About
Kendell Marvel
Acclaimed solo artist. GRAMMY-winning songwriter. Road warrior. By the time Kendell Marvel moved into a 200 year-old farmhouse in the Tennessee countryside in 2021, he'd already spent more than two decades expanding the boundaries of modern-day country music. As a GRAMMY-winning songwriter ("Either Way" by Chris Stapleton in 2018) who was invited to make his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2019, Kendell continues to strike a balance as a hit songwriter and an accomplished solo artist and live entertainer.
Albums like Lowdown and Lonesome and Solid Gold Sounds were showcases for his blend of southern twang and super-sized vocals, filled with songs that split the difference between honky-tonk country and roadhouse rock & roll. Marvel's catalog reaches far beyond his solo work, too, with artists like George Strait, Gary Allan, and Chris Stapleton all landing Top 40 hits with his compositions. Other notable cuts include Jamey Johnson's "That Lonesome Sound," Blake Shelton's "Never Lovin' You," "Nobody's Nobody" (Brothers Osborne) and multiple cuts from George Strait including his hit "Twang" and "People Get Hurt Sometimes" from his 2024 album Cowboys and Dreamers.
It's been nearly 25 years since Marvel — a native of southern Illinois, where he began playing barroom gigs at 10 years old — moved to Nashville and wrote Gary Allen's Top 5 hit "Right Where I Need To Be" during his first day in town. With his latest release, Come On Sunshine, he proves that one's day in the sun can last a lifetime, as long as you're willing to listen to the muse, challenge your perspectives, and chase down the magic in front of you.
About
Casey Beathard
Award-winning songwriter Casey Beathard is one of Country music's most accomplished songwriters. In short, Casey was BMI’s 2004 and 2008 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year and the 2008 NSAI Songwriter of the Year.
His hits include the title track on Kenny Chesney's album, I Will Stand and then a cut called “Right Where I Need To Be” on Gary Allan’s album, co-written by Kendell Marvel. Since then, his hits include George Strait’s “How 'Bout Them Cowgirls”, Aaron Tippin’s “Where the Stars & Stripes & Eagles Fly”, Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem”, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" by Billy Ray Cyrus, "Just Fishin'" by Trace Adkins and a string of #1’s that include “Come Back Song” (Darius Rucker), “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” (Tracy Lawrence), “Don’t Blink” (Chesney), “Cleaning This Gun” (Rodney Atkins), “Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo” (Tracy Byrd) and “The Boys of Fall” (Chesney). He is also a frequent collaborator with Eric Church, and has co-written hits such as "Like A Wrecking Ball," "Like Jesus Does," "Homeboy" and "Hell of a View" In all, Casey Beathard has more than 20 Top 10 songs, including 10 #1 hits.
Casey’s co-written “There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams & Dolly Parton was a Billboard Christian AC #1 hit and earned the 2021 GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song. Most recently, he was inducted to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023 along with Keith Urban, Kix Brooks and David Lee Murphy.
About Special Guest Support Artist
Karissa Ella
Karissa Ella is a breath of fresh air in today’s world of country music, and she’s been recognized for it by CMT, Taste of Country, Sounds Like Nashville and countless more media outlets. Inspired by the likes of Shania Twain, Gretchen Wilson, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, her music and writing are a reflection of those that came before her. Her live performances at places like the ACM-nominated Dusty Armadillo attract audiences of all ages, but they keep coming back for her infectious personality and genuine songwriting. An Ohio native, Ella has consistently released new music with heavy press and streaming support since graduating from Belmont University in 2018, starting with a self-titled EP and her second EP, Blossom. In 2021, she put out The Acoustic Sessions – an EP of four classic country song covers – as well as the original singles “Bad Summer” and “Crackin’ Cold Ones” and rounded out the year on the road with GRAMMY-nominated country star David Nail on his Bootheel 2021 Tour. Ella had another prolific year in 2022, marked by the release of several singles – including “Hometown Bar” featured on PEOPLE.com and “Whiskey Whispers Your Name” featured on Sounds Like Nashville – as well as a special performance of "He Walked on Water" for Randy Travis himself at the Country Rebel Ranch. Ella’s third EP It’s Personal released on June 23.