SONGWRITERS, THE

#301 Kix Brooks
Short description:
Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn revisits some of the biggest songs he's written.

Long description:
Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn revisits some of the biggest songs he's written. In addition to being a member of one of the most successful duos in country music history, Brooks is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and recalls the first time the duo performed "Only in America" in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11.

#302 Amy Grant
Short description:
Hall of Fame Songwriter Amy Grant talks about writing big pop hits as well as songs of faith.

Long description:
Multi-platinum and Grammy® Award-winning artist Amy Grant discusses a songwriting career that stretches from her gospel roots through her pop stardom and into contemporary projects; performances include “Tennessee Christmas,” “Baby, Baby,” and a new, unreleased song.


#303 Allen Shamblin
Short description:
Allen Shamblin talks about his inspirations and sings “The House That Build Me.”

Long description:
Songwriter Allen Shamblin launched his career with a number one record by Randy Travis. In this episode, he revisits the songs that led to his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, including the Bonnie Raitt classic recording of "I Can't Make You Love Me."


#304 Brett James
Short description:
Brett James has written number one hits for Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Martina McBride.

Long description:
Brett James has written number one hits for Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Martina McBride. The member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame didn't have a straight path to success, though. He dropped out of medical school - twice - before becoming one of the most successful songwriters in Music City.


#305 Bob Depiero
Short description:
Bob DePiero tells the back story of his career as a successful songwriter with 15 number one hits.

Long description:
Bob DePiero tells the back story of his career as a successful songwriter with 15 number one hits. The roster of artists who have recorded his music includes the Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Neal McCoy, Faith Hill, Tanya Tucker and George Strait, among many more.


#306 Spooner Oldham
Short description:
Spooner Oldham revisits his career as a legendary sideman and Hall of Fame songwriter.

Long description:
Working with partner Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham wrote "Cry Like a Baby" for the Box Tops and "I'm Your Puppet" for James and Bobby Purify while working as a musician on some of the most historic soul recordings and R&B sessions of the 1960s.


#307 Larry Gatlin
Short description:
Larry Gatlin talks about his career, including his path to becoming a top songwriter.

Long description:
Country and gospel singer-songwriter and member of the chart-topping Gatlin Brothers trio, Larry Gatlin talks about the importance of his high school education, meeting Dottie West, and how he developed two of his biggest hits, “I’ve Done Enough Dyin’ Today” and “All the Gold in California,” both of which he performs.


#308 Buddy Cannon
Short description:
George Strait, Mel Tillis and Vern Gosdin have all recorded hit songs by Buddy Cannon.

Long description:
George Strait, Mel Tillis and Vern Gosdin have all recorded hit songs by Buddy Cannon. But that's just the start. In addition to writing songs leading to his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Cannon was also a top music producer in Nashville working with the likes of Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, and George Jones.


#309 Marcus Hummon
Short description:
The Chicks, Alabama and more have enjoyed big hits thanks to songwriter Marcus Hummon.

Long description:
The Chicks, Alabama, and more have enjoyed big hits thanks to songwriter Marcus Hummon. The Hall of Fame songwriter responsible for ”Ready to Run,” The Cheap Seats,” and Born to Fly,” is also a multi-faceted performer and composer who has scored films and written operas and musicals.


#310 Joe Melson
Short description:
With partner Roy Orbison, Joe Melson wrote legendary songs “Crying” and “Only the Lonely.”

Long description:
With partner Roy Orbison, Joe Melson wrote legendary songs “Crying” and “Only the Lonely.” The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member tells host Ken Paulson about writing and recording in the early years of pop and rock, and the run of legendary songs he and Orbison collaborated on more than six decades ago.