2025 Performers

  • Jeffrey Steele

    Jeffrey Steele

    Jeffrey Steele is one of American music’s most accomplished songwriters. A Grammy nominee and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, he has written more than 85 Top 10 hits, including What Hurts the Most, My Wish, and These Days. Artists like Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Montgomery Gentry have recorded his songs. With over 60 million airplays, Steele’s influence on contemporary country music is undeniable, blending raw emotion, memorable melodies, and powerful, enduring lyrics.

  • Jessi Alexander

    Jessi Alexander

    Jessi Alexander is a Grammy-nominated, CMA and ACM Award-winning songwriter whose work has shaped modern country music. She’s the pen behind massive hits like “The Climb” (Miley Cyrus), “I Drive Your Truck” (Lee Brice), “Mine Would Be You” (Blake Shelton), and “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” (Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde). Known for her emotional depth and lyrical honesty, Jessi’s songs have topped charts and won hearts across genres. A respected voice in the Nashville community, she continues to write with today’s top artists while occasionally stepping into the spotlight with her own soulful performances.

  • A man smiling, wearing a cap and casual clothes, sitting in the open window of a vehicle in a wooded area during daytime.

    Tucker Wetmore

    Tucker Wetmore is a rising country artist and Warner Chappell songwriter from Kalama, Washington. A former college football player at Montana Tech, he turned to music after an injury ended his athletic career. Wetmore moved to Nashville in 2020, quickly gaining attention with singles like “Wine into Whiskey” and the 2× Platinum hit “Wind Up Missin’ You.” His debut album, What Not To, released in April 2025, showcases his blend of traditional country storytelling and modern production. Named to Billboard’s Ones to Watch and Opry’s NextStage Class of 2025, Wetmore is solidifying his place as one of country music’s most promising new voices.

  • A young woman wearing a large black cowboy hat and a white sleeveless crop top. She has long, blonde wavy hair and a neutral expression, standing against a plain, light background.

    Mackenzie Carpenter

    Mackenzie Carpenter is a rising country singer-songwriter from Hull, Georgia. She co-wrote Lily Rose’s No. 1 hit “Villain” and Megan Moroney’s Top 15 single “I’m Not Pretty.” Her debut album, Hey Country Queen (2025), showcases her blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling. Named to Spotify’s Hot Country 2024 Artist to Watch and CMT’s Next Women of Country 2023, Carpenter has opened for Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, and Megan Moroney. Her tracks “Can’t Nobody” and “Huntin’ Season” have resonated with fans, highlighting her authentic voice and relatable lyrics.

  • Man with long hair and beard wearing a gray top hat, sitting on a black leather couch against a dark background.

    Marti Frederiksen

    Marti Frederiksen is a renowned songwriter, producer, and musician known for his work across rock, pop, and country genres. He has collaborated with Aerosmith, Carrie Underwood, and Mötley Crüe, among others. Frederiksen co-wrote hits like “Jaded” and “Undo It,” showcasing his versatility and talent. He also provided lead vocals for the fictional band Stillwater in the film Almost Famous. In 2014, he co-founded The Loving Mary Band with Rebecca Lynn Howard and Elisha Hoffman.

  • A young woman with long brown hair and light skin standing against a beige wall, wearing a beige jacket and a black T-shirt, looking at the camera with a slight smile.

    Lydia Vaughan

    Lydia Vaughan is a Nashville-based songwriter originally from St. Louis, Missouri. She began singing in church and fronting an alt-rock band in high school before moving to Nashville in 2015. In 2020, she signed a publishing deal with Cornman Music and Warner Chappell. Vaughan co-wrote the multi-week No. 1 hit “If I Didn’t Love You” by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, as well as “Out of That Truck,” “Friends Like That,” and “Something’s Gonna Kill Me.” She also penned Jordan Davis’s latest single, “Bar None.” Her songs span country and pop, with TV placements on MTV, CW, and Netflix.

  • Young man with dark hair and beard playing an acoustic guitar outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Jacob Hackworth

    Jacob Hackworth is a Nashville-based songwriter from Kentucky, celebrated for his gritty Southern soul and genre-blending storytelling. His breakout hit, Bailey Zimmerman's “Rock and a Hard Place,” topped the Country Airplay chart for six weeks and reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Hackworth also co-wrote Tucker Wetmore’s viral debut “Wine into Whiskey” and Corey Kent’s 2024 single “This Heart,” which climbed to No. 4 on Country Airplay. His recent credits include Chase Matthew’s “Driving Through My Hometown” and Graham Barham’s “Whiskey Whiskey.” Known for his lyrical depth and emotional authenticity, Hackworth continues to shape modern country with a blue-collar work ethic and heartfelt hooks.

  • A woman with long dark hair, blue eyes, and makeup smiling outdoors with a blurred green landscape in the background.

    Rebecca Lynn Howard

    Rebecca Lynn Howard is a two-time Grammy Award-winning crossover country-pop artist from Eastern Kentucky. Since moving to Nashville in 1997, she has built a dynamic career as a singer-songwriter, with songs recorded by Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Clay Aiken, and more. Known for her powerful hit “Forgive,” Howard’s versatile style spans bluegrass, country, pop, and rock. She’s toured globally as bassist and vocalist for Steven Tyler’s country band, Loving Mary. A featured vocalist on Jim Brickman’s chart-topping “Simple Things,” Howard recently signed with Lee Brice’s Pumphouse Records and released her latest album, I’m Not Who You Think I Am.

  • A man with long hair, sunglasses, a bandana, and tattoos sitting in a recording studio with speakers, mixing equipment, and guitars in the background.

    Elisha Hoffman

    Elisha Hoffman began his music career early, moving to Nashville at 18 to work with Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle. He co-produced the remix of Shania Twain’s “It’s Alright” and music for the Dixie Chicks. A former staff songwriter at Murrah/Colton Music, his credits include Faith Hill, New Medicine, and Runaway June’s hit “Lipstick,” co-written with wife Rebecca Lynn Howard. He co-wrote “Give In to Me” for Country Strong and has songs featured on The Shield and Dark Angel. Hoffman is a founding member of Steven Tyler’s Loving Mary Band and co-founder of Pumphouse Records, producing projects for Rebecca Lynn Howard and Nick Norman.

  • Derick Sebasan

    Derick Sebasan

    Derick Sebastian is a Maui-born ukulele virtuoso, composer, and songwriter whose music blends Hawaiian tradition with contemporary innovation. A Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominee, he has performed on global stages—from TEDx Santa Cruz to PIXAR Animation Studios—and shared the spotlight with artists like Jason Mraz, Boyz II Men, and Jake Shimabukuro. His compositions have been featured in major media, including ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and campaigns for ROXY. Sebastian is also a published author and founder of Sounds of Sebastian Publishing, with music licensed by Warner Chappell PM and others. Through his artistry, he continues to inspire with the aloha spirit and soulful storytelling.

  • A smiling man with dark hair and a beard stands in front of a large crowd at a concert or event, with his arms crossed. He is wearing a graphic t-shirt, a wristwatch, and a neon bracelet.

    Micah Carpenter

    Micah Carpenter is a Nashville-based songwriter, producer, and musician from Hull, Georgia. After a collegiate baseball career at Georgia Tech, he moved to Nashville in 2019 to pursue music alongside his sister, country artist Mackenzie Carpenter. Micah has co-written songs for artists like Megan Moroney, Dylan Marlowe, and Jonathan Hutcherson, and contributed to Mackenzie's debut album Hey Country Queen. He is also known for his heartfelt solo performances, including songs like “Good as Gospel” and “If It Ain’t Country,” which showcase his Southern storytelling roots. In 2022, Micah signed his first publishing deal with Boom Music Group.

  • Man wearing black hat, black denim jacket with leather sleeves, and dark pants, standing with hands in pockets against a plain light gray background.

    Ryan Beaver

    Ryan Beaver is a Texas-born, Nashville-based country artist and acclaimed songwriter known for his emotional depth and vivid storytelling. Since moving to Music City in 2013, he has earned critical praise, with NPR calling his album Rx “visceral emotional work” and Rolling Stone naming him an “Artist You Need to Know.” In 2024, Beaver scored his first No. 1 as a songwriter with Warren Zeiders’ “Pretty Little Poison.” His songs have been recorded by top artists including Blake Shelton, Midland, HARDY, and Luke Bryan. Beaver’s gift for honest, heartfelt lyrics continues to make him a standout voice in country music.

  • Randy Houser

    Randy Houser

    Randy Houser is a powerhouse vocalist and hit songwriter from Lake, Mississippi. He made his mark penning Trace Adkins’ “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” before launching a solo career with hits like “Boots On,” “How Country Feels,” and “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight.” His 2013 album How Country Feels produced multiple chart-toppers and earned critical acclaim. Houser’s soulful delivery on “Like a Cowboy” earned a CMA Song of the Year nomination. In addition to his musical achievements, he has appeared in films such as Killers of the Flower Moon and The Hill, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

HOSTED BY STORME WARREN

FROM THE BIG 615

  • Storme Warren

    Storme Warren

    Storme Warren is a celebrated radio and television host known for his passionate support of country music and its creators. As the voice of The Big 615 on Garth Brooks’ Sevens Network via TuneIn, Storme brings fans closer to the music they love. Beyond broadcasting, he is a sought-after host for major music festivals and events across the globe, bringing energy and heart to every stage. A dedicated philanthropist, Storme actively supports numerous causes, especially those benefiting veterans, children, and the music community. His decades of experience and unwavering positivity make him a trusted and beloved figure in the industry.