Tommy Karlas is a professional singer/songwriter from East Alton. IL. At age 14 he visited the Bluebird Cafe and fell in love with Nashville songwriting. Five years later in 2001 he moved to Nashville and got his first publishing deal. Since then he’s had songs recorded Blake Shelton, Randy Travis, Old Dominion, Montgomery Gentry, Trisha Yearwood, and more; including the multi-week No. 1 Roll With Me which became the fastest rising and most downloaded song of Montgomery Gentry’s long career, penning  Tommy an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year nomination. Tommy currently writes for Sony Music/Droptine Music.

After years of playing in bands around Texas (including upright bass for bluegrass legend, Karl Shifflett), Trent Willmon found himself in Nashville, TN as a side musician playing bass and guitar for other artists. In between sessions, he would also continue to work on local horse farms outside of town. Trent signed his first publishing deal with Seagayle Music and soon after started a band called “Cow Camp” whose members included hit-songwriter Clint Ingersoll on lead guitar and Granger Smith (Earl Dibbles, Jr.) on steel. While playing the Nashville Broadway bar scene and a house band gig at Big Jim Country in Lewisburg, Trent honed his chops as a front man, landing him a record deal with Sony / Columbia. In 2005, Willmon released his debut self-titled album and broke into the industry with featured videos on CMT and GAC.  Trent Willmon has written many songs cut by top recording artists like Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Little Big Town, Randy Houser, Blake Shelton, Wade Hayes, Kevin Fowler, Maddie & Tae, Roger Creager, Merle Haggard and more. Several of his co-written songs have been in heavy rotation on traditional radio and he has had numerous recorded songs reach #1 on Texas regional radio charts.

Sam Banks is a rising country artist and songwriter known for heartfelt lyrics, authentic storytelling, and a sound that bridges traditional country with a modern edge. Raised outside Kansas City, Banks found his love for country music early, honing his craft on the road and performing at venues across the country. Inspired by legends like Merle Haggard and Dean Dillon, he delivers songs grounded in honesty, grit, and real-life experience. A pivotal moment in Banks’ career came through working with Craig Morgan, an opportunity that gave him a firsthand look at the heart of the country music industry. One of his career highlights was performing at the Grand Ole Opry alongside Morgan—an experience that helped shape both his perspective and his sound. Since then, Banks has shared the stage with artists including Trace Adkins, Thomas Rhett, Zac Brown, Gary LeVox, Jelly Roll, Jimmy Fortune, and members of the Hank Williams Jr. family. As a songwriter, Banks has quickly built an impressive catalog. His recent cuts include “Be By You,” recorded by Luke Combs, and “Bartender in Destin” by Riley Green, along with songs recorded by Craig Morgan, Matt Lang, Josh Ward, William Michael Morgan, and a Texas No. 1 hit for Jake Bush. In 2026, Banks signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group. He released his debut single, “Who’s Teachin’ Who,” in 2024, followed by “Rollin’ Stone,” further establishing himself as one of country music’s emerging voices. With a sound rooted in authenticity and storytelling, Sam Banks is carving out his own lane—letting the songs speak for themselves.