Nashville Songwriter’s Festival

Ben Chase is one of country music’s most exciting rising stars, blending honky-tonk energy with breezy, coastal charm in a style he proudly calls “Tiki Tonk.” Hailing from Prince Edward Island, Canada, Ben has already earned over 8 million global streams, two #1 singles on the Canadian iTunes Country chart, and a growing list of standout performances across North America.

With a natural talent for storytelling and an electrifying stage presence, Ben has shared the stage being direct support for artists like Dan + Shay, Sam Hunt, Zac Brown Band, Scotty McCreery, and Brett Kissel. He’s also performed at some of country music’s biggest festivals, including Country Thunder Alberta, The Calgary Stampede, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Cowboys Music Festival and Big Valley Jamboree.

Following a Fans’ Choice Award win at the 2020 Country Music Alberta Awards, Ben made the move to Nashville, where he continues to carve out his unique sound and identity—rooted in small-town values, good times, and a love for the water. His breakout single “Somebody’s Summer” became one of his most-streamed songs to date, paving the way for his highly anticipated debut EP, due in late 2025.

Ben’s newest release, “Best Boat”—released July 18—is a sun-soaked anthem built for boat days and barefoot nights, capturing the spirit of summer that defines his signature style.

Whether you’re on a dock, at a festival, or just dreaming of warmer days, Ben Chase delivers a country experience that feels like a vacation.

Dave Sampson writes heart on your sleeve folk/pop song’s, delivered with a captivating and authentic voice that could blow down a brick house. His knack for crafting simple ear-worms and his high-energy shows have been winning him fans from coast to coast. Collaborating with some of Canada’s top exports such as Classified, Alan Doyle, Donovan Woods & Neon Dreams as well as being chosen as one of five in Canada’s Walk of Fame emerging artist program, Dave has be working hard to solidify his position as one of Canada’s top emerging songwriters.

In 2019 Dave released his much anticipated EP “All Types Of Ways” produced by grammy award winning songwriter and producer Gordie Sampson. The project was recorded in Nashville at the Sound Emporium Studio and has already garnered multiple television placements in Canada and the US. In the same year Dave has also signed a publishing deal with Sonic Publishing (Kobalt) and has also signed with Paquin Artist Agency based out of Toronto.

In 2016 Dave’s song “No Pressure” was sampled by Canadian Hip Hop icon Classified and released as his first single via Atlantic Records with Snopp Dogg. Since the release, the song went certified Gold in Canada.

“Heartfelt, energized and emotional, Dave Sampson has obvious natural talent as a Maritime singer-songwriter. Recommended for fans of Joel Plaskett, David Myles and Hawksley Workman. _”

– Grant Lawrence (CBC Music)

“Dave Sampson writes a great, heartfelt pop song and has a warm, inviting, laid-back style that will no doubt appeal to a wide cross-section of people. It’s not hard to imagine his music lighting up the radio and drawing crowds” – the Scope, St. John’s, NL

Mallory Johnson is a 4x ECMA winner, 4x CCMA nominated artist and 2022 semi-finalist for the prestigious SiriusXM Top of the Country competition.

Stepping into a bold new era of music, Mallory recently released her poignant single “f*ck that” and follow-up singles “suitcase” and “the circus”— all of which are an introduction to her upcoming sophomore album produced by Andrew Petroff (Sheryl Crow, Meg McRee). This new batch of music has already earned her two 2025 ECMA nominations (Country Recording and Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year), two 2024 MusicNL nominations (Songwriter and Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year) and early editorial playlist support including multiple cross-genre Apple Music playlists as well as Amazon Music’s cover for ‘Break Through Country.’

The new project follows the release of her critically acclaimed 2022 album Surprise Party which solidified her place as a standout voice in Canadian country. Featuring viral track “Married,” which garnered over 24 million TikTok views, Surprise Party received praise from the likes of PEOPLE, CMT, The Boot, the Toronto Star, and national television outlets. The album also took home the 2023 ECMA for Country Recording of the Year, while earning Mallory 6 2023 MusicNL nominations (including a win for Country Artist of the Year) and two 2023 CCMA nominations for Alternative Country Album and Innovative Campaign of the Year.

After a busy season sharing stages with icons like Shania Twain, Alan Doyle, and Joey Landreth, Mallory just completed and released her sophomore project “over the party” on July 11.

Hailing from Burton, New Brunswick, CCMA Nominated country recording artist Riley Taylor’s stock has been on the rise. Winner of the 2021 Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase, Riley’s debut single “Good Things” hit #33 on the Canadian Country Music Charts, earning himself the Rogers One To Watch, Acadias One To Watch as well as Stingrays Trending Track.

With multiple singles released along with a 30 song CCMA Nominated debut album titled “Story To Tell”  Riley has surpassed 6 million global streams, and has cemented himself as one of Canada’s most sought-after country acts!

North Carolina native and 2018 CCMA Songwriter of the Year, Skip Black has been making waves in Nashville since 2007. Black co-wrote Craig Morgan’s radio single “How You Make A Man”. He also landed a #1 in Canada with Aaron Goodvin’s “Boy Like Me” which was nominated for Songwriter Of The Year at the CCMA’s as well as his double platinum worldwide line dance sensation “Lonely Drum” which won Skip Songwriter Of The Year at the CCMA’s in 2018. Black was fortunate enough to receive another nomination for CCMA Songwriter Of The Year in 2024 for Aaron Goodvin’s “Country Dance.”

Black has cuts like “High As I Ever Been”- Gary Allan, “Hello Goodbye”- Tyler Farr, “Keep On Fallin’”- Eric Paslay, “Love Drunk”- LOCASH, “Still A Little Chicken Left On That Bone” – Craig Morgan, “What I Love About Your Love”- Jana Kramer, “All She Wrote” – Christie Lamb (2 weeks at #1 in Australia), and the top 20 Billboard hit “Amen”- Edens Edge! Skip is not only an incredible writer, but a sought after producer, producing the entire Kalie Shorr record “Awake” as well as her deluxe album “Open Book Unabridged” that was featured in Rolling Stone.

Jaida Dreyer is currently one of Nashville’s most sought after female co-writes. Her eclectic writing style has had her penning songs with the likes of Guy Clark to top writers on the LA pop scene. A writer of nine acclaimed tunes for the hit television series “Nashville”, her songs have also been featured in A&E’s “The Returned” and Netflix’s “Longmire”.

Jaida celebrated a multi-week number one writing Luke Bryan’s, “Home Alone Tonight” featuring Little Big Town’s, Karen Fairchild. Most recently, her songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sara Evans, Granger Smith, Reba McEntire, Eric Church and more. Jaida has toured the country with artists ranging from current hit makers Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, to the legendary Merle Haggard, as well as being a frequent guest on The Grand Ole Opry.

Michael August is a songwriter based out of Nashville, Tennessee.
 Michael co-wrote Craig Morgan’s radio single, “How You Make A Man”. He also co-wrote double platinum- selling artist, Aaron Goodvin’s #1 hit at Canadian Country radio “Boy Like Me” as well as RECORDs recording artist, Erin Kinsey’s viral hit “Just Drive” and multiple songs on her
EP I 40 East. As a songwriter, Michael has had over 150 million global streams and 150 of his songs recorded and released world-wide, including Harper Grace (Curb), Cooper Alan, Spencer Crandall, Julia Cole, Kyle Clark, Christie Lamb (ABC Records Australia), Dan Davidson (ABC Records), Viper Creek Band (Universal Australia), a South African #1 with ZINAH (Gresham Records) and many more.

Michael has also had over 25 placements in Film & TV such as a trailer for Good Trouble, a national ad for Natrol, a promo for Grand Designs on Fox, The Irrational, The Kardashians, Dynasty, American Idol, NASCAR, ESPN, Selling Sunset, Shameless, Huckabee, Good Morning America, The Hills, Siesta Key, Lifetime, Hallmark, the theme song for Netflix’s “Walk. Ride. Rodeo”, and more!

A veteran of Nashville’s Music Row, Thom Shepherd is the writer of five #1 singles including “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Riding with Private Malone,” and “My Texas.”  He’s the writer of over 10 radio singles, two Grammy nominated songs, and has had over 100 songs recorded by Blake Shelton, George Jones, Pat Green, Kevin Fowler, Easton Corbin, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, Colt Ford, and many more.

Thom is currently a songwriter, video host, and content creator at 8 Track Entertainment in Nashville.

After years of touring all over the country, Thom and his wife, artist Coley McCabe, have settled in Mount Juliet, TN. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri and spent his high school years in Virginia before moving to Nashville in 1993 after graduating from George Mason University.

CCMA Songwriter of the Year nominated Chris Yurchuck continues his track record of major label cuts and worldwide independent releases with his most recent singles, “Dirty Money” by Travis Collins (Universal Australia), “Next Best Thing” by Nashville artist Ryan Kinder, and “Never on Fire” by Canadian artist ANNIKA that spent 2 weeks at #1 on Top of the Country Radio at Canadian Sirius XM.

Notable cuts include songs by Mary Kutter, Brett Kissel (Warner Canada), Lydia Sutherland (Universal Canada), The Prairie States (Universal Canada), Joe Hanson (Wide Open Music), and JD Shelburne, as well as three singles in the Top 40 at Canadian radio, “Rebel Phase” by The Prairie States, “Date a Friend” by Lydia Sutherland, and “I Really Don’t Want To” by ANNIKA

Mariya Stokes is a country-Americana artist known for her quick wit, candid storytelling, and unapologetically stealing your Grandma’s clothes. With a voice as distinct as her retro style, Country Music Alberta’s two-time Female Artist of the Year released her debut full-length album, Mood Ring, in May 2025.​ Produced by Juno Award-winners Justin Kudding and Spencer Cheyne, alongside frequent collaborator Lucas Gienow, the album’s anthemic choruses, gritty storytelling, and snappy basslines trace a sound that doesn’t settle neatly into one box, but neither does Stokes, with a vocal that crackles with vulnerability before soaring into a powerful, guitar-driven climax.

Stokes’ current single, Biggest Fan, explores the heartbreak of being someone’s biggest cheerleader while they fail to see your worth. It contrasts heavily with the anthemic, feminine rage of her previous single, Fuck Pretty, offering a preview of what Mood Ring is all about.

“I want every song I release to be a surprise.” Stokes says, “I’m a songwriter first; everything I write is rooted in country storytelling, but if the production needed to serve the song bends outside of the genre, I’ll go there.”

Growing up in Stavely, Alberta, Stokes found her voice early, sneaking into her parents’ small-town bar at just eight years old to sing with the local jam band and falling in love with live music. Now a seasoned performer with recent dates on the mainstage at Country Thunder Alberta (AB), Cavendish Beach Music Festival (PEI), and Americanafest in Nashville, TN, she has opened for artists including Jade Eagleson, Mackenzie Porter, Doc Walker, and played guitar for Ru-Paul’s Drag Race superstar Trixie Mattel.

In 2024, Stokes earned national recognition as a semi-finalist in SiriusXM’s Top of the Country, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association, further solidifying her reputation as one of Canada’s most promising rising artists. With over 800,000 streams across platforms, Stokes is also a three-time CMAB Songwriter of the Year nominee. Her voice can also be heard on the European pop project Hearts On The Run, licensed by Universal Music Group Norway.

Country-rocker Devin Cooper continues to prove that he does country music his way and doesn’t apologize for it. Kicking off 2025, Cooper secured six Country Music Alberta Nominations, making him the most-nominated solo artist at this year’s awards. This recognition is a testament to the success and impact of his 22-track double album, Good Things: Deluxe Edition released in 2024.

Cooper’s signature sound fuses raw gritty rock ’n roll vocals with heartfelt, authentic songwriting. Driven by bold guitar riffs and anthemic energy, Cooper effortlessly blurs the line between country and rock,  creating music for those with small-town roots and a rebellious spirit. Cooper’s sound strikes a chord with anyone who craves honest country lyricism infused with a bold, edgy energy. Cooper’s latest anthemic single, “Memories That Made Us” is available everywhere now.