Karleen Watt wrote her first song at age 7. Joan Baez showed her her first guitar chords. So, it was no surprise when, in 2002, she made the move to Music City. Hailing from Amelia Island, Florida, Karleen has collaborated with some of the biggest names in songwriting (Randy Houser, Anthony Smith, Josh Thompson, Jaron Boyer to name a few) and has over 50 cuts, singles and film placements. In 2016, her song “Forgotten How to Cry”, co-written with and recorded by Lockwood Barr received Music Row Magazine’s DISCovery Award. Karleen’s songs can be heard in venues all over Nashville, including the famed Bluebird Cafe (where she is a crowd and staff favorite) and most recently The Grand Ole Opry where she performed with Charles Esten from ABC/CMT’s hit TV show “Nashville”.

Tony Arata was born in Savannah, GA and grew up on nearby Tybee Island. While studying for a journalism degree from Georgia Southern University, he began performing his original songs in local bands. In 1986, he and his wife Jaymi moved to Nashville where his unique, soulful style began to get the attention of people like Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks. Garth, to date, has recorded seven of Tony’s songs, and “The Dance” won song of the year at The Academy of Country Music and received both a Country Music Association and a Grammy nomination, as well as a most performed song in Radio and Records Magazine. Tony is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (2012). He has also had No. 1 records with “Here I Am” for Patty Loveless, “I’m Holding My Own” for Lee Roy Parnell, and “Dreaming With My Eyes Open” for Clay Walker. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Delbert McClinton, Don Williams, Reba McEntire, Suzy Bogguss, and Hal Ketchum. Tony has also recorded four solo albums featuring new songs, covers, and guest appearances by many of Nashville’s finest musicians as well as folks who have recorded his songs, including Garth, Patty, and Lee Roy.

 Brit Taylor is a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get-kinda” gal.  Whether you get to know her in person or through her music, you quickly learn that the country singer/songwriter, born and raised in eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains, embraces the traits of her home – family, faith and community – while expressing her independence with a sense of beauty, honor and humor. Today, she is devoted to artistic integrity, making music that matters, making music that has merit, making music that would make her Appalachian ancestors proud. With three albums, a Grand Ole Opry debut and coast-to-coast touring under her belt, Brit has found her inner self and uses it as a guiding star for how she lives, how she writes and how she sings. What started out seemingly easy didn’t stay that way.  Born in tiny Hindman, Kentucky, she grew up with parents who challenged her to do the best she could do and be the best she could be and always do both with integrity.  She debuted on the Kentucky Opry when she was 7 years old, belting out country solos on that stage until she turned 17.  With her high school diploma in hand and her beloved bulldog, Ali, in the back seat, she headed for Nashville to chase her life-long dream.  Four years later – now with a college degree in hand, an internship turned into a real publishing deal, and a small band of her own – the dream seemed real. She listened to the industry pros, she worked hard, she believed.  Until it all came crashing down.  A marriage gone bad, industry execs urging the traditionalist to become more “commercial” and the death of her canine buddy all led Brit to realize that, in chasing the dream, she had lost the most important thing – herself. With the perseverance and strength that comes from generations of Appalachian ancestors, she put a pause on her life. She cried, she moped, she shook it off and looked deep into herself, emerging with a new confidence and a new direction, resolved to making music that she believes in, that she can love, that she can be proud of.  It was a turning point for Brit, who was determined to hold true to herself and her traditional sound. Her debut album, Real Me, was born.  An independent album – she started her own cleaning company to finance it – it is 10 original, self-reflective songs that explore her journey from depression to self-awareness. With traditional influences including Bobby Gentry vibes, Loretta Lynn honky-tonk, Waylon and Willie waltzes, western swing and heart-tugging vocals, Real Me was released on the record label Brit created – Cut a Shine Records, and greeted with critical acclaim from peers and fans.   And she found that a life headed in the right direction is a life to enjoy. Her sophomore album, Kentucky Blue, produced by famed Grammy winners David Ferguson and Sturgill Simpson, reflects that true Brit.  Combining the edgier sound of honky-tonk instrumentation – piano and fiddle with electric slide guitars, steel guitars and full on string sections, Kentucky Blue is cohesive while having a little bit of something for everyone. It is Kentucky meets LA with a stop in Texas along the way, never losing that tinge of Appalachia tradition that Brit loves. Fans and critics loved it. The Grand Ole Opry invited her to debut, and she toured from Maine to San Diego, Key West to Seattle. Kentucky Bluegrassed, released in February 2024, is the latest step in Brit’s musical journey. The album of eight original songs, five re-imagined from Kentucky Blue and three original songs, is a homecoming of sorts for Brit, who discovered country music as a toddler by listening to bluegrass on an old 8-track player with her Papaw.  She grew to love mountain strings and always knew she would make a bluegrass album. The album – classic bluegrass with a stellar group of pickers – gives Brit an opportunity to share her music with people who aren’t as likely to listen to mainstream country. Her ultimate goal is always for her music to “speak” to people in a meaningful way that brings them happiness, comfort, laughter, or whatever they might need.  Re-interpreting five songs and introducing three new ones with a classic bluegrass sound extends her reach – and her heritage – in a positive way to a new group of listeners. Determined to inhabit the highest pinnacle of artistic integrity, Brit Taylor’ achievements come today because she is always building on her strengths – authenticity, honesty and delivering songs that offer a modern lyrical perspective on real-life living and loving with her powerful, expressive alto. Her music, like her life, rings true.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Charles “Chip” Esten was raised in Alexandria, VA and attended T.C. Williams High School (made famous in the film “Remember the Titans.”) He then attended The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, where he graduated with a degree in economics and met his wife, Patty. While in Williamsburg, he was lead singer/songwriter in a popular local band. Esten made his theatrical debut in London when he portrayed Buddy Holly, singing, acting and playing guitar in the hit West End musical “Buddy.” In that role he was honored to perform for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and eventually President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush at The White House. He was also very honored to perform with Jerry Allison and Joe B. Mauldin, Buddy’s original hitmaking bandmates, the Crickets. It was during his run as Buddy that Esten first appeared on the original British version of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” with Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops. When “Whose Line” came to ABC, he became a recurring cast member and frequent song improvisor. Since then he has appeared on Drew Carey’s Improvaganza and toured frequently, performing live improv shows with Stiles, Proops and Jeff B. Davis.  Esten’s many early television credits include recurring roles on “Big Love,” “Enlightened,” “The Office” and “ER.” Besides being the father on Disney Channel’s “Jessie,” he has been a Klingon on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” a secretary on “Murphy Brown” and Kelly Bundy’s fiance on the series finale of “Married with Children.” His film credits include “Swing Vote,” “Thirteen Days,” “61*” and “The Postman.” Esten has been honored to perform across the US, UK, and Germany for the past several years, including the Grand Ole Opry, the historic Ryman auditorium and the Royal Albert Hall.  In addition, he has performed at festivals including Stagecoach, the CMAs, Route 91, C2C, and CMC.  He looks forward to resuming touring this summer. His most recent single “Sweet Summer Saturday Night” was released in August 2020.  He continues to write and record music with over 9.5 million streams to date, earning a Guinness World Record in 2017 for releasing 54 original songs (available on iTunes, and on Spotify) once a week, for 54 consecutive weeks. Charles is an active Musicians On Call board member and volunteer, regularly performing for patients and caregivers in hospitals, hospice centers, and VA facilities. With live performances being mostly cancelled in 2020, the singer-songwriter, actor and performer has instead performed a regular online Quarantine Live Stream concert to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where he has served as an honorary spokesperson for the past 8 years.