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Matraca Berg

Matraca Berg's hits include "Wild Angels," recorded by Martina McBride, "XXs and OOs," and "Wrong Side of Memphis," recorded by Trisha Yearwood, "Strawberry Wine," recorded by Deana Carter, which was the Country Music Association's Song of the Year. Berg has recorded several solo albums, as well, and continues to write for other artists. Matraca is a Sundance favorite. Always a crowd pleaser, Matraca is a consummate performer in her own right. Her songs capture the essence and spirit of this talented artist.

Gretchen Peters

Gretchen Peters, one of Nashville's top contemporary songwriters has won two Grammy nominations, one for "You Don't Even Know Who I Am," recorded by Patty Loveless and "Independence Day," recorded by Martina McBride. "Independence Day" was also named one of the Top 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music by CMT. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe in 2003 for her work in Dreamworks animated film, "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron." Other artists who have recorded her songs include Faith Hill, Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Pam Tillis, Neil Diamond and many others.

Marshall Chapman

Marshall Chapman's songs have been recorded by such artists as Emmylou Harris, Wynonna, Joe Cocker, Conway Twitty, and Crystal Gayle, among others. Marshall has been churning out hits for years, but 2010 proved to be a banner year. In January, she landed her first movie role, playing Gwyneth Paltrow's road manager in the recently released Country Strong. In February, her musical Good Ol' Girls (adapted from the fiction of Lee Smith and Jill McCorkle, featuring songs by Matraca Berg and Marshall) opened off-Broadway. On October 30, Chapman simultaneously released a new book (They Came to Nashville) and new CD, Big Lonesome. The Philadelphia Inquirer recently named Big Lonesome "Best Country/Roots Album of 2010." Paste Magazine calls it "her masterpiece. This is Marshall's second trip to Sundance. She never fails to rock the house.

Leslie Satcher

Leslie Satcher teamed with accomplished father and son songwriters Max D. and Max T. Barnes following a Sunday night show at the world famous Bluebird Café. A writing contract with the then new publishing company Island Bound Music ensued. Satcher has had cuts by Joe Diffie, Sara Evans, Lee Ann Womack, Wade Hayes, Reba McIntire, Vince Gill, Pam Tillis, Willie Nelson and more. Most notably, Satcher penned Gretchen Wilson's chart -topping "Politically Uncorrect" and George Strait's "Troubadour." Leslie performs all over the United States and is often found doing benefits with friends Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Paul Overstreet, and others.

James Slater

James Slater is known for his powerful songs and dynamic performances. Slater penned the song "In My Daughters Eyes" which was recorded by Martina McBride and became a crossover classic, resulting in a Grammy nomination. The song also won BMI Country Award and BMI Pop Award. He also wrote, "That's Why God Made Mexico" which was recorded by Tim McGraw. He is signed to Byron Gallimore's Song Garden/State One publishing company and his songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rodney Atkins, John Michael Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan, Jessica Andrews, and Mark Wills, among others. James' song "Maggie Creek Road" is featured on Reba McEntire's new album which debuted at number 1 on the pop and country charts.

Tim Rushlow

Tim Rushlow was formerly the co-lead vocalist of the popular country music band, Little Texas. As a solo artist, Tim released the album Tim Rushlow. He also released another album and two singles in the band Rushlow, as well as two more singles in the duo Rushlow Harris. Tim Rushlow accounted for four singles on the Billboard country singles charts, including "She Misses Him", a Top 40 country hit. His versatility is exemplified in his two most recent projects, which includes a pop Christian album and a classic, big band jazz record that he is working on with Jeff Huskins, his lifelong friend and former Little Texas keyboard player.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKenna, a mother of five from Stoughton, Mass. has been writing songs since she was 13 but didn't perform her originals for an audience until she was 27, encouraged by her husband and children. She began singing at open-mike nights in Boston, and the enthusiastic response led to her own shows. She released the album Paper Wings & Halo (1998), followed by Pieces of Me (2001), The Kitchen Tapes (2003) and Bittertown in 2004. McKenna's friend and fellow songwriter Mary Gauthier brought McKenna's music to the attention of Harlan Howard's publishing company in Nashville. In turn, the company then pitched McKenna's material to Faith Hill, who cut three of her songs for her 2005 album Fireflies. Sara Evans also cut a track from Bittertown, titled "Bible Song," for her 2005 album Real Fine Place.

Tom Douglas

Tom Douglas is one of the most widely respected and successful songwriters of our time. He earned his second number one on the pop charts in 1998 with "The Gift," as recorded and co-written with Jim Brickman. In 2001, Tim McGraw took Douglas' "Grown Men Don't Cry" all the way to number one, and subsequently collaborated with Tom on the top three country hit "My Little Girl." Along with Allen Shamblin, Douglas penned, "The House That Built Me" which was recorded by Miranda Lambert. Released in March 2010 as the third single from her third album, Revolution, it was the fastest-rising single of her career, reaching the Top 20 in its eighth week. The song became Lambert's first Number One hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and held its place at the top for four consecutive weeks. It was her second single to receive a platinum certification from the RIAA on July 8, 2010. At the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on February 13, 2011, she won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "The House That Built Me."

Allen Shamblin

Allen Shamblin, who co wrote "The House That Built Me" with Tom Douglas, first received tremendous popularity and critical acclaim of his song "He Walked on Water." He has since had a hand in writing such #1 songs as "Walk on Faith", recorded by Mike Reid; "In This Life", recorded by Collin Raye; "We Were In Love" recorded by Toby Keith; and "Don't Laugh At Me", recorded by Mark Wills. Other singles include "Life's A Dance", by John Michael Montgomery; "Thinkin' Problem" recorded by David Ball; "Man of My Word" recorded by Collin Raye; and "I Can't Make You Love Me", recorded by Bonnie Raitt. To date, Shamblin has had more than 100 songs recorded by such artists as Wynonna, Patty Loveless, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Bette Midler, Ricky Van Shelton, Dolly Parton, Ricky Scaggs, John Berry, Kathy Mattea, Susan Ashton, "Prince" and others.