Via the Nasvhille Music Guide: Many years ago, I think it was the early 80s, Earl Bud Lee found his way to the house where Edna and I lived at the time on Walnut Street in Madison, Tenn. He wanted to write with me because I had attained some success in the music business as a country singer/songwriter. At the time I was an MGM recording artist, and I also had songs I had written that were recorded by Loretta Lynn, Con Hunley, Tom Jones and Gary Stewart, and I was not accustomed to writing with anyone. Yet, every other morning for some time, he was at my door wanting to write with me and wanting me to help him structure some of the lyrics in his songs. He was very persistent—something you must possess to be successful in the country music business—so I finally let him come in. He was a young man in his 20’s. This was one of the greatest decisions I’ve made in Nashville. Bud became a good friend and some of the most beautiful melodies I have ever heard in my life came out of his soul and into my mind and heart forever. His lyrics were great too; however, some songs were at the time a little out of meter with a few too many throw away words. Bud was easy to work with and always eager to learn a new idea and a way to get things done properly. I’ve never taught anyone anything without learning something from them in the process. Believe you me, I’m sure I learned more from Earl Bud Lee than he ever learned from me. Bud is certainly not a time waster, and he took his new-found knowledge and went for a long, hard walk down Music Row. It wasn’t long before Earl Bud Lee had a songwriting deal, and the big wigs on Music Row were taking notice and paying attention to this young man with the ideas rolling off the tip of his pen and the great melodies emanating from his heart and soul. Shortly thereafter, Bud showed his true genius to his friend, Dewayne Blackwell, and together they wrote one of country music’s classic songs, “I Got Friends in Low Places” for another new person on Music Row by the name of Garth Brooks. The rest is country music history. This song is requested and heard daily around the world. Garth never goes on stage without performing this song. He must do it, or his fans might riot and run him out of town. This kind of action only takes place when a song is more powerful than the artist. True, this does happen, but not very often in any genre of music. Yet, when it comes to Bud, it does not surprise me at all. If it can be done, Bud will find a way to do it. Bud has since written hit songs for many great artists in the country music field and is still going strong. He, along with John Wiggins, wrote the great song, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” that Blake Shelton recently recorded and took to No. 1. https://nashvillemusicguide.com/did-you-know-the-past-with-a-personal-touch/

It is a rare creative soul who can work at the highest artistic levels in two distinct disciplines. Ray Stephenson has just this kind of soul.   Wildly literate, utterly artistic, impossibly ambitious, absolutely a slave to his art, the South Georgian is completely committed to the truth. He is a world class  songwriter, recording artist, an intensely captivating live singer, guitar player, record producer & virtuoso painter. Add in the ability to express the uniquely personal in a universal way, and you have a true artist.  Ray Stephenson does exactly that in his paintings, his songwriting & his performances.    As a musician, Ray Stephenson is a Grammy Award winning, Platinum selling singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN. His successes include winning CCMA Songwriter of the Year in 2013, writing the title track of Kenny Chesney’s album Hemingway’s Whiskey, and writing the Blake Shelton/Miranda Lambert duo and album title track, Red River Blue. Both reached #1 on the Billboard Album Charts and were certified Platinum. Some of the most revered and iconic legends in Country Music have recorded his music, including Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Merle Haggard. He’s been a part of 4 Grammy nominated projects and 1 Grammy winning project (Guy Clark’s final recording, My Favorite Picture Of You, which brought home the Grammy “Best Folk Album” in 2015). ​ As a painter, Ray's paintings are hanging in the homes of collectors like Willie Nelson and Oprah Winfrey.  In 2012, Ray became the Official Painter of the Monsters of Rock Tour. He’s been featured at the Bluebird Cafe, Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville Airport, the Country Music Hall of Fame ,Gaylord Hotels, Aloft Hotel, 3rd and Lyndsley, CMT and Two Old Hippies. He's had feature articles in Nashville Arts & Southwest Georgia Living magazines.   His paintings explore his love of color, texture, music & nature. Ray’s artistic influences are found in the paintings of Odd Nerdrum, Gustav Klimpt, Rembrandt and Andrew Wyeth. His fine art is highly sought after by art collectors & is a part of several prestigious private collections. He has exhibited his work in Nashville, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Atlanta, & the US Virgin islands. 

Unique to her, Alyssa Flaherty's musical journey began before she ever picked up an instrument. Though sports took center stage in her upbringing, music's magnetic allure steadily drew her in. Alyssa's innate passion for song grew stronger with each passing day, compelling her to share her God-given voice with the world.   From early on, Alyssa showcased her talents at local schools, charity events, talent shows, and even professional sporting events, where her powerful vocals left audiences spellbound. Yet, behind the applause, Alyssa quietly pursued her dreams. Initiating a bold move, she reached out to music industry professionals in Nashville, her heart racing with anticipation. Only after securing a response did Alyssa confide in her family, revealing her deepest aspirations and seeking their unwavering support.   With their backing, Alyssa courageously uprooted from Annapolis, MD, and settled in Nashville, fully immersing herself in the music scene. There, she dedicated herself to mastering the guitar, honing her songwriting craft, and delivering captivating performances. A pivotal moment arrived when Alyssa shared the stage with the iconic Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West, marking a milestone in her burgeoning career.   Further validating her talent, Alyssa's enchanting voice will soon grace screens in Kevin Costner's eagerly awaited series, "Horizon: An American Saga," where she'll render the timeless hymn, "Amazing Grace." Alyssa's journey stands as a testament to her relentless determination and undeniable talent. As she continues to make waves in the music industry, her soul-stirring melodies and powerful voice will undoubtedly impact audiences worldwide.   Alyssa Flaherty's debut single, “Under The Influence” (out June 21st, 2024) carries a breathy sound reminiscent of a heavy heart making its way down a two-lane road. The tenderhearted free spirit shares her heartbreak from her dashboard view. PreAdd/PreSave here - https://lnk.to/af.undertheinfluence  

Gloria Anderson is an Americana and Country singer-songwriter from Luling, a small Texas town. As a military brat with parents who would quiz her on rock bands like Fleetwood Mac or play classic Country like Dolly Parton, she wrote songs about her window observations during six family moves before seventh grade. She began playing her music at open mics and paid gigs around the San Antonio area, including New Braunfels, Spring Branch, and Luckenbach at age seventeen. Gloria’s talents have been on full display in the Lone Star State, as she became the first rising Texas songwriter to completely sell out the Hill Top Cafe in Fredericksburg, played original music twice on 92.3 The Ranch FM, and toured across Texas with Cole Ritter and the Night Owls this past summer. Her sphere of musical influence even spans to the Midwest, as that tour reached Ohio and she performed at the 2022 Illinois State Fair Grand Central Stage. Gloria’s newest hometown, however, is Nashville, Tennessee, where she studied the craft of songwriting at Belmont University on her way to receiving Warner Chappell's 2022-2023 Songwriting Internship and winning Belmont’s 2022 ASCAP Songwriters Showcase. Gloria’s debut single, “Yours,” has reached over 185,000 cumulative streams across all platforms. Her songs have been featured on an assortment of playlists: Spotify’s New Music Nashville and Fresh Finds: Country, Apple Music’s Don’t Mess With Texas, and BMI’s Texas Ten. Gloria’s music combines her humble Texas roots with a bit of Nashville country flair to create a genuine, yet unique, Americana sound, and her relatable lyrics and sweet persona work together to create her image as an empowering girl-next-door who always has a story to tell.