The Swallow At The Hollow

Stan Webb

Stan Webb was born in Murfreesboro, TN., and raised in Nashville TN.  He started writing songs at age 14, influenced by artists like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, Don Williams, Tom T. Hall and many others.  He worked hard at his craft for years and got his first cut in 1984, by George Jones, a song titled, “One Of These Days But Not Tonight”, which landed him the award for SESAC’s most promising country writer.  It also pushed him closer to the mainstream of country music in Nashville.  He continued to get cuts by artists like Marie Osmond, T.G. Shepard, Terri Gibbs, The Forrester Sisters, The Osmond Brothers, Silvia, Michael Johnson, Pam Tillis, Kippi Brannon, and many others.  Stan also had a cut in the movie “Thelma and Louise”, that he wrote with Pam Tillis called “Drawn To The Fire”.
His most successful song to date is “I’m From The Country” by Tracy Byrd, which earned him the 1998 SESAC Country Song Of the Year Award, and helped him get another song recorded by Tracy called “Summertime Fever” which can be found on the album “Ten Rounds”.  Stan not only works with other successful writers and artists, he also enjoys writing with new young writers and artists just getting started.  He loves their enthusiasm and drive,
Stan was also blessed with SESAC’s “Legacy” award in 2003, only the third writer to receive it in 75 years.  Stan Webb has his own style of writing that he hopes and prays somewhere down the road, two writers will enter a room on music row, and one will say, “Let’s write a song like a Stan Webb song.”  Stan says, “Now that’s what success is to me.”

Diana Kelly

Originally from northwest Indiana, Diana spent several years playing in the theatres in Branson before relocating to Nashville where she could focus on songwriting on a full-time basis.
In the past five years, Diana has been awarded many awards and accolades, from being chosen to attend Skip Ewing’s Horse and Writer Invitational on a full scholarship, to being awarded the Grand Prize in the NSAI / CMT Song Contest in 2008.
This year Diana has had 5 songs recorded on independant projects by artists from Savannah GA to Los Angeles CA, and is in the process of pursuing an Americana artist deal with fellow friend / cowriter Stan Webb.

Mark Narmore

Mark’s had over seventy cuts over the past twenty-two years, quite a few singles that you never heard, but thankfully a few you may have, like “Moon Over Georgia”, “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday”. Also “Crank My Tractor” was a big hit in Canada for Michelle Wright.
“Thanks For The G Chord” was recorded by John Michael Montgomery. “She’ll Go On You” appears on Josh Turner’s Long Black Train project.
Some of his most recent cuts are “Gravity” that he co-wrote with Josh Turner, “Travelin’ Soul” was recorded by Terri Clark, and “Free Bird In A Firebird” on Heartland. Also, look for Josh Turner’s Live From The Ryman CD at all Cracker Barrell stores. Included in the package is “Gravity” and “She’ll Go On You”. “The Way He Was Raised” co-written with Josh Turner and Bobby Tomberlin appears on Josh’s “Everything Is Fine” project.
And that’s just a few! Come out and hear what else Mark has up his sleeve.

Tonja Rose

If you ask Tonja to recall her earliest vocal performance she would take you back to a little blonde haired, blue eyed girl singing “Jesus on the Mainline.” From the first time that three year old little girl stepped on stage to sing with her Daddy and his gospel quartet anyone who knew Tonja would tell you that music WAS her destiny.
It was her love of performing and a hope of pursuing a career in music that gave Tonja the courage to move to Nashville and chase her dreams. Fueled by the love and support of her family she packed up and began the journey. Tonja quickly realized the ups and downs that go along with trying to break into the music business. No stranger to hard work she concentrated on developing her skill as a vocalist and though she fought it at first, fell in love with the art of songwriting.
For Tonja writing is not just about the next big hit, it is much more personal than that. “I want my words to touch people’s hearts,” Tonja says, “I want my songs to have a positive effect on people and give them exactly what they need when they need it. It’s that kind of emotional connection with my audience that keeps me loving what I do!”

Gary Hannan

In 2009, “Back When I Knew It All” went to #1 with the dynamic country duo Montgomery Gentry. Today Gary continues to write great country songs, telling his tales and inspiring would be songwriters. Some of the artist singing his hit wonders today are ..Montgomery Gentry….Darryl Worley….Michael Peterson…..Craig Morgan……John Michael Montgomery….Joe Nichols…Ritchie Macdonald of Lonestar and Hot Apple Pie to name a few . Some of his best times in songwriting have come from co-writing sessions with members of Bread…..Motley Crew……Firefall……Rascal Flatts…… Blues Brothers….the Flying Burrittos….and many others!
2010 has already sparked the continuance of an incredible year and journey. Along with a number of cuts on major artists, Gary began ‘Beer for Breakfast’ an event for celebrity songwriters and up and coming songwriters to meet and share the stage. Additionally, he is very passionate about the needs of our homeless vets and helping those who have made it possible for us to live a life of freedom through their sacrifice. In an effort to increase awareness Gary, agreed to be the organizations spokesman. To help spread the word and gain a better understanding, Gary has decided to live as a homeless vet for 8 days on the Streets of Nashville, during our nation’s week of memorial to our veterans.

Doug Johnson

For the last 23 years, Doug Johnson has been a professional in the music business. He has enjoyed success as a recording engineer, mixer, musician, songwriter, producer and record company executive. He currently heads Curb/Asylum records and produces many of Curb Records and Curb/Asylum’s artists. Johnson says, “by far my greatest love is the song. Everything else is an attempt to powerfully capture and express the song in its truest sense and to get it to the artist.
As a songwriter, Doug has had over 40 recorded songs. Artists who have cut his songs include Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Collin Raye, Patty Loveless, Ty Herndon, Lee Greenwood, Bertie Higgins, the Forester Sisters, Don Williams, the Oak Ridge Boys, John Michael Montgomery, Blake Shelton and Ricochet as well as others. He has penned five number one songs and 13 top tens including 2003 CMA, ACM, and NSAI Song of the Year, “Three Wooden Crosses.” Doug says, “I’ve been fortunate to be involved in several different aspects of the music business. If I could only do one, it would definitely be songwriting. Every other job I’ve had means absolutely nothing without a great song.”

Tim James

Tim is the co-writer of the Toby Keith No.1 “My List”, the Bucky Covington Top 10 “It’s Good To Be Us” andthe smash debut from the Lost Trailers, “Holler Back”!
Hit songwriter Tim James is tearing up the Nashville Music Row scene with his incredible songwriting. 
Tim has enjoyed many major label artist cuts including the 5-week number one single “My List” recorded by Toby Keith. “My List” went on to become the R&R most played song for the year 2003 and inspired the book, “My List: 24 Reflections on Life’s Priorities”, published by McGraw-Hill also in 2003.
Tim has had songs featured in film and television and also has had songs recorded by platinum recording acts Trace Adkins and Lee Ann Womack and other major artists including Jeff Bates, Tim Rushlow, Mark Wills, Josh Gracin, Darius Rucker, Chris Young and Billy Ray Cyrus. He had the Top Ten single “It’s GoodTo Be Us” on Lyric Street recording artist Bucky Covington. Tim also made it to the Top Ten with “Holler Back”, the smash debut from BNA recording artists, The Lost Trailers. Look for Tim on releases by Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Ann Womack, Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan and Josh Turner.

Kendell Marvel

Kendell moved to Nashville from Southern Illinois in the summer of 1998 to be a “country music star. Guess that’s not what the good Lord had planned for me, but I’m not complainin.” Being a country music songwriter Kendall has had songs recorded by Gary Allan, Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Travis Tritt, Blake Shelton, Lee Ann Womack, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, Joe Diffie, and a few others. He’s been lucky enough to have a couple big ones, “Right Where I Need to Be” by Gary Allan, “Tougher Than Nails” by Joe Diffie, “Yee Haw,” “Startin With Me,” and “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” by Jake Owen. Hopefully a few more yet to come.

 Corinne Chapman

 She opened for legendary Don Williams and plays often around town (Nashville, that is). She has played on nationally syndicated radio shows such as “Billy Block’s Western Beat” and successful internet X Radio. She was picked as the local artist spotlight in November of 2005 on KFRG and has played in Chicago, Chattanooga, Nashville, LA, Santa Ynez, San Francisco, among many other cities across the nation.

 “I was feeling a little down and missing home and the beach the day I sat down with Brian Maher and Ford Turrell.  We all wanted to write something that felt free and light to get us out of our funk.  Someone made a comment about how wonderful it would be to walk down a sandy beach and that ended up being our first line. “Walking down a white sandy beach…” and it just fell out.  Ford was about to get married too- so it turned into a love song.”

Having co-witten with the amazing songwriter Paul Overstreet  collaborations with producer Russ Zavitson, her very own album is a reflection of her exposure to these great men.
And she is warm, gracious and beautiful to boot!!!

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.

Clay Mills

Clay Mills, notable songwriter/record producer currently living in Nashville. With 20 years experience in the music business, He has had songs recorded by many country superstars including Reba McEntire, Jo Dee Messina, Trisha Yearwood, Steve Holy, and Little Big Town. 
Clay celebrated a #1 grammy nominated single called ‘Beautiful Mess’, recorded by Diamond Rio and Top 5 single recorded by Andy Griggs called ‘She Thinks She Needs Me’.
Recently Clay has written the new Top 5 Clay Walker Single ‘Fall’ and the new Grammy nominated Trisha Yearwood single titled ‘Heaven Heartache and the Power of Love’.
Currently Clay has the Kimberley Locke single ‘Fall’ which is climbing the AC charts and the new Darius Rucker (of Hootie and the Blowfish) single called ‘Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.’

Thomas Tillman

Georgia Country Male Artist of 2009 and Georgia Country Best Overall Artist of 2009 awards went to Tillman this November.
Thomas performed acoustic shows blazing paths everywhere from Florida to Illinois.
Towards the end of 2004, Thomas started putting together a full band, and has been staying busy non stop ever since. Thomas was a singer in the house band at Wild Bill’s and at Cowboys, Atlanta for a brief time and then made the decision to get back out, do some touring and work in the studio towards the release of his CD. (Released April, 2009.)
Thomas was Ga. Country Artist for the month of March, 2008, and recently a nominee for Georgia Country Male Artist of the Year. Among artists Tillman has opened and shared stages with are, Trent Tomlinson, Craig Morgan, Gretchen Wilson, Montgomery Gentry, Jo Dee Messina, Halfway To Hazard, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Michael Carroll, Joe Nichols and Clay Walker.

Baillie And The Boys

“Whether you are a performing artist or a housewife, the more you do what you do, that”s how you become who you are. Believe in what you do, or you won’t ever “become”.
The group “Baillie And The Boys” recorded and released their first single entitled “Oh Heart” which became the group’s first top ten hit and their trademark song. They followed with five more albums to score a total of 10 BillBoard Top 10 country hits-many of which were co-written by Kathie Baillie and were recognized with awards and nominations from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the TNN/Music City News Awards. In 1991, Kathie co-hosted the nationally televised Music City News Awards Show with legendary Nashville performers Ray Stevens and Jimmy Dean. She was also a co-host and a regular performer on The Nashville Network’s Yesteryear show for two consecutive seasons.
She continues to peform with her husband Michael Bonagura and is a Swallow At The Hollow favorite. Come hear great harmonies, road stories and meet some of the nicest people Nashville has to offer.

Thom Shepherd

Thom is a songwriter and performer from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, whose songs have been recorded by Tracy Lawrence, George Jones, Trailer Choir, Montgomery Gentry, Pam Tillis, Buddy Jewell, Kevin Fowler, and Cledus T. Judd. He is the writer of the 1 hit single, “Redneck Yacht Club,” from Craig Morgan’s GOLD certified album “My Kind of Livin’ “. His first number one was “Riding with Private Malone,” recorded by David Ball. It won an Achievement Award from the Nashville Songwriters Association, voted on by their members as “the song you wish you had written.” Thom even got to be in the video, playing the title role. The song also opened the door for Thom to perform for our troops overseas – he has been on seven tours for Armed Forces Entertainment, bringing his music to servicemen and women in thirteen different countries.

Wynn Varble

Wynn is a major hit writer! Wynn’s songs have been cut by a range of great artists, including Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, Brad Paisley (Waitin’ On A Woman), Darryl Worley, Montgomery Gentry, Jason Sellers, Gary Allan, Trace Adkins, Clint Daniels, Kevin Denney, Tracy Byrd, The Kinleys, Chris LeDoux, Danni Leigh, Mark Chesnutt, Easton Corbin (A Little More Country Than That), Kelly Pickler (Things That Never Cross A Man’s Mind) and Sammy Kershaw. His first number one “Have You Forgotten,” by Darryl Worley, was CMA’s Song of the Year…
Wynn is not only a great writer but he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Get him to sign you a CD after the show. He loves that!

Megan Linville

Her songs are being played on radio stations around the world and she has been featured in several publications including CountryStarsOnline.com, Today’s Country Magazine and in the “Listen Up!” section of Country Weekly Magazine, where artists-to-watch are recognized. Megan’s show schedule includes fan concerts, anthems and performances for groups of as few as 30 people to over 100,000. “The way I feel is that if anyone wants to listen to my music I am more than honored to perform and maybe, just maybe, I’ll just win that new fan over!” Shows include performances with; The Cincinnati Reds, The Indy 500, Atlanta Braves, Watkin’s Glen Int’l NASCAR, Daytona Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, The Allstate Brickyard 400 Sprint Cup Series, Tioga Downs Resort and Casino, Chicago White Sox as well as main-stage performances with well-known country artists Jason Aldean, Phil Vassar, Heidi Newfield, Julianne Hough, and a host of other talented performers.