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SONGWRITERS MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 20th – June 23rd 2024

2024 Schedule

Our Mission

Hook, Lines and Singers is a Smith Mountain Lake based 501c3 nonprofit. Established for the sole purpose in supporting our local charities and businesses through music. All of our positions are non-paid volunteers. We all dedicate our time and energy to developing a better community through charity. All of your donations are tax-deductible. 

Songwriters

Title Sponsors

The Cottage Gate

Settleland and Realty

Platinum Sponsors

Mangos Bar and Grill

Eagles #4344

Bridgewater Marina

Audio Sponsors

Jer Gregg

Jer Gregg’s journey from Elwood, Indiana, to Nashville is a story of resilience and creative brilliance. For 17 years, he has been a vital part of Nashville’s music scene, evolving from a skilled musician to roles such as tour and production manager. Despite a vocal injury in 2014, Jer’s dedication to vocal rehab and therapy has helped him reclaim his voice. His musical talents span guitar, bass, mandolin, and harmonica. As a versatile songwriter, Jer has had many of his songs cut by artists across various genres, showcasing his ability to craft diverse and compelling music. Jer’s global performances, from the UK to Australia, captivate audiences with melodies that transcend borders. As the Director of Entertainment for a prominent nightlife group, he curates over 300 weekly shows, nurturing artists and enhancing their performances.

Richie Brown

14 Million Records and counting! Don’t Just Dream… Believe! A motto that Richie Brown not only lives by, but has proven today. The biggest selling solo artist in RIAA History, Garth Brooks, cut three songs he co-wrote with Richie, and they have sold over 14 million records. Shortly after moving to Nashville, Richie met up with Brooks in 2001 and was asked by Brooks if he would like to write. They co-wrote the 2006 Top 30 Hit “That Girl Is A Cowboy,” the third single off Brooks’ “The Lost Sessions” album, but the biggest hit came when they co-wrote the #1 hit “Good Ride Cowboy” – a tribute to the late, great Chris Ledoux. The song debuted at 18 after only four days of airplay and broke the Billboard Highest Debut Single record at that time. The song also gave Richie his first BMI award. Eleven short weeks later, the song went #1 in December 2005. Richie, after losing his father in 1996, moved the crowd to tears at the #1 party as he gave all the respect to Brooks, Ledoux and his own father. To date, “The Lost Sessions” is certified three times Platinum (3 million copies). In November 2007, Brooks included two of Richie’s songs in his “Ultimate Hits” package, a Diamond award winning album (10 million copies). “Good Ride Cowboy” was included as well as the third co-wrote with Brooks called “Midnight Sun”. In March 2008, “Midnight Sun” became the third single released off of “The Ultimate Hits.” In 2011, Jerrod Niemann, also a co-writer of all three Brooks songs, cut five songs he co-wrote with Richie on his critically acclaimed “Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury” including the Gold single and Top 5 Hit “What Do You Want” and the Top 15 Hit “One More Drinkin’ Song”. Both songs were recognized with BMI awards in 2012. Niemann cut additional songs they co-wrote: “All About You” (2012) featuring Pop Star Colbie Caillat and “I Ain’t All There” (2017) featuring award winning Country group Diamond Rio. In 2024, Country Star Michael Ray released “Hold” a brand new single (Richie as a co-writer) which began the second chapter of Richie’s award winning career. He is proof you can’t just dream, you always have to believe! 

Melissa Livingstone

Hailing from the quaint little fishing village of Ucluelet,nestled off the coastline of Vancouver Island, BC, in Canada, Melissa Livingstone is the epitome of what small-town country living truly exemplifies. This is also where she draws from for inspiration in her songwriting. Her previous upbeat and witty single, Country Enough, went viral on TikTok, which has grown her fan base not only in Canada, but across the United States and Worldwide. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Melissa has been working tirelessly on writing and recording, all the while still touring Canada and the USA. With over 170 shows under her belt in just the past year alone, Melissa has also graced the stages of Dauphin Countryfest, Sunfest Country Music Festival, the Coca-Cola Stage at the Calgary Stampede, The Five Acre Shaker and Whiskey Jam. Adding to Melissa’s acalades outside of being an Artist, she also had her first few cuts as a songwriter in the last year with American Artists Samee Cannon and Kacy Moon. Sold out performance at the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville,TN. Her 2023 hit single, Grew Up On It, was featured on Apple Music (USA) under “Best New Songs” Over a million views on TikTok. Performed on the Coca-Cola Stage at the Calgary Stampede. Was featured on the Nashville Sign Billboard by Country Politan Magazine. Her current single, More Time, was featured on The Ty Bentli Apple Music Radio Show.

Abbie Callahan

Iowa-raised Abbie Callahan makes music that is as unique as the artist herself. She got her start as an artist playing at the local country fair and busking. Later, she appeared on The Voice at fifteen and American Idol at seventeen. She finished her songwriting degree at Belmont University where she was awarded the Ashley Gorley songwriting scholarship. Abbie found her sound by mixing rootsy, americana elements with modern pop music to create a fresh, new sound. She is a full-time performer in downtown Nashville. Completely independent, she funds her music through playing hundreds of shows each year and relying on the tip bucket. She most recently released her debut Ep, Hot Commodity, go take a listen!

Jonah Prill

Lifelong musician Jonah Prill, took to writing songs and performing in his home state of Montana at a young age. Prill’s creative and electric personality shines through over intimate singer-songwriter stages, or playing his songs to crowd singing every word. Montana had a unique impact on Prill’s writing style before loading his truck with guitars and moving cross country to music city. Better known as Nashville, Tennessee.

Will Dinnat

Will Dinnat is a professional singer/songwriter from Alexandria, Louisiana who resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has written songs for the likes of Brian Thomas, Austin Michael and Jonah Prill, among others. He draws influence from both traditional and modern country music melodies and lyrics. From Keith Whitley to FGL, his wide taste in music has helped him to craft a  unique style of his own.

Katelyn Clampett

Katelyn Clampett is a Nashville singer, songwriter, music producer and comedienne originally from North Carolina. Her songs and content have garnered many millions of views and streams, and she’s shared the stage with artists such as Vince Gill, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and more. This year, she’s been releasing a project of wordplay-filled, comedic country songs and just released her new single “Kanye and TSwift.”

Megan Conner
 
Megan Conner has been writing, singing and producing professionally for over 18 years but has really been doing it her entire life.  She has had publishing deals both in Nashville and New York City and has landed songs with Rascal Flatts, Chris Young, Craig Morgan’s latest single, Kylie Morgan, The Swon Brothers, Danny Gokey and many independent and international artists as well.  She has had numerous songs in movies, TV series and ads with the latest being placed in Superbowl 2024 and a song in the newest season of Selling Sunset.  One of her favorite passions is writing and singing in her duo Paperhouse alongside her duo partner Shane Hines.  Aside from music she is an award winning fitness instructor, running coach, personal trainer and divemaster.  She recently moved back to Nashville after a 3 year stint in the sunny Florida Keys where she fell in love with the ocean and underwater photography.  No matter what Megan’s involvements have been, it always comes back to affecting people. She has a personal philosophy on which she is building her life, career and art.  She says, “I hope to continue to grow while touching the lives of others through my music and craft. No matter if there are 5,000 people or 5 people in the room that I’m performing in or coaching in – if I connect with just one person, then I consider my job done.”

IG:@meganconner
www.meganconner.com

Erik Halbig

Erik Halbig has toured with Sara Evans, Jake Owen, Wynonna, Tanya Tucker, Thompson Square, Ty Herndon, Chely Wright, Trace Adkins and many others. He has performed on the Grammys, CMA awards, ACM awards, The View, Good Morning America, Leno, Conan, and many more. He has had songs recorded by Ty Herndon, Thompson Square, Walker Hayes, Locash, Jamie Oneal, and many others. He has a song that to date has had 30-40 million streams. He received a Bachelor’s degree from USC school of music in Los Angeles. He has had 7 guitar instructional books published.

Shane Hines

Shane Hines is a dynamic singer/songwriter originally from the DC/Metro area. He’s etched out a niche in the music industry with his energetic live performances, honest songwriting and soulful voice. His songwriting caught the attention of the ears in Nashville, Tennessee leading him to get a publishing deal and relocate to music city where the has worked with the likes of Lori McKenna, Heather Morgan, Jim McCormick and Jim Lauderdale, among others. He has had multiple songs placed in shows on Netflix, ABC, NBC, and VH1.

Lauren Lucas

Lauren Lucas is a South Carolina native and a proud Belmont University alumna. An Academy of Country Music and Tony Award nominee, you have heard Lauren’s songs on Broadway (Urban Cowboy), TV and film (ABC network, feature films), and on other artist’s projects, such as Danielle Peck, Damien Horne and Risa Binder, to name a few.

Most recently, Lauren joined multi-Grammy award winning artist, Keb’ Mo’ as his duet partner for a 2023 International Marketing Campaign for the Canadian National Railroad Company.

As a touring artist, Lauren has shared stages with Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Blake Shelton, Billy Currington, Maroon 5, The Bacon Brothers (Kevin & Michael) and many more. She spent nearly three years touring the U.S. and Europe with the all-female indie Americana band, Farewell Angelina, and penned several songs on their latest EP. 

Lucas has released a robust catalog of music in recent years, from her critically acclaimed EP, If I was Your Girl, to last summer’s full length album, Lo Fi Dolly, inspired by the Trio albums of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Covering country hits from the 1970’s-1990’s, she joined veteran Nashville songwriters Sara Beck and Kimberly Quinn for this self-produced, harmony-drenched collaboration.

On the heels of that album, Lauren released 4 more solo singles of her own. Her most recent release, “The Motherlode,” is a song she wrote celebrating both the humorous and poignant moments of motherhood.

In addition to being a wife, mom, songwriter, recording and touring artist, Lauren joined the songwriting department at Belmont University as an adjunct instructor of songwriting. 

Find tour dates, music and more information at www.laurenlucas.com 

Robinson Treacher

At the crossroads of Blues, Folk, Americana, and Country, you’ll find the genre fluid music of Robinson Treacher. He has shared the stage with such notable artists as Vince Gill, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Los Lobos, Jeffrey Steele, Scotty McCreery, Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts), Jorma Kaukonen, and Willie Nile, among others.
 
Hot on the heels of his 2023 EP “Hermitage Cafe”, he released “Limitless”, a tribute to the women of the world, most notably Robinson’s mother, wife, and daughter. 
 
“Hermitage Cafe,” is a dynamic blend of all things country, with a mix of swampy Cajun hell-raisers, steel guitar ballads, and straight-up hard rockers. The release has forged new ground while retaining that one-of-a-kind Robinson Treacher vibe…a vibe that fans have come to know and love, and one for which new listeners will most assuredly return.
 
Be on the lookout for his upcoming release, “Make You Mine”, due out this summer.