Chris Farren.
When Chris Farren launched Combustion Music, he was simply chasing the spark that comes from discovering great songs and the people who write them. Nearly 25 years later, the company has become one of Nashville’s longest-running independent powerhouses, responsible for more than 110 No. 1 hits and a reputation built on loyalty, taste and creative instinct.
Before Combustion, Farren had his own successful career. A singer-songwriter and producer by trade, he came up through Los Angeles, writing and performing for film, TV and jingles before making the move to Nashville. Once here, he hit his stride, producing Deana Carter’s Did I Shave My Legs for This?, earning nine No. 1 singles as a writer and a long list of cuts as a songwriter. Those years gave him what he now calls “the mind of a writer,” an empathy that later shaped his approach as a publisher.
That perspective is equal parts creator and mentor, and has been woven through Combustion’s DNA. From the early days, Farren has built a roster defined by longevity as much as chart success. Farren founded Combustion in 2001 after what he describes as a full and rewarding creative run.
“I had had a successful songwriting and producing career, but I was looking to do something a little different to expand my horizons and to allow myself to have a lot more soldiers out there with songs besides just the ones I was writing,” Farren tells MusicRow. “I found that I had a pretty good instinct for picking talent by some of the decisions I made early on. It was just a way for me to kind of round out my career and explore something that I thought I’d be good at.”
He knew he couldn’t compete with the budgets of larger publishers, so he built his business around potential. “It was kind of destiny. I was going to sign young writers, unproven writers and sweat equity to teach them as much as I could and give them as many opportunities as I could.”
That philosophy paid off. The company’s first signing was Jeffrey Steele, followed soon after by soon-to-be mega-hitmaker Ashley Gorley and Kings of Leon. Those early successes gave Farren “the momentum and the confidence to reinvest and keep going.”
From the start, the model was rooted in instinct and mentorship. Farren leaned on his own experience as a songwriter to identify writers whose insight and maturity were, as he puts it, “beyond their actual ability.”
“More than just how talented they are, I look for a certain kind of mentality where they understand what it takes to become a hit songwriter,” he says. “Sometimes you’ll meet somebody even when the songs aren’t great yet, but you can understand the method and the process of them understanding what it takes for these songs to become great.”
Combustion’s structure also includes recurring catalog sales, something that sets it apart from most publishing companies. “About every five years, we do a catalog sale of our songs from the previous five years,” Farren explains. “If we’ve done our job right, we’ve found that typically around year four we start to see significant earnings, and by year five or six, it’s time to reload and start over.”
The rhythm keeps his team motivated. “It keeps me and my team on our toes: focused, driven and ambitious,” he says. “Everybody participates in the profit. We kind of delay our gratification. The better we all do, the more we all earn. We were willing to invest in ourselves and bet on ourselves. After you do it successfully the first time, you start to believe in yourself and it doesn’t feel quite as risky the second time.”
Looking ahead to Combustion’s 25th anniversary with more than 110 No. 1 songs to its name, Combustion has become a force in Nashville. “We always joke that we’re small but powerful,” he says. “We’re quietly getting things done and helping make music that matters in Nashville, and developing lots of great new songwriters and artists that we can really look to with pride.”
That pride extends to the culture within the company itself. “It’s a great team. It’s manageable and it feels really hands-on. We see the writers a lot and talk to them a lot. Hopefully, for the most part, they’re happy,” he adds with a laugh.
“I’m very proud of Combustion, but it’s almost like my second career,” he says. “I started in this business on the creative side and kind of evolved to the business side, but still, first and foremost, I consider myself a creative.”
As Combustion moves into its next chapter, that core remains steady. Whether working with veteran hitmakers or new voices finding their footing, the goal is simply to keep making music that matters.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Three Acts Share Disc Of The Day
/by Robert K OermannMegan Moroney, Kip Moore and Jason Scott & The High Heat.
There’s an abundance of riches in this week’s DISClaimer round-up of country sounds.
So much so that we have to “share the wealth” by dividing up our honors. The Female Disc of the Day is Megan Moroney’s ballad, while the Male Disc of the Day goes to Kip Moore’s rocker and the Group prize belongs to Jason Scott & High Heat and their let-the-good-times-roll outing.
With a tuneful and warmly sung ditty, Conor Clemmons wins the DISCovery Award.
JENNA PAULETTE & JAKE WORTHINGTON / “Chasin’ Whiskey”
Writers: Joe Fox/Tony Lane; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Leo33
– Fiddles and steel draw out the regrets in this classic-sounding barroom weeper. Two superb country singers are at work here, and the result is honky-tonk heaven.
TUCKER WETMORE / “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
Writer: Dan Baird; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records/MCA
– Wetmore revives a Georgia Satellites goldie, retaining the rock swagger of the 1986 original while infusing it with his countryboy vocal whine. Energetic and charming.
CONOR CLEMMONS / “Nothin’ Like Love”
Writers: Conor Clemmons/Griffen Palmer/Mitch Clark; Producer: Kevin Rooney; Label: CC
– The warmth in his voice is engaging, and the highly melodic, country-pop arrangement propels the whole audio package forcefully forward. Sunny and positive and refreshing. Clemmons stages his Nashville debut as a headliner this evening (Oct. 23) at The Back Corner in Germantown (1411 Fifth Ave. N.)
MEGAN MORONEY / “Beautiful Things”
Writers: Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander/Jessie Jo DillonMegan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Records
– From a broken-hearted place come words of comfort and hope. She reassures the hurting one that, “You’re pretty and you’re smart….The world is hard on beautiful things.” A tender ballad with a healing balm.
THE RED CLAY STRAYS / “People Hatin’”
Writers: Andrew Bishop/Brandon Coleman/Dave Cobb/John Hall/Matthew Coleman/Zach Rishel; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Red Clay Strays/RCA Records
– A blues-rock slow jam with anguished vocals and attitude. Way out on the edge of what is “country.”
ZAC BROWN BAND / “The Sum”
Writers: Lukas Nelson/Zac Brown; Producer: Zac Brown; Label: Master of None
– Uplifting and wise. “You need the dark to see the stars.” The track builds from a stark, solo sound to a nearly shouted, anthem-like chorale of echoing voices. Classy stuff.
VALERIE JUNE / “Maybellene”
Writer: Chuck Berry; Producer: Lawrence Rothman; Label: One Riot Records
– Last weekend in St. Louis was “Chuck Berry’s Birthday Bash” to celebrate what would have been the rockabilly legend’s 99th birthday (Oct. 18). The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra collaborated with a number of vocalists over a two-night extravaganza. One of them was Memphian Valerie June, whose new single reimagines Berry’s 1955 breakthrough hit as a horn-punctuated bopper with tickling ivories and soulful backing vocals. Lively and fun.
KIP MOORE / “The Crown”
Writers: Andrew DeRoberts/Kip Moore/Luke Preston; Producers: Andrew DeRoberts, Kip Moore; Label: KM
– In a career that’s been built on barn-burning performances, this one truly scorches. Moore’s gripping rasp advises us to live life to the fullest, but be wary of crashes. His most fiery and fearsome single to date. This deserves massive exposure. Turn it up.
CLAY STREET UNIT & LINDSAY LOU / “Choctaw County”
Writers: Sam Walker/Scottie Bolin; Producer: Chris Pandolfi; Label: Leo33
– Pining for lost love and reminiscing with sadness while steel, mandolin and guitars chime along in sympathy. A promising debut.
CHASE RICE / “ELDORA”
Writers: Chase Rice/Oscar Charles/Wyatt McCubbin; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: Dack Janiels Records
– Echoey, wafting and lovely, the atmospheric title tune of Rice’s new collection is a reflection on the peace of the Colorado Rockies. The record marks his reinvention as an indie-label troubadour and is a completely ear-opening experience. Well done.
KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Mean to Me”
Writers: Diego Urias/Kashus Culpepper/Matt Warren/Oscar Charles; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud Records
– She’s really mean and hateful, but the track is so doggone catchy and tuneful that you can’t keep still. Beautifully produced, this soars while it aches. I didn’t want it to end.
TY MYERS & MARCUS KING / “Two Trains”
Writers: Lowell George; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Columbia
– Myers takes on a vintage Little Feat tune with an ably rocking assist from King. The two guitarists trade licks and fluidly as they trade lines. Myers’ star continues to rise—he sold out The Pinnacle for his Nashville concert last Friday night (Oct. 17).
JASON SCOTT & HIGH HEAT / “Too Good, Too Bad”
Writers: Jason Scott/Taylor Johnson; Producers: Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson; Label: Leo33
– Rollicking and rootsy. As we bop along, we’re doing all kinda stuff that really isn’t good for us. But ain’t it fun? A good-time, feel-good single.
Hannah Ellis Raises Over $27,000 For C.O.P.S. At Officer Down Golf Classic
/by Lorie HollabaughHannah Ellis
Curb Records artist Hannah Ellis hosted her first annual Officer Down Golf Classic in Nashville last week, raising over $27,000 for C.O.P.S., which provides support to the families of fallen officers.
In 2015, Hannah’s cousin, Officer Daniel Ellis, was killed in the line of duty, rocking her family and community to its core. Shortly after his funeral, Ellis penned the song,”Officer Down,” to pay tribute to him and all those who protect us every day, which she actually re-released last week 10 years after Daniel’s passing.
As an avid golfer herself, Ellis was thrilled to exceed the Officer Down Golf Classic’s original goal of raising $10,000 for C.O.P.S. this year, sharing,”I cannot wait to see the ways we are able to give back through the years, and I know we are just getting started!”
Chris Farren Reflects On 25 Years Of Combustion Music [Interview]
/by Lauryn SinkChris Farren.
When Chris Farren launched Combustion Music, he was simply chasing the spark that comes from discovering great songs and the people who write them. Nearly 25 years later, the company has become one of Nashville’s longest-running independent powerhouses, responsible for more than 110 No. 1 hits and a reputation built on loyalty, taste and creative instinct.
Before Combustion, Farren had his own successful career. A singer-songwriter and producer by trade, he came up through Los Angeles, writing and performing for film, TV and jingles before making the move to Nashville. Once here, he hit his stride, producing Deana Carter’s Did I Shave My Legs for This?, earning nine No. 1 singles as a writer and a long list of cuts as a songwriter. Those years gave him what he now calls “the mind of a writer,” an empathy that later shaped his approach as a publisher.
That perspective is equal parts creator and mentor, and has been woven through Combustion’s DNA. From the early days, Farren has built a roster defined by longevity as much as chart success. Farren founded Combustion in 2001 after what he describes as a full and rewarding creative run.
“I had had a successful songwriting and producing career, but I was looking to do something a little different to expand my horizons and to allow myself to have a lot more soldiers out there with songs besides just the ones I was writing,” Farren tells MusicRow. “I found that I had a pretty good instinct for picking talent by some of the decisions I made early on. It was just a way for me to kind of round out my career and explore something that I thought I’d be good at.”
He knew he couldn’t compete with the budgets of larger publishers, so he built his business around potential. “It was kind of destiny. I was going to sign young writers, unproven writers and sweat equity to teach them as much as I could and give them as many opportunities as I could.”
That philosophy paid off. The company’s first signing was Jeffrey Steele, followed soon after by soon-to-be mega-hitmaker Ashley Gorley and Kings of Leon. Those early successes gave Farren “the momentum and the confidence to reinvest and keep going.”
From the start, the model was rooted in instinct and mentorship. Farren leaned on his own experience as a songwriter to identify writers whose insight and maturity were, as he puts it, “beyond their actual ability.”
“More than just how talented they are, I look for a certain kind of mentality where they understand what it takes to become a hit songwriter,” he says. “Sometimes you’ll meet somebody even when the songs aren’t great yet, but you can understand the method and the process of them understanding what it takes for these songs to become great.”
Combustion’s structure also includes recurring catalog sales, something that sets it apart from most publishing companies. “About every five years, we do a catalog sale of our songs from the previous five years,” Farren explains. “If we’ve done our job right, we’ve found that typically around year four we start to see significant earnings, and by year five or six, it’s time to reload and start over.”
The rhythm keeps his team motivated. “It keeps me and my team on our toes: focused, driven and ambitious,” he says. “Everybody participates in the profit. We kind of delay our gratification. The better we all do, the more we all earn. We were willing to invest in ourselves and bet on ourselves. After you do it successfully the first time, you start to believe in yourself and it doesn’t feel quite as risky the second time.”
Looking ahead to Combustion’s 25th anniversary with more than 110 No. 1 songs to its name, Combustion has become a force in Nashville. “We always joke that we’re small but powerful,” he says. “We’re quietly getting things done and helping make music that matters in Nashville, and developing lots of great new songwriters and artists that we can really look to with pride.”
That pride extends to the culture within the company itself. “It’s a great team. It’s manageable and it feels really hands-on. We see the writers a lot and talk to them a lot. Hopefully, for the most part, they’re happy,” he adds with a laugh.
“I’m very proud of Combustion, but it’s almost like my second career,” he says. “I started in this business on the creative side and kind of evolved to the business side, but still, first and foremost, I consider myself a creative.”
As Combustion moves into its next chapter, that core remains steady. Whether working with veteran hitmakers or new voices finding their footing, the goal is simply to keep making music that matters.
Colt Murski Joins KP Entertainment As Senior Director Of Publishing
/by LB CantrellLuke Bryan, Colt Murski and Kerri Edwards
KP Entertainment has appointed Colt Murski as Senior Director of Publishing. A Music Row publishing veteran, Murski will oversee the publishing operations, support the roster of writers, expose the song catalog and curate creative growth opportunities.
Jody Stevens, Davis Corley, Kerri Edwards, Mike Mobley, Whitney Duncan, Luke Bryan and Colt Murski
Murski joins KP Entertainment from his most recent role as VP, Country Publishing at Curb | Word Entertainment where he spent the last 20 years working along hit writers including Lee Brice, Dylan Scott, Kelsey Hart, Rodney Atkins, Matt Alderman, Kyle Jacobs, Billy Montana, Bobby Tomberlin, Josh Melton, Brian Davis, Joe Leathers, Jennifer Denmark, Doug Johnson and many others.
“I started in this business working with songwriters so they have always had a special place in my heart,” says Kerri Edwards. “This arm of KP Entertainment is very important to me and finding the right person to lead it was just as important. With 20 years of experience in our town, Colt fills that spot perfectly. He leads with excitement and integrity and I am confident we will continue to build a strong company for creatives.”
“Kerri and Luke are highly respected figures in this industry and I’m very honored to be a part of their team. I’m also very excited to work with this talented group of writers at KPE and look forward to growing this company and achieving great success together,” says Murski.
Murski can be reached at colt@kpentertainment.co.
Amazon Music & Grand Ole Opry Host Livestream Concert Takeover
/by Lauryn SinkLainey Wilson. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
Amazon Music and the Grand Ole Opry teamed up earlier this week to host a livestreamed concert takeover. Carter Faith, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Alaina, Dan & Shay, Russell Dickerson, Gabby Barrett and Noeline Hofmann each took the stage on Tuesday night (Oct. 21).
Alaina performed a mashup of “Thicc As Thieves” and Gretchen Wilson’s “Here For The Party” before moving into her current single, “All My Exes,” and fan-favorite “Road Less Traveled.”
Carter Faith. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
Dickerson kicked off his set with “Happen To Me” and “Worth Your Wild” before ending with his breakout hit “Yours.”
Newcomer Hofmann took the stage with “The Way You Bring Me To Tears,” her Amazon Music Original “Dublin Blues” and “Lightning In July.”
Faith graced the stage next to sing her Amazon Music Original cover of Addison Rae’s “Fame Is A Gun,” “Bar Star” and “If I Had Never Lost My Mind.” While on stage, Faith was announced as Amazon Music’s next Breakthrough artist.
Next, Barrett performed “The Good Ones,” “Growin’ Up Raising You” and “Pick Me Up.”
Dan + Shay kept the energy high with “Speechless,” a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Back To December” and “Tequila. ”
Wilson closed out the night with “King Ranch, King George, King James,” “Good Horses,” “Hang Tight Honey,” “Peace, Love & Cowboys” and “Somewhere Over Laredo.”
Russell Dickerson. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
Noeline Hoffmann. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
Lauren Alaina. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
Dan + Shay. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
Gabby Barrett. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
Jeffrey Steele, Bob McDill Among Songwriters Hall Of Fame 2026 Nominees
/by Lorie HollabaughJeffrey Steele and Bob McDill are among the nominees for induction into The Songwriters Hall of Fame who will be recognized at the 2026 Induction & Awards Gala in New York City.
A songwriter with a catalog of notable songs qualifies for induction 20 years after his or her first commercial release of a song. Eligible voting members will have until midnight ET on Dec, 4 to turn in ballots, with their choices of up to three nominees in each of the songwriter and performing songwriter categories.
Jeffrey Steele (“What Hurts The Most, “My Wish,” “The Cowboy In Me,”), Bob McDill (“Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold,” “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “Song Of The South”), Larry Weiss (“Rhinestone Cowboy”) and Taylor Swift are among the writers nominated in the Non Performing Songwriters category who have penned country hits.
A full list of this year’s nominees, which also includes David Byrne, LL Cool J, Kenny Loggins, P!nk and many more, is available at songhall.org.
Premiere Networks & Buzz Knight Launch New ‘Takin’ A Walk Nashville’ Podcast
/by Lorie HollabaughPremiere Networks and media executive Buzz Knight are launching a new podcast Takin’ A Walk Nashville, hosted by singer-songwriter Sarah Harralson, on Oct. 30 via iHeartPodcasts.
The new show will debut with guest Chris Young, who will discuss the inside story and inspiration behind the making of his new album I Didn’t Come Here to Leave. With her roots in the local music scene, Harralson will shine a spotlight in each episode on the city’s musical heritage, uncovering stories behind every genre that calls Nashville home. From the legends who shaped its sound to the next wave of genre-blending pioneers, each show will deliver intimate conversations, behind-the-scenes insights, and musical discoveries.
“I’m thrilled for this exciting next chapter of growth for Buzz Knight Media Productions and honored to add Sarah Harralson to our team,” says Knight. “Thanks once again to Premiere’s Julie Talbott for believing in the fine art of storytelling with our podcasts.”
Takin’ A Walk Nashville is the latest chapter in Knight’s Takin’ A Walk: Music History on Foot podcast series.
NSAI Reveals Board Of Directors Changes
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Drew Baldridge, Parker Welling & Ben Williams
NSAI has begun its multi-part Board election, beginning with elevating Parker Welling to Industry Liaison on the executive committee, and adding Ben Williams to fill Welling’s old seat. Additionally, Drew Baldridge has joined the Board as an Artist-Writer Representative.
Current Board members Rhett Akins and Roger Brown received re-appointments to their positions, with Akins remaining an Artist-Writer Representative and Brown as the Legislative Chair, effective immediately.
The final step in the election process will be votes from professional members and further selections by the NSAI board to determine the remainder of the 2026 NSAI Board of Directors at a later date.
Ty Myers Marks Nashville Debut With Sold-Out Headline Show
/by Lauryn SinkTy Myers. Photo: Jocelyn Myers
Ty Myers made his Nashville debut last week with a sold out show at The Pinnacle on Friday night (Oct. 17).
“I’ve been dying to do a show in Nashville. My team and I wanted it to be the right timing and right venue. I’m so glad we waited and played to a sold-out crowd at The Pinnacle,” shares Myers. “This town means so much to me and we wanted to do it right. For this set, we added horns and an elevated light package, and it just couldn’t have gone better. The crowd was insane.”
Myers performed tracks from his debut album, The Select, including his current Platinum single “Ends of the Earth,” alongside Gold certified fan-favorites “Thought It Was Love” and “Drinkin’ Alone.” Mixed in the set, Myers performed tracks from his upcoming sophomore record including “Leaving Carolina,” “Through a Screen,” “Come On Over, Baby,” and his latest drop “Two Trains.” He gave fans a taste of what is coming next with unreleased track “Good Morning Paris.”
Myers will continue on his 73-date “The Select Tour” through the beginning of next year before joining Luke Combs for the “My Kinda Saturday Night Tour” and make his Stagecoach debut.
Photo: Jocelyn Myers
Photo: Jocelyn Myers
Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley At CRS To Celebrate ’90s Country With Clint Black, Steve Wariner & Paul Overstreet
/by Lorie HollabaughClint Black, Steve Wariner and Paul Overstreet
Clint Black, Steve Wariner and Paul Overstreet will kick off Bob Kingsley‘s Acoustic Alley at CRS with a special celebration of ’90s country on March 19.
Hosted by Fitz from Country Top 40, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley celebrates the craft of songwriting with performances from some of the most talented songwriters in the industry. Radio Ink will also honor its “Top Country PDs” during the event, which is now in its 13th year and has become a cornerstone of CRS programming, offering attendees a rare opportunity to experience hit songs in their purest form performed by the artists and writers who created them.
Black, Wariner and Overstreet will set the tone for an unforgettable night of songs, stories, and nostalgia, honoring the music that shaped country radio through one of its most influential decades. Additional songwriters and performers for the annual event will be announced in the coming weeks.