Artists

A little bit muddy water Mississippi, a little bit California beach bum, Danny grew up playing, singing and writing for his family gospel band in south Mississippi. He achieved his first #1 gospel song as a songwriter at the age of 17 before moving to Nashville and founding and fronting the country rock band, Western Flyer, with whom he made two albums and had numerous Top 40 singles. Danny went on to sing background vocals on many hit records by the likes of Montgomery Gentry, Keith Anderson and Blake Shelton before focusing on songwriting. As a writer, Danny has had cuts on a diverse range of artists from Montgomery Gentry to Joe Cocker and has celebrated many hits, such as Craig Morgan’s “International Harvester, Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah”, LoCash’s “I Love This Life” and 2009’s most played country smash, “She’s Country”.

Originality has never been a problem for Cuban-New York singer-songwriter Elsten Torres. “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” is his favorite phrase from Oscar Wilde and his personal motto. A musical pioneer recognized as one of the creators of the 90's alternative Latin rock sound and movement in the United States, this unconventional eclectic musician has firmly left his artistic footprints in the music industry for over 3 decades. Elsten is a bilingual multicultural artist who has performed live internationally as well as a composer awarded for his international successes. With two GRAMMY nominations, two BMI Awards and six Billboard Top Ten songs including a #1 for 5 weeks, Elsten has earned the well-deserved respect of everyone in the music business. Starting in 1994, with his first Afro-Cuban/rock style hit “Revolucion” under the nickname, “Fulano De Tal,” Elsten begins his career as an artist in spectacular fashion. Later, he created the group, “Fulano” and was signed by BMG/Sony Discs and the international publishing house Warner Chappell where his career jumped at an unstoppable speed. He is often considered one of the few genuine composers of his time for his special ability to compose songs that become instant classics in Spanish as well as English. In 2020 he released the tenth album of his career titled, “At the end of love” all in English. In 2022 the Spanish Language album “Nocturno” was released. An album that marked a new stage in his career in terms of sound and production. And in 2023, he released the single “Bendita Cuba,” a song and remix that is a tribute to his homeland and his recently deceased beloved mother. In 2024, Elsten will finish two new projects, one of which will premiere this year and, like last year, he will continue to do live performances internationally and nationally. Special Highlights In 2023, he tours Mexico, Argentina, New York, Ohio and Japan in promotion of his song “Bendita Cuba” and the album “Nocturno”. “La Vida Cambia” song and video in collaboration with the great Spanish singer-songwriter Antonio Carmona is a great success on all networks and digital platforms. In charge of translating into Spanish the greatest hits of legendary rock artist Elvis Costello for a tribute album “Spanish Model” honoring his career. DREAMWORKS/UNIVERSAL PICTURES commissions him to write and adapt the theme song “Fearless” for the animated film “SPIRIT-Untamed.” Invited as “special artist” for the 30th edition of the “Folk Alliance International” festival in Kansas City, MO. The National Geographic channel presents Elsten and his music exclusively for the documentary “La Cuba De Hoy”. The international singer David Bisbal records the song, “Closer Tonight” in English and Spanish, the English version is chosen for the commercial for the 100th anniversary of champagne - Freixenet in Europe. Guest artist to be part of the USA tour with the legendary groups, “The Family Stone” and “The Spinners”. Grammy Award nomination for the album; “Individual”, in the category “Best Latin Pop Album of the Year”. Latin Grammy Award nomination for the song; “Todo El Año” in the “Best Song of the Year” category. “Todo El Año” reaches #1 and remains for five consecutive weeks among the national and international Billboard charts (2005). BMI awards Elsten an award in the category; “One of the 50 Most Popular Songs on Hispanic Radio”, for the songs, “Todo El Año” and “Los Demás” (2005 and 2004).

British brother trio Essex County is known for their fusion of gritty, masculine, vocals, pristine, family harmony, and irreverent guitar. The exclusive mix earned the“So Good” singers millions of streams, spot a top multiple Spotify playlists, including New Boots playlist and invitations to perform at some country music‘s most prestigious venues and festivals. The Band – Nate Bass, Mark Bass and Kieran Bass – have been performing together since they were children. Mark won UK Guitarist of the Year when he was 11 years old, awarded by a panel of celebrity judges, Brian May (Queen), Steve Vai, and Eric Clapton. The brothers formed a group called Next of Kin, signed their first record deal, and toured Europe with some of the world’s most known pop stars. They were a finalist on the X Factor U.K. before coming to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. In 2020, Essex County released their debut country single “So Good”, which not only did they accumulate over 2 million streams, the song’s video stayed in the Top 10 on CMT for months. Propelled by that success, their EP, also called “So Good” is the first and only video EP to debut on CMT. Later that year, their Christmas song “Last Christmas” was No.1 on Spotify’s Country Christmas playlist for the entire holiday season. Essex County released their follow up self titled EP in the fall of 2020 while they were in England to play multiple sold out theater shows and festivals. With an assortment of dates and genre, jumping music slated for the coming months, Essex County is posied to lead country music’s first Britain invasion.

Frank J. Myers is originally from Dayton, Ohio, but moved to Nashville in 1981 to pursue a career in music. He got his start in Nashville as band leader, road manager and lead guitarist for Eddy Raven in 1981 and worked with Eddy for 9 years. It was with Eddy that Frank started writing, playing and co-producing sessions. They had 2 number ones, 5 number twos and 3 top tens with songs such as I Got Mexico, Bayou Boys, You Should’ve Been Gone By Now, Sometimes A Lady and many others. It was in 1982 though, that Frank had his first single (a song he wrote by himself) with You And I for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle which stayed number one for four weeks Country, number two for six weeks AC and number 6 for four weeks Pop. It was during his time with Eddy Raven that Frank met Gary Baker. They had their first number one together in 1993 with Once Upon A Lifetime by Alabama. Gary and Frank recorded one album for MCG/Curb Records as Baker & Myers and were 3 time nominees for Duo Of The Year at the ACM’s and CMA’s. Their greatest accomplishment as writers together came when John Michael Montgomery recorded I Swear which was number one for 4 weeks on the Country charts. The song was then recorded by All 4 One and went to number one on the Pop charts and stayed there for 11 weeks. Since then, I Swear has won these awards: ● American Songwriter Magazine Pop, AC, R&B, Country and Overall Song of the year Pop, R&B, Country and Overall Songwriters of the year ● 1st Annual Country Radio Awards Single and Song of the year ● CMA AWARDS Single Of The Year Song Of The Year nomination ● Grammy Awards Country Song Of The Year Best R&B Vocal and Song Of The Year nomination ● ACM Awards Single and Song Of The Year ● NSAI Awards Award for Country, Pop, and AC Song Of The Year ● ASCAP Awards Country, Pop and R&B Song Of The Year ● Billboard Magazine #1 Song of 1994 ● Jukebox Awards 1994 Song and Songwriters Of The Year ● International Song Of The Year Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and China Frank also co-wrote the 7-week number one smash by Lonestar, I’m Already There, which was nominated for a Grammy and CMA Song and Single Of The Year. The song also went to number 2 on the AC chart. It was also named American Songwriter Magazine’s Country Song Of The Year and Frank was voted Country Songwriter Of The Year, along with Gary Baker and Richie McDonald. His single My Front Porch Looking In by Lonestar is the first record in R&R history to go to #1 fall to number #2 for 6 weeks and go back to #1. His latest #1 was Tomorrow by Chris Young which was also nominated for ACM Single Of The Year. Frank has had songs recorded by over 50 Country and Pop Artists. He’s had 12 number ones and 20 top tens. Frank has co-written and produced songs for such artists as Kenny Loggins’ Target project, the debut CD for Andy Griggs on Montage Records, wrote 7 songs and produced Richie McDonald’s Christian/AC project I Turn To You which was nominated for a Dove Award for Best Country Christian CD in “09” and co-produced Richie McDonald’s Christmas CD If Everyday Could Be Christmas, wrote and produced independent act Matt Gary’s debut single The Days You Live for his follow up CD entitled Matt Gary. He also coproduced South Of Me for newcomer Robby Johnson which went to #18. The video stayed number one on CMT’s Pure Country Countdown for 7 weeks. He is currently writing for various projects. Frank has a list of artist and producer co-writes that include partner Gary Baker, Chris Young, Anthony Smith, Billy Montana, Ash Bowers, Josh Thompson, Adam Anders, Richie McDonald, Ronnie Dunn, David Lee Murphy, Travis Tritt, Uncle Kracker, Nick Lachey, Jessica Simpson, Kenny Loggins Howie & Kevin of BSB, among others. He is also a member Leadership Music’s class of “05”. Frank was nominated for a Dove Award in “09” for his writing and production work on I Turn To You recorded by Richie McDonald. This was his first Dove Award nomination, as well as his first Producer nomination.

Born in California and raised in Alabama, Hugh Mitchell has developed a style that bridges the gap between his love of songwriting and his need for a loud guitar. His early influences were groups such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Jackson Brown, and it shows. Hugh's voice is undeniable. He has been referred to as “the golden-throated troubadour” by American Songwriter Magazine, and was a featured performer and cast member on the A&E reality series “Crazy Hearts Nashville.”

Jann Klose is an award-winning pop singer-songwriter, who has released seven albums and two EPs. Klose was raised in Kenya, South Africa, Germany and the United States. Singles from his most recent album Surrender (2023) have accumulated over 5 million streams across all platforms and charted on Top 40 radio in both the US and South Africa. Jann served as the singing voice of Tim Buckley in the 2012 film Greetings from Tim Buckley. His songs have been heard on the Grammy® nominated Healthy Food For Thought compilation, charted in the Billboard Top 10 compilation Action Moves People United, and have appeared in MTV Cribs and the movies Married Young, Dead Broke and One Little Finger, where he worked alongside Quincy Jones. Jann has performed as an actor and singer in touring companies of Broadway musicals, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll and Hyde, and The Who's Tommy as well as in made-for-TV movies, voice overs and commercials. In 2020, Jann launched his podcast, Making Sound with Jann Klose. With over 100 episodes the show has featured guests such as John Mahon (Elton John Band), Simon Kirke (Free, Bad Company) and Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad). Jann has opened for and collaborated with a wide range of artists including Pat Benatar, John Oates of Hall and Oates, Suzanne Vega, Renaissance & Annie Haslam, The Yardbirds, Liz Callaway, Rosanne Cash, Paula Cole, Brett Dennen, Karen Zoid, Tamara Dey, Carrie Newcomer, Alicia Madison, Roger McGuinn, Gary Lucas, Jeffrey Gaines, Elliott Murphy, Rusted Root, Pete Seeger and Les Paul. jannklose.com | makingsoundpodcast.com | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Threads

Jeff Cohen is a 6 Time BMI Award winning, Grammy Nominated Songwriter/Producer/Publisher based in Nashville and London whose songs have appeared on over 20 million albums sold, over 100 placements in TV/Film and over 10 million video games. Jeff’s songs have been recorded by Evan and Jaron (Hit single/BMI award - Crazy For This Girl), The Band Perry (Hit single/BMI Award - Postcard From Paris, Big and Rich (Hit single/BMI award - Holy Water - also #1 Video CMT and GAC),), The Shires (Hit Singles - I See Stars, 1000 Hallelujahs, Daddy’s Little Girl, Echo), Laura Bell Bundy (Hit single - Giddy On Up - also #1 Video CMT and GAC), The Worry Dolls - Endless Road (2018 UK Americana Award Song of The Year Nomination), Jake Bugg - (Single - Downtown), Richie MacDonald of Lone Star (Hit single - I Turn To You), Ilse DeLange (Hit Single - Beautiful Distraction), Waylon (Hit Single - Hey), Nell Bryden (Hit Singles “Amy” and “These Changes”), Nikhil D’Souza (Hit Singles - “Beautiful Mind” and “Silver and Gold”), Sugarland, Josh Groban, Mandy Moore, Macy Gray, Spin Doctors, Nick Lachey, Teitur, Tina Dico, Doc Walker, Mickey Guyton, Hush, Luz Casal, Sandi Patty, Marc Broussard, Kristian Bush, Jasmine Murray, Cho Yong- Pil, Jasmine Rae, Julia Cole, The Wandering Hearts and many more. Jeff's songs have been featured in TV shows such as Paw Patrol (Theme/3 BMI Awards), Jack and Jill (Theme), I Married A Princess (Theme), The Exes (Theme), Roll The Tape (Theme) , Out Of Pocket (Theme), Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, Monarch, Party of Five, The Simpson’s, American Idol,, Saturday Night Live, Catfish, Sonny With A Chance, The Fame Game and many more. Jeff’s songs have been featured in movies such as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Stuart Little 2, Aquamarine, Princess Diaries, Grandma’s Boy, Dakota and more. Jeff’s songs have also been featured in Major Commercials such as the Samsung Holiday International TV spot for Galaxy AirBuds (2021), Dignity Healthcare (2022), Timex Watches (2018) and more. He is also founder and songwriter of the critically acclaimed band Pancho’s Lament. Pancho’s Laments last single “All The Light” was in rotation on CMT in Dec 2023/Jan 2024 and played on numerous Radio and Video outlets. Jeff is a Board Member of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) and Board Member of Inspired Nation Foundation founded by Kara DioGuardi. Among his constant co-writers are Jamie Hartman, Sacha Skabek, Kara DioGuardi, Liz Rose, Jeff Trott, Kristian Bush, James T Slater and many more. In a previous life he was a music executive at BMI working with such talent as Jeff Buckley, Lisa Loeb, Joan Osborne, Spin Doctors, Ben Folds, Wilco, Ani Di Franco and many more.

A five time Grammy Nominee, Jeffrey Steele has been recognized by BMI for over 65 million airplays for hits he penned for a multitude of artists including Keith Urban, Eric Church, Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, Montgomery Gentry, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cher, .38 Special, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts and Van Zant, Joe Cocker, Little Feat ft. Bob Seger, Joe Bonamassa, Cascada and more. Among his many accolades over the past few years, Jeffrey Steele has been named to the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame as a Poet and Prophet, twice awarded BMI Songwriter of the Year and thrice the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Songwriter of the Year. CMA has twice awarded him the coveted “Triple Play Award” for three No. 1 songs in a year. His country and A/C mega-hits include a string of chart toppers including: “Raise ‘Em Up”, “Knee Deep”, “Here,” “My Wish,” “The Cowboy In Me,” “These Days”, “My Town”, “Something to be Proud of”, “Everyday” and the groundbreaking “What Hurts The Most,” nominated for Best Country Song at the Grammy Awards. Additionally, he has won over 35 BMI Country and Pop awards, was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice Award for Best Original Song “I Thought I Lost You” for the Disney/Pixar animated feature BOLT, performed by Miley Cyrus and John Travolta, been named one of Billboard Magazine’s top 5 writer’s 8 years in a row, as well as Music Row Magazine’s Songwriter of the Year Award. Steele’s latest album features performances with Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson, John Rich and others. For more from Jeffrey Steele visit JeffreySteele.com

Jess Jocoy makes atmospheric Americana for rainy days and twilight hours. It's an ethereal sound with organic roots, anchored by a longtime love of country music, a storyteller's nuanced delivery, and a folksinger's finesse. A sound that blurs the lines between genres, creating its own blend of twang and texture along the way, described as "the growth of an exciting songwriter, destined to be one of the greatest of her generation" by Alan Cackett, renowned Journalist and Broadcaster. Raised two hours south of Seattle, Jess grew up beneath the drizzling skies and lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. "I'm a mountain girl at heart," she says, nodding to the scenery that shaped albums like her acclaimed debut ‘Such a Long Way’ and the 2021 follow-up EP ‘Brighter Eyes’ with the woozy, water colored beauty of her native Washington State. She created both records in her adopted hometown of Nashville, a city whose songwriters had first captivated her attention as a child. Gaining traction in 2018 after winning the Music Movers Competition held by Uber, Jess opened for country music artist Chase Rice during CMA Fest. In 2019, she appeared as a contestant on the NBC hit series 'Songland' (episode 103) where she pitched her original song ‘Easy’ to Kelsea Ballerini. That same year, she was an official showcasing artist at the US AmericanaFest. She has been invited to play Nashville's historic Bluebird Café, not once, but five times; four Sunday Spotlight showcases and one writer's round hosted by Musicians Corner (the last Spotlight showcase doubling as her album release party for Let There Be No Despair). Jess has had airplay on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Ulster with Eve Blair making her 'Artist of the Week' on her Late Show. This coincided with an invitation to play on the NPR Mountain Stage program with Kathy Mattea as host. Jess was voted as winner of the Americana-UK Twang Factor 2 and named as Caffè Nero Artist of the Month for November 2021, her music played in over 750 coffee houses across the UK, where 13 of her songs are still in playlist rotation. Wrapping her first headlining UK Tour in June/2022, Jess has secured her foothold as a name to know in Americana music both in the US and abroad.