The Art of Songwriting

Shane McAnally | GRAMMY-Winning Songwriter and CEO/Founder | SMACKSongs 

Shane McAnally is one of the top songwriters in Nashville with over 40 No. 1 songs, three GRAMMY Awards and two Songwriter of the Year Awards from the Academy of Country Music. In addition, he founded music publishing company SMACKSongs in 2012, relaunched the iconic Monument Records imprint for Sony Music in 2017, expanded his reach to television as a coach on NBC’s Songland and wrote the music and lyrics for the hit Broadway musical Shucked. 

Tommy Lee James | Hit Songwriter | Kobalt Music  

Originally from Roanoke, Va., Tommy Lee James has 9 #1 Songs including “She’s My Kind Of Rain” Tim McGraw, “Wrong Again” Martina McBride, “What I Really Meant To Say” Cyndi Thompson, “If You See Him/If You See Her” Reba/Brooks and Dunn, “A Man This Lonely” Brooks And Dunn, “And Still” Reba, “My Eyes” Blake Shelton feat. Gwen Sebastian, “All the Pretty Girls” by Kenny Chesney, and “Nobody but You” by Blake Shelton ft. Gwen Stefani. Tommy has had songs performed by Taylor Swift, two songs on the 7x platinum album Take Me Home by One Direction, Celine Dion, The Pussycat Dolls, Rascal Flatts, Delta Goodrem, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, 98 Degrees, among many others.  

Alysa Vanderheym | Hit Songwriter/Producer | Rhythm House Music  

Alysa Vanderheym signed her exclusive publishing deal with Rhythm House in September of 2019. The multi-genre songwriter has co-written hits such as "Lose Somebody" by Kygo and OneRepublic, country superstar Kelsea Ballerini‘s single "Heartfirst" as well as eight cuts on the Heartfirst album, "I Remember" by Cheat Codes and Russell Dickerson, and a No. 1 single with "Cold Beer Calling My Name" by Jameson Rodgers ft. Luke Combs. Her most recent success is the production of Kelsea Ballerini’s latest EP “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” and Vanderheym was Ballerini’s sole collaborator on the project.  

Allen Shamblin | Hall-of-Fame Songwriter  

Allen Shamblin, hailing from Huffman, Texas, is a legendary songwriter known for songs like Randy Travis’s #1 “He Walked On Water,” “Where The Blacktop Ends” by Keith Urban, “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert and the iconic “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt, which was voted #8 of Rolling Stone’s list of “The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Shamblin will not only be remembered for his craftsmanship and incredible songwriting gift, but his extraordinary heart to match.  

Pat Alger | Hall-of-Fame Songwriter 

Pat Alger is a country music songwriter, singer and guitarist and a member of the Nashville Songwriting Hall of Fame as well as the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In 1991, he was voted Songwriter of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Alger has toured the world as an opening act for the Everly Brothers, has over 20 commercial hits and 8 #1 songs to his credit.  

Emily Weisband | GRAMMY-Winning Songwriter | Sony Music Publishing 

Emily Weisband is a GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter from Virginia. She’s written many songs for many different artists and genres, such as Camilla Cabello, BTS, Luke Bryan, Hillary Scott and Lady Antebellum, Danny Gokey, and more. It wasn’t till 2019 that Weisband started pairing her songwriting abilities with her vocals, releasing her first solo work Identity Crisis through Warner Records. 

Cameron Bedell | Hit Songwriter | Liz Rose Music  

Cameron Bedell is a Nashville based songwriter from Wichita, Kan. He moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 2010 to attend Belmont University and is now pursuing his music career. Since signing his first publishing deal with Liz Rose Music and Warner Chappell music, he penned his first two-week number one on country radio with Jimmie Allen’s, "Down Home." He is producing Big Machine recording artist, Tiera Kennedy, where he also co-wrote her first radio single, "Found It In You." Bedell has notable cuts on artists such as Dylan Scott, Hailey Whitters, Jimmie Allen, Ryan Griffin, Lauren Alaina, etc.

Anna Vaus | Songwriter | Big Machine Music  

Anna Vaus is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville and raised in San Diego, Calif. Anna blends her West Coast cool with refreshing hooks and unmistakably relatable lyrics. She partnered with Luke Laird (Kacey Musgraves) to co-produce her latest EP, “Younger Version of Myself,” which was released last fall. While Anna has toured with artists like Willie Nelson and graced stages like The Grand Ole Opry, she welcomes the greener side of grass roots. Anna is currently signed to Big Machine Music as a songwriter and has had songs recorded by Carly Pearce, Chord Overstreet and more.

Cris Lacy | Co-President and CEO | Warner Music Nashville

Cris Lacy joined Warner Music Nashville in 2005 after stops at Tom Collins Music Publishing, Rick Hall/FAME Publishing, Island Bound Music and Warner/Chappell Music. She has been the driving force behind the signing of many of the label’s most notable artists, including Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Cole Swindell, Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson and Gabby Barrett.  In 2022, Lacy was named Co-President and Co-Chair of WMG Nashville, cementing her spot as one of the most powerful and influential executives on Music Row.

Rusty Gaston | CEO | Sony Music Publishing Nashville  

Rusty Gaston is CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, a Belmont Alum and Board of Trustees Member and Billboard’s Country Power Players 2023 Executive of the Year. His hands-on approach and willingness to take chances has propelled him to work with artists and writers like Lainey Wilson, Cole Swindell, Ashley Gorley, Nate Smith, Megan Moroney, HARDY, Josh Osborne, Ben Hayslip and more. His leadership has prompted ideas that push the boundaries of country music.

Ben Vaughn | CEO | Warner/Chappel Music Nashville  

Ben Vaughn is President and CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville and a Belmont alum.  In his role, Vaughn heads Warner Chappell’s entire Nashville operation – including all creative and commercial activities across A&R, administration, business development, finance and human resources. Throughout his publishing career, Vaughn has worked with artists and writers including Thomas Rhett, Devin Dawson, Dan + Shay, Midland, Riley Green, Michael Ray, Lady A, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Jessi Alexander, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds and more. 

Chad Karger | Porter and Co-Director | Porter’s Call  

Chad Karger is a porter and co-director at Porter's Call. He has a master's in counseling and has been working as such for nearly 30 years.

Beth Barcus | Porter and Co-Director | Porter’s Call  

Beth joined Porter’s Call in 2010 and has met with thousands of touring/recording music artists, their partners and bands providing confidential counsel and support.  Additionally, she connects artists to other resources/specialized care, speaks about mental health, and leads groups, retreats and intensives. As a Porter, she is a listening ear, a safe guide and a friend to artists and their partners, as they navigate their unique career. She is passionate about helping people find freedom and healing. She refers to herself as a therapeutic midwife. It is her great joy to coach people through their pain to the other side where they find hope and life. It is a true honor to walk alongside creatives who exhibit such courage and vulnerability.