MEET THE SONGWRITERS

Phillip Lammonds, a songwriter and instrumentalist from the mountains of North Carolina, draws inspiration from his rich musical roots in both Appalachia and the South Carolina Lowcountry. After co-founding the acclaimed bluegrass-rock band The Blue Dogs, he moved to Pawley’s Island, where he worked as a fishing guide, falconer, and real estate co-owner while writing songs and making regular trips to Nashville. His persistence led to a publishing deal with Curb Entertainment, and his songs have been recorded by artists like Hootie & the Blowfish, Josh Turner, Lee Brice, and Kellie Pickler. After over 15 years of songwriting, Phillip is releasing his debut solo album, Cowboy Things, a Lee Brice-produced project that features collaborations with Darius Rucker, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Pam Tillis, and Bill Murray.

Shawn Camp is a versatile and accomplished singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with a career spanning country, Americana, bluegrass, and roots rock. His songwriting credits include hits like “Two Pina Coladas” (Garth Brooks), “Nobody But Me” (Blake Shelton), and “Would You Go With Me” (Josh Turner). Camp has also toured and recorded with legends like Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, and Guy Clark. As a co-producer, he helped create the Grammy-nominated tribute album Guy Clark: This One’s For Him and went on to win a Grammy for My Favorite Picture of You in 2013. A founding member of The Earls of Leicester, he helped lead the band to multiple IBMA awards, including Entertainer of the Year. Camp’s solo work and his new project with The World Famous Headliners solidify him as one of Nashville’s most unique talents.

Dave Kennedy is a storyteller at his core, and it’s evident in every song he writes. His music paints a vivid picture of Americana, weaving tales of love, heartbreak, redemption, revenge, and the human experience. With a voice that's both soaring and powerful, Kennedy draws listeners into his world from the very first chorus. His dynamic presence strikes a perfect balance of strength and subtlety, capturing both the highs and lows, the highways and backroads, and the loves lost and lingering. This storytelling mastery has earned Dave a reputation as one of Nashville's most respected songwriters and artists, with musicians like Travis Tritt, Riley Green, Whiskey Myers, Drake White, and Larry Fleet eager to collaborate and perform alongside him.

Marti Dodson has worn many hats throughout her diverse career in the music industry—recording artist, teen model, hair and makeup artist, stylist, background singer, and even a singing telegram deliverer. However, at her core, she’s always been a songwriter. From a young age, Marti knew music was her calling, and after years of performing, she formed the band Saving Jane, which eventually landed a record deal and produced a couple of Top 40 hits. Through co-writing, she discovered the professional songwriting world and signed a publishing deal, further expanding her craft. After some years of ups and downs, including a songwriting trip to Sweden where she worked with European artists, Marti realized her true passion was in songwriting. She moved to Nashville in 2012 and signed with BMG in 2014, solidifying her place as a full-time writer. Her journey hasn’t been linear—filled with both highs and lows—but her persistence has kept her moving forward. Now, as a seasoned songwriter, Marti continues to write every day and shares her experiences with fellow dreamers, always aiming for the next big thing.

In 1989, after his recording contract with Warner Bros. Records ended, Billy Montana relocated to Nashville from Upstate New York and shifted his focus to songwriting. Since then, he has written five #1 singles for country music stars: Garth Brooks (“More Than a Memory”), Lee Brice (“Hard to Love” and “Memory I Don’t Mess With”), Sara Evans (“Suds in the Bucket”), and Jo Dee Messina (“Bring on the Rain”). Garth Brooks’ “More Than a Memory” made history as the first country song to debut at #1. Montana also scored a Top 5 hit with Jon Pardi’s “Night Shift.” His songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Rogers, Sister Hazel, and more.

Kevin Mac’s calling is writing great songs and connecting with fans across the nation. After being crowned Virginia Beach’s Next Big Star in 2008, Kevin began building a regional presence, blending classic country with hip-hop and pop influences from his Virginia roots. His work caught the attention of the Virginia Beach hip-hop community, leading to collaborations with notable producers like Timbaland and Teddy Riley. This eventually took him to Los Angeles, where he signed a publishing deal with Prescription Songs and began collaborating with Nashville songwriters. Through his connection with Prescription Songs, Kevin met Grammy-winning producer Keith Stegall, who helped him refine his sound. Now based in Nashville, Kevin has found his musical identity, writing for both himself and other artists. He’s toured with REO Speedwagon, headlined shows, and is looking forward to his first child. Kevin sums it up simply: "The fact that I have a loving wife and a child on the way—everything else is gravy."

Chris Canterbury, a North Louisiana native now based in Nashville, has always approached songwriting with a focus on storytelling rather than just the song itself. With his distinct southern drawl and a gift for capturing the essence of everyday life, Chris writes about liquor stores, truck stops, low-rent motels, and the grifters and transients who inhabit them. He tackles themes often overlooked in songwriting, presenting them in a relatable, almost conversational style. Over the last two decades, Chris has toured the country, sharing the stage with legends like Guy Clark, Steve Earle, and Ray Wylie Hubbard. Whether performing in a pool hall, theater, or on a front porch, his whiskey-soaked narratives resonate with anyone who has known struggle.