Few songwriters have shaped modern country music as profoundly as Lori McKenna. A master storyteller with an extraordinary gift for capturing life's quiet moments, the Massachusetts native has earned multiple Grammy Awards and countless industry honors for songs that have become modern classics. Her writing credits include Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind, Little Big Town's Girl Crush, and chart-topping favorites recorded by Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, and many more.
As an artist, McKenna's intimate performances and deeply personal songs have earned a devoted following, proving that honesty and authenticity never go out of style. Whether writing about family, love, heartbreak, or hope, she has an unmatched ability to turn everyday experiences into unforgettable songs. Alongside her celebrated songwriting career, McKenna has released more than a dozen critically acclaimed solo albums, earning widespread praise for her unmistakable voice, lyrical depth, and one of the most respected catalogs in contemporary Americana and country music. goes here

Riley Green has built a reputation as one of country music’s most direct and authentic voices, blending Southern storytelling with a modern edge. Known for hits like “Worst Way” and “You Look Like You Love Me,” he continues a strong run of momentum into 2026 with new music rolling out ahead of his upcoming album That’s Just Me.

His songs balance grit and tenderness, reflecting small-town life, hard truths, and everyday moments that resonate far beyond the Alabama red dirt where his story began. Fresh off a major touring year, including sold-out arena dates, Green brings a road-tested set full of fan favorites and new material. At No Ka ‘Oi, he steps into a setting that values storytelling as much as sound, where songs carry across ocean air and find new meaning in the island light.

Liz Rose is a multiple GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter who has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame. Her catalog includes 4 Gold, 4 Platinum and 7 Multi-Platinum Certified songs, including the 7x Platinum hits “You Belong With Me” and “Girl Crush.” Rose co-wrote 16 songs with Taylor Swift, including 2023 GRAMMY nominated Song of the Year “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version),” GRAMMY’S 2010 Best Country Song “White Horse,” and #1 crossover hits “Teardrops On My Guitar,” “You Belong With Me,” and “Tim McGraw.” In 2015, she won CMA Song of the Year and GRAMMY’s Best Country Song for the Little Big Town smash “Girl Crush,” written with her Love Junkies - Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey. Rose and the Love Junkies also co-wrote Miranda Lambert’s GRAMMY nominated single “It All Comes Out In The Wash” and Parker McCollum’s recent #1 hit “Burn It Down.” Many other major artists have recorded Rose’s songs, including Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Bonnie Raitt, Dan + Shay, Chris Young, Eli Young Band, and Megan Moroney. In 2010, she founded Liz Rose Music, an independent publishing company that has helped propel the careers of over a dozen other hit songwriters. Rose also serves the songwriting community as a board member of CMA, NSAI and Music Health Alliance, and as the Co-Chair of NMPA’s Gold and Platinum Club.

With an inimitable voice The New York Times describes as “wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over,” Randy Houser racked up over one billion streams with smash hits including “How Country Feels,” “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” “Boots On,” “Goodnight Kiss,” “WenWent,” and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash and CMA Song of the Year-nominated “Like A Cowboy.” In late 2023 Houser landed on-screen roles in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed film “Killers of the Flower Moon” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and more, as well as the inspiring “The Hill” starring Dennis Quaid which hit number one most streamed movie on Netflix in February 2024. The deluxe version of Houser’s sixth studio album Note To Self came out in 2025 via Magnolia Music Group and featuring new collaborations with artists including Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Riley Green. RIAA Gold-certified single and title track “Note To Self” marked his “powerful return.” with MusicRow boasting the Mississippi native “remains one of country music’s very finest vocalists.” His latest release “Back In The Bottle,” available now, arrives as the first taste of new music to come in 2026. 

Lukas Nelson carries forward a legacy rooted in American songwriting while forging a distinct voice entirely his own. Raised on Maui, he brings a deep personal connection to the islands that continues to shape his perspective as an artist and songwriter. Nelson recently released new music through RCA Records, further expanding a body of work that blends rock, country, soul, and folk influences with emotional honesty and exceptional musicianship.

Known for deeply expressive live performances, he creates moments that feel both spontaneous and intentional, shaped by years of touring, collaboration, and life on the road. Whether on record or on stage, his songs explore connection, resilience, and the search for meaning in motion. At No Ka ‘Oi, Nelson returns to a place that helped shape his journey, bringing his distinctive sound home to Maui in a setting that reflects the openness, beauty, and natural rhythm found throughout his music.

Few songwriters have left a bigger mark on today's country music landscape than ERNEST. A Nashville native known for his sharp wit, unforgettable hooks, and distinctive storytelling style, he has become one of Music City's most influential artist-writers. A four-time CMA Triple Play Award winner and Grammy, ACM, and CMA Award nominee, ERNEST has written 13 No. 1 songs, including Post Malone's record-breaking hit, "I Had Some Help."

As both a songwriter and recording artist, ERNEST continues to push creative boundaries while staying true to the honest storytelling that first made him a standout. His latest album, Deep Blue, showcases a thoughtful and reflective side, blending country tradition with fresh perspectives and modern influences. Following a successful headlining tour, ERNEST continues to captivate audiences nationwide with his unique blend of creativity, authenticity, and undeniable talent.

Known for turning everyday moments into unforgettable songs, ERNEST has a gift for creating genuine connections with audiences. His performance at the No Ka 'Oi Songwriters Festival promises the kind of heartfelt storytelling that lies at the center of both great songwriting and the aloha spirit.

Margo Price has become one of the most compelling and influential voices in modern country music, forging her own path with fearless songwriting and uncompromising authenticity. Since her groundbreaking debut, Midwest Farmer's Daughter, Price has earned Grammy nominations, toured alongside artists including Willie Nelson and Chris Stapleton, appeared on Saturday Night Live, and built a reputation as one of Nashville's most respected singer-songwriters.

Her latest album, Hard Headed Woman, marks a powerful return to the traditional country storytelling that first defined her career. The record celebrates resilience, individuality, and the enduring craft of songwriting, blending timeless country influences with Price's unmistakable voice and perspective.

Whether performing on the world's biggest stages or in an intimate songwriter setting, Price brings honesty, passion, and emotional depth to every song. Her appearance at the No Ka 'Oi Songwriters Festival offers a rare opportunity to experience one of today's most celebrated artists in the format where her songwriting shines brightly.

Phil Barton is an Australian-born, Nashville-based songwriter known for crafting heartfelt hits across multiple genres. He broke into the Country Music scene with the Number 1 smash “A Woman Like You” by Lee Brice - a massive hit that earned him Music Row’s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year award and an NSAI “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” award and has since gone three times Platinum.
Barton went on to build an impressive catalog with cuts by Sara Evans, Gabby Barrett, Dustin Lynch, Eli Young Band, Priscilla Block, Max McNown, Matt Stell, LOCASH, Alison Krauss, Ashley McBryde, David Nail, and many more. His song “Cowboy’s Duty” was featured in the 3 time Oscar-nominated Sicario.
Internationally, he has landed multiple Number 1 and Top 10 singles in Canada with artists like Tim Hicks, Brett Kissell, Gord Bamford, The Washboard Union, and Meghan Patrick, while also earning multiple Number 1’s in Australia with artists like Kaylee Bell, Lee Kernaghan, Busby Marou, The Wolfe Brothers, among others. Barton has over 900 songs released throughout the world in the Country, Pop and Children’s music genres.

Erik Dylan has earned a reputation as one of Nashville's most respected songwriters, crafting songs that blend honest storytelling with unforgettable melodies. An Arkansas native, Dylan has written songs recorded by Eric Church, Kip Moore, Justin Moore, Jon Pardi, and many others, building a career defined by authenticity and emotional depth. His songwriting continues to resonate with both artists and fans, with two standout songs currently making waves: Riley Green's "Change My Mind" and "Think As You Drunk," both showcasing Dylan's gift for turning everyday moments into songs that feel timeless.

Whether writing about love, heartbreak, or life's unexpected twists, Dylan has a knack for finding the lyric that feels both personal and universal. His appearance at the No Ka 'Oi Songwriters Festival offers audiences a chance to experience one of Nashville's finest craftsmen in the intimate setting where great songs are heard the way they were meant to be—one story at a time.

For decades, Gail Swanson has been one of Maui's most respected singer-songwriters, sharing her soulful voice and heartfelt songwriting with audiences throughout Hawaiʻi and across the mainland. A true independent artist, she has built a career on honest music, memorable performances, and a deep connection to the islands she calls home. Along the way, Gail has shared the stage with legendary artists including Willie Nelson, The Doobie Brothers, Leon Russell, David Crosby, and many more, earning the admiration of audiences and fellow musicians alike.

Her talent has also been recognized with a prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award from the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts for Rock Album of the Year, honoring her outstanding contribution to Hawaiʻi's music community.

As a hometown favorite, Gail brings an authentic island perspective to the No Ka 'Oi Songwriters Festival, reminding audiences that some of the most compelling stories are born right here in Maui and shared through the universal language of song.

From his early days in the Rick Rubin-produced rock band Luna Halo to becoming one of Nashville's most accomplished hitmakers, Cary Barlowe has built a career spanning rock, country, and contemporary Christian music. His songwriting credits include country No. 1 hits like "American Honey," "Where It's At," "Sun Daze," "It Don't Hurt Like It Used To," and "Famous Friends," along with Taylor Swift's "Untouchable" from her multi-platinum Fearless album.

In Christian music, Barlowe has penned nine No. 1 songs for TobyMac, earning multiple Grammy nominations and a Dove Award. Named SESAC Songwriter of the Year in 2015, he continues to write for many of today's biggest artists, including Riley Green, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Chris Young, Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Dan + Shay, Dierks Bentley, and many more. His versatility and storytelling have made him one of Music City's most respected songwriters.

One of the most celebrated songwriters of her generation, Hillary Lindsey has helped define the sound of modern country music while earning acclaim across multiple genres. A Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Lindsey has written or co-written more than two dozen No. 1 hits, including Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Before He Cheats," and "Something in the Water," as well as chart-toppers for Little Big Town, Lady Gaga, Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, and Kenny Chesney.

Her songwriting has earned multiple Grammy Awards, CMA and ACM honors, and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for "I'll Never Love Again" from A Star Is Born. Known for pairing unforgettable melodies with emotionally honest lyrics, Lindsey has become one of Nashville's most respected creative voices. Whether writing for country superstars or global pop icons, her songs continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

Storme Warren is one of country music’s most recognized broadcast voices and a longtime champion of songwriting and artist storytelling. As host of the “Exit 209” podcast and a veteran television and radio personality, he continues to spotlight the people and stories behind Nashville’s music community. Warren has spent decades on stages and airwaves, guiding audiences through interviews, live events, and major country music moments with ease, humor, and deep industry knowledge.

His current work includes ongoing radio and podcast conversations with leading artists and writers, keeping him closely connected to the evolving Nashville scene. At No Ka ‘Oi, Warren serves as emcee and guide, shaping the flow of the festival while letting the songs remain the focus. In Maui, his role is simple but essential; helping the music and stories land in a place where listening still matters.