Artists

Singer-songwriter Joey McGee makes music infused with the energy of his native New Orleans, informed by his experiences working and living in Pittsburgh and inspired by connection in his current Brazos Valley home in Bryan/College Station,Texas. Influences from time spent in San Antonio also contribute to his appealing sound: an original mix of soul, country, blues, and rock that fits well under the Americana umbrella. Joey is working on his 7th release, which will hit the waves later this season. His last album, The Acoustic Highway (2022) is a thirteen song, bare-acoustic-solo compilation that features his deft guitar skills and rich lyrical imagery, all layered with soulful and earnest vocals.

A country club PGA Head Golf Professional/manager by day and songwriting rocker by night. John loves to entertain through live music and seeing everyone happy, singing along, and dancing to the best music of yesterday and today. He has two cover-bands here in SWFL. One, an electric party band called Lil Thirsty. The second, Tidewater Duo, playing covers and originals in a more intimate acoustic setting. Performing rock hits, crowd pleasers, and listening to his own musical interests have helped John to shape his influences into some catchy songwriting using various movements, tempos, energy, and emotions. John never copies any specific artist or style and feels his original music comes from the heart & soul. He has adopted the Enso with birds as his symbol because the Enso represents the moment when the mind, body, and spirit are all free to create. Birds represent living life, determination, togetherness, and grace. John mainly writes his own music. However, his songwriting collaboration so far has only been with other artist friends whose story he can relate to and they share similar tastes in music. This is John’s first singer-songwriter festival. Look for his original music to be released by the end of the summer on his first debut album titled “What’s your story?”

Julianne Ankley's soulful Americana, Blue Country, Roots style hails from a small Michigan border town close to the shore of Lake Huron and within earshot of the musical influences of Detroit. Ankley’s newly released music video for ”The Ghost of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse" is a fictional story song about a lightkeeper that was murdered and now haunts the oldest lighthouse in the state of Michigan forevermore. The song was released on her album "With Love from Lake Huron" in 2020 and won the 2021 Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Country Recording. With fourteen Detroit Music Awards, Julianne Ankley has been writing heartfelt songs and delivering electric performances for years. To date she has released 4 solo albums and 4 singles. Her songs have been used on national television (WXYZ ABC) for the annual “Woodward Dream Cruise” special, she performed live on the nationally televised “America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (WDIV NBC), and by HomeAid of America for PSA campaigns to raise funds for housing the homeless. Julianne tours nationally as a performer/speaker and also splits her time between writing and recording in Nashville and her home in Michigan. As a songwriter, Julianne has written with hit songwriters Byron Hill, Dave Gibson, Mike Dekle, Gary Hannan, Amanda Williams, Jon D'Agostino, Michelle Chenard, and Caleb Malooley of the Gasoline Gypsies. She has performed at many songwriter shows alongside hit writers including Aaron Barker Sr., Chas Sandford, Dave Gibson, Byron Hill, Gary Hannan, Heidi Newfield, Angie Kielhauer, Kristen Kelly, Jeff Prince, Bernie Nelson, and Barbara Cloyd. She was the celebrity host and performer for the Hard Rock Cafe stages in Nashville during the CMA Fest for several years, and continues to perform at Nashville’s top songwriting venues such as the world-famous Bluebird Cafe, the Listening Room, Douglas Corner Cafe, Tootsie’s, and more.

Karen Cohen’s eclectic guitar playing will perk up your ears, while her singing and songwriting will dovetail your heart.  Her voice captures the emotional essence of her songs and resonates with our own personal experience.  Her writing is full of imagery and her melodies are as diverse as the stories behind the songs. Karen’s roots run deep in pre-war fingerstyle Blues, 60’s & 70’s Folk music and she has an affinity for women guitar players of those eras. She Will have you Leaning In!  Karen lives in Punta Gorda, FL.  She is currently performing at multiple Folk Festivals around Florida, ACMA events and Community showcases. 

With a little bit of rock, a hell of a lot of soul, and a throwback R&B groove, Kassi Ashton has crash landed on country radio. “Dates In Pickup Trucks,” her irresistible debut radio single dropped in February, on the eve of her own 28th birthday. “It feels powerful,” she says of the moment’s alignment. Speaking about the song’s playfulness, she adds, “I want it to show that there are many sides to me.” The release marks the critical next step for the buzzy young singer. Named to Ones to Watch lists by publications like Huffington Post and The Tennessean as well as juggernaut radio personality Bobby Bones, Ashton spent 2019 as one of the openers on Maren Morris’s GIRL World Tour. In 2018, she was featured on Keith Urban’s CMA Album of the Year-nominated LP, Graffiti U. The simmering new song, it turns out, has a surprising origin story: an uncharacteristically giddy phone call between Ashton and her grandmother. One of nine children and known for her take-no-prisoners attitude, the singer was shocked when, one day, her elder fell into a fit of giggles on the other end of the line. “She’s like, ‘Me and your grandpa went on a date last night,’” Ashton recalls. “‘I made dinner, we packed it up in the truck, and we drove around all the roads we hadn’t seen in a long time.’” Ashton got to thinking about the nights she stepped out under the stars in her own pickup, back in her one-stoplight hometown of California, Missouri. (“You can gravel road for hours, where I come from” she quips.) Ashton brought the idea into a co-writing session with Luke Laird, who, while having served as the pen behind massive hits by Thomas Rhett, Eric Church, and Carrie Underwood, is also, as Ashton explains affectionately, the “other half of my creative brain,” and David Garcia. Initially, her collaborators both balked at what they considered a kitschy title. “They’re like, ‘This is not the girl I know!’” Ashton says, laughing.

"Katie Lyon's musical journey began in Southwest Florida, drawing inspiration from artists like Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, and others dating back to the likes of Don Williams and Merle Haggard. Now based in Charleston, SC, she blends indie-folk and country to craft songs that resonate with life's emotions. With genuine authenticity, Katie's performances strike a chord with audiences, inviting them on a journey through love, loss, and shared experiences. Through her music, she shares her own stories and those of others, remaining true to herself and inspiring others to do the same. Katie's most recent EP "Bounce Back," released on April 16th, was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN, promising to be a heartfelt addition to her musical repertoire."

Katrina Cain is an Austin-based artist and songwriter. Steeped in Americana, she aims to use her blooming writing voice to answer the question: what defines belonging? Katrina’s own journey has unfolded on both coasts and in the American southwest. A native Texan, she was born in Dallas, raised in a small New England town, and has moved over 20 times. When asked where she’s from, the response of “Dallas born, Yankee bred” is the easiest way to answer. Since returning to her Texas roots, she has called this state home longer than any other place, and intends to stay for good this time. Katrina Cain’s music has been described as many genres from Americana, to country, to folk. Simply put, she’s a singer-songwriter. She is most known for her stand out performances on Season 15 of NBC's The Voice, with her haunting rendition of “Rhiannon”. After the pandemic forced show cancellations and postponed releases, Katrina found herself, like so many others, locked down in her studio writing song after song. This songwriting project explores identity and storytelling with simplicity, authenticity, and rhyme. Unlike her previous pop projects, these songs were gritty folk mixed with a dash of country; a true representation of the Texas girl she’d been avoiding for so long. The result of this several-years-long songwriting binge is an EP, set for release in the second half of 2023. Katrina’s music brings the listener on a journey that breaks the barriers of genre: sweet, soulful vocals and luscious dreamscapes, swinging between soul breaking singer-songwriter ballads, and honky tonk country anthems. In her quietest moments, Katrina’s pop sensibilities make room for her authentic tales of Americana. Never one to skimp on lyric, Katrina's artful storytelling bears more of the human experience than just a heartbreak like the one before. Katrina Cain is a full-time performer, songwriter, and studio vocalist working in Austin, LA, and Nashville. Her June 2022 solo tour spanned 12 shows over 7 states. She has received notable press in Popsugar, Huffington Post, DittyTV, and radio stations across the country. Katrina was an official SXSW 2018 and 2019 performer, performed at Americanafest 2022 official events, and has opened for bands such as Raul Malo (of The Mavericks), Gary P. Nunn, Angel White, Bri Bagwell, The West Texas Exiles, Isaac Hoskins, Phantogram, SarahJaffe, and Beth//James, among others. You can hear her original music everywhere music is streamed and sold, and follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook.

A veteran songwriter with genre-bending music, Keefe is based out of Atlanta, GA. In addition to being a writer/performer for over 15 years, he is also a founding member of the Atlanta Music Agency. In the past, he shared the stage with such diverse acts as Cake, OKGo!, Switchfoot, Sir Mix-a-lot, Afroman, Heidi Newfield, and more. The Metro Atlanta Winner for the Anthem Challenge in 2021, Keefe was also named "One to Watch" in December of 2020 by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) for his popular single "Viking Funeral".

Kristian Bush is a multi-platinum-selling, two-time GRAMMY® Award winner most known for co-founding the record-breaking Country duo Sugarland with Jennifer Nettles. This year, Kristian is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sugarland with a co-headining arena tour with Little Big Town and the 34th year of his folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim, which just made its Grand Ole Opry debut. He's set to embark on an international tour in the coming months. Last summer, Bush drove his striped umbrella in the sand, staking his spot in summertime beach music with his EP "Drink Happy Thoughts." "(Beach music) is just fascinating," Kristian says. "No matter who I talk to about this kind of stuff, it's the same feeling I got when I would tell people I have a band called Sugarland. They're like,' Oh my God, I love Sugarland. That's you?' When people confess that you're their guilty pleasure, it's such a beautiful feeling. How about we normalize it?" Since then, Bush has released a series of island versions of his popular songs that marry his signature groovy sound with his reggae influence—and more are on the way. At the same time, he was working on his own music, Kristian was also busy in the studio producing Megan Moroney, who recently charted her first No. 1 song "Tennessee Orange" and is preparing to release her sophomore album later this summer. The Sevierville, TN native launched his professional music career in 1994 with the Folk-Rock duo Billy Pilgrim. Within the decade, Kristian formed Sugarland, and the group released debut single "Baby Girl" in 2004. Sugarland went on to chart five No. 1 hits and 12 Top 10 songs. His "Southern Gravity" solo debut in 2015 produced Top 20 hit "Trailer Hitch." Kristian made a foray into television theme songs in 2016 with "Forever Now (Say Yes)," which he penned and performed for TLC's popular show "Say Yes to the Dress." The multi-instrumentalist is also a founding member of Rock Jam band Dark Water alongside his brother Brandon Bush and esteemed guitarist Benji Shanks. In addition, Kristian co-wrote a song for the Atlanta staging of Stephen Schwartz's "Working: A Musical" and has written three musicals. "Troubadour" (2017) and "Darlin' Cory" (2021) opened at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre, and "Me Before You."

Kurtis John, has spent the last two decades writing, recording, touring and producing music that has made its way onto stages and radio stations, and into movie theaters and households around the world. Born and raised in the small townof Enfield, Connecticut the Singer/Songwriter/Producer found mainstream success as lead singer and songwriter for The Last Goodnight. He found chart-topping success throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia behind the strength of hit singles “Pictures Of You” and “Stay Beautiful.” Both tracks reached the Top 5 on the US Hot AC Chart and, among their many placements, the former was the most played song in Australia throughout 2007 and soundtracked national campaigns for Kodak and New Line Cinema’s “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” as well as promos for ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters.” After his success with his band The Last Goodnight, he moved to Nashville to dig deeper into his songwriting and production. Outside of the Last Goodnight his songs have been recorded by various artists including Augustana, Alissa Moreno, Jason Blaine, Ravi Drums, Kaz James, and a slew of others. He is currently writing and producing for multiple projects including new music for The Last Goodnight and Silence X Noise.

Kyle James is a Singer/songwriter from Connecticut. Since moving to Nashville in 2015 He has been credited as a writer on over 50 released songs, amassing over 20 millions streams on combined works. Notable cuts including releases by major label artists such as Kameron Marlowe and Tracy Lawrence. Kyle is half the duo “The Walk-ons” with whom he has released a top 10 charting album and opened for acts like Cole Swindell.

Many fans discovered Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Lauren Mascitti, during her appearance on the 2020 season of American Idol, but Lauren has been performing and writing songs since the age of 7. By the time she was a teen, she was performing six shows a week in Branson, MO with gospel singer (and original Oak Ridge Boy) Gary McSpadden. After earning a degree in nursing, she moved from her hometown of Louisville, OH to Nashville where she has co-written and/or performed with artists such as Pam Tillis, Matraca Berg, Suzy Bogguss, Mo Pitney, and Bobby Tomberlin. She performed with Brad Paisley and Shania Twain in a concert honoring her fellow healthcare workers during the pandemic and has performed on the Grand Ole Opry multiple times. This past year, she opened several shows for Lonestar, including their first headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium. Lauren's most recent album "God Made a Woman" was named to the New York Times and Saving Country Music's Best of 2020 lists and went to #4 on iTunes in country albums sales. She is currently writing for a new project and continues to tour throughout the country (www.laurenmascitti.com)

LEVASSEUR is no stranger to the music industry. She spent much of her childhood in the crowds of local dives, studios and publishing houses learning the craft and business from some of the very best producers, managers and writers. Her list of teachers and mentors includes her father, Hall of Fame songwriter, Jeffrey Steele. She is head of A&R/Artist Management at 3 Ring Circus Music & Records in Nashville,TN and has played an active role in the development of several hit writers as well as had a hand in many song placements from Miley Cyrus to Keith Urban, Eric Church and the like. LEVASSEUR and Steele also jointly operate the Jeffrey Steele Academy, a teaching community for aspiring writers. She is passionate about discovering new artists with unique sounds and eclectic personalities. When she isn’t developing artists and writers she is creating and performing. LEVASSEUR’s storyteller writing and sound can be heard as part of the duo Silence x Noise with fellow dreamer Kurtis John.

Lucy Spotts, a 21 year old singer/songwriter/surfer/influencer, comes to us with her guitar and harmonica, from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, the "Shark Bite Capital of the World"! Known as the "Songwriter & Wave Rider", she performs full time and has already recorded and released 41 original songs and 1 cover song, available on all online platforms. Lucy started singing (despite being very bashful when she was 8 years old with her siblings as part of the "Amerikids" Choir in Orlando for huge conventions. She was also a member of the Professional Caroling Company as a "Caroling Kid" with her mom who sang soprano each Christmas season throughout her childhood. After her inspirational surfing progression video went viral on Instagram and Tiktok (much to Lucy's surprise!), Surfgirl Magazine and Girls Who Surf reached out to Lucy and featured her story in their popular publications. This is when she starting sharing her story about her battle with symptoms of anxiety and depression as a young teenager. She recollects how her mom thought moving to the beach, with the salty air, ocean water, and regular sunshine might revive her spirit. She had already been playing the guitar, writing music and singing privately at that time as a sort of therapy, but after moving to the beach at the age of 15, she discovered surfing to be another therapeutic friend. Altogether, music, surfing, beach life, friends & family, journaling, prayer, and God, have become her "medication". This transformation has inspired a multi-faceted career with countless new original songs, a full time singing schedule and multiple wholesome videos on social media that have touched people worldwide and reached over 14 million people worldwide: All about surfing, faith, music, silly adventures, serious topics, comedic creations, surfer hair care and creative commercials. Lucy moves energy when she performs, with her clear, fresh, and sweet vocal style and relaxed stage presence; whether she's singing one of her originals, a love song, Tennessee Whiskey, Stuck On You, John Denver, Dolly Parton, Fleetwood Mac, or a Taylor Swift favorite. Her original songs about fishing, nature, beach life, love, hate, surfing, Publix (!), heartbreak, relationships, faith and God, resonate with the human experience for folks of all ages and walks of life. They are like stepping into her personal journal and give the listener a view of her internal depths and youthful heart. Lucy is elated and honored to be joining the other songwriters for the 2024 Island Hopper Songwriter Festival!

Madison Morris is a dynamic artist who, as a singer-songwriter, focuses on bringing his storytelling nature to light over top of an Americana sound. His song, "We're All Still Here", which Madison released in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, was placed on the Official Ballot for the 2024 Grammy Awards in the Best Americana Performance category. As a guitarist, he is simply and purposefully genre-defying by being able to marry his tone and style that he has developed over 20 years of practice to anything from country to electronic dance to R&B/hip-hop. Being raised with Texas blues at the helm of his musical influence, Madison focuses on the entire range of the guitar, from soft, clear and articulated leads in his songs like "Woe is Me", to the visceral solo in "Just One More Drink". In other instances, such as in "Angel from Hell", he employs the slide to mimic a motorcycle riding off into the distance.

Maia Sharp has had her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, The Chicks, Trisha Yearwood, Keb’ Mo’, Cher, Edwin McCain, David Wilcox, Art Garfunkel, Lizz Wright, Paul Carrack, Lisa Loeb, Terri Clark and many more. And through it all, Maia has continued to record her own albums including nine solo releases, one collaborative project with Art Garfunkel and Buddy Mondlock and her duo project, Roscoe & Etta (with writing/production partner Anna Schulze). Each release has been embraced by press and radio and has led to extensive touring and appearances on Mountain Stage, Acoustic Cafe, World Cafe, NPR's "All Things Considered," CBS Early Morning and the Today Show to name a few. Maia is also an adjunct professor at NYU and has been writing for Songwriting With: Soldiers for seven years. Her new album, Reckless Thoughts features the singles “Kind,” “Old Dreams” and “She’ll Let Herself Out.” "Reckless Thoughts" is Maia Sharp's ninth solo album and just might be her finest to date. That's saying a lot, because she stands as one of the best singer-songwriters of our time." – POP CULTURE CLASSICS “Ultimately, Reckless Thoughts comes across as a calming, contemplative, and confessional set of songs that reaffirm the fact that Sharp is truly a treasure in terms of her ability to craft compelling songs that bear an affirmative attitude, one that takes stock in both kindness and compassion and uses them to the best advantage. In the end, that’s truly something to savor.” – AMERICAN SONGWRITER “Backburner” is one clever lyric, but the beauty of the song is that it isn’t cloying or cutesy. The arrangement, which features Sharp’s guitars and synths along with other musicians, is steady and unswerving, like on the cruise-control mode in your car. From Sharp’s contemplative delivery to the tautness of the arrangement, “Backburner” conveys regret without ever sounding maudlin. To extend its metaphor, it stays on simmer and never overheats.” – ROLLING STONE "Maia Sharp is one of America's great singer-songwriters. Her storytelling runs profound and deep while honoring a pop tradition that urges you to sing along and feel good. Maia sings with an angelic voice that's shrouded in stark realism and a healthy dose of cynicism.....it's an exotic cocktail!" – DON WAS

Award-winning international blues and rock duo Martini Russa are virtuoso guitarist Martini (Brazil/Spain) and powerful vocalist and rhythm guitarist Anastasia (Russia/USA). They write songs about resilience, invasions, dictators, hope, and, of course, love. Martini Russa believe that music, curiosity, and self-education will save the world: "The only defense is your mind, so keep it sharp and ablaze"- a lyric from Anastasia’s song Midazolam Daze. This year Martini Russa are nominated for the Duo of the Year, Entertainer of the Year - Duo, and Musician of the Year - Guitarist, by the prestigious Josie Music Awards (Nashville). They have released a new single Hangover in March and are preparing to go on a US tour in August.

Matt Warren is a Nashville native. In 2002, Warren made his staff writer debut when he signed a publishing deal with House of Fame in Muscle Shoals, AL. Matt's first cut was “Puttin’ Memories Away”, co-written with Gary Allan. It was featured in Rolling Stone magazine & on the Oprah Winfrey show when Gary was her guest. In 2009 he won multiple awards for the top 10 hit "Learning How to Bend". In 2013 he received a songwriter award for the #1 smash “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)", which was also nominated for the 2014 ACM song of the year. “Love Let It Do What It Do” by Robert Randolph & the Family Band featuring Darius Rucker (co-written with Warren) was the lead single from the “Got Soul” record nominated for blues record of the year at the 2018 Grammy Awards. Matt’s songs have been recorded by Gary Allan, Darius Rucker, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Andy Frasco & the UN, Bucky Covington, Americana music icon Jim Lauderdale, Pittsburgh blue collar rock legend Joe Grushecky and many others. He has recorded his songs for his 2013 solo project as well as his band Papa Joe in 2001 and his latest band Goodfoot which will be out in 2022. Matt currently has 4 songs on the new Gary Allan record “Ruthless.”

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Megan Linville, the granddaughter of a songwriter who had cuts by such country music icons as Charley Pride, Kitty Wells and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Roy Orbison, recorded her first album at the age of 19 with producer John Carter Cash, the Grammy-winning son of the "Man In Black." Megan has performed at some of the sports world’s largest events, including numerous Major League Baseball games, the Indy 500, The Allstate Brickyard 400 Sprint Cup Series, the Kentucky Derby, and many more. Her self-penned recording of “Wrapped Up In Love” is the closing credits song for Hallmark Network’s perennial holiday favorite Snow Bride, as well as, Hearts of Christmas. A sweet mixture of Laurel Canyon and smooth Tennessee Whiskey, Megan is solidifying her footing as an emerging artist to watch on the Country music scene. She was featured as one of CMT’s Artist Discoveries and her music video for “This Old Town” reached number 3 on CMT’s 12 Pack Countdown. Also, Megan is now the new voice of Blue Bell Ice Cream, alongside Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter, Aaron Barker.

Melanie Sandford is a Boston-born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter known for her quirky and intelligent lyrics with a hint of sultriness. Growing up as the daughter of a policeman and a flower child, Melanie rebelled from following in their footsteps and pursued the rock and roll dream. At 16, she began performing at open mics and poetry slams around Lowell, Massachusetts, leading to her first EP, "Could It Be?" in 2004, produced by Bob Nash with an Americana/folk flair. In 2008, she formed "The Melanie Driscoll Band" with musicians from Berklee College of Music, becoming a fixture in Boston's bar and club scene. Her talent earned her a top-three finalist spot in Boston 92.5 The River’s Rising Star contest and a listing in HOWL Magazine’s “Top Women Who Rock” in 2009. After recovering from a rare form of breast cancer, Melanie moved to Nashville in 2014, where she married Chas Sandford, a multi-platinum producer, songwriter, and artist. Together and separately, they performed at numerous music festivals, including the 30A Songwriter’s Fest and Pensacola Beach Songwriter’s Fest, and Melanie won “Give a Little Nashville’s” Best Female Songwriter in 2015. In 2019, Chas produced her first full-length album with some of the best musicians in Nashville. "Wonderland," is an eclectic blend of rock, pop, and paisley underground, drawing comparisons to Garbage, Veruca Salt, The Smiths, and The Beatles. One listen to this record and you will be a fan for life. Presently, Melanie is working on her second Chas Sandford produced album which should prove to be a killer follow-up to “Wonderland”.

Melody Walker is a songwriter, producer, performer, and fervent believer that songs can change the world. Best known for her writing with Molly Tuttle, Sierra Ferrell, and her own band Front Country, Melody’s post-pandemic rebirth has found her setting roots down in her home of East Nashville, co-writing with her talented neighbors and hosting her weekly round, Writers’ Kitchen. Her blend of Americana and Pop has won her accolades from Merlefest to Telluride and now the GRAMMYs, with co-writes on Molly Tuttle’s GRAMMY-winning albums, Crooked Tree and City of Gold. 2024 brought the release of Sierra Ferrell's latest album Trail of Flowers, featuring the Walker-penned instant classics "American Dreaming", "Dollar Bill Bar" and "Wish You Well". Melody has begun releasing her first solo music in over a decade, stepping into her own as an artist and finding magic in queer collaboration. Whether going folk-viral on TikTok or protesting red state repression with her Grateful Dead drag band, BERTHA, Melody is ready to ride whatever cosmic creative waves the universe sends her way.

Leading singer and songwriter Mikey Silas, is a multi-dimensional and award winning performing artist and producer, from Cleveland, Ohio. He has been described as emulating artists like David Bowie, BB King, Chris Stapleton and Bob Dylan. He discovered music through Soul and Classic Rock records that belonged to his father and taught himself how to play piano to Lionel Richie tunes and Pop/R&B hits on the radio. As one of Cleveland’s “Most Interesting People” of 2024 (Cleveland Magazine) he has transformed the Cleveland music scene and culture with his charismatic and immersive shows (Apostle Jones' 'Live from Convivium 33', Beachland Ballroom ‘The Holiday Special’, Grog Shop ‘Blues and Soul Slam’) and is front man for his power-house, 10-person style-bending and message driven soul/funk/rock/blues band Apostle Jones. He has won regional awards in the categories of Must See Acts, Best Male Vocalist, Best Singer-Songwriter and Best Band and Blues Band (Cleveland Music Awards). He has an insatiable grass roots drive to build-up community and curates several gateway events for emerging artists and creatives at local music venues. He is known for his collaborative approach to his projects, writing process and stage shows, often including other talent to share the biggest moments of his performing life. He is also a visual artist as well as a stage/film actor. He adds a decade’s worth of experience as a Chicago actor/producer to his efforts in his hometown and beyond. He builds community into every single event he sets his mind to. He holds a B.A. in Music/Theater/Dance from Columbia College Chicago and a PhD in gratitude. He is mentored by the one and only David Spero. www.apostlejones.com @apostlejonesing @mikey.silas

Songwriter, former environmental scientist, amateur beach bum, aspiring boat captain. After a near fatal car accident at age 16, monallo picked up a guitar and began writing songs. He played in various bands over the next few years until losing his voice completely at 23. Not sure if he would be able to sing or even talk well going forward, monallo put it all on the line after the ensuing vocal cord surgery and began writing, recording and touring more than ever before. Inspired by real-life experiences and the world that surrounds us all, monallo's warm sound, vivid imagery and organic style produces songs that are both true to the heart and easy to listen to. Some are lighthearted, some are heartfelt, but they each set a relaxing, down-to-earth tone that we can all enjoy. Listeners describe his live performances as “authentic” and “genuine”. Monallo is currently working on a new record, due to be available everywhere July 2024. As a former environmental scientist, monallo is passionate about the environment, with an especially soft spot for any body of water. monallo has been recognized as a Global Ambassador for the "Plastic Ocean Project” since 2018. A percentage of proceeds from all shows and album sales are donated to POP. In 2019, monallo was recognized as a BYObottle Artist, joining highly touted artists all working to make the music industry more sustainable.

"Nathan Allen is a Country-Americana singer/songwriter based in Clearwater, Florida and performs throughout the southeastern United States. Notably he has performed pre-shows at CMA-nominated Ruth Eckerd Hall for Jackson Browne, Steve Miller Band, Van Morrison, Larry The Cable Guy and more. He released his debut EP, entitled "It Had To Be This Way" in the fall of 2018. He is currently working on his next project, slated for a Fall 2024 release."

In February 2020 Nelson turned all four chairs on the NBC hit show “The Voice” with his version of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Pride and Joy. He went on to make it to the top 20 on John Legend’s team when COVID-19 took the world for a ride. So he took a ride back east and hit the road performing at various venues picking up more traction at each stop. Born and raised in Orange County, CA, Nelson Cade III began his musical journey in first grade with classical training in piano. His training continued strong into middle school when he was accepted into the Orange County School of the Arts. Around junior year in high school, Nelson transferred to Anaheim High where he picked up and taught himself guitar while walking back and forth to school. The singing came soon after that. Nelson only recently quit his job to pursue music full-time as his professional career. The seed was planted while walking by a farmers’ market in downtown Los Angeles, guitar in hand. He was stopped by one of the market’s organizers and asked if he wanted a gig there. Since that day, his appearances on “The Voice” beamed his talents into households across the nation. Nelson is multi-GENRE-ational - a lover of all different sounds and styles of music. You can catch him playing a variety of genres at his shows such as blues, pop, folk, indie-rock and oldies, as well as some of his originals mixed in. His recently released debut single, FREEDOM, is streaming everywhere!

Night Hawk is a Maine-based outfit led by Colter Adams and Peyton Semjen, whose music often blurs the line between indie rock and performance art. Featuring a rotating cast of intrepid players from the New England underground, the project revolves around the question: what do Edward Hopper's paintings sound like? Night Hawk's music is defined by stark geometry and bold imagery, underpinned by a deep sense of melancholia and repose. Drawing on Soir Bleu (1914), Automat (1927), Nighthawks (1942), Morning Sun (1952), and other Hopper works, the duo has performed at venues and galleries across the Northeast, and grown a thousands-strong audience by word-of-mouth and electric live performances. Night Hawk has shared the stage with national touring artists including Y La Bamba, Sadurn, Lady Lamb, Dino Gala, and Dead Gowns, and sold out headline shows in New York City, Boston, and Portland, ME. Their debut EP, Everything Good Ends (produced by Dan Capaldi) is out on all platforms and select record stores in Downeast Maine.

Paisley Love is a singer-songwriter hailing from Detroit, Michigan. Renowned for her storytelling prowess, Paisley’s acoustic melodies capture the depth of human emotion, drawing listeners into her heartfelt narratives. Her smooth voice and honest lyrics create an intimate musical experience, making each performance a journey through love, loss, and everything in between. With a unique ability to connect deeply with her audience, Paisley Love continues to leave an indelible mark on the music scene.

Randy's songs have been recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris, The Dixie Chicks, Restless Heart, Clay Walker, Blood Sweat and Tears, Marty Robbins, Edgar Winter, Reba McEntire, Big Bird... to name only a few. Many of them hits, a few of them number ones and three of them Grammy winners. As far as his own performances go, David Scarlett of the Country Weekly says: "... he makes it seem effortless. And, most important of all, his performance of his own material confirms the truism that, no matter how many superstars record a song, no one interprets it better than the guy who wrote it."

Ray Boone is a native Floridian, born in Miami, growing up in the Homestead/Redland area of South Florida. He spent nearly 25 years in the outdoor hunting and fishing industry as an award-winning writer, and producer of TV shows broadcast on the Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, Outdoor Life and Fox Sports channels. In 2007 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to produce Mike Curb’s Music and Motors on RFD-TV and began writing songs. His Florida roots brought story songs about living the coastal salt life and the escapism that it brings. Beachfront Radio, RadioA1A, Dockside Live Radio, Cruisin’ Country Radio, Shore Life Radio as well as other tropical rock/Americana/Country stations have been playing his songs in their rotations. His first CD/album “Island Songs” has produced several chart toppers and his new CD/album “I Wanna Live Like That” is out now and in rotation on your favorite radio station. Ray is a BMI songwriter and has had song cuts by several independent artists, including High South, Jake Clayton, and Ricky Lee Tanner, to name a few, and on television shows, (PBS) Family Portrait, Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel (Legacy Trails) (Ray Van Horn’s Captains Journey) He considers himself a songwriter storyteller and lives in his home state of Florida Cape Coral/N.Ft.Myers. Next year and will be performing at house concerts, Parrothead clubs and music festivals.

Born and raised in the heart of Maryland, singer-songwriter Rich Lafleur took up his love of music as a child. Lafleur would spend hours listening to music dreaming of one day making music himself. Once he shared his talent publicly, he quickly gained a local following by performing in bars and posting to social media. He soon realized the blue collar life working in construction with his father wasn’t the direction in which he was pulled. Being the only one from his family to venture out of the familiarity of Maryland he set his sights on Nashville. Arriving in Music City, Rich was quickly welcomed into the Music Row scene. His first release “Worth A Shot” gained organic traction which immediately proved this dream would be a reality. Following the addictive hit with singles “Back To My Boots” and “Hard To Walk Away From” he has captivated his audience with his upbeat approach to blue collar story telling. Listening to the classics of Rock n Roll and old country growing up, Lafleur also pulls influences from his enjoyment of the outdoors and all Maryland life has to offer. Amassing over 2 million streams with three independent releases this is just the beginning for Lafleur. Next he is teaming up with hit songwriter and producer Casey Brown, bringing brand new music into 2024.

Robert Bidney is a singer-songwriter whose messages are as strong as his melodies. A seasoned performer, Bidney connects with his audiences through his infectious energy and emotional performances. He has recorded three studio albums to date. An eclectic array of artists around the world have covered his songs, and he’s credited with a number of national radio and TV jingles. “Thank Goodness,” Bidney’s third album, was among the 50 most-played albums on folk radio upon its release in 2023. Bidney was a winner in the 2023 first annual “Music for Humanity” songwriting contest and was a finalist in the 2023 International Acoustic Music Awards. Bidney’s work has been praised by Ben Fong-Torres of Rolling Stone, Lee Zimmerman of Goldmine Magazine and Jon Stein of WTBQ 93.5FM in New York, among others.

At the crossroads of Blues, Folk, Americana, and Country, you’ll find the genre fluid music of Robinson Treacher. He has shared the stage with such notable artists as Vince Gill, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Los Lobos, Jeffrey Steele, Scotty McCreery, Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts), Jorma Kaukonen, and Willie Nile, among others. Hot on the heels of his 2023 EP "Hermitage Cafe", he released “Limitless", a tribute to the women of the world, most notably Robinson's mother, wife, and daughter. “Hermitage Cafe,” is a dynamic blend of all things country, with a mix of swampy Cajun hell-raisers, steel guitar ballads, and straight-up hard rockers. The release has forged new ground while retaining that one-of-a-kind Robinson Treacher vibe…a vibe that fans have come to know and love, and one for which new listeners will most assuredly return. Be on the lookout for his upcoming release, “Make You Mine”, due out this summer.

Founding member of the Americana duo Reckless Saints, Roy Schneider has been performing his original music throughout the United States and abroad for the past two decades. His songs have thrice made him a NewFolk Finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival (TX), a contestant on NBC's The Voice - Season 5 and placed him in the Telluride Acoustic Blues competition (CO). No Depression called him “A songwriter in the grandest tradition of Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Guy Clark and Lyle Lovett, but with a voice, songwriting skill, stagecraft and instrumental talent all his own.” In April 2023 Roy and Reckless Saints partner, Kim Mayfield, released a new album titled ‘Blue Twangled Folk’n’ Roll, and are currently making preparations for a new live-in-studio record for 2025."

Scotty McCreery Rise and Fall There’s a rhythm to life. A cycle of ups and downs that the Triple Tigers country artist Scotty McCreery knows all too well…And right now, he’s on the upswing. Coming into his sixth album, Rise and Fall, McCreery is riding high on a streak that includes six consecutive Gold or Platinum-certified singles, five back-to-back No. 1’s, over four million albums sold and a thriving tour platform. But it’s more than that. A North Carolina native who broke out as a teenaged American Idol champ, McCreery is now 30 years old and a seasoned country music veteran, but also a dedicated husband and new father, welcoming a son named Avery in 2022. Recently, he even celebrated the milestone of all milestones for a guy who grew up on Randy Travis, Johnny Cash and Ronnie Milsap; he was invited by Garth Brooks to become the newest member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry – a fact he still can’t wrap his head around. But folks like McCreery know it means more when you’ve seen the other side. For him, each highlight has come in contrast to a challenge – things like the loss of his first record deal, and the year of naysaying uncertainty that followed. As a result, Rise and Fall comes from an artist who knows to appreciate the ride…no matter where it leads. “I feel like we’re on the rise now, but I’ve fallen pretty low as well,” McCreery admits. “I learned from every little part of that, and it helped me to know who I was as a person – let alone an artist. The rises and the falls helped craft these songs. They made this album what it is.” And what it is, is McCreery’s most mature, self-confident and perceptive work yet. The follow up to 2021’s Same Truck – a set which spawned the hits “You Time,” “Damn Strait,” and “It Matters to Her” – Rise and Fall features 13 fresh songs, each one a modern-classic masterpiece of electrified twang, rich baritone vocals and insightful storytelling. Co-writing all but one track, it was produced by what McCreery calls “The Three Musketeers” – longtime collaborator Frank Rogers, Aaron Eshuis and Derek Wells – and boldly brings a rootsy edge back to the mainstream. Two big elements stand at the project’s core: The energy of an entertainer in his prime, and the frame of reference most don’t earn until they’re twice his age. So whether it was exploring classic themes of heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia or newfound joy, this tried-and-true star felt comfortable being himself. “It all felt very natural, and I’m just a little more dialed in as far as what I want, as opposed to searching and hoping for a hit,” McCreery explains. “There’s no filler on this project. Hopefully people enjoy it and see it came from a real place in my heart.” Lead single “Cab in a Solo” set the next-level tone. Co-written by McCreery with Rogers and Brent Anderson during a mountainside retreat near his home in Linville, NC (just southwest of Boone), the clever track is the perfect complement to McCreery’s current headspace – equal parts regular Joe realism and grown-up sophistication. A tear-in-your-beer ballad sung to a plastic cup of red wine, the unique setup features the brokenhearted sway of a classic country song, as McCreery learns to appreciate the finer things in life, without forgetting his raising. “I like a nice, big, bold cabernet,” he admits with a laugh. “Took a while to get there. Then slowly but surely, I gained that appreciation for it.” A prime tracer for his personal and creative growth, “Cab in a Solo” also proves McCreery’s big, bold baritone is in fine form. Fully in charge in the studio, his richly-textured tone is even joined by a few experimentations – like when the underappreciated vocalist slides into some falsetto for first time. But over and over, it’s a comfortable, modern-retro vibe he returns to. “That classic country sound with the telecasters and the fiddle and the steel guitar and the storytelling,” he explains. Tracks like “Pass the Bar” are a perfect example. A rapid-fire fun fest recalling ‘90s favorites like John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” and Garth Brooks’ “Ain't Going Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up),” the pure country wordplay tells a smile-inducing tale of some buddies who’ve never met a roadside tavern they didn’t love, living it up while they can. “I love singing those types of songs on the road, but I’ve never written or recorded one, so we went after it,” McCreery says. “I think we hooked that thing every way you can possibly hook it.” Meanwhile, two-steppers like “Lonely” and the nostalgic story song “No Country for Old Men” show McCreery’s mission to keep the golden-era sound alive, and with “Fall of Summer,” that “old man” shares a big picture view of life, love and the way things shake out. A heart-pounding midtempo which inspired the album title, the reflective standout finds a guy looking back on a season of life that ultimately faded – but also made room for the here and now. Its cinematic presentation is the emotional context for all of Rise and Fall – and an emotional stunner. “I think my favorite thing to do is reminisce,” McCreery says. “I love to look forward to my goals and to trying to reach ‘em, but I love to sit around with friends and just talk about the old days and what could have been, looking back on life and where you were, compared with where you are.” That tendency is in full view on instant classics like “Love Like This” – a new father’s country-rock conversion into dedicated family man – and most obviously in the album closer. The follow up to tracks about drinking away another rough week (“And Countin’”), the slowed-down bliss of small-town life (“Stuck Behind a Tractor”), and the comforting clarity of eternal faith (“Red Letter Blueprint”), “Porch” brings McCreery back home. It’s led by a bluegrassy Blue Ridge sway and quick-talking vocal, as the star remembers to keep life in perspective – and always enjoy the view. “I’m a porch guy. Even when we were back in the mountains and it was like 10 degrees outside, I was sitting on the porch with a fire,” he admits with a laugh. But in truth, “Porch” is no laughing matter. The track includes a message to his son, all about keeping space for the simple things to take center stage. After riding life’s Rise and Fall, McCreery says that’s his true destination. Out in the world to live out his blessings, but then back to the serenity of his front porch, with Gabi and Avery beside him…And maybe a little country music on radio. “I just hope people can listen to this record and get a good picture of where I’m at in life,” he says. “I still have a lot of goals I want to reach, and places I want to go. But every step of the way I’ve learned to appreciate the small stuff. “Years later, from probably the lowest point in my career, I feel like things are better than ever,” he goes on. “I’m at a really good spot for my music and my family. I’ve got no complaints, and hopefully that speaks to something going on in the listeners’ lives as well.”

A salt-of-the-earth southerner with a straight-shooting swagger and kind smile, Shane Profitt’s musical toolbox is full of all-natural talent. At the end of 2021, he was still pulling overtime at his job with the city, busting his back about an hour south of Nashville and living for the weekend — with a few decades left to go. But now, the 23-year-old is rocking sold-out crowds at the historic Ryman Auditorium, earning standing ovations at the Grand Ole Opry, and writing modern Country tunes so genuine, they slip on like a pair of broken-in work boots — because no one has to tell this singer-songwriter what a blue-collar life is all about. Profitt’s journey starts about two years ago, when his grandad asked what he wanted for Christmas and his wish was to learn how to play Hank Jr. songs on the guitar. Beginning with G, C, and D chords, he stuck with it. Gifted with a heavy-duty vocal, Profitt became a regular draw at the popular southern cooking chain, Puckett’s, traveling all over Tennessee to weekend shows while still holding down his job back home. While that made for some long hours, it also led to inspiration for original music. On recent track, “Still Picks Up,” the emerging artist introduces more layers and emotion to his usual feel-good, windows-down sound, storytelling in a way that hits close to home every time. The vulnerable tune follows the debut of his boots-on-the-ground writing style and big, barrel-chested voice on the 3-song collection Maury County Line (BMLG Records/Harpeth 60 Records). With tracks like the hook filled honky tonker “Better Off Fishin’,” chest-thumping charmer “Guys Like Me,” and his hopeful heaven-on-earth Top 15 Country radio single “How It Oughta Be,” it’s clear he puts his life to music — along with the lives of so many others.

Sheena is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has entertained audiences for decades throughout the United States. Her music and live performances are simply captivating, as she shares her personal journeys through Life, Love and Loss. Staying true to herself is evident in her performances, and that honesty has become the catalyst to her passion for music. Sheena was selected for NBC’s season 12 of The Voice, where she was hand-picked by Adam Levine. Since her appearance, Sheena has moved on to partner with several multi-platinum songwriters and artists that have evolved her unique songwriting style with tracks such as "Piece Of Me," "Tongues Of Angels" and her debut single, "Bad Bitches Like Me." Sheena has also been a featured host and curator for several themed events for past Island Hopper Songwriter Festivals, which included "The F.E.M.," an all-girl powered round; a Pride round featuring LGBTQ+ artists; and special Bose-sponsored moments during the festival.

Spring Pace is a 14 year old singer, songwriter, and piano player born in New Orleans and currently residing in Arcadia, FL. On her birthday in May of 2024, Spring released her debut album “Starflight” ~ available on all streaming platforms and SpringPace.com Spring’s songs tell sweeping stories of personal vulnerability and whimsical fantasy through captivating melodies, dramatic piano, and striking, emotional lyrics. She won the People’s Choice Award at the 2023 Sounds of Summer Singer/Songwriter Competition, with her song “Nonexistent Nostalgia”, which led to showcasing at the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival that year. “Spring follows in the tradition of many great Artists, like Alicia Keys, Fiona Apple, and Tori Amos. While she has a style all her own, I felt a definite Regina Spektor vibe from her bright, playful melodies, clear, complicated vocals, and deep, soulful lyrics.” —Tricia Storie, “Starflight” review Spring performs her catalogue of original music across SWFL, as well as being active in musical theater productions. She recently played Miss Honey in “Matilda”, The Artful Dodger in “Oliver”, and starred as the practically perfect Mary Poppins. Check out Spring’s fashion, theater, dance, and music posts on Instagram, X, and Facebook @HelloSpringPace

Stephen Clark is a storyteller. Sometimes he uses a TV camera; sometimes it’s a guitar. Either way Stephen’s passion is to tell a good story well. A veteran TV journalist and news anchor for four decades, his job took him to the far reaches of the Earth covering the stories that have shaped our lives. From wars in Bosnia and Somalia, to the Rodney King riots in the streets of LA. From earthquakes, wildfires, floods and blizzards, to the 9/11 attack on America Stephen has been there to tell the stories of the people caught in the middle. He brings that same journalist’s sense of story to the songs he writes. The adventures of people caught in the middle of life. Stephen’s musical life started long before his television career. A self confessed “band nerd” he survived high school by hunkering down in the band room learning to play every instrument he could get his hands on. It got him into a competitive music program at the University of Northern Colorado. But, always a sucker for shiny things, the flashing lights and dials of the college radio and TV stations eventually lured Stephen into the journalism program. Thus began his parallel journalistic journey. Writing TV stories at night and songs later at night. The stories, whether spoken on camera or sung from behind a guitar, share a DNA but, while his TV stories were always true and accurate, his songs need only be true. He draws his stories and the characters in them from a life on the road as an Air Force “brat” (seven or eight moves before 8th grade), from the people he’s met during his TV and radio career (another seven or eight cities) and from his family and friends. He has a keen eye for detail, a feel for emotion and a sharp sense of humor and brings it all to bear in the songs he writes. Stephen retired from Detroit’s WXYZ TV in 2018 but immediately transitioned into a job hosting the classic rock morning show on WOMC radio. During the pandemic of 2020, Stephen retired a second time and relocated to the sand, sun and surf of Southwest Florida. Today when he and his wife Larenne aren’t traveling the world, he’s in Nashville honing his songwriting craft in their historic loft two blocks from the legendary Ryman Theater, or on a beach in Florida where his friends have learned that anything they say or do may very well become a song.

Steve Duplantis was born in the “Birthplace of Jazz”, New Orleans, Louisiana. His father, Duke Duplantis, was an accomplished singer in New Orleans, so he found his love for music at a young age. Steve was born to sing! Steve has been involved in all genres of music from oldies, to rock & roll, to country, and everything in between! He is currently a solo singer and guitarist in SWFL. In addition to being a solo artist, he also played the drums in several bands, and used to sing with the Award winning group, Chicago Heat. Steve is also a writer of children’s books. He has one book available and its working on others. Currently, Steve and his wife (and manager), Damita, reside in Fort Myers, FL. He firmly believes his destiny in life is to “Rock The World”.

The Bennett Hall Band - Three confident sisters, Kat(16), Presley(15), and Josie Hope Hall(11). The band is named after their brother, Bennett, who passed away in 2010. The singing trio known for their sibling harmony, has been playing all over Tennessee and beyond for over 5 years on various stages on Broadway in Nashville, The Station Inn, CMA Fest, Tootsie's, El Dorado Festival, Tom Petty Weekend, Jamey Johnson's Homecoming, The Palace Theatre, Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Room, Fox & Locke, The Johnny Cash Hideaway Farm, Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor, The Franklin Theatre, Hop Springs, Everett's Music Barn, to name a few. 2023 was the year of their debut album, "Say Yes", including 10 original songs. With over 2 million streams, including Josie Hope's, "Keep on the Sunny Side", from 2023's, The Hunger Games soundtrack. With experience under their belt and the ability to accompany themselves on guitar, keys, bass, drums, and more, TBHB thus far has built an organic following of over 300k followers on social media.

Grammy award winning songwriter Tim James is the co-writer of the 5 week #1 “My List” by Toby Keith, the Bucky Covington Top 10 “It’s Good To Be Us”, and the smash debut from the Lost Trailers “Holler Back”. James has had over 50 major label cuts by artists such as Alabama, Darius Rucker, Craig Morgan, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, LeeAnn Womack, Joe Nichols, Buddy Jewel, Josh Turner and contemporary Christian artist Point of Grace. James penned the Trace Adkins single “All I Ask For Anymore”, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song of 2009, and the 2010 Billboard song of the year and #1 “Love Like Crazy”, by Lee Brice. “Love Like Crazy” was nominated for ACM song of the year in 2010 and broke a record for consecutive weeks on the charts. James also wrote the Rodney Atkins single “He’s Mine”, the George Strait #1 single “Give It All We Got Tonight”, and the title track and single from the Darius Rucker album “Southern Style”. James also penned the single, “Either Way”, from the Grammy-winning Chris Stapleton album entitled “From A Room, Volume 1”.

Tim McGeary is an international singer-songwriter originally from New Jersey who now calls his home Naples, Florida. Tim started out in the New York club scene playing at CBGB's, Trax, and Danceteria, and was signed to A&M records with the band The Rescue. They recorded their first vinyl record in London with Tony Mansfield as producer (Naked Eyes). Since then, Tim has recorded 3 solo CDs, the first two under the name "Wonderful Johnson" and the CD "Authentic Memphis Samich" in Memphis with John Hampton as producer (Gin Blossoms). The CDs "12" and "Second Hand Saint" produced by Ray Nesbit. His songs have been featured on the TV shows Smallville, One Tree Hill, and Glory Days, and the movies Girl Got Moe, The Knowers, and In Mysterious Ways. Most recently, his 2019 his song "When We Fight" was placed in the film "American Confederate." Tim started his world traveling days in his early 20s as a merchant marine, and is now booking shows in Europe, Denmark, Spain, France and Germany. Tim has had his music recorded by many artists, most recently with the William Shatner and Jeff Cook collaboration CD "Why Not Me" with the song "Wrong Number." The song "Trouble in Love" (Cash Creek) was voted the number one song of the year at the 2018 Josie Awards, (Country Pop By a Duo) and in 2019, the song "Lightning Walk" was submitted for a Grammy. Tim is a retired firefighter/paramedic/flight medic in Collier County, Florida, and was deployed to New York following the 9/11 attack. He has played with bands that have opened up for Billy Idol, Duran Duran, Roxy Music, and more recently opening for the Black Crows, Confederate Railroad, David Ball, and Rush Low. His love of songwriting started at an early age, and continues to grow with friends, cowriters and the artists he writes with.

Meet Trisha Markinson, the multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter who's been quietly shaking up the Americana/Folk scene. Her unique, cathartic style of songwriting is a blend of catchy hooks and heartfelt lyrics, creating that rare feeling that every song was penned just for you. With roots in Upstate New York and Austin, Texas, Trisha has now settled along the sunny shores of the greater Tampa, Florida area. Her journey through these vibrant musical landscapes has helped to shape her storytelling. Catch Trisha in her element, performing in her natural habitat... barefoot, harmonica around her neck, and guitar in hand. This is the raw, authentic Trisha Markinson experience you won't want to miss.