Nashville Songwriters

The Stories Behind Nashville’s Greatest Hits

The songwriters who created some of country music’s greatest hits will perform live at DPAC in a benefit show on Friday, March 10, 2023 presented by Loud Lemon and 94.7 QDR. At Nashville Songwriters at DPAC, the writers behind dozens of #1 country hits bring their songs and stories to DPAC to help benefit Loud Lemon Foundation, a charitable organization focused on music instruction and therapy to underserved communities.

This is DPAC’s fifth year hosting this annual Triangle event, which is organized by songwriter and area resident Jeff Outlaw.  These eight top country songwriters will sing their hits and share their stories, bringing fans closer to the creative process that has produced some of the biggest hits in country music: 

Jeff Outlaw is a published songwriter of thirteen years and signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.  In addition to collaborating with many of the artists participating in this show, Jeff has worked with Phil Vassar, Troy Cartwright, Matt Nathanson, John Legend, Plain White T’s, Kip Moore, Drake White, and Brothers Osborne.  His hits include “She’s On Her Way” by Phil Vassar and “Still Ain’t Made It Home” by Casey Donahew. He has created numerous video treatments for music videos with Vassar and served as Creative Advisor for Vassar’s popular show, Songs from the Cellar. He lives in Bahama, NC, with his family.

Wynn Varble began writing songs at age 15 and was performing locally in a few country and bluegrass bands by the time he graduated high school. He later moved to Nashville where he signed with Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Music. His songs “Waitin’ on a Woman” by Brad Paisley, “Have You Forgotten?” by Darryl Worley, and “A Little More Country Than That” by Easton Corbin were all nominated for Song of The Year by either the ACMs or the CMAs. Varble was named Songwriter of the Year in 2009 by the Nashville Songwriters Association.

The Warren Brothers are an American songwriting duo who have written hits for several chart-topping country artists and rock bands. Brad and Brett Warren started as recording artists in their hometown of Tampa, Fla., before moving to Nashville. They were CMA nominees for Duo of the Year for six straight years and had Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and a CMA Song of the Year. Among their hits are “Highway Don’t Care” by Tim McGraw, “Red Solo Cup” by Toby Keith, and “Drink to That All Night” by Jerrod Niemann.

Tim Nichols has written hit country songs for over two decades, leading to many accolades including induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, many BMI awards, as well as recognition from CMA, ACM, and NSAI. Some of his better known hits include Jo Dee Messina’s “Head’s Carolina, Tail’s California,” Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels,” and the Grammy® Award winning “Live Like You Were Dying,” by Tim McGraw. He has also collaborated with artists like Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Keith Whitley, and Lee Ann Womack, to name a few.

Jimmy Yeary began his music career singing in churches with his family, playing more than 200 dates a year singing Southern gospel music. In 1994 Jimmy moved to Nashville, where songwriting became his main focus. He began writing for Skyline Music Publishing and later signed with THiS Music. He co-wrote “I Drive Your Truck” with Jessi Alexander and Connie Harrington, and other top hits include “Everything is Gonna be Alright” by David Lee Murphy with Kenny Chesney, “Anywhere With You” by Jake Owen, and “Why Wait” by Rascal Flatts.

David Lee Murphy has written over 30 charting country singles and as well as #1 songs including “Til It’s Gone” by Kenny Chesney, “Anywhere With You” by Jake Owen, “The Only Way I Know” by Jason Aldean, “Hell Yeah, I Like Beer” by Kevin Fowler, “Live a Little” by Kenny Chesney, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” by Thompson Square, “Big Green Tractor” by Jason Aldean, and “Living In Fast Forward” by Kenny Chesney. Murphy not only writes for some of the biggest names in country music, he released an album “No Zip Code” produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney with many popular songs including the number one hit single and duet with Kenny Chesney, “Everything is Gonna Be Alright.”  Murphy, who’s songs “Dust on the Bottle” and Party Crowd” continue to be staples at country radio.

Rodney Clawson is an award-winning songwriter with 24 chart topping country radio singles to his name. The Gruver, Texas native began traveling from the family farm in Texas to Nashville to write music and signed his first music publishing deal in 2000. In his 22-year career, Rodney has had hit songs recorded by George Strait, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Florida Georgia Line and many more. The Texas farmer turned songwriter has earned multiple nominations for Best Country Song at the Grammy Awards and multiple Song of the Year nominations at CMA Awards and ACM awards. Rodney won BMI and NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 2013 and 2015. To date, Rodney has earned six CMA Triple Play Awards (writing 3 #1 songs in 1 calendar year). Rodney has achieved many milestones as a songwriter - including being inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall Of Fame as well as writing George Strait’s highest debuting single of all time, “I Saw God Today,” earning Strait his record breaking 56th Number One and CMA Single of the Year.