hear Randall and Tommy acoustically. Don’t miss it!

Randall Bramlett

Randall Bramblett has kept great company over the years. From his early career with Capricorn Records (Cowboy, Gregg Allman, Sea Level) to his more recent tours with Widespread Panic, Traffic and Steve Winwood, he has worked with the best in the business.

Randall’s solo career began in the mid 70s with two critically acclaimed albums on Polydor Records (That Other Mile, Light of the Night) and has continued to the present with his most recent releases on Capricorn (See Through Me) and New West Records (No More Mr. Lucky, Thin Places). Currently, Randall tours with his own band, the Randall Bramblett Band, an extraordinary group of pros from the Athens/Atlanta area.

Ryder Lee and Stokes Nielson met in a church band as teenagers, and they’ve been making records together ever since. Their high school friendship begat a country band of five called The Lost Trailers, who have blazed their way through hundreds of honkytonks, joints, roadhouses, night clubs and concert halls, building a firewall of fiercely loyal fans. They are a band that came together naturally, matured creatively, perform explosively and have poured all of that into Holler Back, their new album on BNA Records.
“Anyone who has ever seen us live is going to hear the first 15 seconds of “Holler Back” and say ‘There’s The Lost Trailers. Those are the guys I saw open for Chesney or open for Sugarland’,” says Stokes, the band’s songwriter.
“Music is important and has a lasting quality,” adds lead vocalist Ryder, aka The Voice. “But music should be fun too, there needs to be a balance. “Holler Back” is a fun song that captures the element of our live show which is really important to us as well.
“Through 2006, The Lost Trailers maintained their permanent temporary bus residence, headlining clubs like they had always done, and opening dates in massive arenas for established stars like Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley and another great teacher, Kenny Chesney. Now they are coming to the Swallow by way of WKHX’s Lunchtime Live series and we are darned proud to be involved!

J. Fred Knobloch

While working for such R&B notables as Dorothy Moore, Eddie Floyd and Anita Ward, Fred met drummer James Stroud and pianist Carson Whitsett; it was Whitsett who encouraged his writing and performing and in 1980 it all paid off with “Why Not Me.” Co-written with Whitsett and produced by James Stroud, Knobloch reached #1 on the Billboard AC chart and # 18 on the HOT 100.
On the heels of that success, Fred moved to Los Angeles and over the next two years had two Top Ten country singles with “Killin’ Time,” a duet with Susan Anton, and a re-make of the Chuck Berry classic, “Memphis.” But it wasn’t long before the South started calling him home and he relocated to Nashville in January of 1983.
Since moving to Nashville, Music Row has allowed him to make lots of “noise with the boys” as an artist, session musician and songwriter. With his good friends Thom Schuyler and Craig Bickhardt, who formed the group SKB, he recorded two albums for MTM including the hits “No Easy Horses” and yet another #1 country record with “Baby’s Got A New Baby,” co-written by J. Fred with fellow Mississippian Dan Tyler.
His list of cuts include artists such as Faith Hill, George Strait, Delbert McClinton, Etta James, Ray Charles, The Wilkinsons, Lorrie Morgan, John Anderson, Trisha Yearwood, Larry Stewart, Neal McCoy, Confederate Railroad, Sawyer Brown, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Kenny Rogers. Knobloch has also composed for TV and movies with songs appearing on Melrose Place and Beverly Hills 90210, as well as the feature films “Next of Kin” and “In Country.”

Kirk “Jelly Roll” Johnson

Kirk “Jelly Roll” Johnson’s distinctive, soulful style of harmonica has earned him a place as one of Nashville’s top session musicians. A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Jelly Roll’s career has spanned 30 years. Since moving to Nashville in 1984, he has recorded with Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Rogers, Etta James, Guy Clark, Lee Ann Womack, Randy Travis, The Judds, Alan Jackson, and many others. His unique sound has been heard on over 50 gold and platinum albums.
Jelly Roll has made numerous television appearances with various artists, including Faith Hill on “Late Show with David Letterman,” Alan Jackson and Jamie O’Neal on “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and Trisha Yearwood on the “Country Music Association Awards Show.”
In 1998 Jelly Roll won the Nashville Music Award for Best Wind Instrumentalist. After receiving nominations for 1998 and 2000, he won the best Specialty Instrument Award for 2003 from the Academy of Country Music.

Thom Schuyler

Thom Schuyler has worn many hats during his Nashville career. The Pennsylvania native has been an A&R executive at RCA, an industry leader on boards of both NARAS and CMA, a solo recording artist for Capitol Records and a member of the MTM Records trios S-K-O (Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet) and SKB (Schuyler, Knobloch & Bickhardt). He is often credited as a founder of Nashville’s popular “in the round” style of songwriter showcases. Schuyler’s “Love Will Turn You Around” (Rogers, Stevens, Malloy) was ASCAP Country Song of the Year in 1982, American Music Awards Song of the year in 1983 and garnered a BMI 2 Million-Airplay Award. Schuyler also received an ASCAP Most Performed Award for his song “Hurricane” (Harris, Steagall) in 1980.
Other chart-toppers include: “I Fell In Love Again Last Night” (The Forester Sisters), “Years After You” (John Conlee), “Long Line Of Love” (Michael Martin Murphey), “Love Out Loud” (Earl Thomas Conley) “Are the Roses Not Blooming?” (The Judds) and “Child Support” (Barbara Mandrell). His song “Point of Light” was the theme song of President George H.W. Bush’s volunteerism campaign, and “16th Avenue” is the unofficial anthem of Music Row’s songwriting community.