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.
Sam Barber To Travel ‘The American Route’ On 2026 Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughSam Barber. Photo: Preston Hoffman
Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Sam Barber will kick off the new year with “The American Route” headline tour beginning with a two-night stand Jan. 30-31 in Oxford, Mississippi. Waylon Wyatt, Michael Marcagi, Clover County, Bebe Stockwell and Wild Horses will join as support.
The tour will visit Omaha, Virginia Beach, Clearwater, Raleigh, Lexington, and more through June 6. Fans can sign up for early access to tickets here. The artist presale begins Oct. 28, with general on-sale to follow Oct. 31.
Barber continues his wide-ranging 2025 headline run resuming Oct. 31 in Asheville through early December. The quick rising artist has amassed more than 2 billion global streams to date, and his 2024 Gold debut album, Restless Mind has yielded hits like the double Platinum “Straight and Narrow,” “Better Year,” and the Platinum “Indigo (feat. Avery Anna),” which has amassed 500 million global streams, Platinum certification in Australia, and 2x Platinum certification in Canada while spending 14 weeks and counting among the country radio airplay charts and reaching the top 40 on Billboard’s overall Hot 100.
He also released his album Music for the Soul earlier this year, which includes “Man of the Year,” and extended the project with the addition of “Better Than The Floor,” a collaboration with artist and producer Chance Peña.
“The American Route” Tour Dates:
Jan 30 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford *
Jan 31 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford *
Feb 5 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center $ #
Feb 6 – Washington, DC – The Anthem $ #
Feb 7 – Columbia, SC – Township Auditorium $ #
March 12 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee &
March 13 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee &
March 14 – Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall &
March 19 – Fort Wayne, IN – Clyde Theatre &
March 20 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe &
April 24 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach ^
May 7 – Omaha, NE – The Astro Amphitheater + *
May 8 – Wichita, KS – Wave Outdoors + *
May 9 – Little Rock, AR – First Security Amphitheater + *
May 14 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome + *
May 15 – N. Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery + *
May 16 – Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater + *
May 21 – Clearwater, FL – The BayCare Sound + *
May 22 – Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater + *
May 23 – St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre + *
June 4 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater $ #
June 5 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre $ #
June 6 – Lexington, KY – Railbird Festival ^
* Support from Bebe Stockwell
$ Support from Waylon Wyatt
# Support from Wild Horses
& Support from Clover County
+ Support from Michael Marcagi
^ Festival Appearance
Zach Top Notches Second No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeZach Top; Photo: Citizen Kane Wayne
Zach Top claims his second No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with his track, “Good Times & Tan Lines”
The song comes off of his second studio album Ain’t In It For My Health and was written by Top, Carson Chamberlain and Wyatt McCubbin.
Top is bringing his “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” overseas next year with special guest McCubbin. The trek will begin on Feb. 21 in Zurich, with headline dates in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo.
“Good Times & Tan Lines” currently sits at No. 16 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 11 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Kashus Culpepper Sets ‘Act 1’ For Debut Album
/by Madison HahnenKashus Culpepper will release his debut album, Act 1, on Jan. 23 via Big Loud Records.
“Creating music has been the greatest joy of my life,” shares Culpepper. “What a magical thing it is. My debut album Act I serves as a beginning of that journey.”
The 18 track project draws from Culpepper’s wide array of musical influences, and blends country, soul, blues, folk and rock. Listeners will be able to hear varied instrument use, including banjo and pedal steel, cello, violin and harp.
Culpepper co-penned all 18 songs, with additional writing credits from Jacob Durrett, Matt Warren, Natalie Hemby and more. The record was recorded in Muscle Shoals with production by Brian Elmquist. The album also features collaborations with Sierra Ferrell on “Broken Wing Bird” and Marcus King on “Southern Man.”
Culpepper gave listeners a taste of the album today with his latest track “Mean To Me,” along with the official music video directed by Lewis Carter.
Act I Track List:
1. “Intro” (Kashus Culpepper, Jordan Dozzi, Jacob Durrett)
2. “Southern Man” (feat. Marcus King) (Kashus Culpepper, Bear Rinehart)
3. “Alabama Beauty Queen” (Kashus Culpepper, Luke Preston, Diego Urias)
4. “Woman” (Kashus Culpepper, Anderson East)
5. “Break Me Like” (Kashus Culpepper, Grady Block, Hank Compton)
6. “Believe (Kashus Culpepper, Foy Vance)”
7. “Stay” (Kashus Culpepper, Jordan Dozzi, Jacob Durrett)
8. “Mean To Me” (Kashus Culpepper, Oscar Charles, Diego Urias, Matt Warren)
9. “Broken Wing Bird” (feat. Sierra Ferrell) (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)
10. “Better Weather” (Kashus Culpepper, Luke Preston)
11. “That’s The Feeling” (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)
12. “Man Of His Word” (Kashus Culpepper, Natalie Hemby)
13. “In Her Eyes” (Kashus Culpepper, Brent Cobb, Oscar Charles)
14. “Is It True” (Kashus Culpepper, Rhett Akins, Rocky Block)
15. “After Me?” (Kashus Culpepper, Mark Addison Chandler)
16. “Out Of My Mind” (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)
17. “House On A Hill” (Kashus Culpepper, Rhett Akins, Jimi Bell)
18. “Cherry Rose” (Kashus Culpepper, Mikky Ekko, Brian Elmquist)
Dalton Davis Signs With MCA/Republic Records
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Damon Moberly (MCA), Stephanie Wright (MCA), Robert Femia (MCA), Katie McCartney (MCA), Joshua Berkman (Republic Records) , Mike Harris (MCA), Dalton Davis, Steve Astephen (The Familie), Alexandre Lunt (Type A Management), Nicole Trotta (Type A Management), Royce Risser (The Familie). Photo: Courtesy of MCA
Dalton Davis has inked a record deal with MCA/Republic Records.
A Gastonia, North Carolina native, Davis grew up with rural roots, which have helped formed his sound today. He spent time touring with gospel artists, before he was mentored by hip-hop engineers. Combining all these experiences, Davis’ sound blends outlaw edge with soul.
Davis has already built a fan base through the release of “Sit Crooked,” “So Far So Good,” and “Blue Ridge Sky.” Today (Oct. 24), he drops his label debut, “Cows In The Front Yard.”
“This record deal isn’t the finish line — it’s the starting gun. Every song I’ve written up to now and every show I’ve played was just qualifying for the race, and signing with MCA/Republic means I finally get to run,” says Davis. “Signing with MCA/Republic was a big move, but one I couldn’t be more grateful to be making. With two legendary labels in my corner and ‘Cows In The Front Yard’ ready to roll, the cowboy come up starts here.”
Davis has opened on the road for Kameron Marlowe, Brantley Gilbert, Midland, Ashley McBryde, Gary Allen and Dwight Yoakam.
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.